Page 29 of Grim

Where was Grim?

“Listen, uh, if you want to move with us to the apartment, you can. We all kind of have our demons,” she chuckled. “I came into town with bare feet, a backpack, and no money to my name, and these crazy bikers put me up in that apartment down the street, and now I’ve got a job, a roof over my head, and a full stomach. They aren’t bad people.” She leaned forward. “Even if they can be a bit scary looking.”

I chuckled at the twinkle in her eye. Smiling, she leaned back on her part of the couch. “There is more stuff coming, but Hawke wanted me to bring stuff over as it came so you’ll be comfortable. He’s talking to Grim, now.”

I bit my lip, thanking her again. My breath quickened and my hands shook while I played with my hair. Hell, why was I so nervous? She was being nice, just a pleasant woman trying to make me feel welcome, and I couldn’t even carry a conversation.

I’m more messed up than I thought.

“It’s crazy, Grim ordered new bedding, pillows, curtains like he is dressing up the entire apartment,” she said, astonished. She frowned, watching my body shake. “The men folk around here don’t do that. Usually, their places are bare. Several of the women started a cleaning business and at least sweep through the apartments not connected to the bar. They won’t let us go back there. Must be secret club stuff,” she whispered the last part, giggling.

I gave a modest smile, trying to accept her attempt to make me feel more at ease.

“Men around here don’t like a personal touch. They are all bare like this,” Delilah rambled. “The only apartment they haven’t cleaned is Sizzle’s, though. He hates women, but take no offense to that,” she added. “Some girl must have put a foul taste in his mouth, or he’s extremely gay and bitter about it.”

I giggled, covering my mouth.

“There, she does laugh!” Delilah cooed. “Seriously though, these men are good people. Just don’t get romantically involved or catch the feelings for these guys.” She gulped. “Because they aren’t into us like that. I’m not entirely sure if they are all into each other or just don’t have hearts,” she trailed off.

She cleared her throat, the door opened, and Hawke sauntered in. He grabbed more bags that sat by the door and dropped them on the counter.

He had empty holsters on either side of his hips, a knife in his boot, and cuffs tucked into his belt. His short mohawk gave him a cold-blooded killer vibe, but that wasn’t what Delilah saw.

She looked at him like he hung the moon.

Hawke’s leather boots clomped on the floor. You could hear the leather move with him around his ankles. He glanced around the room until he met Delilah’s face. His stony face warmed, seeing her smile back at him.

Were they a thing?

Maybe not since she just said not to get romantically involved with these guys.

“Come on, Dede, we need to go.” His voice was far softer than I would have thought. He nodded his head to the door, and she stood to leave.

“Are you sure she can’t come to stay with us? She needs to be around some women and not just Grim, even if he is good people.” The tiredness in her voice appeared, and she gestured toward me. “She would be far more comfortable than being with a man alone in this apartment, especially after…”

“Dede, that’s enough,” Hawke said sternly. His face went stiff as both of us flinched. Groaning, which sounded more like growling, he stepped away, putting his hands up.

“This is the way things are. She is safer here with Grim. She’s under his protection until further notice,” he said patiently.

“Let me just give her a quick hug. Everyone likes hugs, right?” Delilah stepped over, but Hawke pulled on Delilah’s hand, pulling her away.

“Don’t touch her,” he warned.

“But why not? The poor thing needs coddling, don’t you, Journey?”

Tears came to my eyes, but Hawke pulled her away.

“You can’t touch her right now.”

We both cocked our heads. There was no room left for her to ask questions while he pulled her away.

“Will you come visit?” I asked.

It was nice having another woman around, one that seemed to like me. I wasn’t sure if it was because of an ulterior motive, but her words were sweet. There wasn’t an evil glint in her eye or awkward movements like she was hiding something.

“Of course.”

“Dede, you can’t promise that. Now, come,” he barked.

---