Chaos & the Geek (Grace Grayson Security #1) - Elizabeth Stevens Page 0,35
her. “So I have him to thank for my new roommate?”
She grinned. “Thank or blame?”
“You said his name was Johnson?” I asked and she nodded.
I was going to remember the guy who’d been responsible for all this.
“Amber!” I heard a voice call as we came down the Mayhew’s front steps and I started directing her left.
I followed Amber’s gaze and saw a young woman who may well have been Dannie all grown up. I put my hand on Amber’s back in support as she stopped and the woman rushed over.
“I’ve been trying to get hold of you all week. Where have you been?” she said, and I saw she was more interested in trying to catch my attention than she was in seeking Amber’s forgiveness.
Typical Dannie.
“I’ve been busy. I’ve been safe,” Amber replied.
“She’s staying with me,” I told Dannie, my voice hard; cheating I could not abide, and betrayal was worse.
Dannie looked me over, then she gave me what I’m sure was supposed to be a winning smile. “Chaos Grayson?”
“Chaos?” another voice sniggered, and I looked over to see some shrivelled dickweed.
I felt Amber tense and she stepped closer to me. I didn’t have to be a genius to guess who this guy was. He was small, he was weedy, and there was a glint in his eyes that told me he was used to getting what he wanted. Probably by throwing Daddy’s money around.
“What kind of name is Chaos?” the guy scoffed.
My eyes narrowed and he lost a fair chunk of his bluster.
“Kit’s letting me stay with him for a while…” Amber said, and I hated that these people were making her feel small.
I could see the guy looking between us like he was trying to work out what we were to each other. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder protectively and, if I’m honest, a little possessively.
“We should go,” I said to her. “We need to be at McLean’s by eight.” Sure, on Sunday, but they didn’t need to know that.
“I–” Amber started, and my arm tightened around her gently to shush her.
Dannie’s mouth dropped open. “McLean’s? You’re taking her to McLean’s?”
The dickweed scoffed derisively. “And who the hell are you?”
I let go of Amber and took a step towards him. He shrunk away.
“Someone you don’t want to cross,” I snarled.
“Leave it, babe,” Dannie said to him, pawing at his arm, and I glared at her.
But she wasn’t worth the waste of words. I took Amber’s hand and pulled her along. Petra’s little boutique was only a few buildings away. So Dannie and the dickweed would probably see us going in. But that would give them something to think about. Let him think she was mine now. See how he liked that.
“Kit, where are we?” Amber asked and I heard the tremor in her voice. “Did you just say we were going to McLean’s?”
I whirled to face her and cupped her cheek. “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. Don’t give them your consent. They don’t deserve it.”
She nodded and gave me a small smile. I could see the confusion in her eyes but out here was not the place to put them to rest.
“Come on,” I said, taking her hand again and tugging her after me.
I let go of her and knocked on Petra’s door. Petra’s head popped into view and she beamed when she saw us. As she unlocked the door for us, I looked back and saw Dannie and the dickweed watching us. I didn’t take my eyes off them until Amber was safely inside the shop.
“Oh, look at you!” Petra squealed in excitement as she took Amber’s hands. She threw a look to me. “And what does this gorgeous creature need, Chaos?”
I smirked. “Black tie. Full evening gown. To go.”
Petra sighed at Amber like they were in on some joke. “He does like to create challenges. Still they don’t call him Chaos for nothing. Now, colours?”
Petra looked between us and I could see Amber was feeling overwhelmed and confused. But even then, she was gorgeous and there was a touch of humour to her confusion that she turned on me.
“Start with blue,” I suggested.
Amber looked at me with barely concealed panic. “What?”
“A dress, love,” Petra said kindly. “Chaos, did you just drag this poor beauty in here?”
I shrugged. Petra knew me too well. “The boys and I are taking Amber to McLean’s on Sunday.”