Page 21 of Seized By Solo

“Yeah, oh. Now, I need a fucking nap and I want my woman next to me, so sleep, baby.” He pulls the covers over us, and I am forced into his side. If I’m being honest, his warm body lulls me.

Soon, I drift off, thinking we will talk more when we wake up.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

SOLO

I come to, and instantly, something soft and sweet-smelling tickles my nose. My eyes pop open, and I smile lazily when I see Elsie snuggled into my side like she belongs there.

Fuck, she does.

She looks so young and carefree when she sleeps. I hate that she is still carrying some weight from her past when she is awake. Brushing some of her hair off her face, I press my lips to her forehead, hoping to not wake her.

Slipping from the bed, I drag my tired arse to the attached bathroom and take a piss, and my body sags in relief. I take a quick shower and dress just as fast, when my stomach protests that it’s empty.

I don’t usually go this long without food. I consume a lot of calories to keep my body in this shape. My size is one thing I have going for me; it helps keep people in line.

Making my way down to the kitchen, I pass the games room that we have. Nadine set it up years ago when she got fed up with the guys screaming and shouting at the TV while playing on the Xbox or whatever console we had at the time.

We have a TV in the main room, where we watch sport and the news and shit.

In the games room, Una is propped up in a chair reading on her Kindle while Ruthie and Ricky are playing on one of the consoles.

“Solo,” I hear Una call.

“Hey, sweetheart. How are you feeling?” I ask, stepping into the room.

The kids clock me, offer me a smile, then go back to their game.

“I’m good. The doctor cleared me to fly, so Dutch is happy. Me too, to be honest. I could do with some hot weather; escape this dull summer we are having.” She laughs.

I chuckle. Una hates the cold and wet, so she is shit out of luck living in England.

“Hey, we’re due to get a heatwave next week. You will miss that.” I wink.

“Yeah, but I will have the Florida sun on me so I don’t care.” She gets up and kisses the kids’ heads.

“You be good for Solo, okay?” They nod to her and stop the game, turning at the exact same time to look at me.

“Yeah, that’s not creepy as shit,” I mutter, making them both smile the same creepy way.

“Okay, you can stop that shit now.” They chuckle darkly and my skin crawls. “Fucking kids.”

They both burst out laughing and get to their feet.

“We’re hungry,” Ricky states as they stop in front of me.

“Yeah?” They nod. “Okay. Come on, I will see what’s in the kitchen.”

They follow me out of the room and down to the kitchen. Thankfully, it’s empty.

“Sit.” I point to the table, and they listen.

“Where is Mum?” Ruthie asks me as she sits.

“She’s still sleeping,” I inform them, making them frown. “Hey, guys, your mum is getting up there in age. Taking a nap is needed for us oldies.” I wink, making them giggle.

The sound does some freaky shit to my heart.