“Then why the bloody hell did you ask, then?”
Thankfully Rocky spun around at Mitch’s question. “So you’re not going to hide it, then, try to pretend I didn’t see what I saw?”
Mitch pulled himself to his full height, mind racing a million miles a minute trying to work out the best way out of this. He needed to make sure his stupiditydidn’t have life-changing consequences for Finn.
“Rocky—” Finn started.
“You saw what you saw,” Mitch said.
“Filth.” Rocky looked between the two of them. He turned to Finn again. “I always had my suspicions you were a fag, but you”—he looked to Mitch—“I never had you pegged as one.”
“Listen, Rocky—” Finn started again.
There was no way Mitch was going to let Finn take any heat from his mistake.Kissing Finn in the office had been a stupid thing to do. “It wasn’t his fault, Rocky. It was all me.” Mitch looked to Finn and hoped he’d stay quiet.He has to. Please.
“I—”
Mitch stepped forward before Finn could get out another word. He held himself tall. “Yeah, I’m gay. So what? I usually keep quiet about it, but it doesn’t change anything. I still do a fucking good job. I can take a mandown as good as anyone else in this club, no matter where I like to put my dick.”
“And you thought my little brother was a good place to stick it, huh?” Rocky sneered. He screwed up his nose as he looked between them. His gaze settled on Finn, and Mitch’s blood ran cold. “Like I said, I always had my suspicions about you.”
Mitch stepped forward, drawing Rocky’s attention again. “It wasn’t him.”He thought wildly for a way to get Finn out of this. “It was all me. I forced myself on him.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
Mitch shrugged. “Sure, ’cause it’s the truth. All the talk about the Brutes and what’s going to happen got the adrenaline pumping. I was horny as all shit. He had nothing to do with it, was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I should have had better control andwaited till later, gone to a club and found someone else to take it out on.” He chanced a glance at Finn, who thankfully didn’t say a word. He turned to Rocky. “Listen, I’m sorry you found out I’m gay like this, but—”
The fist slamming into his cheekbone knocked Mitch’s head against the wall. The flare of pain was instantaneous. His teeth knocked together from the impact, and his face throbbed.He itched to slam into Rocky but forced his hands into fists to prevent himself from retaliating. Rocky rounded on him, using one hand to hold Mitch against the wall. It took every ounce of Mitch’s self-control to let himself be pushed back.
“I don’t give a flying fuck that you’re gay,” Rocky hissed. “Actually that’s a lie. I fuckinghatethe fact you’re gay, but what pisses me off even moreis you touching a Soldier, and even more, you touching mybrother.”
Mitch stood ramrod straight, ignoring the urge to shove Rocky away. He allowed Rocky his show of power, particularly glad Rocky’s focus and anger was on him.
“So he forced himself on you?” Rocky looked over his shoulder and addressed Finn.
Finn looked to Mitch, his blue eyes wide and scared. Mitch didn’t think he’d ever seenhim look so miserable. Mitch ducked his head slightly, hoping Finn would see the gesture for what it was.Yes, Finn, say yes.
Finn lifted his chin and answered his brother. “Yeah. He forced me.”
Mitch smiled at him.Good.
Rocky looked back at him. Fury flashed in his eyes, and his nostrils flared. He growled, then spat words at Mitch. “You make me sick.”
“Please, Rocky, don’t do anything.”Finn moved to his brother’s side. “It’s okay. I had it under control.”
“It didn’t look like that to me.”
“You came in at the wrong time. I was just pushing him off.”
“You shouldn’t have had to push him off. He shouldn’t have been on you in the first place.”
“So what are you going to do?”
“One thing’s for sure, he’s no longer welcome here. No job and no membership.” He turned his head andglared at Mitch. “And no fucking with this club. You’re lucky I don’t cut your fucking dick off.”
“You’re not going to hurt him?” Finn’s voice shook.
Rocky finally dropped his hand, and Mitch took in a deep breath as the pressure eased from his chest. “Oh, he’ll hurt all right, but just not in the way you’re most likely thinking. He’ll pay for what he’s done to you and the disgrace he’s broughton the Soldiers.”
