Taming Blade (Kings Reapers MC Book 5), Nicola Jane [books for 7th graders TXT] 📗

not that easy, Mum. I have a life back in London, and what can Scotland offer me?”

“A life?” scoffs her mum. “Sara and your nan?” Tillie glances at me. “Oh please, you’ve known this guy for two minutes and now he’s a reason to stay there? To give up the chance to be closer to me and Mike?”

“You’re being rude,” Tillie mutters.

“I’m being honest. Look, I spoke to Mike. He knows a small place not far from here. It’s a micro-bar, just like you always talked about. You could make it your own.” Tillie’s face brightens and my heart picks up pace. “Mike asked the owner. He’s just renting it out for now, but he might sell further down the line. You could see if you like it.”

“A cocktail bar,” says Tillie, “in Scotland.”

“They’re up and coming here, especially the micro-bars,” her mum says with a smile.

“I don’t know.” Tillie glances at me again.

“I know Nan mentioned it, the money,” her mum says, and Tillie takes her attention back there. “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to have anything from that arse, but he paid into the account every month regardless. I never touched it.” She stands and moves over to a wooden cabinet, taking out a banking book and handing it to Tillie. “That’s the last statement I got. Last month. He stopped paying into it some months ago.”

I fidget uncomfortably and watch as Tillie’s eyes widen. “Holy fuck,” she gasps.

“It could buy you a bar,” her mum says. “It’s all in your name.”

“I’ll think about it, Mum, but no promises. It’s been a rough few days and I’m not sure what I want right now.”

I try to ignore the punch to my gut. If she moves here, we’ll be over and I won’t be bumping into her like I did in London.

“Are you staying the night?” her mum asks.

“We got a hotel,” mutters Tillie. “I didn’t think you’d want guests.”

Her mum finally glances at me. “Have you been together long?”

“Not really,” says Tillie. “I mean, I wouldn’t say we’re together. We’re taking it slow.” I’m insulted and my face must show it because Tillie rushes to try and correct it. “I just mean—”

“We’re together,” I say firmly, glaring at her mum. “Blade, by the way,” I add coldly because she hadn’t asked and Tillie hadn’t introduced us.

“Oh god, I’m so sorry. Mum, this is Blade. Blade, this is Helen.”

“So, are you together or not?” Helen asks coldly.

“Yes,” I say, before Tillie answers.

“My daughter doesn’t seem as certain as you.”

“Maybe she didn’t get the memo,” I mutter.

“Maybe you didn’t,” says Helen.

I take a deep breath and stand. “I need some air.” I step out into the garden and suck in a few deep breaths. Something about this situation makes me feel queasy and I can only guess it’s the lack of any real maternal figure in my life. Helen looks at me with the same contempt my own mother did and it’s fucking with my head.

I take a seat on the wall and light a cigarette. My mobile buzzes and I answer to Riggs asking,“How’s it going?”

“Like a fucking dream,” I mutter.

“That good, eh?”

“I might be back by this evening,” I say, blowing out a plume of smoke.

“Shit, brother. Sorry. I know you wanted to get along with this woman.”

“Yeah,” I mutter. “You ever think you’re fighting for something and it’s one-sided?”

“All the damn time.”

“That’s where I’m at.”

“You can see it two ways, brother. You and Tillie are constantly being pushed together, there’s no denying the chemistry, but is it just that? If all the other shit gets in the way and keeps tearing you back apart, is that a sign?”

I stare straight ahead. The back and forth between Tillie and I is tiring and I’m exhausted fighting to convince her she should give us a shot, and for what? So her and her mum can look down their noses waiting for me to prove I’m worthy? “What did you want anyway, cos you sure as shit didn’t call to ask me about my love life.”

Riggs laughs. “I got something back from Blu about Cobra and Acid. Cobra was in a shit load of debt, way more than we first thought. He owed big, man. We’re talking half a mill at least.”

“Fuck,” I mutter.

“Exactly. Now, that debt has passed to Acid. Blu reckons Acid will sell Tillie out. If he gives her name to the guys who Cobra owed, they’ll come for her, taking the heat off Acid.”

I throw my cigarette and crush it under my boot. “Maybe she’ll be better off here?” I ask.

“Maybe, brother. Blu’s still digging the dirt, but we gotta keep a close eye on Tillie until we figure out what to do. The good news is, her mum changed her name years ago, and police records were wiped. No one from her old life knows where she is. Scotland’s a safe bet for now.”

Tillie steps out, her mum behind her. They kiss and hug and Tillie walks towards me. “I gotta go,” I say to Riggs, disconnecting the call.

“See you for dinner tomorrow,” Helen shouts to Tillie, a big smile on her face. Tillie nods and waves, then takes the spare bike helmet from me.

TILLIE

I know Blade’s pissed at me. He’s hardly spoken two words to me since we left Mum’s about two hours ago. We checked into our room at the hotel and he threw his bag on the bed, then sat out on the balcony, despite the cold temperatures.

I stare down at the outfit I chose for dinner. It’s a short, red dress with a flared skirt. I love it and it fits perfectly with the hotel restaurant I booked for dinner. I’m hoping it has the wow effect on Blade, enough to snap him out this mood.

I check my make-up one last time in the mirror, then step out onto the balcony. Blade stares down at his mobile phone. “Ready?” I ask.

“For what?” he asks, not bothering to