Page 44 of A Game of Secrets

She brings her fingers across her lips, as if she's remembering our heated kisses after the fight night. "You, how are you here?"

"Well I needed groceries," I shrug.

Just then a little voice pops up. "Mom, who is that giant man?"

I laugh waiting to see how she introduces me. "Oh this is… um…Silas, he's a friend sweetie," she says nervously, glaring at me.

"That's right buddy, I'm a friend of your mommy's, I've not seen her in a while. I've been wondering how she is."

She scowls at me and replies, "I'm fine, we need to get the rest of our groceries now so I'm sorry I can't stay and chat, Teddy's been saying he's starving so I need to get him some dinner."

I nod, "Well how about I take you both out for dinner? Who likes Chuck E Cheese? It'll be my treat." I say hoping that I'm convincing enough or at least Teddy can be bribed.

Before Lucille gets a chance to answer Teddy jumps in. "That's my favorite!!! Please Mommy, let's go, you can talk with your friend then, please!!!"

Lucille looks down to her son and smiles but then looks back at me and frowns. "Fine, but it's just as friends and you're paying," she points at me.

I laugh, "Sure la mi luce. I hear Chuck E Cheese has the best ice-cream too."

"They do! They have rainbow coloured ice-cream, have you tried it before?" Teddy asks excitedly.

"I can't say I have buddy, we'll definitely order dessert, if that's okay with your Mom," I tell him.

"Pleaseeee!" he squeals at Lucille.

She's smiling and giggles. "Only if you eat some veggies first Teddy."

Teddy pulls a face but sighs saying, "OK, can I have chocolate sauce too giant man?"

I laugh because this kid is too cute. "I'm sure we can arrange that Buddy."

"I think you should be my friend as well as my moms. I like friends who buy me ice-cream with chocolate sauce," he tells me in a whisper.

I smile and tell him, "I'd be honored to be your friend buddy."

I look at Lucille who is looking unsure, I smile and say, "How about I follow you home so you can drop off all this stuff then I'll drive us?" motioning to her cart of groceries.

Lucille looks at me and says, "Only if you don't drive a motorcycle like your brother."

I chuckle thinking it's typical of Cole to show her a dangerous ride. "No, my car has a lot more room and is a far nicer ride than Cole’s."

By the time we have checked out at the grocery store and made it back to Lucille’s apartment, it’s just after 16:00. I decide it’s better for me to hang back on this occasion and wait for them to finish putting away the groceries as I stand outside, leaning against my Porsche. My phone buzzes while I'm waiting, pulling me from a nice little daydream about living a happily little suburban life. "What do you want, Linc?" I snap, feeling annoyed that he feels the need to check on me, and that he’s so abruptly put a stop to my unrealistic fantasy. Deep down I know it's only because he cares. Unlike me and my brother, Lincoln has a more reasonable head on his shoulders and is able to keep us both in line when things get a bit out of hand. I guess it's just the shit hand he’s been dealt, it makes him assess his situations differently to the rest of us. "Cole just informed me you're at Lucille's. What are you doing?"

I shake my head, my brother knows no bounds to his stalking. At least I know he's watching over her whether I'm here or not. "I'm getting to know her and her boy. You can tell Cole there isn't any need to be watching while I'm with her, he can fuck off now. If he's that bored he can go check the shipment is being packed and distributed effectively on the slip road."

I hear Cole grunt in the background. "I was on my way to do that anyway, make sure you keep them safe brother." I hear the roar of his motorcycle.

"He wasn't actually watching you guys, as soon as he saw you pull up with Lucille he left his post and came back here, you should know he trusts you." Linc explains.

Reading between the lines I feel Linc is trying to tell me not to fuck it up, not that he'd actually admit this, stubborn bastard. "I know that Fratello. Enjoy your night, make sure you win big at the casino tonight," and I end the call.

Pocketing my phone, I notice Teddy running over towards me. "Wow giant man, this is cool! I can't wait to tell Bella about this!" He tells me excitedly looking at my car.

"Teddy, hold on a minute, I need to grab your car seat." Lucille shouts to him.

"No problem la mia Luce, me and Teddy will grab it. Won't we buddy?" He beams up at me and I can’t help the smile that takes over my face. I make my way over to Lucille's car, Teddy shows me his car seat and how it’s attached. We grab the seat out and he helps me to secure it in the back seat of my car. Teddy jumps in and Lucille buckles him in. I hold the door open for her to sit in the front seat, she hesitates but walks around getting in, she's wearing light jeans and a light blue shirt with white converse trainers. She looks casual and effortlessly gorgeous, her hair is still in a ponytail and I have to force myself not to fantasize about the things I'm aching to do to her again.

After a pleasant twenty minute drive, we arrive at the restaurant and are seated quickly. We order a double pepperoni with extra cheese to share and some veggie sticks on the side. True to his word, Teddy actually eats some vegetables. It shows what a great job Lucille has done bringing him up, he respects her. "So I've eaten some veggies. Can I get some ice cream now please Mom?" Teddy eagerly asks.

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