“Girl, didn’t I tell you to find a man who adored you, not one that was over the top?” Bo continues to laugh as the detective and Justin lead us farther away from the clubhouse, but the farther I get away from Lucian, the more uncomfortable I feel. My skin crawls, and the hair on the back of my neck stands on end. I don’t trust this detective at all, and I certainly know not to trust Justin.
“We’d like to question her on her own. We notice that she’s all bruised up, and she won’t be honest that he abused her if you are standing with her,” Grimsley suggests.
“I told you, I represent Ms. Rezos. I’m not leaving her side. As for the bruises, we have photographic proof she had these before Mr. Knight helped her escape. I believe there is a witness by the name of Paris Channing who watched Mr. Branchard beat Ms. Rezos.”
“That’s a lie,” Justin whines and starts to advance toward me. “You bitch; how dare you lie about me like that. I should break off our engagement. It’s obvious you’ve been whoring around with these bikers.”
Loco proceeds to stand in front of me.
“Don’t talk to her like that,” he says, his voice is low, calm, and deadly sounding.
Bo places an arm around me and pulls me back as I hear a commotion behind me. I turn to see Lucian making his way toward us. He’s pissed, and his only focus is on Justin.
“Lucian, no. I’m okay.” I raise my voice, and he stops. He can’t be arrested because of me. Turning to the detective, I take a deep breath and say, “Lucian didn’t kidnap me. He’s helping me. My ex-boyfriend”—I point to Justin—“assaulted me and threatened to rape me. Paris did witness him attacking me. I want to be here with Lucian.” I lay out all my truths and hope it’s enough to stop them from hurting him or any of the other guys.
“I knew you were a whore, but a slut, too?” Justin doesn’t stop, and this time the detective holds a hand up.
“Mr. Branchard, she has a right to make this claim. I’ll investigate it and question this Ms. Channing myself.” Grimsley takes in the men who are all barely holding it together before pulling Justin away. “Let’s go. We got your questions answered. Ms. Rezos is here and hasn’t been kidnapped.”
“But. But wait. She must come with us.”
“No, she doesn’t.” Bo is the one to speak up this time. “Now leave, asshole.”
“I should have known you’d be letting her suck your dick. She’s always had the hots for you.”
“No, I haven’t. That’s sick. Bo is like my big brother.”
“We’ll be pressing charges against Mr. Branchard for assault,” Bo says as they walk away and slide into an SUV. We all stand there and watch as they leave before I turn and run back to Lucian. I jump at him, and he catches me.
“Fuck, baby, I can’t have him that close to you. I want to kill that fucker.”
“Stand in line. I’ve been itching to get my hands on him since he started sniffing after Evie,” Bo adds.
When Lucian lets me down, I turn to Loco. “Thank you.” I smile at him. “Thank you for defending me.”
“No man should speak to a woman that way. He wasn’t taught manners. My mama would box my ears if I spoke to a woman like that,” Loco replies before walking away.
We make our way back into the entertainment room and sit down. I learn that Bo has been a patched member of the club for years, and that my dad notified him about what was going on, but he was also here because of Lucian and the club.
We decide that I’ll press charges against Justin for assault and abuse. When I tell Bo about the threats to the family, he’s livid, and he states that more charges will be filed. I just hope this keeps Justin away. That way, everyone can finally get on with their lives.
Chapter Nine
Evelise
It’s been three days since Lucian stormed into my apartment and took over my life. Is it bad to admit that I’m calmer and less stressed out? He also set up all my classes to be taken through online distance education. Right now, I’m in the room he designated as my office and project room. I’m sitting in an extremely cozy, cushioned chair at the desk.
Yesterday, everything was delivered, and I mean everything. A brand-new desk, chair, easel, sewing machine, serger, and all the accessories that go with it. I also have a couple of mannequins for draping. Some guys also showed up to paint the office whatever colors I wanted, then hung up my Taylor Swift memorabilia.
Taylor now plays through the hidden speakers, and I’m working on my final project for the semester and getting a good start on next semester’s complete finale. Regarding one of my designs, I decide also to include a maternity outfit. Sure, it’s because Lucian is doing everything in his power to get me pregnant, and I typically design around my moods.
“Hey, sweet cheeks,” Lucian’s rich, warm, bassy voice comes from the doorway.
I turn and take him in. He’s so freaking sexy it drives me crazy. The man just looks at me, and I come unglued with desire. Today, he’s in heavyweight denim jeans that fit loosely around his muscular thighs, his dirty blond hair is pushed back, and his beard is getting longer. But it’s his laser-focused eyes on me that turn me on the most. I feel like the only person who matters when he looks at me. He doesn’t judge me for my size. He even says that my size is perfect for him because he’s a big guy, and he’s not afraid to move me around any way he pleases.
Pulling my bottom lip between my teeth, I think of how he woke me up.
“Fuck, baby, stop looking at me like that, or I’m gonna bend you over that desk again.” Yeah, he did that yesterday.
