Page 60 of Mayhem and Minnie

With the shoes paid, we leave. I ask for our purchases to be taken to my car while we go browse other stores.

Minnie is almost bursting with happiness as she keeps staring at her new shoes. But that all changes when we go up the escalator and more men turn their sights on her. She huddles closer to my side, burying her small hand in mine.

I keep my focus razor-sharp in case anyone decides to approach. Her claims don’t seem as ludicrous now as I note the way men eat her up with their eyes, almost as if they were bewitched by her.

Somehow, the prospect of others watching her like this enrages me.

They will not get to touch her—not on my watch. But even their eyes on her are more than I can stand, and the violence in me stirs.

I take a deep breath.

I must calm down.

The last thing I want, or need, is to create another scene like the one from the diner. Luckily, that had been in a remote location. The same shit won’t fly in the middle of New York City.

Spotting a hat store, I take Minnie with me and buy her a cap, instructing her to keep it low on her face—perhaps this can help us avoid attention.

Alas. It might mitigate it, but it doesn’t stop completely.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers again.

“It’s all right, pet. We’ll buy you some clothes and leave.”

She gives me a tight nod but doesn’t seem too reassured.

We head into a ladies’ clothing store to try to avoid more male attention. There are still a couple here and there trailing after their wives, but hopefully, they’ll mind their own business.

I do my best to keep Minnie shielded by my side, and the moment another man tries to look her way, I give them my signature glare that makes them swiftly avert their eyes.

First, we shop for layers: leggings, tights, and undershirts.

“Do I really need that much?” she asks when she notes the pile of clothing mounting in our cart.

I raise a brow at her.

“I have money,” I tell her pointedly.

“You do, but I don’t. I don’t want to take advantage of your kindness,” she murmurs.

I stop her.

“Minnie, this is not kindness. I’m doing this for myself because I get cold the moment I see you without any clothes. So no. You’re not taking advantage of anything.”

Her lips flatten and she brings her gaze to the floor.

“You’re a bit controlling,” she mumbles under her breath.

“What was that?” I ask and tip her chin up.

“You are…controlling,” she says the words louder. “You’re always saying Minnie come here, Minnie let’s go there, Minnie do this, Minnie follow me?—”

“Damn right,” I cut her off. “My house, my rules.”

She narrows her eyes at me before she releases a long sigh. “I suppose you’re right.”

“Don’t look too down about it. You’re quite good at following orders,” I add with a wink.

Her cheeks flush a deep red before she averts her gaze. But I don’t miss the little smile that plays at her lips.

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