Page 11 of Spider
“Your sister told me what she’s been through.That you and Sofia have suffered as well.Is Luciana the only one pregnant?”I asked.
Her gaze shuttered and that was answer enough.I just didn’t know ifshewas pregnant, or Sofia, or both of them.What a fucking mess.Violeta wasn’t even at the legal age of consent for most of the states.She should have been in high school, having fun with kids her age, not staring evil in the eye as it did irreparable damage to her physically and emotionally.I hoped Casper took out Mateo Gomez and his entire organization, but I knew another would just crop up.When one fell, another rose.One of Silva’s henchmen had tried to take over after Devil’s Boneyard had been there saving their man, Havoc, but he hadn’t been able to gain enough power to pull it off.
“Violeta, the things your father and his men did, none of that will happen to you here.This club will protect you, keep you safe.No one expects you to spread your legs in payment, or do anything else for that matter.”I watched her for a moment.“Did you ever go to school?”
“Tutors,” she said.“They can be paid not to ask questions.”
“Did you enjoy learning?”I asked, trying to quell the urge to track down the motherfuckers who’d looked the other way when a young girl was being hurt.
She nodded.
“If you’d like to continue your schooling, I’ll check around for a tutor.A female tutor if you’d prefer.Would you like that?”
“Yes,” she said softly and looked at her sister.
“Violeta, I swear to you that Luciana is safe with me.Could I have a moment alone with her?There’s some soda in the fridge and snacks in the pantry.You can help yourself to anything you’d like in there.Except the beer.”I winked and gave her a smile.“No underage drinking.”
She looked from me to her sister and back before getting up and leaving the room.Luciana had a vacant stare that was scaring the shit out of me.Yes, Fox had been out of line, but this seemed like an extreme reaction.I lifted Luciana, then took a seat and settled her in my lap, holding her close to my chest.I ran my hand up and down her back, just holding her a moment.
“Fox is the Vice President of this club.He’s my right-hand man, and while he can be a jackass and do some dumb shit on occasion, he’s a decent guy and he would never hurt you.I don’t know what he did that caused you to react this way, or if you’re under too much stress and finally snapped, but I swear on my life that I will keep you safe.You’re mine, Luciana.No one will hurt you at this compound.”
She still didn’t speak.Didn’t cry.Didn’t even move.
I glanced up and saw Violeta in the doorway.“What does your Fox look like?”
“He’s in his late thirties, bearded, tattooed, brown hair that can look more blond if he’s outside a lot.”I shrugged a shoulder.“He looks like an everyday biker.Why?”
Violeta stared at her sister before she started to speak again.“One of the men who paid for her was tall, slender, but had muscles.Sometimes he had a neatly trimmed beard and sometimes he shaved.His hair was somewhere between blond and brown, and his eyes were dark and cold.”
“How do you know what he looked like?”I asked.
“I saw him once.I’d been bad and was going to be punished.The room where they chained Luciana was open and that man was going inside, removing his clothes.He winked at me before telling her that maybe he’d have me next.”
I took a deep breath.Then another.And another.It didn’t stop the rage filling me, but I sure as fuck didn’t want to scare Violeta.
“Fox would never harm either of you, but I understand her reaction to him now.He flirted and suggested she pick him instead,” I said.
Violeta paled and worried at her lower lip.
“He wasn’t being cruel, Violeta.He was being playful and didn’t mean any harm.I’ll speak to him later and let him know that he can’t do that shit around either of you,” I said.And I just might kick his ass while I was at it.Even if the fucker hadn’t known what would happen, he’d been warned the girls had suffered abuse.
It seemed I needed to be a bit clearer about what would and wouldn’t be tolerated when it came to Luciana and Violeta.I knew that having women around was a bit of an oddity.Some of the older members, those who were no longer an active part of the club, had old ladies.Those women hadn’t hung around much, preferring to live outside the compound.I was the only one still here from the original crew, except Bear.
I cradled Luciana against me.I knew I wouldn’t be able to snap her out of this as long as Violeta was here.Rocket would eventually come for his new charge, if only to ensure she was safe.He had a protective instinct that ran deep, and having helped raise his baby sister, I knew he’d keep a close eye on Violeta.It was ingrained in him.
To speed things along, I sent a text to him.
Violeta is with me.
It only took a moment before I got a response.
On my way.
Good.Once Violeta was out of here, I could help Luciana through this.Then we’d discuss why she’d interrupted Church.Something had spooked her, and I wanted to know what, or who, had done it.
Chapter Four
Luciana
