Page 45 of Ink

“Trapped?” I feign being hurt. “I thought you loved me.”

Evan laughs. “Don’t tell Cyrus, but you’re my favorite. Seriously though, let me know how I can help.”

Jogging downstairs, I find Cain, Hash, and Cyrus hanging around, tension filling the room. I grab a beer out of the fridge behind the bar before joining them, needing something, anything, to take the edge off.

“How is she?” Cain is the first to speak.

“Alright for now. All I got out of her is that some guy came, roughed her up and took off with all of her cash.”

“You think he’s from around here?”

I shrug. “Don’t know. If I had to go out on a limb, I’d say no because I always got the vibe she was runnin’ from somethin’. Seemed like she’s startin’ over.”

“How do you want to play this?”

“What I want to do is go to this piece of shit’s house and haul him back here to the basement.” All three grunt in agreement. “But I’m tryin’ to not lose it completely before she tells me the full story.”

“But it’s not looking good,” Hash comments. He saw me at the motel. He saw the state Sutton was in. He knows exactly what I’m battling right now.

“It’s not lookin’ good,” I agree. “The only thing I didn’t grab was her car. Can one of you take the wrecker and bring it back?”

“Why the wrecker?” Cain asks.

I chug half of my beer before responding. “She said it doesn’t run. It’s an old Grand Am. She was hell bent on getting it fixed herself. I’m hopin’ I can tell her it’s a piece of shit and not to waste her money.”

“Call off the party.” Cain pulls out his phone. “Scotch is at the shop. I’ll tell him to swing by and grab it.”

“Fuck no,” I exclaim. Cain arches an eyebrow at my protest. “Mean no offense, Prez, but Sutton would be more upset if other people’s plans get cancelled because of her. Party as usual. I’ll get her settled in my room and try to get out the rest of the story tonight.”

“I’ll keep my girl comfortable.” Cyrus winks, earning a smack on the back of the head from Hash. “Hey, what was that for?”

“You think now’s a good time to make a fucking joke like that? One day, someone is going to fuck you up and I’m going to laugh.”

“Guess who lost their backup next time they’re beating the shit out of someone in the parking lot at DD’s.” Cyrus points at Hash. “This guy.”

I roll my eyes.

These two fucking idiots.

Downing the rest of my beer, I head out to my truck to grab Sutton’s stuff and bring it up to my room. I don’t want to be gone too long in case she’s out of the shower and wondering where the fuck I am. My brothers would lay their life down for her if I asked them too, but I think meeting them all at once might freak her out. Last week, I felt like she was finally coming out of her shell. It was inspiring to witness. I’ll be pissed if she reverts back.

That’s another thing he’s going to pay for.

I remember being able to pack all of my shit into one bag. It was way before the club, almost two decades ago at this point, but times like that don’t ever leave you. It pisses me the fuck off that Sutton has to have those memories too.

She’s light. Light that shouldn’t be tainted by dark.

Which is why I need to keep my distance.

I’m the last man she needs.

“It’s just me,” I call out before stepping inside my room with her stuff.

I was hoping she would be out of the shower by now, but it’s still running. Setting her bags down on the floor, I search through them until I find a pair of pajamas. Grabbing a fresh towel and the clothes I knock on the bathroom door before opening it.

“Sutton? My eyes are shut, but I’m comin’ in to drop some clothes off. Figured you’d want something to change into.”

My heart starts to pound as I hear her sobs coming in quick and violent, sounding almost painful. Consideration for not seeing her naked flies out the door as I open my eyes.