Page 75 of Hardy

“Let’s see.I can take yourphone away.”

“I don’t have a phone,”Sally said.

Lacey smiled and moved to a box.Heand Lacey had been out shopping, trying to get everything they’dneed for a teenage daughter.“What about this one?”

“You bought me a cellphone?”

“Yep.It’s registered, and it’slimited, so don’t even think of running up the phone bill,” Laceysaid.

“Thank you.”

“So, we can take your phone, yourlaptop, your tablet, and then there are the horrible chores.”Aftereach of the items he listed, Lacey pulled them out of the gift box.Tears were glistening in Sally’s eyes with each second that passed.“Raking the yard, weeding, cooking, washing the dishes, laundry,cleaning the shit from the toilets.Do I need to make myselfclear?”

“No, we’re clear.We’recrystal clear,” Sally said.

Whizz moved to Lacey, gripping hiswoman around the neck.He tilted her head back, and kissed her.“Show her.”

“We bought you a welcomepackage.The kind of stuff all young women should have.”Laceyhanded over the remainder of the box.Sally placed her phone down,and looked inside.“Also, the old ladies are going shopping with ustomorrow.”

“Shopping?”

“Yeah, you’re not stayingin clothes like that.You’re getting something new.”

“Thank you.”

Whizz let Lacey show Sally to herroom, and he heard her squeal at the sight of her own room.Leaningagainst the kitchen counter, he smiled.This was what he wanted todo, and to give to another woman.

Ten minutes later Lacey came backdown.

“What do you think?”sheasked.

“What doyouthink?”

“I adore her.She needs us,Whizz.”

“I agree.”

He opened his arms, and like always,Lacey walked right into his arms without hesitating.

Chapter Twelve

The weeks wenton, and Hardywent from the spare bedroom to the main bedroom.Rose didn’t likesleeping alone, and so she begged for him to stay with her.Shekept expecting him to fuck up, and change.He didn’t.Hardy was aconstant presence in her life.He still went and did the work forThe Skulls.Angel told her it was supervising the builders for thenew gym.Fort Wills was excited about the gym, and the potentialfor work.Baker was also looking at possibly opening up a bakery,but he was struggling with the demons of his past.

Rose felt for him because he’d notgotten further with Millie.The summer weeks had turned to fall,and she’d soon be entering her second trimester.She had a lovelylittle bump that Rose believed only made her look fat rather thanpregnant.

Hardy still made sure theprospects hung around, which was why she had Fighter withherintown.

“You don’t have to followme around,” she said.

“It’s not about you, Rose.I like hanging around with you.”

She chuckled.“You’re a badliar.”

“I’m not.I’m a very good liar.You just don’t like to hear about it.”

Nudging his arm, she made her waytoward Millie’s toy shop.“I’m going in there,” shesaid.

“Baker’s not made anyprogress with her.”

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