Heart Beats (Joker's Sin #3) - Davidson King Page 0,57

landlord about a small leak in his bathroom. I wished he’d leave that place and just agree to stay here. This huge place was better with Shane in it. It always smelled of cupcakes, and he hummed all the time. Lion loved him, and I noticed the bird was flying and stopping at every window, looking for him.

“He’ll be back soon, Lion. He’s getting some clothes.”

“Shane needs to stay.”

I agreed with the bird. He needed to stay.

Chapter Thirty-One

Shane

“I’m sorry, Ciro, I know you have to get to work.” And he did. With everything being so chaotic with Ledger, Ciro was stretched thin. Toby had told me that a few fights had been breaking out at the club when Ciro wasn’t there, and Atlas was getting stressed out over it. There was no doubt Ciro needed to get over there, but he didn’t feel comfortable leaving me, even for a moment.

“Not to worry. It’s not like you were expecting to walk into a flood. It’s fine, your landlord said he’d be here in ten minutes.” He was tense and he eyed his phone a few times, likely checking the time.

I looked at my watch—it was almost four in the afternoon. Ciro always did sweeps of the place, and considering the issues with some of the patrons there, he really needed to do them. At this rate, by the time I was done here and he drove me to Ledger’s, he wouldn’t have time to eat or dress before work.

“Why not just ask one of Riordan’s guys to drive me to Ledger’s? My landlord has never been on time, and I know you have things to do.” I released a sigh. “I know Atlas needs you at the club. There have been fights and while your guys are amazing, they aren’t you. I won’t be alone for long.”

He sighed and went to my small kitchen to fill up my watering can. “I’ll give it half an hour. Then if I need to, I’ll make arrangements.”

“Fair enough.”

But half an hour came and went. I texted Ledger to let him know I would be longer than I thought because of the leak. My plants were watered, and I had my mail in a small duffel with some clothes. Ciro was able to get the pipe to slow down, but I didn’t want to leave a bucket under it, not knowing when I’d be back to empty it.

“Ciro, just go. I’ll wait here for one of Riordan’s guys and leave with them as soon as my landlord gets here and fixes this mess. You have to get to the club.”

“I can just call a plumber to come and fix it. I got a buddy—”

“You always have a buddy. No, don’t worry. In my lease, I agreed not to hire outside people without the landlord’s approval.”

Ciro rolled his eyes and took out his cell phone. “I’ll text Riordan, see who he has that’s close that can come drive you.” He grumbled under his breath and I couldn’t make out what he said, but he was pissed—that much I knew.

It felt ridiculous, keeping Ciro here. I wasn’t the target, nothing had been directed my way, and I was wasting everyone’s time. “I can take the bus too, you—”

“Not a chance. Nice try. Fucking bus, Shane, I can’t believe you…” He read something on his phone. “Fuck, Max is texting me that some guys are drinking in front of the club and being obnoxious.”

“Oh, would you just go, Ciro? I’ll even call my landlord again.” I called, and his wife said he’d left a few minutes earlier. Thank God.

“Okay, Neil will be here in five minutes. I don’t like it, but I have to get to the club and break up that mess and find out why my guys can’t do the simplest of jobs.” Ciro said. “Neil’s three blocks over. Finish up what you need in here.”

“Okay, landlord is on his way, and Neil is too, it’s fine. Shoo.”

Ciro nodded. “Okay. Lock the door behind me. I won’t walk away until I hear it lock. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

As soon as Ciro left I locked the door and went to my room to make sure I got everything I’d need for a week. I didn’t think this would take that long, but I’d rather have too much instead of too little.

I was just putting an extra pair of boxers into my bag when there was a knock on the door.

“Neil, that you?”

“No, it’s Lyle.” My landlord.

“Don’t