Chapter 16

GRIZZ

Luna answers the door looking sheepish. My hand grips her throat, forcing her up against the wall. "First, you sneak out to ask another man for money, and then, you ask my President to keep shit from me?"

"You already hate me, Grizz, I didn't need this thrown at me too," she mutters.

I release her as Axel walks past and goes into the living room. "What's going on?" he demands as we follow him.

"Mum killed Nate," says Luna, and we both share a surprised look. "And she's threatened to tell the police it was me if I don't help her."

I glare at Luna's mum, who doesn't look the slightest bit embarrassed by any of it. "You're a piece of work," I mutter in disgust.

She grins. "Take a good look, lover boy, because in a few years' time, she'll be exactly like me. Like mother, like daughter."

"Where is he?" asks Axel.

Luna points to another door, and Axel goes to check it out. "Jesus," he mutters as the stench of death fills the living room. "How long's he been here?"

"A couple days," says Luna. "She's had the heat on, which is fucking amazing seeing as she never usually puts it on."

"Go back to the club. Scooter is waiting in the car park for you," I tell Luna. "We'll talk when I get back."

"What about me?" her mum asks.

"You can rot in hell," snaps Luna. "From this day on, you're dead to me." And then she leaves.

"Ungrateful bitch," her mum mutters.

I go into the bedroom where Axel is wrapping the body in the blood-soaked sheet. "What do we do about the witch?" I ask.

Axel sighs. "She can't live. She's the type to put this on us, or worse, on Luna. I'll send someone to sort it later. I'm thinking a cigarette in bed to start a fire. That way, we'll burn this mattress and it'll look like an accident."

"I'll do it," I say. "Clean up won't come to fetch Nate until dark. I'll stick around till then and slip something in her drink to make her sleep."

Axel grabs a pot of pills from the bedside table and shakes them. "Sleeping pills prescribed in her name."

I take them and stuff the bottle in my pocket. "It's just one thing after another with her," I mutter, and I feel his eyes on me. "Luna," I add for clarification.

"At this point, you may as well marry her," he says, smirking. I narrow my eyes, and his smile fades. "You've already done more than any brother has for a club girl. It screams love."

"In case you haven't noticed, I've not had much choice in any of this. And now, she's the mother of my kid. I can't see her going to prison, can I? Especially for something she didn't even do."

"What do you think she wanted the money from Reaper for?" he asks.

I shrug. "But if it's anything else that's gonna lead to trouble, she's gone."

"Gone?"

I give a nod. "When a club whore asks for cash and goes to the trouble of approaching another club, it's got to be drugs or something else illegal. No whore ever did good with that amount of cash."

"Whore," he repeats, arching a brow. "Interesting choice of words."

"It's what she is, no?"

He gives a small, unamused laugh. "I think you're doing it to push her away, to distance how you really feel about her. It's easier to refer to her as something you hate, then maybe you'll believe it."

I roll my eyes. "Next, you'll be telling me she's a changed woman."

"Even I can see she's trying, brother. She wants to be better than this," he mutters, looking around the messy bedroom. "And she wants to be a good mum."

"And if she gives me the right answers, she might just get the chance to," I say, winking before leaving the room.

There'san uncomfortable silence that stretches between me and Luna's mum. I don't have the energy to entertain this fucked-up bitch. She's smoked at least ten cigarettes, one after another, and every time I catch her eye, she looks away quickly, like she might die from making contact.

I sigh heavily and light my own cigarette. "So, what happened?" I ask, nodding at the closed bedroom door.

"I know you judge me," she spits, "but it's not easy, yah know, bringing up two kids on my own with no fucking money."

"I ain't asking for your life story," I mutter, inhaling on the cigarette before slowly releasing the smoke. "I wanna know what made you kill that fucker before I managed to."

She smirks. "So, you're not pissed I killed him, just that I beat you to it?"

"I had a score to settle."

"And you think I didn't? He might have been my son, but he was far from a good person."

"Yeah, Luna told me all about him," I say, bitterness lacing my tone.

She scoffs. "She thinks she's had such a hard life. She'll have you believing she was a victim in all this."

"Wasn't she?"

"She was a promiscuous girl right from very young, always flirting with the men and fluttering those long eyelashes they all loved. And she didn't speak—they loved that shy bullshit she gave off. Sweet, innocent, cute, and she had the looks to go with it." She says the words through gritted teeth, like she's jealous. "One night, I came home late, and you know what she was doing? Fucking her dad's best friend while he watched. She was eleven."

Sickness stirs in the pit of my stomach. "What?"

"Exactly. Eleven years old and trying to please grown men. He never looked at me the same again after that," she mutters, staring off into space. "I could see it in his eyes—he wanted her, not me."

I wince as she spits the words in anger. "You think that was her fault?" I ask, crushing my cigarette in the overflowing ashtray.

"She wanted attention. Her dad brought his friends back and they all loved her over me. And then he was gone," she clicks her fingers, "and we were left with his debts. And the men didn't stop coming. They'd had a taste of her and were lining up, so I had no choice but to charge. How the fuck else would I have fed and clothed her?"

"She was just a kid," I mutter, scrubbing my hands over my face.

"Mature for her age," she says.

"But still just a kid," I repeat. "All that shit should've been hidden from her. The drugs, the drink, the sex."

"She was always clinging to me," she snaps. "How the hell was I meant to work with a kid clinging to my side?"

"She was probably fucking terrified," I suddenly yell, and she jumps in fright. I stand, releasing a long breath to try and keep calm cos as much as I want to end this fucking bitch, I can't. Not yet, and not with my hands. "You made her think she didn't have a choice. You and Nate sold her for your own gains."

"I knew she'd tell you some sob story," she scoffs. "Why else would you want her?"

I turn to her, pushing my face to hers until she's practically lying back in the chair, her eyes wide with fear. "Being forced into prostitution by the woman who's meant to protect you isn't a fucking sob story," I growl. "You make me sick."

I move away and grab the half-drunk whiskey bottle from the side. I go to the kitchen and grab two glasses. Pulling out the pill bottle, I empty the contents into the glass. I'm surprised when I find a rolling pin in a drawer, arching my brow as I shake my head. I can't imagine her baking.

I use the end to crush the tablets into a fine powder then spoon some into the other glass and half fill it with the amber liquid. I give it a stir, waiting for the powder to disappear before taking the bottle off the side and carrying that and the glass back into the living room. I hold the glass to her, and she eyes it suspiciously. When she makes no move to take it, I roll my eyes and sit down on the couch. "Fine, I'll drink alone." I move the glass to my lips, and before I'm forced to take a sip, she holds out her hand for it.

I give it over and take a swig from the bottle. "My mum was like you," I say. "A whore who justified it by saying she had to put food on the table somehow."

"Being a parent is hard. You'll see."

I scoff, taking another drink. "She'd say that too. I used to look at other kids' mums in the playground at drop-off and think, why doesn't my mum smile like the others? Why was her life so fucking hard and the others seemed to have this easy life?" I drink again. "And yah know what I realised when I grew up? She made it harder than it needed to be. She could've just worked in a supermarket or a takeout shop. Selling pizza would've put food on the table. There were other ways, and she wouldn't have been so sad about it, but she chose to neglect me and fill her body with drink and drugs. She thought they were worth more than her own son."

"It's not easy," she mutters. "You think it is, but for a single mum, back then, it was hard."

"And what about now?" I snap. "Did you never think once to sort your shit out and be a mum, a grandmother even?"

She rolls her eyes then knocks back her drink and slams the glass on the table. "She'll only fuck that kid's life up?—"

"Like mother, like daughter, eh?" I mutter.

"Exactly."

I snatch the glass up and head back to the kitchen. I gave her enough to make her drowsy, but I'll need the rest to make her sleep soundly, so I top the glass up a second time and stir in the tablets. Then I clean the rolling pin and the glass I used to crush the powder up. I wipe the worktop then take the drink back into the living room, where Luna's mum now looks a little sleepier. She squints at me, blinking a few times. "You might think I'm a crap mum?—"

"Because you are," I cut in, handing her the glass. This time, she takes it without staring at me accusingly and drinks a large mouthful.

"But I taught her everything she knows," she slurs.

"That's not something to be proud of."

She narrows her eyes, drinking back the rest of the glass. She swallows then frowns and looks into the glass, seeing the remnants of powder. "What have you done?" she hisses.

"It's time for you to sleep," I say, taking the glass and placing it on the table.

"Jesus, I don't give out freebies," she snaps, fighting me off when I try to grab her wrist.

"And I don't fuck whores," I mutter, getting a firm grip and hauling her to her feet.

"You fucked Luna," she says, giggling and almost falling back into the chair. I swoop down and scoop her into my arms. "Call her. We can do a two-for-one deal."

"Jesus," I mutter, shaking my head in disgust.

"Who doesn't love a mother-daughter duo?" she demands, laughing again while running her hand over my cheek. "In another life, you'd have been my type," she adds thoughtfully. I kick the bedroom door open and dump her on the bed beside Nate's body. "We can't fuck here," she gasps.

"We ain't fucking," I snap, shoving her back so she's lying down. She blinks a few times. "I really tried," she whispers to no one in particular, "to be a good mum. I wanted to love them, I just didn't know how." Her eyes drift closed. "I'm sorry," she mumbles. I wait a few minutes before prodding her arm. She doesn't respond, and I sigh in relief.

There's a knock at the door and I go to it, pulling it open slightly to find the clean-up team. "Am I pleased to see you," I say, letting them in.

Once Nate'sbody is gone, I move Luna's mum into a half-sitting position. I place one of her cigarettes between her lips and light it, watching as it slowly burns, occasionally dropping the ash down her front. When it's halfway down, I place it between her fingers and rest her hand beside her. I take the empty bottle of tablets and give it a wipe before placing it on its side on the floor.

I wait patiently for the sheet to catch fire. It burns quickly, catching the curtain beside the bed as well as the mattress beneath it. I step from the bedroom, closing the door behind me and wiping the handle with a towel I took from the kitchen. I straighten the cushions where I sat then go back to the kitchen and clean the glass she used. I dry them and put them away, and when I return to the living room, smoke is beginning to come under the bedroom door. It's my cue to leave, so I head out, dropping the latch on the door.

LUNA

I jump in fright,opening my eyes and staring up into Grizz's. His hand is over my mouth and he smells of whiskey. "Why are you in my bed?" he asks, then he removes his hand so I can answer. I lean up on my elbows and look around the bedroom he once said was mine.

"I wanted to be closer to Ivy," I admit. I insisted Duchess let me put Ivy to bed, even though she watched my every move.

"I left Duchess in charge."

"She was here," I tell him. "I must have fallen asleep."

He goes over to the Moses basket to check on Ivy, who is sound asleep. His eyes are full of love whenever he looks at her, and it warms my heart that she's got a father who will do anything for her. "I'm sorry I called you to sort out Nate," I mutter, dragging my knees to my chest and resting my chin there.

"Only you didn't call me," he says, not bothering to look at me.

"It was just another thing," I say. "I didn't want to be more of a problem."

"I never said you were a problem," he snaps, this time turning to me. "You went to Reaper?" he adds, moving closer. I can see the anger burning in his eyes.

"You stink of smoke," I mutter.

"Being in that shit pit with your mother for hours has gotten into my clothes," he snaps and begins to strip. He keeps hold of his kutte but places the rest in a bin bag. "So, Reaper?"

I stare at the ground. He's completely naked now, and I'm not sure where to look. "I wanted a loan," I say, shrugging.

"I know. He said. What for?"

"That's my business."

I see his feet as he steps closer. "You'll give me answers now or you're out of here."

"Out?" I ask, bringing my eyes to his. "You'll kick me out?"

"You're here because I allow you to be. My patience is running out, Luna. What did you want twenty-five grand for?"

I stand, and he steps back. "I wanted to open my own bread van."

He frowns. "Bread van?"

"I saw it on social media. A guy got a food van and made bread, selling it on the move. It works."

He looks surprised. "You want to start a business?"

I fold my arms over my chest. "I really think you should put some clothes on," I utter.

He gives a stiff nod. "Don't go anywhere." He leans over to lock the door, as if to ensure I stay put, so I drop back onto the bed while he heads for the bathroom. "I just need to shower."

When he returns, there's a towel wrapped around his waist. "From the beginning," he says, grabbing another towel to rub his wet hair.

"I've seen a van and I needed the cash to buy it."

"Why Reaper and not me?"

"He doesn't judge," I admit, shrugging.

"You think I judge?" he asks, sounding hurt.

"You compared me to your mum," I remind him. "Look, I want to have a better life for Ivy. And I was doing fine until you came along." He tries to speak, but I hold my hand up to stop him. He presses his lips together in a firm line, so I continue. "I know that making money by selling myself isn't conventional. I never wanted to do that, but it was a trap I got into. When Ivy came along, I vowed to make enough to sort myself out and then I'd get a decent job. But you came along and . . . well, you made me think I was worthy to have a better life."

He sits opposite me. "You are worthy."

"And then you dropped me, and I was right back there, to the times my parents would sneer at me and call me useless. I doubted everything, even my ability to be a mum to her," I whisper, looking over to Ivy. "My heart broke, Grizz, and I took too long putting it back together. I let the doubt creep right in until it took hold and ripped me apart. But losing Ivy has woken me up, and I know you don't think I'm good enough for her, but I am. I am a fucking good mum. I love her so much and I'll do anything to protect her, so I'm going to stand on my own two feet and get what I want."

A small smile pulls at the edges of his mouth and his hand cups my cheek. For a second, I think he's going to kiss me, but he doesn't. He just stares. Eventually, his thumb brushes the corner of my mouth. "I was wrong?—"

"No," I say, pressing a finger to his lips. "Don't say it. Not until I've proven you wrong."

A small laugh escapes him and he nips the pad of my finger. "Fine. How are we going to get you a business?"

I shrug, remembering I didn't get the cash I needed from Reaper and he was my only hope. "No idea, but you're not giving it to me, otherwise, I won't be able to prove you wrong."

"How about you work for me?"

I begin to shake my head, and he places his other hand on my cheek and holds me still. "Don't kiss me," I mutter, my eyes pleading.

His frown softens and he gives a slight nod. "I spoke to your mum tonight. She told me some stuff . . . about your dad and his friends." I pull free from his hands and put some space between us. If he didn't judge me before, he certainly will now. "Luna, it wasn't your fault."

"It's why he left," I say quietly, avoiding his eye, "because I disgusted him."

"No, it wasn't. In fact, I think the alternative is so much worse. It wasn't because you disgusted him, Luna, it was because he wanted you and couldn't have you. He knew it was wrong."

I shudder, pulling my knees to my chest again. "My mum said it was my fault he left us, and that I had a responsibility to bring in money."

"She's an evil woman, Luna. And I know you're not like her. I know you're a better mum than she ever was." I glance up and see the sincerity in his stare. "I was wrong, and I used your insecurities to push you away so I wouldn't fall for you. I fucked up."

"You really hurt me, Grizz," I admit. "I can't hurt like that again. I've been used by men my entire life and I can't do it anymore."

Hurt passes over his face, but he gives a slight nod. "Make bread in the bar. I have a food license, so you can save up what you earn and buy a van or whatever you want."

I stare down at my lap, twisting my fingers together. "It's a great offer," I mutter.

"I don't expect anything from you, Luna. Make bread. It's amazing and it's a crime not to share it with the world. When you have a plan and the money you need, I'll let you go with no questions. You're Ivy's mum, and she deserves to see how amazing you are."

"I don't know, Grizz. Things just get messy when we're together."

"You wanna prove me wrong, right?" he asks, and I nod. "Then take the offer. You're not inundated with them."

I sigh. He's right. It's the only offer I'm likely to get, and it's just temporary. "Okay. We'll give it a go."