Page 33 of North (The Moral Compass 2)

“Fuck if I know. She came and sat at our table in The Hideaway. The place was packed, and we had an empty seat. Hang on… Did you see me?”

“Yes, I did but I thought—”

“Ah, so you thought I had moved on. Then, Holly appears, and you think I’ve been there, too?” I can tell he is trying not to shout, but his pacing is getting faster.

I nod because it’s the truth. That is what I thought.

“You have to fucking trust me, Kara. I don’t want anybody else. Not now, not last week, not ever. Please understand, it is you and only you, and if you can’t get that in your fucking head, then we need to stop now.” He stops pacing and grabs a coffee from the tray and walks over to the window.

“Really! Really. After everything you said to me last night to convince me to stay, you are so quick to throw in the towel.”

“Oh no, Kara. It wasn’t me that was waiting for the elevator, was it?” he bellows and then turns to face me. “Is this how it is going to be? You see or hear something and instead of talking it through with me, you put on your coat and fuck off into the sunset? Is it?” He’s really shouting at me now, and I realise I actually deserve some of it.

“I promised you last night that we would have communication, and you promised you would do the same. It’s not even been twelve hours, and your barriers are back up, and you’re bolting. Well, I’m sorry, Kara, but I can’t live like that. I can’t live worrying that you will hear something, believe it, run, and I’ll end up with the shits again.”

Shit, he’s fucking ending it with me. Oh crap. No!

“I’m sorry, okay? I’m sorry. I don’t even know where I was going. It wasn’t France, if that’s what you’re thinking. I was just needing to get out of here. How would you like it if one of my exes turned up, telling you he’d been sleeping with me on the regular this last month and that my apartment was a den of depravity? We didn’t do much talking last night, and there are still things that need straightening out, but I’m willing if you are, and I promise you, I swear to you, I will never ever disappear again. I just felt… sick.”

He dips his chin and puts his coffee on the nearby table and takes a really deep breath. I can’t breathe.

He storms towards me and bangs the button to call the elevator. The doors open immediately.

He grabs my hand and pulls me in.

“Where are we going?” I ask as I stumble along behind him.

“House hunting.”

Chapter 25

North

Abeautifulmorningturnedinto a nightmare shit show. How the hell did Holly even get a job at the Majestic? I had her blacklisted everywhere. I didn’t even know she was in London. And all that shit about my suite being a Shag Pad? For fuck’s sake.

I will admit, I have had a few women in there well before Kara. Anyway, it won’t be a problem anymore. I’m buying a house where we will both have a clean slate.

Just us. No one else and no hangers-on. Just me and Kara. When I think about it, this morning did me a huge favour. If I’d tried to convince her to buy a house, she would have kicked off. This way it’s not for me, it’s for her, and she didn’t say a peep.

I have to laugh, though. I don’t think she dared. I meant what I said this morning, but the words came out before I had time to think about the repercussions. She could have told me to just make do with a one and done, but I saw something special in her eyes. Love. It was mixed with panic. She didn’t want to lose me, and that gave me the confidence to keep moving forward.

Our phones have so many missed calls and texts from Sutton. She can be a real little old lady when she gets in the mood. I know it’s because she cares, but she also can’t stand not knowing every detail. I have one from West, so I decided to have a bit of fun.

West: Tell Kara to phone Sutton.

North: Yep, she will when she takes my cock out of her mouth.

West: Really, Brother? I did not want that picture EVER.

North: You sure about that? It looks surprisingly good from where I’m sitting.

West: FUCK OFF.

I didn’t notice Kara sneak up behind me, and she laughs as she reads the messages. A minute later, I’m sending West a photo of Kara with her head on my lap. Nothing to see as she wasn’t really sucking my dick, but we both found it hilarious.

North: Picture message sent.

West: I have no words for you, Brother, other than you’re a sick fuck.

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