“He was right there,” I whisper, the words breaking without my permission. “He was there all morning.”
Amber follows my gaze, her jaw tightening. “Maybe he just stepped away?”
But I can hear it in her voice.
He’s gone…
And for reasons I don’t want to examine too closely, that realization hurts worse than Rico’s punishing hand curling around my throat.
Tears blur my vision as the weight of it all crashes down on me.
Krampus wasn’t here to protect me anymore, and after the new year, Moseley would be transferring me to Rico’s care. A man without morals or humanity.
I curl inward slightly, my arms wrapping around myself as if I can still protect something even though I feel so alone.
Amber pulls me against her without hesitation, holding me tightly as my meltdown begins. I’m a shaking mess of fear, tears stinging my cheeks like I’ve got hot sauce leaking from the corners and not salty tears of misery.
“You’re safe,” she murmurs fiercely into my hair. “You’re not going to face this alone, Mindy. I promise my husband’s club will protect you.”
I nod against her shoulder, even though nothing feels safe anymore. When Krampus posts up outside, I feel watched and protected.
But he wasn’t there to protect me today.
His absence created a void so big, it stalls in my throat and lingers. But even if Krampus never returns to protect me, at least I still have Amber and her husband’s club. The same club Krampus rides in.
It’s what gives me hope of surviving this mess, because whatever Moseley just set into motion…whatever Rico thinks he’s entitled to… they’ve underestimated one very important thing.
I’m not alone.
ChapterEighteen
Krampus
“Can we make this quick? I got some shit to do.”
Voorhees kicks me under the table, making me grunt. “Don’t be an asshole. Respect your Prez.”
Folding my arms across my chest, I force myself to listen, even though I’m distracted by thoughts of Mindy.
“Want to explain what your attitude is all about?”
Gremlin laughs. “He’s going through withdrawals, Prez. The man’s got a sweet tooth that can’t be fulfilled without visiting a certain someone.”
“Shut the fuck up,” I roar, making Gremlin slightly flinch. It only lasts a second before he starts running his mouth again.
“Damn,” Gremlin continues, grinning like he’s got a death wish. “You’re so damn touchy. You’d think someone stole your last cookie and drank half your milk.”
Chupie snickers from against the wall. For some reason, Drac called a meeting with all members, and I forgot how annoying the prospects can be. “Nah, man. He looks like someone replaced his sugar with kale chips.”
Wolfie laughs. “That’s grounds for murder in my book.”
“Prospects,” Pinhead snaps from his spot near the door, arms crossed in annoyance. “If you wanna keep your teeth, maybe you should shut the fuck up.”
Gremlin mimes zipping his mouth, then immediately whispers to Frankie, “Worth it.”
Frankie stifles a laugh. “Absolutely worth it.”
Jaws leans back in his chair, boots hooked around the bottom rungs, the old wood groaning in protest as he rocks back and forth. “Leave the prospects alone, Pinny. They got a point. The man’s been pissy for two weeks now. Hell, he’s barely been around the club. That ain’t sugar withdrawals. That’s feelings, and we all know that Krampy over there doesn’t do feelings well.”
