Heat floods my cheeks. "Is it that obvious?"
A small smile touches her lips. "Only to someone who knows what to look for." She reaches out, adjusting my collar to better hide the marks on my neck. "There. Now let's go sort this out."
Luna pushes open the doors, revealing what must be the club's meeting room. A large wooden table dominates the space, surrounded by leather chairs. At one end sits King, his imposing presence commanding the room even while seated. James is in a chair to his right, sporting a split lip and a darkening bruise on his cheek. Beast stands against the wall, arms crossed over his massive chest, watching my brother with narrowed eyes.
Several other club members are present. All eyes turn to us as we enter.
"Holly," King acknowledges me with a nod. "Thank you for joining us. Please, have a seat."
I move to the chair beside James, who won't meet my eyes. Up close, I can see he's been drinking. His eyes are bloodshot, and the faint smell of whiskey clings to him despite the early hour.
"Your brother has some concerns about your stay with us," King continues once I'm seated, his tone calm. "He seems to think we're holding you against your will."
"That's not—" James begins, but King silences him with a look.
"I'm speaking to your sister now," he says, then returns his attention to me. "Holly, are you here against your will?"
"No," I answer truthfully. "I understand we're here for our protection after what happened last night."
King nods approvingly at my direct response. "And do you want to leave, knowing the Iron Eagles might be looking for you both?"
I glance at James, who's now glaring at me, clearly expecting me to back his play. But Luna's advice rings in my ears, honesty above all.
"No," I say firmly. "I think leaving would be dangerous and stupid."
James makes a sound of disgust. "Of course you'd say that. You're fucking one of them."
The room goes deathly silent. I feel the blood drain from my face, then rush back in a humiliating flood of heat. Every pair of eyes is suddenly fixed on me with new interest.
"James!" I hiss, mortified.
"What? You think I didn't hear you last night?" he spits. "Thin walls, sis. Very thin walls."
I want the floor to open up and swallow me whole. The shame isn't from what I did with Jacob. I don't regret that, but from having it thrown in my face like this, used as a weapon against me in front of strangers.
King's expression doesn't change, but something in his eyes hardens.
"Your sister's personal choices are not the issue here," he says, his voice dangerously soft. "Your actions this morning put this club at risk. That is the issue."
"How did I put your precious club at risk?" James demands, seemingly oblivious to the thin ice he's treading. "By wanting to leave this prison? By not wanting to be in debt to criminals?"
Beast pushes off the wall, taking a menacing step forward, but King holds up a hand, stopping him.
"You threatened to go to the police," King says simply. "In our world, that makes you a liability."
I feel a cold knot of fear form in my stomach.
"He was angry and scared," I interject, desperate to defuse the situation. "He didn't mean it. James would never actually go to the police."
"Wouldn't I?" James challenges, turning to face me fully. "Why not? These people are the reason our apartment got shot up. The reason we're in danger. They're criminals, Holly! Wake up!"
"The reason we're in danger is because you borrowed money you couldn't repay!" I snap, years of frustration finally boiling over. "Not just from them, from anyone who would give it to you! You've been digging this hole for years, and I've been trying to fill it in behind you, and I'm tired, James. I'm so tired."
My voice breaks on the last word, unexpected tears springing to my eyes. The room is silent again.
King watches our exchange with calculating eyes, then turns to Luna. "Take Holly for some breakfast. I need to speak with James alone."
Alarm bells ring in my head. "No, I should stay—"
