“Devlin.” I turn to see Grim standing behind me. “Didn’t expect to see you brother.”

He looks pretty worn out. “What’s going on?” I’ve been in the club long enough to know the look of tiredness due to club business. It’s written all over my brother’s face.

“You haven’t heard?” He asks.

“No, I woke up and bought Tasha here. She’s going to meet Dad and Drew soon about their salon.” I explain, not knowing where this is headed.

“Shit.” He curses. “I fucking forgot about that.”

He picks out his phone and I listen to the conversation. “Dad, you didn’t tell me you were meeting Drew and Natasha.”

I wait to hear what he has to say next, but he doesn’t look happy.

“But he could be fucking watching you, I’m not risking the girl’s lives for a fucking salon!” Grim shouts and his words grab my attention. Why would Natasha life be put in danger?

“I don’t care how much they’re looking forward to it! Either cancel or take men with you.” He rakes his hand through his hair. “Yeah got it.”

When he finishes the call I’m all over it. “What the fuck is happening?”

“Strike has left the house.” Grim announces and I stiffen in shock. I wasn’t expecting that.

“Shit!” I shout. “Well who the fuck was watching him?”

“Messy and Big John, they had two prospects with them as well.” Grim shakes his head in anger.

“Wait, had?” I ask.

“Strike found and killed them all Dev, left them there for anyone to find.”

“Shit.” I look down at the floor, sending a silent prayer for my murdered brothers. Now we’re back to the beginning. How the fuck does he keep getting away?

“You have pictures on his sister yet?” I ask, thank god Grim thought of that idea otherwise we wouldn’t have any leverage right now.

“Not yet, should be soon though.”

Grim’s conversation with dad returns to me. “I’m going with Natasha today, I’m not leaving her alone when we don’t know where Strike is.”

“I understand that, I’m staying with Lauren today.” We nod, knowing that each other’s place is by our women. I don’t want any danger coming to them.

“We need to make sure all the girls are covered. I don’t want any of them exposed.” Grim orders.

While I wait for Natasha to come down, I take the time to ring out the brothers and keep them up to date. The one’s who haven’t got old ladies or families of their own are going to take care of the girls who haven’t got a man. We can’t afford to let the Devil’s get near them.

I know for a fact, that until we know where Strike is, I will not let Natasha out of my sight.

When I walk downstairs, I’m shocked to still see Devlin here. I know he told me that he would wait, but part of me thought he might get bored and go anyway. That I would get a text to explain he would see me later and that would be it, but here he is. Devlin is busy on his phone, but he notices me as I approach him.

“You look beautiful babe.” He says, wrapping his arms around me.

“Thank you.” I speak against his lips and moan as his mouth takes mine in a heated kiss.

The way he can make me feel with just kissing me is crazy, I don’t know what state I will be in once we finally have sex.

“Get a room!” Lauren shouts from behind us, but when I turn to look she’s looks pretty fucking happy to see me in Devlin’s arms.

“Aw, don’t be jealous Lauren. There’s plenty to go around.” Devlin spreads his arms, laughing at Grim’s expression. He doesn’t look amused.

I pinch his side and it shocks him. He looks down at me and realises that I’m not happy either. He picks me up, spinning me and then leans my back against the closest wall. “Don’t worry, I’m all yours.”

Devlin kisses my neck, my eyes close in bliss but then snap open when I realise Grim and Lauren are still here. I slide down the wall, my face heating from embarrassment but Devlin leans into me, cradling me. He doesn’t care how he behaves with me around other people. I’m only just getting used to the whole public affection thing.

“I’m taking you to the salon.” Devlin announces.

“Really?” I grin, I’m actually really happy. I want him to be there with me.

“You’re not pissed?” He asks.

“No, why would I be?”

Devlin shrugs, taking my hand as we make it back out to his car. We say goodbye to Lauren and Grim, then Devlin helps me into the car. When the door is shut behind me I see Grim walk out to Devlin and they meet half way quietly talking about something. I don’t bother ask what it was about when he gets into the driver’s seat. If he wants me to know, he will tell me. As we drive, Devlin’s hand returns to my knee as I practically bounce in my seat. I’m so fucking excited to see the salon building!

“Excited?” Devlin makes fun of me but I don’t bother answering because I see the building.

It looks just like the photos but even better and so much bigger. The building is beautiful, like the Victorian period but in a newly updated version. It’s stunning.

The passenger door opens and Devlin lets me out. I didn’t even notice he had stopped driving or even gotten out the car! I was too busy staring outside.

“Come on babe.” Devlin laughs, holding my hand and pulling me from my seat.

“This is amazing.” I laugh to myself, how is this happening?

“Natasha!” Drew runs from inside the building. “Isn’t this fucking great!”

“I can’t find the words.” I choke out.

Franky walks out, and it’s then that I notice a few bikes scattered around. The men straddling them are wearing The King’s patch, probably just here for Franky.

“Come on girl!” Franky laughs. “You coming to look inside?”

Laughing at myself, I follow Drew inside feeling Devlin walking closely behind me. I love that he’s here with me.

For the next thirty minutes or so, I wonder around the building in awe. Drew and I run around, laughing and squealing like children on Christmas morning. I can’t help it, I’m really that much excited.

We roughly plan what could go where and which rooms could be used for what. There’s three floors altogether, the main floor where the salon will be and then a floor above and below. The one below cannot be seen from the front and is connected to the parking out back, there’s room for plenty of storage and I can see the deliveries coming through here. The vans could easily drive down the ramp and then unload the deliveries. I don’t know what we could use for above, but when we look around, Drew has a mad idea.

“I’ve been thinking, I know this sounds crazy but this top floor could be used as an apartment.” She stares at me wide eyed, waiting for my reply.

“Really?” I ask, looking around.

It’s a huge space, the same as the other two floors obviously and has a massive window looking out and bringing so much light into the room. It already has some rooms laid out and a bathroom. Looks like someone was already planning to turn this into a flat already.

“All we have to do it fit out a kitchen and it would be ready to move in!” Drew exclaims.

“We?” I ask.

Drew shuffles her feet. “Well, I know how you feel living with Grim, so I thought we could live here together. There would be no rent, and that means we would be saving on money to do this place up nice.”

Drew then shows me what she had in mind and there’s even a separate lift, so you could come from the third floor all the way to up here without imposing on the salon.

“What do you think?” Drew asks. “Are we going to be roomies?”

“How could I not? This place will look fucking incredible.” I agree.

Drew screams and we jump up and down. All of a sudden Devlin and Franky run in with panicked looks on their faces.

“We heard screaming.” Devlin explains as he walks up to me.

“We were celebrating.” Drew rolls her eyes and turns to Franky. “Dad, welcome to my new home!”