The Alphabet Game the Complete Alpha Series a to X, Y, Z by Andie M. Long Page B

going to keep in touch. Who else is going to keep you in line? You’ll be absconding to the nearest bar with the sexiest bloke in here if I don’t watch out.’
    ‘Speaking of which,’ Ronnie’s eyes follow Harry Taylor as he strolls into the room with Gabe. Gabe is chatting to him with a serious look on his face whilst Harry strolls in looking like he’s called for a back, sack and crack en-route to impregnating half the neighbourhood.
    ‘Hubba, hubba,’ says a re-animated Ronnie.
    ‘Another banned substance,’ I warn her. ‘Take it from me.’
    ‘Nooooo waaaaayyy. I want to take it from him.’
    She walks towards them. ‘Hi Gabe,’ she gives him a hug, which he is clearly not expecting since his body language looks as if he’s been touched by a toxic snake.
    ‘Hey Ronnie.’
    She lifts her hand towards Harry, ‘Ronnie Huntington-Jones. Welcome to The Priory.’
    ‘Harry Taylor.’ The Scottish accent is in full swagger, ‘Hey this place just got a whole lot better.’
    Gabe and I exchange worried glances.
    This cannot end well.
     
    ‘I’ll have a word with the staff, make sure they’re kept separate.’
    ‘Can’t you get Harry out of there? What’s he in for anyway.’
    ‘Officially, prescription drugs. Reality, sex addiction.’
    ‘Did he get that girl pregnant?’
    ‘No she was faking. It hasn’t done his career any harm to be honest. He’s thinking of retiring into presenting work. Sky want him, now they think he’s just got messed up with painkillers. But I need him to stay there, while I work on a settlement with the girl’s father.’
    ‘The Judge.’
    ‘Yes, he wants financial recompense and a membership card.’
    ‘So he’s actually worse than Harry?’
    ‘Why because he goes to a sex club?’
    ‘No because he’s also using his daughter for maximum benefit.’
    ‘Learning fast kiddo,’ he steers me out of the building.
    ‘Are we going back to the office now?’
    ‘Yes, I’ve loads to do. Can we raincheck on the chat until later? I promise I’ll make it worth your while.’
    ‘Hmmmm, in whatever way?’I purse my lips.
    ‘In an alphabet way.’
    ‘Work it is Sir, allow me to personally assist you any way I can this afternoon.’
    Gabe groans, ‘Sometimes I hate my job.’
    I elbow him in the side.
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 3
     
    I’ve had a productive afternoon, catching up with emails and work that had come in since Friday and I arrive home ready to do something physical after so much time at the computer screen. I head to my apartment to grab my costume and pick up the phone to give my mother a quick ring. I get the machine so leave a message.
    ‘Hey mum, it was lovely to see you the other night. I’m sorry I had to rush off. I’m okay now. Could we meet for coffee or something this week? I could pop over? Ring me okay?’
    I feel positive that I’ve taken another step in my plan, to re-engage with my mother.
    I call into Col’s on my way to the pool.
    ‘Hey Col, I’m swimming for about thirty minutes. Can you get me a Latte and a Tuna Melt to go?’
    ‘Sure. How was Ronnie?’
    ‘Resigned to undergoing a twenty-eight day programme to get her allowance back.’
    He shrugs his shoulders, ‘She needs to do it because she wants to, not for that. She’ll not make it otherwise.’
    ‘I know, but what do you do? Hopefully the therapy will help.’
    ‘I hope so. She’s a nice girl.’
    ‘She is. I’m sure she’ll be fine.’
    ‘Right get swimming and this will be ready for you.’
    ‘Thanks mate.’
    I go against type and don’t count lengths, just swim for a solid twenty-five minutes, then quickly shower and head back. My head feels clearer for the exercise and my body feels pumped. I call for my coffee and melt and catch the lift up to the apartment. After eating, I head to the spare room and select a grey tunic with a wrap belt. The tunic buttons down the front. I add thigh high hold up stockings in slate grey and a simple pair of