Off Limits, Brother's Best Friend Chapter 201

Chapter 201: I Know How To Take A Punch 

Brianna

“What did you say?” I finally asked once we were settled into the car. Roy rubbed my thighs and gave me a pressed smile.

“Nothing, darling. Just don't cry anymore, alight? We will resolve this.” He promised me.

“What kind of bag was it?” He asked me as he turned on the engine. I watched as he leaned back in his seat and used his large hand to turn the wheel in that sexy way a man does. He doesn't have tattoos like Callan. Don't think about him, Brianna.

“A Versace bag.” His eyes were on the road but he nodded to me.

“Don't you kind of work for them, though? They can't give you some free shit?” He nudged me so I knew he was teasing.

“I don't work for them, I just won a contest to participate in a campaign. Dontella photographed me for some of their product's advertisements.”

“Five thousand for a bag, huh? They love screwing the rich and separating the poor.” He chuckled to himself.

“I wish I wasn't so materialistic but I am, fashion is my passion and I can't help it.” I admitted.

“That is alright, you appreciate the materials items you have. It is different.” He said. Callan said that once before to me too.

When I finally paid attention to my surroundings outside the car, I looked around in confusion when we weren't at the restaurant but way past it.

“Where are you going?” He glanced between me and the road and replaced his hand back on my thigh to give it a light squeeze.

“Versace,” 

My heart leapt, I don't have that kind of money. I can't just walk into the store and buy the bag right now. Shit!

“Oh, they probably don't have the bag in stores. I would need to order it online.” I tried deterring him.

“Well, we are almost here, so let's give it a shot and see.” He pressed on.

What the heck am I going to do? I guess Bryce did give me a credit card under his name for emergencies but I hate using it. I shouldn't be relying on my brother when I am an adult now.  I shouldn't be his burden, especially his financial burden. I paid Bryce back in cash but I am not convinced he would even take it.

“I probably look like I have been crying.” I used a second excuse. I opened the sun visor and looked into the little mirror, wiping at my eyes to be sure my makeup wasn't smudge.

“You look beautiful, darling. Don't worry about it.”

I fidgeted with my fingers but decided I would just be honest with him. No, I can't tell a rich mafia that I am broke. Maybe he feels obligated to help me out, I guess I have no choice but to use my brother's card. I will insist on giving him the money back and I will explain how it was stolen and how it was my responsibility to keep it safe. Thank goodness, they didn't see the credit card, I don't have it readily displayed. When the car came to a stop, I looked up at this same street I have come too often to shop before. First, it was last year when I received my birthday money. Then it was with Callan when I lied to him and told him I was going shopping so he would leave me alone but he never did and he ended up buying me my super cute boot heels I still wear often. Then again when I met Jane, we have come here many times though most times it was to shop for her and not myself. I still enjoy looking at everything.

Roy came around the car and opened the door for me like a surprising gentleman. He led me by the small of my back towards the Versace store and I know he thinks he is doing a nice thing and I appreciate him for it even if I can't afford it. I guess I can afford it, I have made some money on jobs but it is sporadic work and I am saving up. I want to be responsible with money so buying a five thousand bag doesn't feel very responsible. Walking into the store like this is like a child in a candy shop for me. I get this childlike wonderment in my eyes and practically breathe in the Versace air. A girl and her boyfriend were shopping inside and I glanced at them as the guy stood beside her where she was linking arms with him and they were looking together at a bag that she was talking to him about.  I flashback to that shopping spree with Callan last year in London, the day he left me. I tried to shake the image away but I saw myself and how happy I was that day with him right by my side even sometimes pulling items for me himself that he thought I might like. I always did. With a quick glance over the store, I didn't see the type of bag I was looking for.

“Let's ask the woman,” Roy reached down and grabbed my hand, which I didn't expect at all. I looked down at our connected hands as he led me towards the woman who was already rounding the register with a big customer service smile and flirty eyes to the handsome man approaching her.

“We are looking for a specific bag…umm…she knows the name.” He moved aside for me to speak to the woman. Still he kept my hand in his, his flesh is warm.

I knew the bag by heart so I described it to the woman and she seemed to be taking in the information for a second and she held a finger up.

“We might have the collection sitting at the back.” She glanced one more time at Roy before going out back.

I was actually praying silently to myself that they don't have this bag. This way I can deal with this in the privacy of my own home. I felt his eyes shift to me, so when I looked over, I caught him checking me out. Hand still in mine.

“You look very cute in this thing.” He pulled at my pattern top with a layered sleeveless mini dress tunic.

“Thanks,” I smiled and my eyes accidentally dropped to our connected hands again and he caught me this time.

******

Roy ended up buying the purse for me, I could believe it. He didn't owe me anything at all and barely knew me, yet he replaced the bag for me. What is with Bryce, Callan and Roy all dropping money so easily? I guess it really is just nothing to them, I have never had so many people wanting to give me things before.

When Roy pulled up the apartment building, it couldn't have been at a worse time than this. Not only was my brother standing there but so was Callan and Gelo. They were with some man and they had been pointing to the side of the building where I shooting happened and pointing around the streets but upon recognizing the car and me, they all paused.

“Shit,” Roy chuckled.

“Not funny,” I quickly looked at him.

“It is alright, Brianna. I will handle it.” He assured me.

“What if they hurt you?” I was nervous to even step out of the car now that I saw all three sets of eyes burning into us through the windshield.

“I know how to take a punch, don't worry, darling.” He so calmly assured me. 

How is he this calm? Does he not fear them at all? I was under the impression that most people did. Bryce was the first to bound over and when he opened my door, he leaned down to face Roy.

“What the fuck are you doing with my sister again, Vortex?” He barked at him which made me flinch down in the seat I was  still in.

“Your sister got robbed and I handled it.” He deadpanned and my brother's eyes snapped down to me.

“What? What happened?” He quickly asked me.

“Did you have your men with you?” He asked and I nodded yes but explained that they were outside and the theft was inside. They left after Roy scooped me up. I explained the whole fainting and I was tricked.

“I panicked, it is my rent-a-bag and I am responsible for damages or losses. Anyways, Roy helped me, Bryce. He brought me a new bag, so we should pay him for it.” I told and glanced over at Roy who was giving me a look.

“How much?” Bryce asked him.

“Oh, it is nothing. Don't worry about it.” He waved him off.

“It is not nothing, it is five thousand.” I told my brother outright.

“Brianna?” Roy huffed at me.

“I want to do this, just leave it alone, Bryce.” He grabbed the wheel and looked away from us.

“Well, I can't exactly yell at you for helping my sister.” He looked conflicted.

“You aren't yelling at anyone, go look at more bullet holes with your friends.” I waved him off and he glared at me for my snarkiness.

“Come on, let's go.” He waved me to get out of the car and I looked back at Roy.

“Thank you again, for everything.” I smiled softly at him.

“It is nothing, darling.” He nodded to me.

I obviously wouldn't want him to kiss me in front of them so I just left the car after that. When I saw Callan and Angelo really staring at Roy, Gelo quickly glanced at me and back at his cousin, Callan. Son of a bitch, it was him who told Bryce and Callan about me and Roy. That asshole promised me, Roy didn't linger and when he drove off, their deep stares turned onto me and I was clutching at the bag. Callan's eyes dropped to it.