Page 76 of Darkness

“She’s the only one I talk to, and it won’t be that bad.” I’m not going to say I’m looking forward to tonight, because I don't know how long I have to sit there and talk. She knows everything about me, well more than most people know. I’ll get her talking about her family, and her childhood. Get a few drinks in her, and she will ramble about stuff all night. “I’ll see you in the morning, any news you call me.”

“You can have one night-”

“Call me, no matter what,” I snap.

I don’t care what anyone says, I never get a day off. I take a day off, I die, or they take The Pit from me. Not happening.

Twenty-Seven

Autumn-Rose

I’ve hada great morning with Aunt Jane, we went shopping, something I've not done for a long time. But this wasn’t just a shopping trip to the local mall, no. These were designer shops after designer shops. Places I couldn’t afford, or even looked like I should be there.

Cain gave me his card this morning, telling me to buy whatever I want, and not to act shy about spending money either. If I do, then he’s going to make me wait to come tonight, and he means it.

A part of me hated him giving me his card, but the other part of me thought the man will do anything to make me happy, and there is no price on what he will do. Because of my amazing boyfriend, I got my first designer bag. It has been on my wishlist for years, ever since I saw it on TV when I was little, but then I saw Aunt Jane with the bag, and I fell in love with it.

I will admit I held the Chanel bag in my hand for about half an hour, before Aunt Jane handed me her cell.

“Looking at it isn’t going to make it yours,” Cain tells me, and I look over at Aunt Jane, who’s now pretending to look at some other things.

“Cain, it’s a lot of money.” I place the bag on the counter, and the woman picks it up and places it back on the display unit.

“And?” Cain asks like spending almost ten thousand dollars is nothing. And how he’s talking to me, I think it is nothing to him, but to me, God if I wanted to buy it, I would be saving for more than a few years.

“I can’t just-”

“Autumn, do you like the bag?”

“Yes.” I walk away from everyone, so no one can hear me talking to him.

“Then buy the bag,” Cain tells me.

“It’s ten thousand-”

“I don’t care if it was a million dollars. If my rose wants it then I’ll buy it. When it comes to you Autumn, I’ll buy you the world. Buy the bag.” I hear the staff behind him talking, then Lincoln shouts at someone. “Autumn, never worry about not getting what you want, it’s all yours. Now enjoy your morning.” Before I can fight my case with Cain he ends the call, and I walk over to Aunt Jane who is talking to the sales assistant.

“All wrapped and ready for you.” The sales assistant places the bag in front of me with a smile.

“I added the credit card holder in there too.” Aunt Jane wraps her arm around me and smiles. “Enjoy it all. He wants you to have it.” Aunt Jane gives me a small kiss on the side of my forehead.

I slowly take out Cain’s card and hand it over to the woman. One thing I want to know is how much of a limit does he have on that thing, because I have a feeling Aunt Jane isn’t finished with her shopping trip.

I take a sip of my wine, as we wait for our lunch to get to us. Today has been a day I didn’t think I would have enjoyed it as much as I did. Throughout the morning someone comes to see how we were doing, Hayden came first, then Declan and now I’m laughing at a joke David has just told me.

“You ladies enjoyed your shopping trip today,” he points to the bags around the table. I’m hoping Cain isn’t going to be annoyed with how many bags I have with me. And I also found out Cain has no limit on his card, who the hell doesn’t have a limit on their bank card. I’ll tell you who, the Crawford family.

“It was good, you’ll enjoy some things I got,” Aunt Jane tells him, and he laughs, as he goes to look inside the bags, but Aunt Jane stops him.

I thank the waiter for our food, and sit up and start eating, and Uncle David talks on the cell, already knowing it’s Cain, wanting to make sure no one had come near us this morning.

“Your Aunt said it’s been a good morning. Haven’t felt that anyone is watching us. I'm going to go with her to the shop then one of the boys will be there.” Uncle David tells him, and I shake my head a little. I shouldn't be annoyed with what’s happening, but I feel silly having a babysitter all the time.

“Autumn, after Tess he doesn’t want to take the risk of anything happening to you. We didn’t think he would feel this way about anyone after her. Now he has someone he loves. He just wants you to be safe.” Aunt Jane's words hit me harder than I thought they would. I didn’t forget about Tess, but I forgot about how much he blamed himself for her death. “Plus, this one-” She nods her head to Uncle David. “-He’s finally happy Cain is being part of the family.”

I say nothing, because I have nothing to say to her. Cain is finally part of his family, and he’s making sure I stay safe. Girls only dream about a man who will look after them the way Cain does with me.

“Autumn, how is the family?” David asks me.

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