Page 102 of Slayin Villain
“Tell me something straight,” he said finally.“You think you’re carrying Villain’s baby?”
“I don’t know,” I whispered.
“Then why the hell message Villain?”
My throat closed up.“Because I wanted to know if he still cared.Even just a little.”
Irish made a noise low in his throat.
Kingpin stared at me like he could see through the bruises and straight into the guilt I was wearing like a jacket.
“I got a problem, Ember,” he said.“Two problems, actually.One, Rome broke club code.You don’t lay hands on a woman like that.Not even your own.Not unless she’s trying to kill you.Not to mention jumping an officer.”
My mouth went dry.
“Two,” he said, stepping closer.“You know shit.About us.About our business.About the blood behind the ink.”
“I would never…”
“I know,” he said, eyes hard.“But Rome did.And you loved him.And love makes people stupid.”
I winced.
He gestured toward me, voice cooling like thunder before a storm.
“We can protect you.For now.But it comes with terms.”
Irish folded his arms, the muscle under his cut twitching.“You go anywhere, we go with you.You don’t disappear, not even to piss in peace.No more contacting old friends, no more stage gigs, no more ‘just one ride out of town.’Until we’re sure.”
Gasping a bit, I nodded.
“And no talking to Rome,” Kingpin added.“Ever again.”
“I don’t want to see him,” I said, shaking.
“You will,” Irish said.“Eventually.Court hearing.Hell, maybe just fate being a cruel bitch.”
Kingpin nodded.“Unless you drop the charges business.Let us handle him… And if that baby’s his…”
“I don’t know if I’m keeping it,” I whispered.
Irish looked like I’d slapped him.
Kingpin didn’t blink.“If you do, you’ll have full club protection.Cece and Eve’ll help raise it if you need.But if you don’t…”
“I don’t know!”I snapped, the coffee mug clattering against the table as I sat down in a huff.“You think I wanted any of this?”My voice cracked.
Kingpin didn’t flinch.“I ain’t blaming you.I’m just laying the cards on the table.”
I looked at him through watery eyes.“So, what’s the price?”
He stared at me.
“No cops.We’ll take care of Rome.”
I swallowed.Did I know what that meant?We’re they going to kill him?I was afraid to ask.
“And we need to know the truth, if we are going to protect you,” he said.“About everything.Right here.Right now.Were you involved in attacking Villain in any way?When you sent those texts…”
