Page 14 of Bought (BOUGHT TRILOGY #1)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Erin

Super bath lasted well past nine. I’m back, sitting in the recliner with Ryan on my chest. Cass is taking a mid-morning nap in the bedroom.

I’m usually relaxed, with Ryan’s calming weight anchoring me to the chair. Today, I feel like elastic bands are running through my body where there should be bones, pulling me tight.

Two things weigh on my mind as I hold him, making it hard to relax while I gently trace circles over the center of his warm back as he sleeps. The Morettis are at the top of my thoughts.

I need to get back into his place. There’s no other option. Sure, I’ve heard all the stories about Bachman tech and how secure it is, but ever since the Morettis destroyed their Village, those stories have stopped circulating.

Instead, rumors spread that the Morrettis are gaining more power each day.

I imagine myself suctioned to his window or climbing a rope with a grappling hook, dressed in a tight black bodysuit like a cat burglar. Or, wearing a tan trench coat, cracking the security code on the pad by the door of his secret apartment.

The one I had to go through three other locked doors to reach. Doors that Mr. Mack Daddy had to press his thumb to the pad to open. Sigh. I guess they still have some good tech for the lone soldiers they’ve left behind.

If they are going to rebuild, maybe information on that would satisfy the Morettis, if I can’t get in there and find out what they really want. Maybe he could share some juicy plans with me.

I guess I could just say I lost an earring over there. “I could ask Mack to let me in,” I whisper to myself.

A soft puff of whispered breath escapes from his plump cheeks. “Mac and cheese?”

I gaze down at Ryan’s adorable little face as he smiles peacefully in his sleep. “Shh. Shh. We’ll have pasta for tea.” He snuggles further into me.

I could try to see him again, if he hadn’t sent me home. That’s the second thought clouding my mind and fogging my thoughts.

Was Lucian truly exhausted and getting ready for an early morning? Or was he just bored with me?

Someone is knocking on our door.

Morettis don’t knock for Bambi. They message on an encrypted app. So, whoever is behind that door isn’t here for her.

Cass and I have never had anyone visit us here. When the Morettis come for me, there won’t be a heads-up text.

My chest tightens. “Ryan.” I hold my nephew more securely in my arms.

There it is again. This time, three sharp knocks, each separated by a pause as long as my labored breath.

Ryan stirs. He blinks a few times, long dark lashes brushing his cheeks. “Is the mac and cheese ready?” He looks up at me with blue eyes the same color as mine.

Cass calls sleepily from the bedroom, “Erin? Was that the door? Or did I dream it?”

Scooping Ryan in my arms so I can stand, I carry him to the bedroom, settling him in the bed beside Cass. “Here. Snuggle with mama a bit.”

“Erin?” Cass looks up at me, barely awake.

“Nothing to worry over. Stay here.” I pull the door shut behind me, until I hear the click.

The back of the front door looks ominous as I walk through the living room, its black paint chipped and scratched over time. My bare feet sink into the carpet as I move slowly and carefully, my breath gone, my skin clammy.

“Who—who’s there?” I stare at the silver deadbolt, glad I locked it last night when I got home.

“Girl! It’s Bambi! I forgot my keys,” she shouts. “Would you let me in already?”

“Thank God." Relief washes over me as I reach for the lock. Wait—what if she’s here with Valentino? And I don’t have anything to tell him?

“We thought you’d gone to work,” I say, gripping the metal between my thumb and forefinger. “Are you alone?”

“Heaven’s sake, Erin! Is this still my place or not?” She bangs on the door. “Let me in!”

“Sorry, sorry.” I flip the lock and swing the door open, half expecting Valentino with a loaded gun by his sister’s side. It’s just Bambi. Hand to my heart, I exhale. “It’s you.”

“Course it is! Who the heck else would it be?” She pushes past me, smelling like last night’s drinks and regret.

“Sorry, Cass said you had yourself a cheeky little sleepover and went straight to work this morning. Want me to make you a cup of tea?”

“What’s with you Brits, always thinking tea will solve problems?” She slumps into her usual kitchen chair. “But I’ll take a coffee, thanks.”

She presses her makeup-stained face into her hands. Her golden-brown curls are piled on top of her head with a green scrunchie, the thick knot bouncing as she shakes her head. “What a crappy day.”

I put the kettle on for instant coffee. “What’s wrong?” I slip into the seat across from her.

“Ugh.” She groans. “Seriously, worst day ever.”

“Start with last night,” I say.

“I went to Corner Pocket to play pool with that new guy I told you about.”

“Dylan? The bloke with the motorcycle?”

“Yeah, the guy with the long hair and the killer bike. Remind me to tell Cass how much he reminds me of Hot Fred.”

“Will do,” I promise. “First, tell me more about this awful day of yours.”

“I had one too many drinks, went back to Dylan’s place, made out all night, then woke up way too late. I was faced with two choices. Either call in sick or do the walk of shame.”

“Showing up at work in last night’s clothes?” I guess.

“And underwear. And makeup," she says, rolling her head back in shame. “And I’d already used up all my sick days taking care of Gran!”

"So,” I laugh, “you had to choose option B.”

The kettle screams. I pop up to make her coffee. Black with extra sugar, like her grandmother used to make it for her. Gran died a few weeks before Cass called her, leaving this place to Bambi.

Cass, Ryan, and I are currently sleeping in her grandmother’s old bedroom.

I push her favorite blue mug with the elephant in front of her. “Go on.”

“Thanks.” She cups her hands around the mug to warm them. “So, then my boss said I smelled like a match would light me on fire, I looked like a Halloween costume gone wrong, and that I could go home because I was dismissed for the day. Unpaid.”

“Did you get fired?” I ask.

Staring into her coffee, she brushes away a tear before it can fall. “I don’t know. She didn’t really say either way. Just told me to leave.”

“I’m sorry. That’s rough.” I grab a package of chocolate biscuits and pass it to her. “Was this Dylan worth it?”

“God! Yes! Three times, worth it!”

My cheeks flush as I laugh, embarrassed. It’s looking like I’ll never know what sex feels like. However, I did have one amazing orgasm last night.

The sound of tiny feet pitter-patters across the linoleum floor.

“Whoops.” I stand to greet Ryan, warning Bambi, “No more of that talk. Little ears incoming.”

“Are we having mac and cheese?” Ryan stops when he sees Bambi at the table, calling her name and running into her arms for a hug. “Bambi!”

“Rye-Rye!” She holds him close, smiling. She settles Ryan onto her lap. He contentedly sucks his thumb. Back home, we tried to get him to stop, but given what he’s been through, we don’t mind right now.

“Coffee and hugs make everything better,” I say.

He pulls his thumb out of his mouth just long enough to shout, “And mac and cheese!”

“Alright. We’ll have some for lunch.” I get up from the table and browse the cupboards. There are two boxes of animal-shaped snacks with yellow sauce—his favorite. I place a pot on the stove to boil. “Is mommy still sleeping?”

“Yes.”

I’m glad. She needs more rest. We talk with Ryan about his favorite show. I serve everyone. As I’m packing up the leftovers to save for Cass, there’s another knock at the door.

Bambi and I lock eyes. “You expecting anyone?”

“No,” I say. “You?”

“No.”

We both turn around and stare at the back of the door.

Bambi didn’t lock the deadbolt behind her.