Page 51 of Avenging Devil: Part 1

She blushes again, showing her discomfort, and I’ve an inkling what it might be about, and absolve her from having to say it aloud. “Tell you what, why don’t you write me a list? Leave it with me, then go get some sleep. I’ll have everything you need by the time you wake up.”

Her head lifts slightly, suggesting she’s accepted my compromise. Turning, she shuffles off. Within moments, she returns and places a folded note in my hands.

“I’ll understand if—” She speaks without meeting my eyes.

“I’ll get whatever you need, darlin’. Now go and have a nap. When you wake up, we’ll see about getting some food.”

Waiting only until she’s closed her bedroom door behind her, I unfold the note and smirk. Just as I thought, she’s requested some feminine products and some painkillers. I add a few extra requirements of my own, then take my phone out of my pocket.

“You got Grumbler.”

“How you doing, old man?” I grin as I imagine the expression on his face.

But Grumbler isn’t in the mood for levity. “Hell, Niran, is Saffie doing okay?”

Though he can’t see me, I shake my head. “No, she’s not, Brother. I don’t want to leave her, so I need a favour.”

“Just ask.”

“Is there a prospect around? I need him to pick up a few items for her if someone’s free.”

“Kid’s not busy. Text me a list and I’ll see that he gets it.” Grumbler pauses. “You sure you’re the right person to be there? I can check how Eva’s fixed.”

“She’s probably working,” I tell him, reluctant to be replaced, even by a qualified nurse. “And,” I grimace hearing noises from the floor above, “it’s not a good area for any woman to be here.”

Putting away my phone, I go into the kitchen and take stock of the food reserves. She’s running low on everything, but with the problems she’s had to think about, groceries probably didn’t come first. I can’t blame her. We’ll get takeout later, if I can get her to eat, that is. Even if she isn’t hungry, I’ll order in for myself, making sure I’ve got extra. Maybe that will tempt her.

Back on the couch, I switch on the television, keeping the sound low. There’s nothing much on to interest me, in fact, the yelling and screaming from the apartment next door is far more entertaining. Apparently, Joe had been caught with his pants down, and his woman isn’t accepting his lame excuse.You tell him, girl.I grin to myself.

An hour later, there’s a knock at the door. I go to open it and find Kid. He’s carrying a grocery sack as though it’s going to turn around and bite him any moment.

“Got everything?”

“Yeah.” He hands the bag over to me quickly.

“Wait a sec,” I demand, as I open the bag, having to roll my eyes at the contents. “You’ll have to go back.” I extract a box of tampons. “These aren’t what she wanted. I asked you for pads.”

His face is so red it amuses me. “They’re women’s shit, aren’t they? Won’t they fuckin’ do?”

I’d take bets he just went to that aisle and grabbed the first thing that came to hand. “No, they’re no fuckin’ good.” I might not know the mechanics but can imagine her pussy’s been mucked around enough as it is today.

“How the fuck am I going to know what pads are?”

I shrug. “Ask?”

The red on his cheeks darkens and there’s a look of horror in his eyes.

Taking pity on him, I take out my phone which is now showing a red bar and Google. Tapping an image, I turn it to show him. “This is what she needs.”

He looks down, then up to meet my eyes. “Sometimes I wonder whether getting this fuckin’ patch is worth it.”

“Whoa,” I say sharply. “With an attitude like that, you’re not going to go far.”

“Sorry, man.” His face falls. “Grumbler had me out searching for a left-handed hammer for Ross today. The store gave me shit, saying they had to order one in. I thought Grumbler was going to tear me a new one for returning empty-handed before he cracked up.”

Par for the course. And I’ve been through hazing twice, once in the Marines, and then for the Devils. Kid’s got to grow thicker skin.

Seeing my total lack of sympathy, he eyes the image again, then straightens his shoulders. “I’ll be right back.”

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