Blaze (Virtues & Lies 3)

“What’s going on with her?” I grab the food bags from the boot, leaving the flowers and the baby stuff in the car.

“Nothing.”

“Ryan!” I warn him as I unlock the door, I still have to knock because the deadbolts are on.

“It’s nothing, just…”

“Fucking spit it out already!” I bark at the same time as Fleur opens the door with a relieved smile.

“Hey, big man.” Her tone is quiet and awkward, like things have been between us since we fucked. She takes the two lighter bags I hand her and disappears into the kitchen.

“I’ll call you back,” I tell him.

“Look, she’s safe. Freddie won’t let anyone touch Georgina.”

What the fuck? “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“It means what it means. It’s not my place to ask, but I overheard Arabella tell her to be careful, and she told her it’s not serious.”

I shouldn’t have left, that’s all I can think.

“I’ll get shit cleaned up. Think about Cameron, and don’t be stupid about this thing with Georgina. It’s not serious.” He puts the phone down, knowing that I’m close to losing my shit.

Fucking Freddie. I’ll put a bullet in his head yet.

Fucking crazy son of a bitch.

I put the shopping bags down by the door and go get the flowers and baby shit from the car.

The air inside the house is filled with the smell of whatever Fleur’s cooking, and as I wander into the kitchen, she’s already started putting the shopping away. The tightness in my chest eases a tad at the sight of her in one of her little dresses, padding around the kitchen like we’re some domesticated couple rather than on the run from monsters and demons.

I put the two heavier bags on the counter and the other things on the kitchen table before I give her a hand in silence.

Chapter 4

FLEUR

There are times I wish that Casper was a talker, because this awkwardness is killing me. My chest is constantly tight, and it has nothing to do with the fact that I have a target on my head.

Trying to ignore the way he’s stewing over the sex, I’m walking on eggshells. There’s no way he’ll let it happen again if I push him on it. He’s given me what I want once—he caved, which means he’s internally berating himself because it’s going to make things complicated and all the shit he tells himself.

“What’re you grinding your teeth about?” Casper asks as though he heard my thoughts.

He sounds on edge as he stands beside me by the stove. His hands are in his pockets, and when his elbow brushes my arm, he takes a noticeable shuffle away from me. It only serves to make me angry because it’s not like he didn’t want to fuck. He wants it as badly as I do.

“Nothing.” I shrug dismissively, moving away from him even though I’m still stirring the dinner.

Taking the wooden spoon from me, he rests it on the rim of the pan before taking my hand and leading me to the table.

“I picked something up while I was out,” he says as my eyes find the bunch of daisies on the table. They’re big with bright yellow sunshine centres and large white petals. I love them. I’ve always loved them, and it’s annoying that they make me smile because I want to stay angry at him.

When we reach the table, he reaches behind the flowers and holds up a small paper bag with a grey baby elephant on it. My heart starts going all kinds of crazy at the sight of the cute bunny he pulls out when I don’t make a move to grab the bag from him. However, it doesn’t take long for the excitement to become tinged with sadness and resentment.

It’s silly because it’s a beautiful gesture on his part, but I’m jealous that he’s been able to do something for our baby when I can’t.

My hand falls halfway to the soft toy, and tears prick at my eyes. Who would’ve thought such a thoughtful gesture could hurt so deep?

“You don’t like it?” Turning the bunny so he can look at it, he scrunches his face as though he’s trying to find what’s so offensive about it.