Naughty or Nice(15)

“Whatever you say, man. I don't have a ton of time to dig, but what I can tell you is Slate and her brother Mark are both dirty bastards. With how they operate and the kind of money and power you have, you don’t want them to know how much you’re into this chick,” he informs me.

“Too late,” I grit out. I’m already standing from my chair.

“Then this goes one of two ways. Either they got her playing you.” Maybe they did at first. It might have been a play to start with, but now I have her and I won't let them use her like that. I’ve already cut my dealings with Slate. She won't be a pawn to them. I’ve made sure of that.

“Or they use her against you,” Lars finishes. My whole body goes tight. Why hadn’t I thought of that before? Maybe because I didn’t know how bad these men really were. But I should have known better. Just like with my sister. I look over towards the shelter where she’s working and take off at a dead run.





Chapter 10





Claudia





My stomach tightens even more when I see where we’re pulling up to. The strip club hasn’t been here long but it already looks run-down on the outside. I’m sure the inside isn’t much better. Luckily the parking lot is empty. Maybe it’s too early for the place to be open. I’m not sure if that is better or worse for me.

“Mark,” I try to plead with him once again. He doesn’t seem like himself. If I had to guess, he’s on something.

“Don’t start your fucking shit. You should be thankful how nice and fluffy your life’s been. It’s time you realize where we come from. There’s no shaking the life Mom brought us into.”

I look down at my hands in my lap and wring them. He’s wrong. I don’t know that life. Even though he’s an asshole, I hate he knew it. “We can have whatever life we choose,” I whisper. I’m not sure if I’m talking to him or me. I jump when his fist comes down onto the steering wheel hard. I hear a crack and wonder if he broke something.

“It’s clear you were made for this life, little sister,” he says mockingly. “You spread those thighs real easy.” I swallow, clenching my legs together when his eyes go there. “Don’t get shy now. Slate’s been talking about you since we left the other day. I’d get ready to spread them again if I was you.”

A sob comes from my throat as I watch Mark get out of the car. He comes to my side jerking, the door open. I step out and look up at the bright red flashing sign of the strip club.

“In,” he orders, motioning towards a door on the side of the building.

“Where the fuck is Morty?” he says as I open the door and step into a dark hallway. “Dipshit can never keep his ass on the door.” Mark pushes my back to keep me moving down the hallway. “Second door on the right.”

I keep moving and do as he says. I wish I had another moment with Brian. I’ll never be the same after whatever it is that’s going to happen to me. I reach for the door handle and turn the knob.

“I love you, Brian,” I say, wanting to hear the words out loud as I open the door to meet my fate.

“Love you, too, beautiful.” A hand grabs my wrist and pulls me into the room. The sight of Brian has me wanting to sob again, but before I can try and grab at him, he's gone. I whip around to watch him plow right into my brother. They both go down with a loud crash. I watch as Brian lays into my brother. All those hours of lifting weights is not helping my brother in the least right now.

I glance to my left to see Slate lying on the floor. He looks like he took a beating himself. His eyes are closed, but I see the rise and fall of his chest. He doesn’t look so put together anymore.

My eyes widen when I look to my right to see a man in all black. Scars litter his hands and he even has a few on his face, but what’s weirder is the small woman he’s holding close to him in a death grip. She barely has any clothes on and he’s easily double her size. If I had to guess she works here. Her eyes are filled with tears, but she’s leaning into the enormous man for comfort.

“Are you going to stop him?” I ask the giant, who looks unfazed by the fight happening right in front of us.

“I’m busy.” He shrugs, keeping his hold on the girl. “Besides, I’m guessing he'll listen to you.”

I look back at Brian. Rage is clear on his face. I’m not sure he’ll listen to anyone at the moment, but I try.

“Brian,” I say, but he only lands another punch to my brother.

“Might want to yell,” the giant suggests in a lazy, deep voice.

“Brian!” I scream this time. His fist stops mid-air, his head jerking my way, and his eyes lock on me. “Please stop.” He drops his hand instantly and looks down at my brother.

“You stay the fuck away from her. You don’t even know her name. You got that.” It wasn’t a question. Mark does the best he can to nod.

Brian stands and comes towards me. “How’d you find me?” I ask as I throw myself at him, burying my face in his neck. I don’t know if my tears are happy, scared, or relieved. It really doesn’t matter. I’m where I want to be right now.

“You really love me, beautiful?” he asks. I notice he doesn’t answer my question.