Fucker is crazy, but I am glad that he is on my team.
Walking into the main room I scan for Pres, but only see Savage and Rogue.
“Have you seen Valarie?” I ask as I approach them.
Rogue nods to the kitchen. “She is in there. Said something about making you your favorite food.”
I frown looking at the door; Valarie does not cook. She fucking hated it, and was always ordering takeout.
“You okay?” Savage asks.
“Yeah. No. Fuck.” I scrub my hands over my face.
“I am bone-fucking tired. Not sleeping for shit, and Stevie just called me. she sounded not herself, but Valarie chose that second to come into my room and ask about her shoes. Stevie hung up.”
Savage scoffs. “Fucking told you, brother— she is fucking playing you.” He looks toward the door that leads into the kitchen where Valarie is.
“I have to agree with him, Crash. Something feels off with her. Her behavior keeps switching up, it is all suspicious who she is around you. Glaring at us, or eavesdropping around corners, then being a sweetheart around you.”
I nod, my hands going to my hips, thinking.
I get what they are saying, and a part of me agrees, but there is a stupid fucking voice in my head that is on Valarie’s side, saying that she is here under genuine circumstances.
“I need to go to Stevie. Something has gotten into her and she has not been returning my calls or texts.”
“Do you think someone got to her, warned her off?” This comes from Savage, whose gaze flicks to the kitchen.
Fuck, he really is on the hate-train for Valarie.
“I don’t know, brother. But I am going to fucking find out. I need to tell Val where I am going, and that you will be keeping an eye on her.” Both men nod.
“Go. Check on your girl,” Rogue adds.
I slap him on the shoulder as I pass, walking toward the kitchen.
With a deep breath, I push through the doors and find Valarie standing in front of the sink, washing dishes. I glance toward the table and see my plate of food she made for me.
“Oh, hey. I got you a water. That phone call sounded intense.” She smiles but it does not reach her eyes. “Oh, and I found my sneakers.”
Dread sits heavy in my gut, but I can’t deal with that right now.
“I need to go and check on Stevie. That is who called and she sounded upset,” I inform her.
Her demeanor changes in an instant, sending the red flags flying.
“Oh, you know how she is— such a flake. Everything upsets her. You remember when she cried when that dog died in that stupid movie she made us watch?” She waves off my need to go see my girl.
“No, she sounded scared on the phone— or worried— I don’t know. I need to go and see her.” Valarie huffs, turning and giving me her back.
“Fine,” she sniffles. “Leave me with men who hate me and could hurt me behind your back.”
Her words make me angry, my fists curl at my side, and I grit my teeth. Not once has any one of my brothers expresseda threat of hurt toward her. A few snarky comments and admittance of distrust, yes, but not one of them would hurt her.
Savage pops into my head. Okay, maybe he would if she hurt me or anyone he loved.
“My brothers do not hurt women, and frankly, you saying that pisses me off. They are not the cunts you work with. These men are my brothers and I trust them with my life. So, if I vouch for you, they will not touch you. We took you in, scared for you, and you threw that back in our faces, calling Bolt a fucking pervert for touching you.”
“He wanted me to remove my shirt.”
