“I’m a little light-headed,” I mutter, falling back into my seat and holding my head.
When I look up, Blu is closer and staring down at me. “You sick?” he asks.
I shake my head. “She didn’t eat lunch today,” explains Eva.
“Why?” he asks.
“I was busy,” I say, closing my eyes to help stop the spinning.
“Too fuckin’ busy to pick up a sandwich?” he asks. He sounds annoyed.
“Yes,” I snap.
“Drink this.” He thrusts a bottle of Coke towards me. “Your sugar levels must be low. This will help until you get food.”
I take the Coke, surprised by his kindness, and have a few sips before handing it back. “Thanks.”
He puts the bottle in his pocket and then holds out his hand. “Let’s go.”
Eva smiles. “I’ll lock up. Go home and get something to eat.”
I love being on the bike. I’ve been on a few of the Kings Reapers’ bikes and it's the best feeling ever, so I’m disappointed when Blu drives just a few minutes before stopping. “This isn’t where I live,” I say, looking at the rundown building before me.
“You need to eat. Can’t have you falling off the bike,” grunts Blu, taking my hand for the second time and leading me into the building.
Inside, I smell bacon cooking and my stomach growls with approval. There’s a few tables dotted about, but only two of them are occupied. Blu keeps a hold of my hand, which I’m not complaining about because it actually feels nice. He stops at the counter and an elderly lady looks up from her newspaper and breaks out into a huge grin.
“My blue-eyed boy,” she says.
Blu leans over the counter and kisses the woman on the cheek. “Nan, I need one of your specials asap.”
“Anything for you, my dear,” she says, shuffling towards the door behind the counter. “Who’s the girl?”
Blu smirks at me. “No one important.”
“So I don’t have to dust my hat off?” she shouts from the kitchen.
“I’ve told you before, that hat needs to stay in its box.”
Blu leads me to a table by the window. We can’t see outside because condensation covers it, but I still stare out like I can. I notice Blu checking his watch. “If you have plans, you can go. I’ll make my own way home.”
“And have your brother bitching about me to Riggs,” he scoffs. “I’ll get you home once you’ve eaten.”
“Is she really your grandmother?” I ask.
“No. We’re close though, so she may as well be.”
“What does she mean about the hat?” I’m trying to make conversation and I can see it’s irritating Blu.
“She thinks every woman is my next wife,” he says, shaking his head and rolling his eyes. “She’s desperate to wear her wedding hat.”
“You introduce her to a lot of girls?” I ask. Blu doesn’t answer.
The old lady brings over a bacon and tomato sandwich. She sets it down in front of me and then rests her hand on Blu’s shoulder. “Isn’t Monday date night?” she asks and Blu nods. “Don’t be late. You know how sassy Molly can be.”
Blu laughs. “I’ll be on time. I never miss it.”
“I know you don’t. You’re a good boy.” She kisses the top of his head and shuffles back to her seat behind the counter.
BLU
As if Gia can sense my tight schedule, she eats her sandwich in record time. I leave some cash on the table and shout goodbye to Nan as we leave. Joyce is Hannah’s grandmother, but since I met Hannah, she’s always insisted I call her ‘Nan’ too, and she’s always treated me like I’m her own blood.
I stop my bike outside the large, black iron gates of Gia’s family home. The Romanos aren’t short of money and this place let’s everyone know it. From the high gates to the ten-foot-high, white stone wall surrounding it, the Romano estate screams power and money.
“You’re more than welcome to come inside for coffee or something,” says Gia, handing me back my spare helmet. “But I know you have a date, so . . .” she lets the sentence trail off.
“What is it with women and coffee?” I mutter, more to myself than her.
“I was being polite,” she says quietly.
A man stands at the gate watching us and Gia senses him there. She turns and her cheeks pink slightly. “Who’s that?” I ask.
“Conner,” she says, biting on her lower lip and leaving me in no doubt that she’s fucking this guy. “He’s one of Vinn’s men. He deals with security.”
“Does Vinn know you’re fucking him?” I ask bluntly and she blushes deeper.
“Don’t let me keep you from your date, Blu,” she says, turning and heading to the gate. “Thanks for the sandwich.”
“Tomorrow, make sure you eat,” I say.
Conner keeps his eyes on mine as Gia goes to him. I smirk at his boldness to think for one second that he can intimidate me. Ass.
Molly is waiting at the front door when I arrive. She’s wearing a pretty dress and holding a tiny clutch bag. “Well, don’t you look pretty,” I say with a smile. She turns slowly so I can appreciate her dress. “Perfection,” I add.
Hannah appears. “Have fun.” She hands me a coat for Molly. “She doesn’t want to wear it because it doesn’t go with the dress,” she says, arching her brow.
“We’re walking, baby girl, so you need to put your coat on,” I say firmly, holding it open for her to slip her arms in.
“Have you thought about what we discussed yesterday?” Hannah asks. I pull the zip up and take Molly by the hand.
“I’ll have her back before bedtime,” I say, not bothering to answer her. I’ve thought of nothing else. Hannah wants me to be the father of her next baby, which makes sense with me being Molly’s dad, but it just doesn’t sit right with me and I don’t want to talk about it right
