Chapter Nine
Rachel
“I need clothes. Zoe has some of my things that I kept at her apartment. They’re in the house, so that’s lucky. If you hurry and eat, I’ll take the tray and the dishes back when I go over.”
“There’s no rush. About now Zoe’s getting her ass caned, so she won’t be ready to see anyone for a while.”
I turn sharply to face him. “What?”
“You heard me.” Sasha sits on the end of the bed.
I glare at him. “That is not fair.”
He waves off my objection. “When you talked, did you calm her down or wind her up?”
I stare at him.
He waits.
“I told her I’m okay. Also, that things are complicated between you and me and that we had a fight this morning.”
“Did you tell her what it was about?”
“No, I didn’t have time.” I fold my arms across my chest. “But she’s my best friend. I tell her most things.”
His silence unnerves me.
“I can tell her whatever I want,” I add defiantly.
“Be careful with that.”
I narrow my eyes. “Maybe you should be careful what you do, so I don’t need to cover for you.”
“Don’t give me attitude, Raven. You said you could handle brutal honesty from me. If you can’t, then say so. But don’t drag Zoe in the middle. She didn’t say she wanted to be in the know on my dark dealings. I know she’s your best friend, but as C’s girl, she’s also the crue’s new queen. So be careful for her sake, because I could handle a cold war, but I don’t think she could and she has to be around me a lot. I’m C’s right hand.”
I think it over and know he’s right. If Zoe stopped speaking to Sasha and gave him dirty looks, Sasha would take it in stride. He’s had plenty of practice with people keeping their distance. But Zoe doesn’t like cold silences. She needs to talk things out and clear the air. She hugs and kisses and supports people and feeds off the positive energy she gets in return.
I nod, then sit on the bench and stare down at my lap. I’m capable of keeping secrets from Zoe. I never told her my father threatened her life because I didn’t want her to become afraid of him while still needing to see him, or the alternative, becoming afraid and staying away. I’d done what I needed to do to protect her, and I’d kept it to myself.
“He’s punishing her because she came to check on me,” I say, realization dawning.
“He’s punishing her because he told her not barge in on us without warning first thing in the morning and she disobeyed him.”
“And that’s what I can expect?” I ask, leveling my gaze on him. “That you’ll make decisions for me? Like Frank does? Like Berto does? Only with you, I’ll also get physically punished for disobeying?”
