Page 43 of Saviour

Rori was tiny and frail when I first met her, but in the time I’ve known her, she’s started to gain some weight and strength, and my chest bursts a little with pride. She was meant to be here, with me. Something about this is just right. And as soon as I get King and Puck back, everything will be right again.

I lean over and kiss Rori on the cheek whilst she sleeps. Another repercussion of Rori pulling back is she won’t even kiss me properly anymore and fuck do I miss her kisses.

Pulling on some grey jogging bottoms and picking up my phone from the bedside table, I head into my en suite and start the shower, unlocking my phone as I do and dialling Emerson’s number.

After the fourth ring, he answers and my stomach twists in anxiety.

“Em, man, you all right?”

He’s silent for a second, but when he speaks, amusement laces his tone.

“All good, brother, your boys are in there.”

I let out a sigh of relief and perch against the sink, not knowing what to say.

Last night, Emerson visited the prison he found out about with Kennedy Harlow, and I’ve been awake all night, waiting to find out if King and Puck are in there. And they fucking are!

“You there, Dax?”

“Yeah, yes, sorry. Did you speak to them? Do they know you?” I string out a load of words, not making much sense.

“Nah, I’ve not met either of them before and I’m sure they wouldn’t recognise me. You only know me because you stumbled across me, mate.” He laughs.

I nod once in agreement even though he can’t see me. If Emerson hadn’t driven Kennedy to the mansion that one day and I didn’t arrive not long after, parking up next to him, we’d never have met. I’d have no leads on King and Puck, especially after I shot that motherfucker Lenny for touching Rori. He was the only one who had connections.

“Emerson, I need to get to them,” I start, but he sighs and I stop short.

“Dax, you haven’t got a single chance in hell getting in there. Carlo knows you want to find them. He’s not going to send you to the very place they’re at unless you’re getting locked up too.”

I sigh because I know he’s right, but I have no idea what other options I have.

“Look, I’ve got an idea.” There’s a knock at the door and I pause, watching Rori open it slowly, her eyes curious as she looks me up and down, to the shower and then the phone in my hand. “I’ll call you tomorrow, Em. We can discuss it then.” Without waiting for a response, I hang up and slide the phone into my pocket.

“Good morning, Birdie.” I smile, crossing my arms over my chest, flexing my muscles as she steps a little closer.

“Em?” she questions with a bitter tone and I quirk up a brow.

“Yes,” I reply and let the steam swirl around us in silence.

“If you’ve got something to say, Birdie, don’t hold back.” I wink and her eyes narrow further.

“I don’t have anything to say,” she snaps and goes to walk away, but I grab her wrist and pull her into me, twisting my hand gently around the plait lying on her shoulder.

“Why do you wear your hair in a plait, baby?”

“Who is she? Who’s Em?”

And the chuckle that wants to burst from my lips is painful, because I know she’s jealous thinking Em is a girl, but I love seeing her squirm. And I love that she cares enough to be jealous.

“Answer my question and maybe I’ll tell you.”

“I asked you first!” she argues and her fists clench at her sides, and I just want to grab her and hold her close to me.

Instead, I pull my phone out of my pocket and redial Emerson, hearing it ring twice before his deep voice rings out through the speakerphone.

“Mate, if you keep calling me, I’m going to get a complex.”

I laugh and Rori’s cheeks turn a beautiful shade of pink and before I can grab her, she storms out of the bathroom, leaving me laughing alone.

---