Free Night Angels (Beast & Beauty) by Jessie M Page B

wondered about that for a second.
    Babies, what the hell would they be?
    “Right, introductions over, I'll show you our room, shall I?”
    “Our room?”
    “Yeah, we get our own space to share.”
    “Don't I get my own?”
    “You're with me, remember?”
    “No I'm fucking not!”
    “Get used to it kid,” Tank said sternly. “She's your mate. And be fuckin' grateful about that 'cos she's a doll in case you haven't noticed. We're all paired here. Apart from Mutt. And nobody in their right mind would wanna pair with him, crazy fucker....”
    “Mutt's mad, Mutt's nuts...  Fuckin' loooooneeyyy,” Mutt muttered with a weird little smile on his face. To Kyle's surprise he fell to the floor and started to crawl about like a baby, sniffing at the furniture and the other guys' legs and feet. Then he rolled onto his back and kicked his legs in the air in hard jerks, his arms flailing around him. Kyle raised his eyebrows at his strange display.
    Was he putting this on?
    “You sure are one helluva crazy, old pal,” Tank affirmed. “Now up you get Mutt. And no licking my feet today, okay?” He held his hand out to him.
    “Is it Sunday? I want my Linda...” Mutt said, taking Tank's hand and being pulled strongly to his feet.
    “No not today sweetheart,” Roxy interjected, moving forward and giving him a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek. “I'll tell you when it is love, okay?”
    She released crazy Mutt, ruffling his wild brown hair, and flashed her eyes at Kyle, beckoning with her head to follow as she left the room and entered a small corridor. She walked to the end and stood between two opposing doors.
    “That's the bathroom and this is our room.” She pointed out, as she let him enter first, and then followed him in, closing the door. She stood leaning against it as he looked around, his eyes returning to her after his quick take in. “Linda was his sister by the way. Mutt's... He goes to the graveyard, to pay his respects on a Sunday if we're nearby. It's his way of dealing with... well, you know. It makes me cry sometimes, the whole thing. I can't bear it. It's almost like I did it to mine and God knows I might have well as, considering. Anyway, I go with him, to keep him company and just in case he has one of his funny turns, like that one, just now. He needs looking after, you see. We all help out, as best we can. He's a good guy, so full of heart, he doesn't deserve this...”
    He was momentarily surprised at her emotional outburst and at a loss for words. But then again, what did he expect? He was fast realising this was a family, of sorts. Of course they'd take care of one of their own. Guard them fiercely. Love them even. Mutt obviously had serious problems, based on his brief observation.
    “Right, yeah, I guess you've got to do what you can. Such a shame... about Mutt. Sorry.”
    “So... what do you think of our little bit of paradise?” She changed the subject rapidly, with a cheeky smile and a wide sweep of her arm. He looked around the room once more. There wasn't much to say. It had white walls, dark wood slatted blinds, a wood tiled floor, and one large chest of drawers with a black lamp on top. A simple white duvet sat on the wooden bed. It was spartan, to say the least. No girly stuff was evident anywhere. No make up, hair brushes, perfume... Roxy was very low maintenance, unless she'd hidden it all somewhere. Not that she needed any maintenance or enhancements. Apart from the dark lipstick she wore, she was definitely au naturel . And so damn gorgeous, he kept noticing, every five seconds it seemed.
    “It's okay. Apart from the bed I've been ordered to share,” he said with a small grin in return.
    “It's just for sleeping on. I'm not forcing myself on you, I have my pride.”
    “Glad to hear it,” he said, sitting down on the bed.
    “Kyle?” she began questioningly, sitting down next to him.
    “Hmmm?” He turned his head to look at her.
    “Can you call a truce? While you're here. I