“Wren?” Gruff presses.
“Yeah, actually, I need to go to the store.”
“That’ll be a no.”
I narrow my eyes at him, forcing my mind away from the images trying to capture my attention, “What do you mean no?”
“You can’t leave here.”
My teeth grit so hard together the enamel feels like its chipping, “I need the store. I want to get some things. I can’t stay inside this house forever, Gruff.”
“Stop calling me Gruff,” he huffs.
“Fine,Ryker, I need to go to the store. Take me.”
He laughs, “No chance.”
“Ryker!” I seethe. “Nothing will happen. Just take me to store, I’ll even let you escort me round and you can bring me right back.”
He’s shaking his head before I’ve even finished my sentence, “So you can run?”
“I’m not going to run,” it was the truth. Not because I wouldn’t be able to, if we were out in public there would be undoubtedly every opportunity to make a break for it, but I find the need or want to run is gone. Again, terrifying, but I’m learning to take things as they come. Thesefeelingsfor Lex stop those urges, they stop the need to get away and replace it with the desire to get closer, despite the blood staining his hands.
He scoffs again and the sound grates on my every nerve, “I swear to God.” I don’t finish the threat.
“What do you need? I’ll go and leave one of the guys here to watch you.”
I cock a brow, my lips curling with satisfaction. I’ve only ever seen men around here and whilst there are a few out there who would buy the shit I need, these guys aren’t it. Their fragile masculinity couldn’t take the hit.
“Well, I need sanitary products Gruff, you know, tampons, towels. Maybe some heat pads and lots of icecream. Oh and chocolate. Maybe some popcorn?”
His face is a mask of horror, “On second thoughts, I’ll send Ainsley.”
He pulls out his phone and dials but after the fifth attempt, he huffs in annoyance, taps at his phone and puts it to his ear again but again, whoever he dials must not pick up because he throws the device down on to the counter and stares at me angrily like I’m the one dodging his calls.
“So are we going?”
“No, you’ll have to wait.”
I sigh dramatically and I really shouldn’t,reallyI shouldn’t but clearly I’m not above a little manipulation. “Well, fine, then, if you’re happy for me to be in pain all dayandbleed through then,” I shrug, like it’s not a big deal. I mean none of that shit will happen, I’m covered for at least today, “but I guess you’ll have to explain that to Lex.”
“Fuck.” He growls. “Fuck.”
“So, your choice, Gruff.”
“Get your shit, you have ten minutes to get your shit and then we’re out of there.”