Page 13

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

STAR

“I feel like we are forgetting something,” I say as I look around the penthouse.

“You haven’t forgotten anything. You just don’t want to leave,” Nova points out, a smirk on her face.

I huff and dramatically flop onto the couch. “You’re right. I don’t want to ever leave here,” I moan, stroking one of the cashmere pillows while wondering if they would notice it missing.

“Is it weird that we are all sat here waiting for the guys?” Rhea asks with a sceptical look.

“Hhhm, you think they are up to something?” Elsie adds, looking at each of us with Enzo cuddled into her, fast asleep.

“Let’s just think about it for a second. We don’t have to check out for another two hours, yet they wanted us all up, dressed, and packed, ready to go an hour before checkout. They mentioned they had something to take care of, then left us all here twiddling our thumbs while we wait for them to return,” Rhea points out.

I snort out loud, and everyone’s gaze snaps to me. “Sorry.” I wave them off. “Not laughing at you. Just a little flashback from one of the many times I told Ghost to go fuck himself when he expected me to celebrate his return. Pfft. What a twot,” I scoff.

“It’s twat,” Josie interjects.

“Huh?” I ask.

“Us Brits say twat,” she explains.

“Where have I heard twot before?” I ask, frowning. All of us sit there, trying to think.

“Sopranos!” Belle blurts out excitedly as she remembers.

“Yes, that’s it. He called a lot of people twots.” I nod.

“Okay, so anyway. Ghost was an absolute... Bellend?” I say as a question, double-checking with Josie that I’ve got it right.

She nods and gives me the thumbs up. I grin, pleased that I got it right.

“Has anyone tried ringing them?” Alina asks.

We all exchange a look. “Er, nope,” Maggie states.

I roll my eyes before I pull out my cell and hit call. After two rings, he answers. “Wife,” he greets.

I sigh at hearing him call me that. “I want to hear you try and say that while I’m sitting on your face.” I don’t have to see him to know he’s smiling after that statement.

“Star! Little ears!” Queenie chastises, pointing to Maisy, River, Oliver, and Phoenix.

“Three out of those little ears don’t even know what I’m saying,” I argue.

“I know what you said!” Oliver yells.

“You heard wrong, so shush and play your game,” Rhea scolds.

“Darlin’,” Ghost growls at me down the phone.

“Yes, dear?” I say mockingly.

“Wife,” he presses.

“Husband,” I counter.

I hear him exhale a long breath, probably looking to the stars, praying for patience. “Where are you and what are you doing?” I swiftly ask, trying to catch him off guard.

“Club business,” he states.

“Oh no, you don’t get to say that anymore. We are married, so no secrets,” I argue.

“It ain’t a secret if I’m not telling you to protect you,” he snaps back.

“And how exactly does not telling me protect me?” I push.

“Then you aren’t an accessory,” he grinds out.

I pause for a moment, wondering what they could be up to, then I hear Rage. “All tied up, Pres. Although one has pissed himself, and I think the other has shit their pants, so try not to breathe through your nose too much,” Rage states.

“Ghost,” I whisper his name.

“I’ve got to go. We will be back within the hour,” he says before disconnecting.

Everyone looks at me, waiting for an answer. “Club business,” I mutter.

They all roll their eyes, knowing the drill with this stupid fucking rule. I nibble on my thumbnail anxiously.

“What is it?” Maggie asks.

I sigh. “I heard Rage in the background saying that they are all tied up. One had pissed themselves, and he was pretty sure the other had shit their pants,” I state. They all groan, knowing exactly what’s going on, all apart from Dixie. I look across at her as she looks down at a small bit of thread on her jeans. “Dixie,” I press, getting to my feet and walking over to her. She looks away, avoiding my gaze. “Dixie, I know you and Rage don’t keep secrets. What are they doing?” I press.

“I can’t bell you,” she says in a rushed breath.

The others come and stand at my back. “Dixie,” I say, repeating her name again.

“They went to get the potato ricers from the other night,” she confesses.

“Potato ricers?” Rhea asks, confused.

“The police officers that arrested Ghost and me,” I clarify.

“Shit,” Maggie sighs.

“What the hell are they playing at? This isn’t our town. Things are run differently here,” Belle states.

An idea quickly pops into my head. “Belle, you had any of your family this way that might be able to help out?” I ask, putting emphasis on her mob family connections.

She shakes her head no. “Not many of them are left; they are either old, dead, or in prison now.” She shrugs.

I look over at Queenie, a pleading look in my eyes. She rolls her eyes. “Fine. Put the sleeping children in bed, and I will call Samual up to help, but you all have to be back here by midday,” she relents.

I walk over to her and give her a big kiss on her cheek. “You’re a diamond,” I tell her. “Dixie, come on. You need to direct us.” I call over the rest of the ol’ ladies following behind.

“Wait, are any of you packing?” Josie asks.

“Packing? What are we, the fucking Godfather?” I mock.

“You know what I mean. Do we have any weapons for our protection?” she elaborates.

I lift my top, showing my handgun, Maggie lifts her jean leg, revealing a small handgun strapped to her calf, Rhea opens her bag and pulls out a folding blade, Belle pulls the cutest little handgun from her purse, Nova pulls out a taser, Alina flashes her handgun that’s also in her purse, and Elsie pulls out a gun from the waistband at her back. Even Dixie pulls out a hunter’s blade, and Josie grins as she pulls out her taser.

“I’d say we are ready,” I say with a grin. “Oh, wait.” I reach inside my bag and slide on my knuckle dusters. “Now we are ready.” I nod.