Page 39 of The More the Merrier

“Having a pretty little thing like that feel safe enough to break down in your arms will do that to you. To be honest, Jo, I know this isn’t something we’ve ever discussed, but we both go to the same clubs, so you know what I like. And she’s almost perfect.”

“Hmmm,” I respond.

“What does ‘hmmm’ mean, exactly?”

“It means, I think you should be careful. It’s obvious she’s in a vulnerable state. And she’s going to be working with us.”

“So it’s not because you’re interested, too?”

“No!” I say, and when he smirks at me, I could lean across the table and smack him in the face.

“Gotta say, Jo, didn’t know you would ever be into age play, but I suppose it just takes the right girl.”

“Fokof, man.I told you I’m not interested. And what the fuck are you doing trying to get me to admit I’m interested in the same girl you are?”

“Jo, mate, have you seen that girl? It will take both of us to keep her safe and well.”

I look at him, a frown on my face trying to work through what he’s saying. And then shake off the confusion because nothing’s changed.

“It doesn’t matter what I’m interested in, Cam. That girl will never be interested in someone like me.” I shrug off the punch to the gut my own words cause.

“We’ll see about that,” Cameron responds before digging into his breakfast.

Chapter 6

Cameron

After a rather tense breakfast over which Johannes eyed me suspiciously, I head over to the main house, hoping to catch Mum before she gets drawn into preparing for the day. It’s early yet, so I should be in luck. And if my timing is right, I might be able to mooch some baked goods off of her.

When I unlock the kitchen door, the smell of fresh muffins is the first thing that assails my senses. Followed by the warmth of a busy, cosy, yet still well-run kitchen. As always, Mum’s dark auburn and grey hair is pulled up into a messy ponytail, the loose curls flowing down her neck. She looks good for her age. At forty-eight, her skin is still smooth and almost wrinkle-free, except for the laugh lines adorning her striking face.

I’d always thought she’d hook up with Johannes, but knowing what I know about him now, it makes sense that they never hit it off. Mum is way too much of a dominant personality to have anyone take care of her that way.

“Hey, Mum. What you got going?”

She pauses in her mixing and looks at me, her lips stretching into a huge grin. “Baby! It’s been too long, come gimme a cuddle. And a hand. You’re a godsend. I overslept this morning, and I’m running a little behind.”

I roll up my shirt sleeves, wash my hands, and grab an apron from the hook next to the pantry door. Stepping up behind her, I give her a kiss on the cheek and a quick squeeze around the middle.

“Where do you need me?”

“You can start rolling out that dough for the croissants. I’ve got some chocolate to add to it in a bit. It’s Amanda’s favorite.”

After flouring the rolling pin, I set myself to the task at hand, lost in the moment and my thoughts on the events of this morning. I must have been lost in them longer than I’d thought because Mum calls my attention to her.

“You wanna tell me what you’re here to talk about, or are you going to play it off as just wanting to grab some breakfast?”

“I’ve actually already had breakfast with Johannes. I just came from there.”

“Well, then?” she asks, pausing in her chopping.

It’s times like these that I’m both thankful and annoyed at the fact that we have as close a relationship as we do. It gets tough, trying to hide the fact that my mum works for one of the criminal masterminds of the city, but we make up for the missed times in moments like these.

“The girl from last night? The thief?” I start, looking at the rolling pin instead of facing Mum. She answers me with a nod. “She’s a Little. And even though I was wary of her to start off with, I can’t deny that the more I learn about her, the more I grow besotted with her.”

Mum passes over the chocolate and I start cutting the pastry and wrapping the chocolate in it as she’d taught me from a young age.

“You wouldn’t believe the things she’s been through, the life she’s had to face. While Johannes was helping her pack up I came back here to clean up, but also got some contacts at the police station to look into her. I’ve not gotten everything back yet, but…” I pause in my work and look at my mum, trying to find the words to convey what I’m feeling and thinking. “Mum… I just…” The words fail me so I take a deep breath and continue on, deciding to skip pastthatparticular bit of history. Probably best that Zanya shares that herself with whomever she chooses.

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