Voiceless - M. Sinclair Page 0,45

everytime that Dylan saw her touch something she seemed to like, he added it despite her scowl. It was pretty adorable if we were being honest, especially since Dylan could be really fucking stubborn.

“Yeah,” I finally answered Luca. “I didn’t know what to do with that information either.”

“I’ll check to see if her parents have any connections to the group,” Luca commented, lowering his voice as the two of them walked over.

“I don’t need that much clothing,” Colette pointed out in a soft mumble, but it didn’t sound very convincing.

I couldn’t help but fight a smile as she went to go try them on. I was in full support of her getting as much as possible. If she had more shit than just a backpack, it meant she wanted to stay. Right?

Fuck, I hoped so. I’d never felt as scared as I had today hearing that someone had taken her. I would not lose her.

12

Colette Allard

I stood in the master suite, an odd sense of calm coming over me, as I began unpacking all the clothes I had bought. I shook my head, smiling. Ridiculous. They were ridiculous; I hadn’t even wanted to purchase this many things. Still, it seemed to make Dylan so happy to help me with stuff and the guys seemed insistent I had enough stuff because I was very much “staying”, as they continued to say. Staying, as in putting my stuff in the large master suite closet. I guess that big conversation about our relationship wasn’t needed because it was pretty clear where I stood with them, and I fucking loved it.

My head tilted, trying to remember if my parents had ever taken me shopping. I had of course ordered stuff online and sometimes went to pick up things on my own, but I had never been taken shopping as a kid. It seemed unimportant probably, but it was just one more example of my lack of a childhood.

You know, the more I thought about it… while my parents never showed me outward aggression, I always sort of got the feeling that they weren’t protecting me. Weren’t thinking about my best interests as parents should.

I frowned, thinking about the odd anger I sometimes felt coming off them towards me. Maybe I had been imagining it, but I didn’t think so. I shook my head, clearing the thought process as I returned to put away my clothes, pleased that they fit my style far more than the ones I’d been expected to wear in Maine.

I briefly ran my fingers along the dark jeans, flannels, warm jackets, and boots I’d purchased. I had enough leggings to last me some time and while I had found no dancewear, predictably, I had placed an order online.

Letting out a small yawn I left the closet, turning towards where Dylan was watching me with a sexy smirk on his lips. I approached him and he immediately tugged me down into his lap so I was straddling him. While I saw heat in his gaze, I also saw something dark. I ran my hand through his hair and asked, “What’s wrong? You look upset.”

“I was really worried about you today,” he admitted softly. “I mean, fuck, Colette. Those guys that pulled you over weren’t even cops.”

I arched a brow. “Really? What were they then? I mean, I thought it was odd they just left, but I assumed it was because the ‘back up’ they were talking about was the squad car.”

I tried to not think about how freaked out I’d been yesterday, the memory flashing to the forefront of my mind.

“Okay, so,” Lena turned down the music we had on, “I need to tell you something. You have to promise you won’t judge. Well not judge, but don’t tell my brother’s yet. I mean it’s not really a big deal--”

“Lena,” I touched her shoulder as she continued to drive, “what you say stays between us, I promise. You know I’d never judge you.”

She nodded and inhaled looking nervous. “So, I found out something a few days ago. Something big. Something that--”

The sound of sirens had me turning around as Lena let out a curse. Our conversation stopped as an unmarked black SUV began following us. My friend pulled to the side, and I opened the glove compartment, handing her the registration I knew she would need. I watched as the car parked, the tinted windows not giving me much perspective on who was in there. I felt like we sat there for