“You sure you’re okay?” Copper asked for the fiftieth time.
“Yes. I was shaken at first, but I’m good now. Just pissed off by the situation.”
“What did you say when he asked you to say hello to Copper and tell him we didn’t want them as an enemy?”
Beth took a large sip of the whiskey. It was good quality, but still burned on the way down. She loved that fiery sensation, the way it woke her up from the inside. Loved the respect in the guys’ eyes when she downed it with ease. Jason had hated it when she drank whiskey. Claimed she was trying to compete with the boys.
It was never a competition. She could drink his friends under the table.God, she really was a biker princess.
“I told him he could fuck right off. That I wouldn’t tell anyone shit on his behalf.”
Mav slapped a hand on the table. “That’s our girl.”
Copper whacked him on the back of his head as he said, “Christ, Beth.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “If you’re everin a situation like that, you don’t fucking antagonize the asshole. Who knows what he would have done if a car hadn’t driven by?”
A week ago, she’d tried that. She’d been docile, she’d done what she was told, she’d tried her hardest not to antagonize, and what happened? She still ended up slammed against a wall with a man choking her.
Fuck being docile.
“I’m done taking shit like that from men.”
The mood changed so fast that her stomach flipped.Shit. She’d said too much.He’d know.Her father would know something had happened with a man.
Guess she was lucky he had more pressing issues to deal with.
Risking a quick peek at Saint, Beth found him practically vibrating with restrained fury. He held a glass with white knuckles. Hopefully, the cup wouldn’t shatter in his hand. All of a sudden, the overwhelming urge to go to him and rub her finger over his ticking jaw washed over her. Of course, she’d resist. Her father would go berserk, and Saint himself would probably reject the touch, but the impulse remained.
“Saint,” Copper barked, jerking them both from their secret stare-off.
“Yeah, Prez.”
“Can you take Beth home for me? Maybe stick around until Shell or I get back.”
Her stomach fluttered—another ride on the back of Saint’s bike.
“You okay with that, Beth?”
“Um, yeah. Of course, but I don’t need a babysitter.”
Copper just shot her a look that asked if she was crazy.
“All right. All right.” She raised her hands in surrender. “I had to try. Should we go now?” she asked, turning toward Saint.
He nodded once.
Okay, guess we’re not chatting today.
His stoic attitude did nothing to stem the buzz of excitement now coursing through her veins. She rose and rounded the table, hugging her father from behind. “Love you, Dad.”
He turned his head to kiss her cheek, and she almost giggled as she used to as a child when he’d tickle her face with his beard.
“Love you too, kiddo.” He pointed to Saint. “Keep her safe. You’re carrying precious cargo.”
“Understood.”
She said goodbye, exchanging hugs with the others before heading toward the exit. Saint met her there and held the door open. As she walked through, he placed his hand on her lower back, guiding her outside without a word. It remained there warm and strong until they reached his bike. He didn’t speak but radiated tension, and by the time they reached his motorcycle, Beth couldn’t take it anymore.
She turned and stopped him with her hands on his upper stomach. “Are you okay?”
