Page 23 of Being Lost

Not everyone is a good fit for us, or us for them, but those we have taken on have made it work.

“Hey, there’s the man himself.” Dart turns and waves at Niran who’s just entered the clubroom.

When he beckons him across, Niran points to the bar, then at us, silently telling us he’ll be grabbing a drink for himself first. Curtis is ready with one in his hand, so it’s only seconds before he comes over.

“We’re just discussing the new employees,” I explain. “Dart says they’re doing okay.”

“Sure are,” Niran agrees. “I wondered how Ross would cope at first, but that bionic hand he’s got is amazing. Doesn’t hold him back at all.”

“And Gibbs?” Dart asks. “Any problems?”

“Nah. Sometimes he stares off into space for a while, but he comes back down. He’ll do better in time. Which reminds me, I need to get a new prosthesis. I’ll need to take some time off to get that sorted.”

“Anything wrong?”

Niran shakes his head. “No, but the shape of the stump changes over time, so I need to have a new one fitted.”

It goes without saying, he can take all the time he needs. I turn away as my phone vibrates in my pocket. Taking it out, I don’t recognise the number that’s calling.

“You got Lost.”

“Lost, it’s Patsy. I, er, you told me to call if something didn’t seem right.”

“What’s up?” I say sharply. “You okay?” Noticing my tone, Dart immediately ceases his conversation with Niran and looks my way.

“I’m at the mall. I think someone’s been following me. Dan’s at work and I can’t risk him losing this job, so I couldn’t call him for help. I’m… I’m scared about going to my car. I thought if it really was someone to be worried about, they might follow me home and find out where we live.”

Smart thinking. “You sure someone’s stalking you?”

“That’s the thing, no I’m not. Could just be someone going to the same places as me, but after what you said last week…”

“I told you to be careful, Patsy, so you’re doing just what I suggested. If it turns out to be nothing? Great. If not? We’ll sort it out. Now, tell me exactly where you are.”

She does. I know where she’s at and mentally I run through the businesses I remember. There’s a coffee shop close by, so I tell her to get there and wait.

Dart’s standing with an eyebrow raised.

“Patsy Forster. She thinks she’s got someone following her.” It’s all I need to say.

“Niran, you coming?” Dart asks. “We may have a problem.”

Seems he is as Niran stands and joins my VP. As we walk across the room, a few more of the nosy fuckers tag along. I grin. Dart hadn’t been particularly quiet and several, it seems, have invited themselves. It’s warming that I don’t have to issue orders at all. Any of these men will have my back whenever I need it.

“Where we going?” Dart asks, as we go to our bikes.

I name the popular mall she’s at. As I swing my leg over the seat, I’m hoping we’re setting off on a wild goose chase, and that her senses are on high alert because it was only last week my visit and information had scared her. But if it’s made her and Dan more cautious about their surroundings, it wasn’t for nothing. Hoping it’s a false alarm, I’m rehearsing the reasons why Patsy would be justified to give me a call anytime, and not to feel like she’s crying wolf, even if it turns out to be nothing.Boys wanted a chance at a ride out. It’s good practice for them to act like a team. I wanted to see you again, anyway.Nah, I shake my head under my helmet. I can’t say the last to a woman I don’t know at all. She’d run a mile if she knew how often I’d used the vision of her to get my dick going. Yeah, my efforts to not think about her hadn’t been as successful as I’d hoped.

In truth though, it won’t be much hardship to remind myself of those plump lips and generous mouth. Wouldn’t hurt anyone if tonight ends the same way as the previous ones had with me rubbing one out in the shower.

When we arrive at the mall and park, five men accompany me as I walk inside, Wrangler being left to watch the bikes. While we’re well-known in this part of the city and a man would be stupid to touch our rides, leaving them unattended is not something we want to take a chance on.

Leaving Dart and the others waiting out of sight pretending, or not, interest in the underwear displays in another store front, I enter the coffee shop and spy Patsy at a table near the rear, noticing she’s seated with her back against the wall. There’s an empty table next to it. Going to the counter, I order a coffee I don’t want or need and pay for it. This time in the afternoon, the mall is quieter with the lunch crowd gone. The coffee shop is too. I get served immediately.

I then go to the table next to Patsy.

“He still here?” I ask, without greeting or explanation while looking straight ahead and hiding that my lips are moving by raising my cup to my mouth.

Quick on the uptake, she lowers her head and murmurs toward the table, “I’ve seen him three times since I came in here, walking past, glancing in. I’m not sure if he could see me.”

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