Heart Recaptured (Hades Hangmen, #2)(57)

Lilah flinched and her mouth tightened, eyes dropping down to stare at her feet. Fuck, I’d pushed her too far, said too much, and scared the shit out of her. Lifting her chin again, I asked, “You ready to attend your first cookout? Prospect’s grilling barbeque.”

“You will not leave me, will you?” Her blue eyes widened as she looked at the people in the yard. “There are so many men. I do not like being around so many men. Maybe I should retire… leave you alone.”

Gritting my teeth at her shyness, I hooked my arm around her shoulders and tucked her in close to my side, a wave of protectiveness taking hold of my body. “You know I’ll never leave you. No one would dare touch you. And if you don’t wanna talk to them, you just let me know and I’ll tell them to f*ck off or they risk my fist in their face.”

Lilah nodded her head and looked up at me with a thankful smile. I felt her small hand lie gently on my chest. It was shaking and she gripped the edge of my cut as we began to move.

The brothers suddenly quieted, all eyes drawn to Lilah. My grip on her tightened, and I could feel her warm breath blow against my side where she’d turned in to avoid their heavy stares.

Straightening and holding my head high, I guided us to the bench where Hush and Cowboy were sitting. Death stares of warning were flashed to anyone whose gaze lingered on us too long. Lilah liked Cowboy and Hush; she felt comfortable in their presence.

Hush and Cowboy saw our approach and moved to the side to make room for my girl. Hush stood. “Hey, Blondie. What’s happening?”

Lilah peeked her head around my waist and blushed. I nudged her with a squeeze of my arm to reply. “I… I felt like some fresh air. It has been a while since I dared venture outside.”

Cowboy tapped the bench and tipped his Stetson. “Sit that purdy ass down, darlin’.”

Lilah gripped onto me tighter, still freaking out, so I turned, picked her up, sat down, and held her in my lap, ignoring her body stiffening at the action. I turned to Cowboy. “Now you got my purdy ass beside you. That f*ckin’ okay, darlin’?”

Cowboy laughed and raised his beer, taking a sip. “Fuckin’ peachy!”

Lilah sighed and her head tilted up to look at the apartment window. I caught her smile and, when I looked up, Maddie was in the window smiling back down at her, her hand flat against the glass like she wanted to be down here too.

Poor f*cking bitch.

“Lilah?”

Lilah dropped her head at the same time as me at the call of her name. Mae came rushing through the gawking brothers with tears in her eyes. Her and Styx must have just got back from their trip.

“Lilah!” she yelled and threw her arms around her neck. “You are outside! I cannot believe it!”

Lilah hugged Mae in return, while I was busy getting crushed underneath.

Mae pulled back but refused to release Lilah’s hand, holding it tightly in hers. Mae tried to see Lilah’s face, but Lilah kept her head firmly down. I saw the flash of panic run across Mae’s face.

“Are you well, sister?”

Lilah nodded meekly. “Yes… I am well.”

Mae kneeled on the ground when Lilah failed to raise her head again. “Lilah, please… look at me. Why do you not look into my eyes? Have I wronged you? Are you displeased with me for leaving?”

I rubbed at Lilah’s back, and she turned to me, her long hair still blocking Mae from seeing her face. I stared into her eyes and nodded for her to show herself. I caught Mae’s frown behind Lilah and the shitty look she cast at me as her eyes narrowed and her full lips pursed. Honestly, I didn’t give a f*ck. Mae didn’t know how it was between Lilah and me now.

“Look at your girl, sweet cheeks,” I said and, taking a deep breath, confessed, “She’s gonna find out sooner or later.”

Lilah too took a deep breath and looked at her sister.

Mae gasped and tears formed in her eyes. “Lilah…” she whispered.

Lilah released her hand and cupped Mae’s cheek.

“I am fine, sister. It is no worse than what I—what we both—have suffered before.”

“Who did this to you?” she asked, getting real pissed.

“Tiff and Jules. They were jealous and angry at my spending time with Ky. They wanted to join with me… tried to force their attentions on me…” Mae sucked in a breath and had to look away. “Ky… I mean, Letti… punished them under club rules. It is resolved now. We can discuss it at a later time. But we both know why they did it…” Lilah trailed off.

Now that made me sit up straight.

I had no idea what she was f*ckin’ talking about. What the f*ck kinda thing was she thinking that would make it understandable why Tiff and Jules wanted to suck on her tits and get all up in her *?

Mae’s face saddened and she pressed kisses to Lilah’s palm. “You know I do not believe that, sister.”

Lilah just shrugged.

Mae leaned back and stood up; Styx automatically moved behind her and wrapped an arm around her chest. His eyes were tight, his mouth hard. With one look, I knew what he was saying to himself. What the f*ck went down at my club when I was away, and why the f*ck am I just hearing about it now? I held up my hand to signal I’d tell him about it later. He clenched his jaw and took a long swig of Beam.

Styx leaned down to Mae and whispered something into her ear. Mae’s gaze snapped back and she shook her head in refusal at whatever he was saying. Styx’s gaze hardened further and he looked to me, clicking his fingers.