Page 18 of Strength in Submission
"Especially the guilty ones," I counter. "System's stacked against them from the start."
Cruel snorts. "And here comes the social justice rant. I'm gonna head out before it gets going. Got stuff to handle."
He claps me on the shoulder as he passes, leaning in to murmur, "She's a keeper, brother. Don't fuck it up."
Once he's gone, it's just Violet and me. She sips her beer, looking at me over the rim of the bottle, eyes dark with meaning.
"I liked your note," she says. "Short and sweet."
"Should've woken you up to say goodbye properly," I reply, moving closer.
"And how would that have gone?" She sets her beer down, leaning forward slightly.
"Something like this." I close the distance between us, tangling one hand in her hair and pulling her to me for a kiss. She opens for me immediately, a soft moan escaping her as our tongues meet.
When we break apart, she's breathless, cheeks flushed.
"Your face," I say, gently touching the bruise. "How's it feeling?"
"Better," she assures me. "The painkillers help. And Cruel's been keeping me distracted."
"Oh yeah? How's that?"
She shrugs. "Stories about the club, about you. He's a good storyteller."
I make a mental note to find out exactly what stories Cruel's been sharing. "He seems to have made an impression on you."
"He's nice," she says simply. "Not what I expected from—what did he call himself?—'the club's enforcer.'"
"Cruel's complicated," I tell her. "But he's the best man I know. I trust him with my life." I pause, considering how much to share. "He's also the one who's going to help me deal with your ex."
Her expression falters. "Santiago?—"
"Whip," I correct her, voice low. "When we're talking club business, it's Whip."
She swallows, nodding. "Whip. I don't want you getting in trouble because of Derek. He's not worth it."
"It's not about what he's worth," I say, taking her hand in mine. "It's about what you're worth. And no one puts their hands on what's mine."
Her eyes widen at my possessive tone, but I don't miss the way her pupils dilate, the slight catch in her breath.
"Is that what I am?" she asks softly. "Yours?"
I lean in close, my lips brushing her ear. "After last night? After the way you came for me, calling my name? Yeah, Violet. Hell yeah you're mine."
She shivers, her free hand coming up to clutch my arm. "And what does that mean, exactly?"
"It means I take care of you," I tell her, pulling back to look her in the eyes. "It means I protect you. It means when you're ready, I'm going to fuck you so good you forget every man who came before me."
Her lips part, eyes heavy with desire. "And if I'm ready now?"
I feel a surge of heat at her words, but I shake my head. "Not here. Not with the brothers coming in and out. When I finally have you, I want you all to myself."
"Fine," she sighs, feigning disappointment. "I guess I can wait a little longer. I've waited years already, what's a few more hours?"
Her words hit me like a gut punch. "Years?"
She blushes, looking away. "I might have had a crush on my best friend's hot older brother since I was eighteen."
