Page 15 of Strength in Submission
But she's also vulnerable right now. Running from an abusive piece of shit, staying in my clubhouse because she's terrified he'll follow her to my sister's place.
I need to handle this right.
I grab a clean t-shirt from my dresser and leave it folded on the bed for her, scribbling a quick note:
Had to go to court. Stay here. You're safe. I'll be back by 2. —S
With one last look at her, I slip out of the room, careful to close the door quietly behind me.
Downstairs, Cruel is already at the bar, sipping black coffee and scrolling through his phone. His real name is Miguel, but no one's called him that since he earned his road name after what he did to the guy who tried to rape his sister.
"Morning, brother," he greets without looking up. "Rough night?"
"You could say that." I pour myself a cup of coffee, downing half of it in one go.
"Heard you brought a woman in." Now Cruel looks up, his dark eyes assessing me. "Max says she had a busted face."
"My sister's best friend," I explain, leaning against the bar. "Her… well now ex-boyfriend hit her when she went to get her stuff after catching him cheating."
Cruel's expression darkens. He's always had a particular hatred for men who abuse women. "And she's upstairs in your bed."
It's not a question, but I nod anyway. "Nothing happened."
He raises an eyebrow.
"Not everything," I clarify. "I took care of her, that's all."
"Uh-huh." Cruel sets his phone down. "And now what?"
"Now I've got court at 11, and I need a favor." I lower my voice even though we're alone. "Need you to keep an eye on her today. Make sure she stays here, make sure she feels safe."
"You think the boyfriend's gonna come looking?"
"I know he is," I say grimly. "Threatened her right to her face."
Cruel's eyes narrow, and I know he's thinking the same thing I am—this fucker needs to be taught a lesson.
"I'll handle him," I add before Cruel can suggest anything. "Just need to figure out how to do it without getting disbarred."
"Must be nice having to worry about shit like that," comes a new voice, and we both turn to see Viper sauntering in, unshaven and smelling like he spent the night in a whiskey barrel.
"Some of us have actual jobs," I say, keeping my tone light, even though the man drives me up a wall. Viper's been a pain in my ass since he took over as VP, always pushing for riskier runs, more dangerous shit that could bring heat down on all of us.
"Yeah, yeah, you and your fancy law degree." Viper sneers, helping himself to the coffee. "Shouldn't you be wearing a suit or something? Defending some scumbag?"
"I prosecuted before I went defense, Viper. Remember that." I finish my coffee and set the mug down with more force than necessary. "Where's your old lady? Haven't seen her around lately."
A flash of something—guilt or maybe anger—crosses Viper's face before he masks it. "Tiffany's staying with her sister for a while. Woman troubles."
Cruel catches my eye, and I know we're thinking the same thing. This isn't the first time Tiffany's disappeared after a fight with Viper.
"Right," I say, pushing off from the bar. "Cruel, you good with what I asked?"
"Got you, brother," Cruel nods. "I'll take care of everything. And if the boyfriend shows his face..." He trails off, cracking his knuckles meaningfully.
I clap him on the shoulder. "Just keep her safe. I'll handle the rest when I get back."
"What, your sister's friend staying here now?" Viper asks, interest suddenly piqued. "She that Latina cutie Max was talking about?"
