Her Guardians: Her Guardians Trilogy Book 1 (33 page)

Chris smiled cheekily.
“I think you overthink things.”

The laughter came without my willing
. I thought Chris was right on about that.

“We can’t tell you what to do,” Chris
continued. “But whatever happens, we just want you to know that we’re here for you. We will stand by any decision you make, one hundred percent.”

“Thank you.
” I felt somewhat relieved at sharing my heartache. It was great to know I had people in my life who cared and wanted to share the burden with me.

**********

I stayed and had an early dinner with them. It felt good to be with my family. I did think about what my uncle said about either Michael or Stephen making the choice for me. I knew that it was a coward’s way out on my part. I couldn’t help but feel the hurt from knowing that Stephen betrayed his own brother. Sure, it did sound like she was wrong for him, sleeping with Stephen answered that theory, but there were other ways to show Michael that. Stephen didn’t need to sleep with her to prove it.

“Are you going to be ok
ay?” Chris cornered me as I was about to leave.

“I’ll be fine.
There has to be an end to this at some point. I’m sure it will be coming for me soon. Lord knows what that means, but I know it can’t go on like this forever.”

After saying my goodbyes
, I headed out the door. It was dark and the wind was picking up a little bit. I put on my gloves, which I thought was a good investment. It kept my hands warm in winter and shielded my gift from others—if they decided to touch my hand.

Hal
fway home, my phone started ringing. I dug it from my coat pocket and saw that it was an unlisted number. I pressed the ANSWER button. “Hello?”

“Cassie, hi.
How are you feeling now? I heard you were sent home.”

“
Simon?”

“Yes, sorry.
I should have said first. I guess I’m a little eager to speak with you.”

“Is everything ok
ay?” I was getting a little concerned.

“Yes, it is.
I just wanted to know if you were coming into work tomorrow.”

“I’m a lot better now, thanks.
I had a bad headache, but went home and slept for a while. It’s gone now so I feel much better.”

“That
’s good. I don’t want you doing too much if it’s going to affect your health.”

I chuckled a little
. “I’m fine, honestly. What can I do for you?”

“Well, I did some digging on the information you gave me and have narrowed it down to a certain area.
I wanted to go in the morning and I wanted to bring you with me.”

“Me?
!” I shrieked a little, causing a young girl to snap her head in my direction.
Sorry
, I mouthed as I walked past her.

“Only you know what you saw.
I want you there so you can tell me if it’s the right area.”

“I do want to help as much as I can, but what about work?
I’ve already missed enough days as it is.”

“Don’t worry about that.
I have spoken with Fiona. She knows there are some jobs you are doing for me and has allocated your work accordingly. None of your cases will be affected by your absence.”

I thought
about that for a moment and cringed a little. How did he explain why a lowly traffic girl was hanging around with the Chief Superintendent of all people? It just didn’t add up.

“You’re hesitating slightly.
Are you uncomfortable with this?”

“No, not at all…
Well, only so much as I’m not sure how you explain this. I’m only a traffic girl, Mr Bradley.”

“That’s a little self-deprecating
, isn’t it, Cassie? I would never consider you just a traffic girl. You’re a highly valued member of the Met. Everyone there has an important role to play.”

“I know
. Sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Besides, Fiona doesn’t question me.
If she would ask, I’d just tell her that I’m thinking of hiring you as my personal assistant.”

“But what about, Ruth, or is this actually just a way to explain it?”

“She’s retiring in a couple of months. I couldn’t think of anyone better for the job. Fiona knows this already so I should imagine she suspects it to be the case. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. It would mean more responsibility, but you will have better pay—and something more challenging for you, I should imagine.”

I was genuinely shocked.
“I don’t know what to say.”

“There’s no rush.
Ruth isn’t leaving for another two months yet. We will have to go through the interview process, but that will just be a formality. Give me a week. If you think we can work together, tell me by Friday.”

“Ok
ay.” I was feeling a little shaky. This was all so much to take in.

“So will you come
with me tomorrow? You don’t have to, but it would be much better if you did.”

I smiled to myself
, thinking I would love to. I knew Simon more than he realised, and would do anything to try to ease his pain. “Okay, sure. Why not?”

“That’s the ticket!” he shouted.
“Give me your address and I will pick you up at eight o’clock, if that’s okay? I would like to get an early start.”

“That
’s fine. I can understand your eagerness to get some closure on this. I will endeavour to do the best I can for you, Mr. Bradley.”

“I’m sure you will, Cassie.
And, please, call me Simon. Mr. Bradley makes me feel old.”

I chuckled
. “Okay, Simon.”

I
told him my address and when I was done, Simon sighed. “By the way, I bought some rock candy for Sharice. She asked me how I could possibly know she was craving the stuff. How could you have possibly known? What aren’t you telling me?”

“Som
e things are better left unsaid.” I smiled brightly because I knew he couldn’t see my reaction.

“Hmm, well… I think we will discuss this further tomorrow.
I shall see you then.”

“Certainly.
Have a good evening.”

“You
, too.”

I was at my door by the time
I hung up. I was feeling a little dizzy with fear and excitement. I could understand why Simon would want to keep me close to him. There are not many people like me around and I was sure the more we all kept this quiet, the better. I guess he thought containing me was the best option.

I was
in the middle of putting the key in the lock when I heard my name being called. I turned to find Lisa-Marie with the girl I saw in my vision.

“Lisa-Marie.”
I pulled the key out and went back down the stairs for a hug. “How are you?”

She nodded
her head. “Very well, thank you.”

“I take it this must
be Catherine? Nice to meet you.” I offered her my hand. I still had my gloves on so I knew it was safe.

I saw Lisa-Mari
e raise her eyebrow when I shook Catherine’s hand. I discreetly showed her my gloves and she nodded.

“We were actually about to head to
the Horse and Hound down the road. Do you want to come?” Catherine’s eager smile brightened the dark evening. She was a pretty girl with long, flowing blonde hair and dark blue eyes. She had a certain regal look about her that caught your attention.

“Yes, that would be lovely.
I can’t stay long, though. I have to get up really early for work tomorrow. It would seem I have been offered a better job.”

“Really?”
Lisa-Marie squealed with a big grin. “Well, come on and let’s go so you can tell us all about it. It’s too cold to be standing out here.”

With a nod
, we swiftly walked to the pub. It was only three minutes away from my place so it was handy for heading back home. They ordered vodkas, and I ordered a brandy and coke. I had to smile a little to myself. The drink was obviously my favourite since Stephen had walked into my life.

“So te
ll me all about it.” Lisa-Marie’s tone was playfully demanding.

“Well, I’ve become acquainted with the
Chief Superintendent at work for several reasons.” I looked at Lisa-Marie when I said this and I thought she understood my hidden meaning.

“He seems impressed with the work I can do so far and it would seem he wants me to be his
personal assistant. I’m to work with him for a week so we can see if we work well together. I’m actually going out with him on a job all day tomorrow.”

“Well, congratulations.
” Lisa-Marie raised her glass. “See, it was a good idea going for a drink with us. I take it this will be a promotion?”

“Well
, yes, I would think so.”

“
When will you know for sure?” Catherine asked.

“He told me that I had to give him an answer by Friday.”

Lisa-Marie gave me a cheeky wink. “Great. Let us know on Friday and maybe we can go out and celebrate. What do you both think?”

“Sounds good to me,” we said in
unison. Catherine and I looked at one another and laughed.

“So what’s new with you
, other than this incredible sounding job? Got yourself a man yet?”

I quiver
ed a little, thinking about Michael and Stephen. A little jolt of pain shot through my stomach when I thought about them. I had seen them only hours ago and already I missed them. I missed the way they always made me feel when they were close. I missed their smells and how special I felt when they touched me. I missed Stephen’s cheeky grin, and I even missed Michael’s dominance.

“No
,” I sighed sadly. “I’m too busy saving the world.” I smiled, raising my glass. I looked towards Lisa-Marie and she giggled back.

“So tell me about yourself, Catherine.”
I was trying to change the subject. I didn’t want to talk about me or my lack of love life anymore.

“There’s nothing much to tell
, really. I’m a secretary for a local law firm down the King’s Road. I recently moved so I could gain some independence from my parents. Sometimes my father can be a handful. He doesn’t like talking about my life choices. Of course, they both know and my mum is kind of okay about it. My dad, on the other hand, is a whole different kettle of fish. He’s very much old school and probably thinks I’ll grow out of it one day. I keep trying to get it through his head. I even asked if he thought he would ever grow out of being attracted to women. To say it didn’t go well is an understatement.” She rolled her eyes and I laughed. I knew she was taking it lightly, but I was sure it still cut her up knowing her father didn’t accept the way she was.

“I don’t think parents could ever be happy.
Let’s put it this way. You might meet a man that your father would disapprove of but, at the end of the day, it’s your life, not his.”

Lisa-Marie rolled up her sleeves.
“I told Catherine about your uncle.”

I looked over at Catherine and smiled.
“He and his partner, Chris, raised me. I owe a lot to them.”

“And you never found it hard being without a mot
her?” Catherine asked. “Lisa-Marie told me about your mum and dad. I’m sorry.”

“Thank you.
It was a long time ago. I suppose it’s always been hard being without a mother figure, but Billy and Chris have done a stand-up job. They raised me well. I’m healthy and, under the circumstances, I had a happy childhood.”

Lisa-Marie leaned in a little.
“Was your mum your uncle’s sister?”

“Yes, she was.
They were always very close. When Billy came out, he said that my mum didn’t even flinch. He told me he was more nervous about telling her than he was about telling their parents. My grandparents were always a little bit funny with them, apparently. He was never very close to them so telling them didn’t matter so much. He cared what my mum thought, though. He needn’t have worried after all that stress. Apparently, it took him two years to say anything to her.” I laughed a little. Billy always chuckled when he thought back to that time.

“Where are your gra
ndparents now?” Catherine’s question pulled me back to the present.

“They
immigrated to Australia before I was born. I’ve never even met them.”

Lisa-Marie frowned.
“Wow, that’s bad.”

I shrugged
. “It is what it is. I don’t have much family, but that’s okay. What family I
do
have, I hold very dear to my heart.”

Lisa-Marie grabbed
my arm and smiled. “You have friends, too. I can guarantee you that.”

“I know I do.
” I smiled vibrantly. “And I hold them dear to my heart, too.”

I stay
ed for another drink but, by then, it was getting close to eleven o’clock. I didn’t want to be out too late. I finished off my drink, then made my excuses to leave.