Page 7 of Gambit's Property

This bedroom is nothing like my dorm room, which is temporary and set up for school only. Here, the bed has a fluffy jade comforter that I love. Cream accents are on all the furniture, and even the walls are painted a soft cream color. Pictures of Ley and me are displayed everywhere, including one of my family before the attack, which Ley was able to get for me. I still don’t know how she did that.

I sit on the edge of the bed and brush my fingers over the soft, multi-color shawl at the foot of it. It was my mother’s. She wrapped me in it before shoving me into the cupboard when the men broke into our house. I feel the emotions starting to take over, and I can’t let that happen. I have to be careful because Ley is very observant and knows me well. I don’t want her to be mad at Gavin. They have been friends for too long.

I stand up and change into a pair of sweatpants and a long band T-shirt. After slipping on my soft UGG slippers, I check myself in one of the mirrors before leaving the room.

Good to go.

“Gray, I have special training going on tomorrow and won’t be done until at least five. I’m sure Franci has studying to do.” I hear Ley say.

“No, I don’t,” I say, stopping in the entrance to the kitchen. “I’m all caught up. I thought we could hang out.” My voice quivers slightly. I was hoping to forget my troubles, but if I’m left here alone, I’ll just be stuck in my head. I don’t want that.

Ley moves toward me and wraps an arm around my shoulder. “Franci, I’m sorry. I had this set up months in advance. It was the only time I could get all the team together to do thisspecialized training. I promise you can come next door and hang out while I’m working.”

That doesn’t sound fun. I hate watching all the military-trained men. They make me nervous, reminding me of how the unit Ley was working with broke into our home.

“Or she can come hang out with Erika and me,” Gray offers. “It’s about time I got to know my niece.” He smiles at me, and I can’t help the big smile that I return or the dreamy look in my eyes.

I turn to look up at Ley, who is several inches taller than me. I bat my eyelashes and give her a pleading look. I really want to get to know Gray.Babushkatold me about his wife, Erika, and the baby they’re expecting. I’m going to have a little cousin and can’t wait.

“Okay. On one condition.” Ley holds up a finger. “You’ll have a team.”

“Thought you had the guys doing training.” I smirk at her, because she did say that.

“I’ll call in a favor.” She challenges me with a raise of her eyebrow, and my gut twists. I know who she’s going to call. I take a step away from her to hide my reaction. I want to see him again, but at the same time, I don’t. I hate what he said to me. His words hurt so much.

“Fine.” I huff as I turn away from her.

Ley is watching me too closely. I paste a smile on my face, but I know, just like she does, that it’s fake. Thank goodness for Gray, though.

“What do I need to know?” He interrupts our standoff.

“We’ll talk about it tomorrow. Now get out of here so Franci and I can have some dinner and girl talk.” She laughs as she picks up her cell phone, and I know who she’s messaging.

The next morning, I wake up feeling like shit, but I’m not going to bail on my time with Gray and Erika. After a quick shower in my ensuite bathroom to wake myself up, I head into my closet to dress. I stand there for a bit, unsure what to wear.

“Fuck it.”

I grab a pair of black shorts, black tights, and a cable-knit sweater in bold red, blue, yellow and black stripes with “Nerdy” emblazoned on the front. I slip on a pair of fuzzy-trimmed socks and my Doc Marten boots. Even though we’re having some warmer weather for September, it’s still cool in the evenings. I usually wear my nicer clothes on campus, and I hated that Gavin suggested my clothes were too revealing. I’m not changing for him or anyone.

I head out to the kitchen, where Murtaugh, Ley’s dog, is waiting for me. He brushes up against my leg, and I lean down to pet him. As her PTSD service dog, Murtaugh helps her when she has panic attacks, but last night, he was cuddled up next to me as we watched TV. I had a hard time reassuring Ley I was okay because of how he was behaving with me. She wasn’t wrong, I might need him right now. Maybe I’ll talk her into letting him sleep with me tonight; it might help.

I find a note on the breakfast bar, letting me know that Ley has already gone next door for her training. She’s left me a breakfast sandwich in the microwave and made sure my favorite black tea is ready to steep. I’m touched by how sweet she is. It makes me realize she’s always been like this when I’m around her. I just wish she would stop working so much and talk to me about what’s going on with her. I know she’s dealing withsomething. I don’t know what. All I can do is wait until she tells me.

“You ready, kiddo?” Gray asks a couple of minutes after my tea is done steeping.

I look up to see him standing at the top of the stairs. I was lost in my head, thinking about Gavin.

“Yep, let’s go,” I say, managing a smile as I turn around to grab my to-go cup and messenger bag.

He chuckles as he takes me in from head to toe, and we head out.

Gray is parked in the garage next to my little car. I wanted to drive, but he and Ley agreed he would pick me up. Ley will be done in time to bring me home later.

I climb into his classic muscle car and admire it. “This is really nice. I like it.”

“Thanks, I had it brought over from Vegas. It’s a 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner.”

“It’s awesome,” I say, really trying today.

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