Page 40 of West (The Moral Compass 1)
I pick up my phone and click on her name. Weirdly, she didn’t text me last night to see if everything was okay, but maybe she knew I’d made up with West. She answers the phone in the first three rings.
“Hey, Kara, how’s my morning bunny doing today?”
“Arghhhh, are you really ringing me at this time in the morning?”
Relief runs through me, but we are not out of the woods yet. “Sorry for the early call, but I need to see you.”
“Really? This morning?” She moans. “Can’t it wait till this afternoon? I’ve been a little busy since last night. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink.”
“What do you mean busy? Have you got someone there? Is it a man? Where did you meet him?” I ramble the questions at her as North looks on with a quizzical look.
“Fuck’s sake, Sutton, what’s with the mum questions? No, I don’t have a guy here. Yes, I was busy with someone that I met in The Crown last night.”
“Oh, okay, Kara. Do I know him? We know most of the regulars in there.”
“Nope, he’s new to the area, apparently. He was a nice guy, Sutton. We came back here and talked for hours. And, before you ask, I didn’t fuck him. Not that it’s any of your business anyway since you were obviously getting your back pay from celibacy.”
“Fair enough, but I still need to see you. Can you meet me at my favourite coffee shop, pleeease?” I beg so she knows it’s important.
“Fucking hell, Sutton, I’m knackered, but okay. What time?”
I look at the clock. “Nine, please. It’s really important. And don’t walk. Get a cab. I’ll pay.” I try to sound calm.
“Whatever, little Miss ‘I-Don’t-Have-Rent-To-Pay’, You can get the coffees, too. And I want a bacon on toast, seeing that I’m getting up so early.” She groans.
“Deal. See you there, and I love you, Kara.”
I end the call. My little signal to her of 'love you, Kara' should be enough to put her on high alert. It’s not an unusual thing to say to your friends but, for us, it’s a bit of code we only use when things are not right with the world.
Chapter 32
North
It’s9:05,andI’msitting in what I can only describe as a greasy spoon.
Fuck, I’m going to have to get these clothes incinerated later today. I’m going to stink of bacon and God knows what else.
The guy at the table opposite of ours looks like he’s just done a night shift and doesn’t want to go home. It’s a good cover; he’s one of ours. There are another four guys all dressed differently sitting and enjoying a morning coffee and keeping an eye on things. West is sitting with Sutton when the door opens, and a gust of wind blows right through.
“Jesus Christ, it’s fucking freezing out,” a female voice exclaims. I look up and can’t help but give a little laugh. That must be Kara. I nod to the nightshift guy. He vacates his seat and heads outside to make sure she wasn’t followed. She joins Sutton and West after giving West a huge hug and then a really good right hook to his left arm. This time, I let out an audible laugh as West turns and glares.
Kara looks over and, fuck me, she blows me away. Her blonde hair is falling around her shoulders, she’s not wearing makeup, and she doesn’t have on fancy clothes, but I don’t think I have ever seen a more beautiful woman in my life. I shake my head.
It’s no time for romance, dick head. Lose focus, and they both get killed.
West raises his arm. It’s my cue to go and join them at their table.
“Morning all, I’m North, West’s younger, more virile brother.” I give my hand over to Kara with a wink.
Yep, she likes what she sees.
She is smiling and looking right at my lips, and I know what she’s thinking. I’m thinking the exact same thing. A loud, gruff cough comes from West, and Sutton is giggling away like someone just told a stupid joke.
“So, handsome. What’s going on, and why have I been summoned this early in the morning?”
I go through some of the details but not all of them as we still don’t know for sure who is listening and watching.
“Who was the guy you were talking with last night, Kara?” I ask very straight-faced. I need her to understand the importance.
