“Because Joey is a hell of a lot safer than whatever the fuck is happening between you and Crowley’s daughter.”He points at me, expression razor-sharp.“You don’t lay a finger on Becki.Not now.Not ever.”
“How am I supposed to protect her or punish her?”
“You’re right.Beat her if you have to.Hell, seduce her into submission if you must.But keep your dick out of her.That’s a fucking order.”
I swallow blood and words I can’t say.
Legend softens.Not much, but enough to show he ain’t trying to break me, just steer me.“Becki’s dangerous in a way she don’t even understand.She’s evil.Because she’s shaken ground.Because she’ll pull you under if you stand too close.”
“She ain’t evil,” I say, before I can stop myself.
Legend watches me a long moment.
“That right there,” he murmurs, “is why I’m tellin’ you.Don’t give in to her.”
He claps a hand on my shoulder, heavy, brother-solid, and leaves the room.
The door shuts behind him.
I don’t move.
Because for the first time since Becki showed up in my world dripping blood and trouble…
I’m not sure I can obey my president, my brother in every way.
The hallway feels too narrow.Too hot.Too full of Becki’s scent drifting from under my door like smoke from a fire I pretend I ain’t fanning with my own hands.
I can’t go in there again.
Not tonight.
Maybe not ever, if I choose to keep my sanity and my fucking patch.
Lex is in the common room folding donated blankets like he came out of the womb organized.Glasses perched low on his nose, Bible sitting close by even though he barely reads the damn thing anymore.He looks up when I approach.
He straightens, sensing something off in me.“She okay?”
“Yeah.”
I think.
“I need a favor.”
Lex raises a brow.“You don’t ask for favors.”
“I’m askin’ now.”
He sets the blankets down, giving me his full attention.
“Take her what she needs,” I say.“Food.Water.Clothes.Bathroom breaks.Let her shower.Whatever.”
Lex stares at me as I hand him the key to her chain.“You want me to watch her?”
“Just check on her.Keep her alive.I’ll make you a list.”
“And you?”he asks carefully.
“I’ll… keep my distance.”
