“Let it all out,” I murmur against her forehead, my lips brushing the swollen bruise there. “Release it and then soldier up. You hear me?”
“Jaeger…” The name coming from her lips nearly sends me into a fury. If I find out he defiled her with his bodily fluids, I will flay him out in the open for all his brothers to see.
“Is he dead, Slayer? Or am I killing him for us?” I set her down on the closed toilet as I reach into the bathtub and start the shower.
“Not dead,” she whispers as I turn to find her wrapping her arms around her waist and her eyes on the floor. “He’s knocked out inside the Slaughter Room. I wanted to kill him. I came close, but I couldn’t. I was weak.”
“That doesn’t make you weak, baby,” I assure her as I run my hand over her hair. “I know what it feels like to want to kill a brother, only to chicken out at the very last second.”
“He killed my dad,” she says with an agonized cry, her body shuddering with the force of it. “I’ve been d–dreaming of revenge, and when I h–had the chance, I couldn’t d–do it.”
I kneel in front of her on the bathroom floor and grab her small hands in mine. They’re so small, yet so fucking strong. “It’s not a weakness to be unable to kill another, no matter who they are. It takes strength to stare your brother in the eye, after all he’s done to you, and walk away without taking his life with you. Don’t for one second believe that your father is disappointed. He wouldn’t have wanted you to live with this guilt for the rest of your life.”
“How is it you managed to fix the shattered pieces of me you didn’t break?” she asks, releasing our clasped hands to grip my cheeks. “I hope you know, Malik, I wouldn’t be who I am without you.”
I give her a soft kiss, the press of my lips lingering on hers before I whisper, “I hope you know you’ve done the same for me.” Then I pull back and stand before things get too fucking emotional, letting a smirk take over my mouth. “You still smell like you were fornicating in the pigsty. Let’s get you in the shower. I’m going to search my brother’s drawers for some clothes.”
She snorts and stands as she undoes her jeans. “I had to go, and Jaeger learned the hard way to let his prisoners piss before capture.”
“That’s my girl.” I lightly touch my fist to her chin. “You pee all over your enemies like the barn-broken pony you aren’t.”
Her sudden and loud cackle makes me grin. I love when the shadows of guilt and pain are swept away with her happiness. It feels like I truly do have a purpose in her life. That I am worthy of her.
I step out of the bathroom and close the door behind me. Inside Laith’s dresser, I find a T-shirt and a pair of track pants. They will be huge on her, but it’s better than the filth she’s wearing and the filth I will be leaving under his pillow before we leave the room. I place the clean clothes on the end of the bed for her then leave the room to head out back to my bike. I brought her cut that she left back at the club with me. She needs to be able to show these men who she is and demand the respect she deserves.
As soon as I make my way out to my bike that’s parked at the back of the club, I hear the gates opening as a bike comes through. My hand instinctively sits on the handle of my gun as I watch a Steel Dragon leisurely roll by, unaware of the enemy lurking inside his club. I chuckle to myself as I imagine all of them finding out my woman has their President in a fucking cell in his own club.
There would’ve been a time when that sort of chaos would be exhilarating, but now, all I think about is Slayer’s well-being.
When I get back into the room, the shower is still running and I can hear her humming through the thin walls from the middle of the room. As soon as I begin to wonder how Diego is, the bedroom door opens to Laith as he points his thumb over his shoulder at Diego. “Montez was looking for you.”
“Thanks, Alfred. Could you also fetch us both a spot of brandy?” I ask as I snap my fingers.
Laith rolls his eyes and strides away as Diego laughs and shuts the door. “Did you just refer to him as Batman’s butler?”
“That would make you Robin.” I nod as he sits on the bed, his face a mask of weariness.
“I ain’t your fucking Robin,” he grumbles.
“Tell me you killed Kennedy,” I plead as I sit beside him.
“You know I didn’t. He had a lot to say about his President and what should happen to Genevieve,” he murmurs, his face saturated with worry as his fingers swipe through his hair. “We need to get out of here, or get back up.”
“I texted Ajani before coming here to tell him to prepare the brothers. They should be around here somewhere and you know Jones has eyes on us.” The bathroom door opens as Slayer steps out, steam billowing up behind her. She looks like a fucking goddess and it takes everything in me not to groan out loud.
“Holy shit,” Diego groans, failing miserably.
Her long legs are barely covered by the too-short towel, and her dripping wet hair is hanging in long waves to the small of her back. I would like nothing more than to rip the offending material off her body and fuck her like the animal she no longer smells like.
“Is that my cut?” she asks as she steps up to the bed, her thigh brushing my elbow.
“Yes, please,” I husk out as I run a finger along the soft, moist skin.
“What?” She looks down at me in confusion as Diego snorts and elbows my arm.
“Sorry.” I shake my head and inhale a deep breath, growling when her scent is all wrong. “You still smell like a barn.”
“I used your brother’s bodywash.” She snickers as she picks up the clothes I set out for her along with her cut.
