Page 66 of Knights Game

“Like fuck you can’t! You can’t just say something like that and stroll out. What the hell is going on?”

I pause as I pick up the bag and look at my friend who's staring at me with wide eyes, a flush deepening her cheeks in anger.

“Fuck.” I whisper and grab her hand pulling her back to the bed where I sit next to her. “I’m not sure where to start.”

“You start at the beginning, and you slow down long enough to tell me what’s going on.”

“I can’t tell you everything, you're better off not knowing. Roman is outside, ready to blow a gasket, just know that I love you. I’m safe, and so are you.”

She winces and pulls a face at me. “I don’t believe you.” She whispers, “and I feel like you're being shitty because I care. You told me he’s dangerous, and now you're what, moving in? Please tell me why I shouldn’t be concerned?”

I take a breath to start explaining, but there’s a bang at the door. Even Roman’s knock is grumpy.

“I’m fine. I promise. I’ll call you and explain as soon as I can.” I try to reassure her, but she’s having none of it. I hug her goodbye, my embrace tighter than usual because honestly, I have no idea whether I’ll see her again. When I pull back tears are in her eyes.

“Katy, I promise you, I’m okay. Please don’t cry.”

She nods, wiping her eyes. “I’ve just got this weird feeling.”

“Wind?” I say trying to lighten the mood. “As soon as I can tell you more I will. I promise you I’m okay. Besides, the sex IS amazing. As is his girth.” She grins then.

Another loud bang.

“And there he is again, the devil’s dog,” I roll my eyes, and grab my bag. “I’ll message you later. Love you.”

“You, too.” She watches me as I leave her sitting in my room looking worried and subdued. The complete opposite to what Katy usually looks like.

“Got everything?”

“Think so,” I mumble, passing Roman my bag. My mobile rings. It’s probably Luca demanding something or other, I bend over and pick it up. Caller ID says The Village.

Grandad.

Fuck.

What if this is Levi’s move?

My chest tightens and legs bounce in restlessness as the worst-case scenarios run through my head at a thousand miles an hour. I trudge behind Roman who is walking to the car with my bag, and I climb in and answer on a deep breath.

“Hello.”

“Layla?” Sylvia’s voice comes over the speaker and I sit up again.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

“Oh yes, sorry, dear. Look, I just wanted to call you and let you know that I received the payment and that your account issettled. I’m so glad things have been resolved.” I frown at the bag on the floor of the car. Roman watches me intently as I let the words sink in.

Account settled.

I can’t speak, I can’t find words.

Is this Luca? Or Levi?

“Layla?”

I clear my throat and take a breath. “Sorry, I dropped my phone,” I lie.

“Your account is settled until the end of the year. Thank you so much. I hope you haven’t put yourself into debt, Layla. There were other options we could have explored.”

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