Page 21 of Iona's Christmas

“Ineed a favour,” Vogue stated, startling me from the list I was surveying.

“Of course,” I replied.

“Just like that?” Vogue asked, surprised.

“You’re family, so yes, I’d help,” I answered, leaving Vogue confused as well as shocked.

“Whatever,” she said with a wave of her hand.

“Katie wants to go Christmas shopping but won’t let me send people with her,” Vogue explained, and a smile crossed my face.

It had been a few months since Katie had been saved from traffickers, and she’d not ventured out of the clubhouse once. She avoided the brothers and barely tolerated the sisters. This was huge news. Katie had shown no interest in going outside at all. Now, all of a sudden, she wanted to go shopping. As happy as I was that Katie was making forward steps, but wary at the same time. This was a big deal, and shopping was a huge jump for someone who’d been isolated.

“Is she ready? It’s gonna be hectic, and there’ll be a lot of people,” I finally replied.

“You’re thinking what I am. Why now when she’s not been outside her room. Fuck, she still won’t eat meals with us, and nobody here would harm her,” Vogue complained.

I could understand her frustration and her pain. Katie was Vogue’s little sister, and she had been taken and held captive for six months. She’d been raped multiple times and by different men. Katie had tried to kill herself, but I knew the guys had stepped in. They’d blocked the worst of her memories, and slowly, over time, when she was able to cope with what she remembered, they allowed another few memories to surface.

Romeo had been pulling images and information on the guys from Katie’s mind, and Warden had been hunting them down. I wasn’t meant to know this, but I did. It was one of those things Warden and I did not mention, but I was glad he was taking that scum off the streets. Those assholes may not have been in our state, but no woman was safe from them. My man ensured they were protected.

Bogeyman, Vogue, Scorch, Rook and Thunderbird, alongside Dynamo had been doing a lot of travelling lately. I said nothing, but when they came back, with a look in their eyes that spoke of seeing or hearing horror’s nobody should. I made sure they were loved on. Whatever they needed, I got them, favourite food, favourite drinks. None of them said anything about my spoiling them, but I think it meant something to them.

“Iona? Did you hear me?”

“What, sorry?”

“I asked if Katie could go with you. You have to have guards on you now. Which means Katie couldn’t complain about them, and she’d be safe with you,” Vogue suggested.

I considered her request.

“Actually, Vogue, I’ve been feeling unsettled and a little unsafe,” I replied, and Vogue scowled. “I might ask Warden for another guard or two. That would make me much safer.”

The dark expression on Vogue’s face cleared, and she sent me an approving look.

“Takes a strong person to admit they don’t feel safe,” she said, but I knew she’d understood what I’d not spoken.

If I had an extra two guards, then Katie would be covered. Katie wouldn’t be able to complain if they were for me, but she’d be protected, anyway.

“I will speak to Warden,” she suggested, and I nodded.

“I’ll be leaving in about an hour if Katie wants to join me,” I replied, and Vogue offered a sharp nod and walked away.

That was a step in the right direction for me and the club’s female enforcer.

Today I was meant to have Blue and Spice on me. I wondered who else Warden would send. It wouldn’t be him, that was for certain. Warden hated shopping. The one time we’d gone shopping together, Warden had reduced two women to tears, and that was before we set foot in a shop. Nope, it would not be him.

It was Noble, however, and Anubis. Neither of them looked happy to be my security, but they didn’t complain.

“I said I didn’t need guards,” Katie stated quietly from behind us as we waited for her.

“They are not yours, honey, they’re mine. Ever since the diner and McKay appearing, Warden has been on edge,” I replied.

“I remember Vogue mentioning that,” Katie murmured. She refused to look at the brothers, and I knew that was upsetting them, but they kept quiet.

“McKay was seen in our town. Warden wants to make sure I’m safe,” I continued explained.

Katie looked up at me, and anger sparked in her eyes. “God forbid the Prez’s old lady gets kidnapped and trafficked.”