Copper sighed, rubbing a hand over his beard. “Yeah.” He studied Saint for a long moment. “What did you do with Jason?”
Since Beth had told him the entire ugly truth about her abusive piece of shit ex, Saint had no reason to keep anything from his president. At least not regarding why he pulled Beth’s ass out of Texas.
“Beat him fucking bloody with my bare hands right there on the floor of Beth’s apartment.”
Copper nodded once.
“I would’ve killed him if it went on much longer, but…” He shrugged.
“Yeah. Beth told me.” His jaw tightened. “What did you do with him after?”
“Dumped him in a fucking field somewhere in bumfuck, Texas, after a heart-to-heart about what would happen to him if he came within a hundred miles of Beth.”
“Think he’ll be a problem in the future?”
Saint pursed his lips. “He’s a pussy. The kind of guy who thinks he’s tough because he roughs up women. He couldn’t take one fucking punch. My money is on him being too chicken shit to do anything.”
“Okay. I still want eyes on him. For a bit.”
“Done.”
Copper looked up at the ceiling like he was searching for patience. “I’m fucking torn about how to handle this shit, Saint. The club’s never had a problem with you before. I don’t fucking like it.”
“I know.”
“I hate being kept in the dark.”
Saint straightened, meeting Copper’s gaze head-on. “I get it. And I’m not trying to give you a line of bullshit excuses. When I agreed to keep quiet, I knew I was risking your fury. I knew it wasn’t acceptable to you or the club, but Beth needed space. She planned to tell you once she processed. I made sure of that. Everything happened fast. She was reeling. Keeping my mouth shut gave her the dignity to share painful information on her own terms.”
He didn’t look away. Didn’t hedge.
“I fucked up with you, Prez. I own that. But if I’m being totally honest, I’d do it the same way again. I think I made the best decision at the time, given what I had to work with.”
“You’re protective,” Copper said with a solemn expression. “It’s one of the reasons I knew my daughter would be safe with you.”
For fuck’s sake.
He nodded, fighting to keep his expression neutral while the taste of Beth still lingered on his tongue. An hour ago, he’d had his face buried between her thighs, making her scream his name,and now he stood here pretending to be the loyal soldier Copper believed him to be.
“I want to rip your head off…” Copper muttered, “… but I also understand. And I need to respect my daughter’s autonomy and right to privacy, or some shit. At least that’s what Shell said,” he muttered.
Saint pressed his lips together to keep from smirking. It seemed the wisest idea.
“Just don’t forget…” Copper added, “… your first obligation is to this club.”
“I won’t.” It wasn’t a lie. He hadn’t forgotten his club. He’d made a choice.
A few choices.
Keep Beth’s secret.
Let her suck him off.
Make her come on his tongue.
“So now you owe me. You’re going to make it up to me by heading to the laundromat and getting that number so we can find out who the fuckers are dicking around in our town.
“Now?” Saint blinked.
