CHAPTER 14

Abby

I'd been quiet throughout the meeting. I watched the dynamic between the main five and how the men viewed Kane as the automatic leader. It seemed ingrained. I imagined it had been like that from childhood. They naturally fell into a rhythm that suited each of their personalities. Kane's personality was to watch and see if a situation resolved itself. If it didn't, then he would step in and end it.

Draco was a hot head, and he would jump in without thought. They evened each other out, each one there to either push or pull the other back, depending on the situation.

The other three were content to follow them. Onyx gave off a slightly mysterious air, and he had a coldness. I could imagine he would be formidable in a fight. He was very focused and could hold anyone captive with his dark gaze. The only softness I had ever seen in him was with his mum, Kate, Bella, Noni, and Avy.

Rogue was just as his name portrayed him, slightly mischievous with a restlessness about him. I could see why they had made him Road Captain. I imagined he needed the space. He was always moving, and his knee hadn't stopped bouncing the whole meeting.

Other than Kane, Dragon was the one I found the easiest to be around. He had a protectiveness about him that extended to his brothers and the rest of the family. I think that was why the girls were so drawn to him. They knew he wouldn't let anything happen to them while they were with him.

We had left them planning a recon mission, and I was a little apprehensive about what they would face. However, I had to keep reminding myself that they had done this for a living before retiring from the military.

After a kiss that had left me wanting more, I'd left the meeting with the rest of the women stopping off in the now spotless kitchen to pick up the girls and their vouchers.

Piling into Avy's car, she had a Ford Transit Tourneo that she used for stock and carrying punters who had too much to drink home after closing.

I got into the back seat with Bren and Ellie. Queen blasted through the speakers as she started the car. I grinned and started singing along with Bohemian Rhapsody as we pulled out of the drive and onto the main road. We sang all the way to the next town and the shopping centre.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Bren give a little shoulder shimmy, and pretty soon, she was boogieing along with Ellie and me in the back seat.

I loved seeing them let loose a little and be silly with us.

Shopping with girls was an experience. I was used to shopping with Sam, and usually, it was a quick in and out, but with the girls needing everything, it took a long time. Ellie loved it, but Bren checked every price and worked out the most cost-effective way to spend their vouchers.

I could see Ellie was about to have a meltdown when Bren made her put another cute top down because she could have three plain ones for the same price as the one with a sparkly butterfly print on it.

Stepping up to the girls, I put an arm around each of their shoulders.

"Why don't we have Avy and Ellie go and look at the clothes for Ellie's age, and you and I hit the teen stuff, Bren? Then, we'll head over to the men's and grab Ben some stuff. How's that sound?" I asked.

Avy nodded in agreement, "Yeah, let's do that and then we'll go grab a coffee or milkshake."

I could see the indecision on Bren's face as she looked at Ellie and then to the top she wanted. Finally, her eyes welled with tears, and she agreed, allowing Avy to take Ellie's hand.

"I'm sorry," Bren whispered. "It's just that she would have got more wear out of the three tops than one pretty one."

I hugged her and kissed the top of her head, "I know, honey, but today, I don't want you to worry about money. You get what you need, and let us worry about the balance after your vouchers are gone."

"Okay." She nodded, drying her face on the tissue I handed her.

"Hey Bren," we hear Noni call out, "Come look at these boots. I think they will be great when you go on a bike."

Bren's eyes widened. "You really think that someone will take me for a ride?"

"Absolutely, they will, and if one of the guys can't, then either Avy or I will. We both ride."

There was a look of awe on Bren's face as she looked at Noni.

"Wow, you ride?"

"I sure do. I even have a bike at the manor. I'll show it to you when we get home. You can ride too when you're old enough to get your licence."

I grinned as Bren started peppering Noni with questions, not noticing when we started loading our baskets with stuff for her to try on.

Before long, we were heading over to the men's section to get Ben's clothing, including boots and trainers.

After finishing up, we met Avy and Ellie by the doors. Ellie was bouncing on the tips of her new pink trainers. She had a new outfit that included a pretty top with sparkles on the front.

Bren smiled at her sister, "You look pretty, Els. I like your new trainers."

Ellie squealed and hugged Bren before moving to me and then to Noni. Then, throwing back her head, she shouted, making us all laugh, "Best day ever!"

We headed over to a local café that served coffee and milkshakes. Deciding that we had nearly everything, I said I needed to stop at the local Savers to pick up some monthly items. Bren hadn't said anything, but I assumed she would need stuff for her period. I didn't want to make a big deal out of it, so when I got in the door, I grabbed a basket. Casually saying as I chucked a box of tampons in, "Bren, if you need anything just chuck it in the basket, okay."

Getting a nod, she added what she needed. I took the basket over to the tills to pay, meeting them back outside. We headed back to the car in the parking lot, jumped in and headed back home.