Page 41 of Friar
“Go,” she said softly.“Find out.I’ll wait here.”
I studied her face, looking for signs of fear or hesitation, but found only determination.My church girl was stronger than anyone gave her credit for, stronger than I sometimes remembered.
“Two minutes,” I promised, guiding her to a bench in the shade.“Don’t move.Yell if anyone comes near you.”
She nodded, managing a small smile that didn’t reach her eyes.“I’ll be fine.Go.”
I jogged back to Church, my heart pounding with anticipation and dread.Whatever Shield had found, whatever Beast hadn’t wanted to share in front of Cheri, it was the key to finding who had tried to kill my family.
Chapter Fifteen
Cheri
Four days of lockdown had turned me into a prisoner in Beast’s fortress of a house.Four days of watchful eyes, of whispered conversations that stopped when I entered rooms, of Friar’s increasingly dark moods as the club failed to find who had poisoned me or identify the figure from the security footage.I’d finally broken down that morning, tears of frustration spilling over as I begged for just one hour of normalcy, one hour where I wasn’t treated like fragile cargo.Friar had relented, but not without conditions -- two guards, a strict time limit, and my promise to stay in public places with lots of witnesses.
“One hour,” he’d said, his voice gruff as he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.“Then straight back to Beast’s.No detours.No exceptions.”
I’d agreed immediately before he could change his mind.One hour of freedom was better than nothing, even with babysitters watching my every move.
Now, as I stepped through the door of the small maternity boutique in town, the bell above the door announcing my presence with a cheerful jingle, I felt my shoulders loosen for the first time in days.Wrangler positioned himself outside the front window, his broad shoulders and leather cut an unmistakable warning to anyone passing by.Hawk had gone next door to grab coffee, promising to be back in five minutes.Neither of them had wanted to follow me into a store filled with stretchy pants and nursing bras.I’d even caught a glimpse of Nugget.
“Let me know if you need any help, hon,” the saleswoman called from behind the counter.She looked to be in her fifties, with salt-and-pepper hair pulled back in a neat ponytail and reading glasses hanging from a beaded chain around her neck.Her smile was warm but curious, no doubt wondering what a woman in a Reckless Kings property cut was doing in her shop.
“Thanks,” I replied, offering a small smile in return before turning down an aisle of maternity tops.
The store was blissfully quiet after days of tense silences and heated arguments at Beast’s place.Soft instrumental music played from hidden speakers, and the gentle hum of air conditioning created a cocoon of calm that made me want to linger as long as possible.I breathed deeply, taking in the scent of new fabric, a hint of something light and floral from somewhere near the register, and the clean, slightly chemical smell of items fresh from manufacturing.
My fingers trailed over racks of clothes designed to accommodate my changing body.The doctors had been cautiously optimistic after the poisoning.The baby’s heartbeat remained strong, though they warned we wouldn’t know if there was any lasting damage until later scans.I tried not to think about that as I examined a stretchy black dress that would hide stains and grow with me through the coming months.From the corner of my eye, I saw Hawk step inside and remain near the door, his gaze on the street.Looked like one of my bodyguards felt I needed closer observation.
I moved toward the back of the store and the baby items.Something about those rows of impossibly small garments made my throat tighten.Each tiny sock, each button-up onesie, each soft cap represented a future I was fighting for.
I touched a small green hat, so soft it felt like stroking a cloud.Matching booties hung beside it, complete with little embroidered turtles along the sides.The set was gender-neutral, perfect since we didn’t know yet if the baby was a boy or girl.I hadn’t wanted to find out at my last appointment.It felt important somehow to maintain that mystery.Of course, I could change my mind.This was all so new for me.
“These are adorable,” the saleswoman said, appearing beside me.“First baby?”
I nodded, words stuck somewhere between my heart and my mouth.
“It’s scary, isn’t it?”she continued, her voice gentler now.“Becoming a mom.Brings up all sorts of feelings.”
If only she knew just how scary my particular path to motherhood had become.But I managed another nod, taking the tiny hat and booties from the display.“I’ll take these,” I said, finding my voice again.
She beamed.“Excellent choice.The turtles are sweet without being too cutesy, if you know what I mean.And the fabric is super soft against baby’s skin.”
I followed her to the register, passing displays of stretch mark creams and pregnancy pillows that I couldn’t afford.I had a little money saved from before… tips from my waitressing job that I’d hidden from Uncle Pete, who believed all my earnings should go to the church.It wasn’t much, but enough for a few small things for the baby.
“Will this be cash or credit?”the saleswoman asked, carefully folding the hat and booties in tissue paper.
“Cash,” I replied, digging in my purse for my worn wallet.I counted out the bills carefully, aware of how few remained afterward.Friar had offered to buy whatever I needed, but I wanted this purchase to be mine alone -- something I had provided for my baby, regardless of whose DNA it carried.
The bell above the door jingled, and I glanced over to see Wrangler entering, a coffee cup in his hand.He nodded to me, then resumed his position near the front window, scanning the street outside with practiced vigilance.I felt a pang of guilt for the frustration I’d felt earlier at their constant presence.These men were protecting me, protecting my baby, and I was acting like a sullen teenager chafing under parental rules.
“Your receipt,” the saleswoman said, handing me a small bag with my purchase.“And good luck with everything.”
“Thank you,” I replied, clutching the bag like it contained something far more valuable than a hat and booties.
Hawk straightened when I approached, downing the last of his coffee before tossing the cup in a nearby trash can.“All set?”he asked, his eyes already moving back to the street.
I nodded, suddenly eager to get back to the safety of Beast’s house, back to Friar.One hour of freedom had been enough to remind me why the lockdown was necessary in the first place.
