New Rogue

Chapter Thirteen

It dawns on me that I should object to Regan’s claim. But I don’t.

Instead I straighten my back and hold my head up high. I will use Regan’s claim on me to get out of this situation. Then Regan and I will be speaking about this once we get back to the shed.

The fangers all stare at us with distaste before one near the back climbs off his bike and walks forward. He claps Callum on the shoulder.

“If you want her then you know what must be done boy.” The man is around thirty years old based on appearance but his voice is gravely and heavy. As though he has smoked hundred cigarettes a day since he was ten years old.

“I do not take orders from you Boyd.” Regan is furious now, his teeth gritted as the vein in his neck pulses. “She is not from our world and needs time to understand it before that decision can be made.”

Boyd rolls his eyes, “you youngsters are so dramatic.” He sighs as though this is an inconvenience. “The next roundup is in two weeks. You have until then to decide or Callum will be claiming instead.”

Regan stares the man down as he walks back to his bike and climbs on. He nods at Callum who stomps over to his own bike and starts it up. They all leave the car park and the tense atmosphere does not dissipate at their departure.

Regan looks down at me before stepping aside, away from me. He then glances at Juke, “take her home.”

Regan turns to walk away but I grab his arm and he pauses. “Where are you going?”

His jaw ticks and he removes my hand from his arm. He starts to walk away again without answering.

He, Luke and Ithan get on their own bikes before disappearing too.

“Come on sunshine,” Juke leads me to his bike and I climb on behind him without argument.

Regan cannot keep laying claim to me and then shut me out the minute something happens. No. If he wants me to go home, then fine. I will.

Juke stops outside the house but doesn’t turn the bike off. I climb off and pass him the helmet before walking toward the house. Juke’s bike pulls away again and I hurry my steps. I practically jog up the stairs and shove some clothes into a bag. Followed by my passport, spare money and my phone. I quickly order an uber before taking the SIM card out.

I head downstairs and find the Uber is already here.

-

I knew the boys instinct would take them to the airport, I would have been a sitting duck.

So instead, I am sat on a bus travelling down the carriage way. I have my hood pulled up and earphones in as music blares away. I picked up a new SIM card at the bus depot, just added fifty credit to it.

I lean my head against the window and close my eyes before allowing myself to drift off.

-

I jolt awake and it takes me a second to remember I am on a bus. I stretch my arms out and crick my neck. I look out the window and the sight makes me smile. The ocean.

Without thinking I press the buzzer to stop and the bus pulls into the next stop. I trudge down the aisle with my bag and thank the driver as I get off the bus.

The smell of the salty breeze makes me feel serene. I walk among the path until I find a quieter spot on the sand. Then I walk toward the water and find a spot to sit where I can see the water clearly. I slide my shoes and socks off, my toes wiggling in the soft sand. Then I place my bag behind my head and lie back, allowing the sun rays to tingle my face.

This feels amazing, just what I needed.

-

I lie on the sand for about forty minutes before something blocks my sun out. I open my eyes to find an annoyed Regan standing above me.

“You are blocking my sun.” I tell him blandly and gesture for him to move.

“Let’s go.” He bites out the command.

I gesture again for him to move, “you are blocking my sun.”

His jaw ticks and I notice the dark circles around his eyes, he has not slept. “Radleigh.” He says my name like a demand and a plea all rolled into one.

I sigh and pat the sand beside me. “Sit with me for ten minutes and then I will come with you. I promise.”

I see his teeth clench together before he sits beside me with a humph. I sit up before moving to my knees by his legs. I reach for his shoe and begin undoing his doc boots.

“What are you doing?” He snaps harshly but I ignore him.

I slide his boot off, followed by his sock and then do the other side. I move my bag behind him and then lean on his shoulders to lie back. He does and his eyes close immediately. I then lie down too and lean my head on his chest, his arm draping over my shoulder.

Within minutes his breathing evens out and I know he is sleeping. I remain lying there, enjoying the sun and the sounds of the seaside.

-

Another hour has passed when I hear Juke calling behind us, “Sunshine!” I sit up slightly to look at him with a smile and almost laugh as he skips through the sand. He is such a big kid.

Luke and Ithan follow behind and they all sit around us in the sand.

Regan stirs and rubs his eyes before sitting up and looking around at all the boys. “We need to head back.”

I purse my lips at him, “you need to eat and drink first. I would say sleep more too but I know you aren’t going to do that right now.” I nod over toward the shops. “Let’s find a cafe or something.”