Page 22 of Rogue

“Buttercup,” I say cupping her chin to make her look at me. “I don’t know Benny, but I know me and my brothers. You ain’t givin’ him shit and if you think you need to give him you, baby, you’re mine and he can’t have you.”

She blinks and then blinks again.

“My world, buttercup, I lay claim, every King everywhere takes your back. Had a taste, sweetest cunt. Ain’t givin’ that up for Benny or no man.”

She falls into my shoulder and I squeeze her ass.

“Gonna let me keep you safe, baby?” I ask and she nods.

“Don’t think you plan to give me a choice,” she mutters in frustration.

“Finally, we’re getting somewhere.”

“I’ll touch base soon, Chelle-Belle,” Giulia informs, “got some intel coming through. Jennings, I’ll get everything I have over toHavoc or you got a different man running point? Or you want it direct to you?”

There it is. She searched me and my crew while we spoke. Exactly as I figured she would. “Direct to me. Club is in on it, but it all goes through me usually any way.”

“You got it. And Chelle, don’t leave his side or at least do what the fuck he says until I can get to you. Beyond this, whatever you got with the biker, for the first time, I can tell you go for it and don’t hold back.”

Michele drops her head into her hands, “there is nothing to be had with the biker, but right now I need to stay alive against a sicario, I need to go.”

Ah, there it is. Benny is a sicario. As much as I hate to lose touch, I shift and rise. “finish your call baby, I gotta take care of something.”

Moving to the other end of the porch, I make the call to give Havoc the update. At least we can learn who we are up against now and formulate a plan to end the threat.

Benny, whoever he is may be a skilled killer, but he’s up against a trained weapon that is me.

CHAPTER 9

Michele

My call ends and I’m left sitting on the couch waiting for Jennings to finish his call. Giulia is adamant I listen to and trust the stranger in front of me. I know there is no one who cares for my safety more than her. As much as I may not like it I will listen.

How did my life get turned upside down again?

As much as I could have gone to the police, probably even gotten into protective custody for the things I know, I didn’t. I left Benny in the middle of the day on a random Tuesday. Telling anyone what I knew wouldn’t stop him or his associates. I simply knew the life Benny led wasn’t for me. If I stayed in New Jersey I would be committing to a life with him no matter how he treated me because I knew too much.

Eight months went into me leaving. For eight months, I played the part of loving girlfriend while my mind raced on getting out of this relationship. Giulia planned my exit. Howard assisted in the documents and driving me out of the state, where he then helped me buy a car in cash and register it with my new identity.

If I hadn’t left … I can’t even think about it.

The first two years, I was a mess. Hardly slept, couldn’t eat. Always watching.

Coming here, I was nervous, but I finally felt like I could relax. I made this life. I thought Benny realized I didn’t give up his secrets. He was safe from what I knew and in return I could be safe from his wrath. Stupidly, I thought maybe he would move on and forget me.

Only no one leaves Benincio Cartagena.

I knew better.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t notice Jennings end his call and he is headed back to me. Without speaking, he moves back to the couch, reclaiming the spot he was in up against the corner. I don’t move.

“Michele,” his voice is low, deep. “Come here, buttercup.”

I shake my head.

He knifes up, reaching out, grabbing me and pulling me to him. Once again, my body gives into him while my head says this is bad.

Very bad.

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