Page 32 of Justice

“Oh, it’s okay, I don’t mind taking the bus.”

“It wasn’t a question, Matty. Get in the car.”

My mouth popped open even as my feet moved to follow his command. Why did I find his overbearing attitude so darn hot?

He didn’t stop there either. My door had barely closed before he was at it again. “Seat belt on, Matty.”

I did as he asked, crossing my legs to hide the effect his bossiness was having on me. I gave him the address before fiddling with my scarf again. “Thank you. You don’t need to do this.”

“I know I don’t,” Sebastian said as he pulled away from the kerb. “But I can’t have you getting on a bus, of all things.”

My lips twitched at the disgust in his voice. “Buses are perfectly suitable modes of transportation.”

“They’re full of people.”

I shrugged. “I like people.”

Sebastian side-eyed me like I was speaking a foreign language. “Why?”

“People are fascinating. You can learn so much just from watching them.” We stopped at some traffic lights and I gestured at a mum pushing a buggy in front of us. “Like that lady. She’s smiling at her baby, chatting away. Looks really happy, right?”

Sebastian grunted as he eyed the woman.

“But if you look closer, you can see the bags under her eyes. And notice how she’s limping? She’s got an injury somewhere on her left leg. The shopping too—she must have a week’s worth of groceries stuffed under the buggy.”

“What’s that got to do with anything?”

“She’s so happy,” I said softly, watching her as she disappeared into the distance. “She’s exhausted, in pain, and has no car to do her shopping. God knows how far she has to walk, but she’s singing to her baby and not letting any of that bother her. It’s so easy to look at people and see their flaws or struggles, but if you look close enough, you can find the good. The thing that makes them happy or keeps them going.”

“Not everyone has that, Matty.”

“Maybe not,” I said. “But I’d like to think the majority of people do.”

Sebastian didn’t speak again until he’d pulled into the small car park beside the shop. “What’s your thing? What makes you happy?”

“Lots of things. Baking. Listening to Caffeine Daydreams. Spending time with my friends and family. Dancing. Crochet.”

Amusement glinted in his eyes as he turned off the engine. “Hence the yarn shop.”

I grinned at him. “Exactly. Don’t worry about coming in with me, I’m happy to get the bus home.”

“You’ll get the bus over my dead body.” Wow, I guessed he really didn’t like public transportation. “But I can wait here if you don’t want company.”

“I didn’t say that.” I fidgeted in my seat. Being on my own was the last thing I wanted, especially after learning about Colin. It was weird, knowing I didn’t have to look over my shoulder anymore, and that weirdness lessened with Sebastian at my side. “Don’t feel obligated to come in with me though. I’m sure it’ll be super boring for you.”

Cold fingers gripped my jaw, turning my head so I was forced to look at him. “Matty, do you want me to come in with you?”

I stared into his eyes—dark pools that seemed never-ending. “Yes.”

He nodded curtly as he released me. “Then let’s go.”

Chapter 7

Sebastian

I’d planned to leave Southampton, I really had. I’d even gone to the club to see if there was any word from Toby. His phone still hadn’t been turned back on. I didn’t particularly care what he was up to, but given he was my only living relative, I felt an obligation to check.

River hadn’t heard anything from him or Blaise. Thanks to the bond he shared with his twin, he knew he was alive and well, and I deduced from that that Toby likely was too. I doubted very much that he was far from the mage.

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