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“No,” he replies without hesitation. “We’re in an underground MC clubhouse full of strange men. I might not be much, but I’ll protect her at all costs. If anyone comes past this room to get to her, they’ll have to go through me.”
And just like that, the kid earns a sliver of my respect.
He might be your kid brother, but he’s not a kid. He’s all grown up now.
Apple opens her mouth to protest, but I hold a hand up to stop her.
“It’s okay,” I say. “I appreciate what he’s saying.” Mark’s brows shoot up, Apple’s mouth drops open, and I smirk. “What?”
“You’re not gonna fight him on this?” Apple asks.
“No.”
They both stare at me for a moment before Mark focuses on Apple. “I’m gonna go grab a shower. You good with him?”
“I’m not gonna hurt her,” I snap.
Apple smiles. “I’m fine. Promise.”
He points at the suite door. “I’m right in there if you need me.”
“Okay.”
Mark reaches out to grab a doorknob and hesitates when his hand is met with nothing. He glances around the hall and then looks at me.
“Oh, did you want to go in there?” I ask sarcastically.
He rolls his eyes. “Yes.”
“Yes, what?” I demand. “I know Mom taught you better manners than that.”
My baby brother growls, and there’s nothing infantile about the sound.
“Yes, please.”
I arch a brow. “I don’t give a flying fuck what you think of me, but when you’re in my house, you’ll show me respect.” I press my thumb to the scanner next to the wall, and the door slides open. “Jez’ll have your prints loaded in the system by tomorrow. Until then, you’ll need one of the brothers to open it for you.”
“And what about closing it?”
“It’ll close on its own when you step inside. And if you want to leave, the motion sensor will open it from the inside.”
“Is this a clubhouse or a military base?” Apple asks with a chuckle.
I level my gaze at her. “Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answer to.”
She says nothing in response.
Mark retreats to his room, and I lead Apple to hers. After opening the door, she steps over the threshold, but halts and turns to face me with her hand out.
I stare at it. “What?”
“I can take my stuff from here.”
“I’m sure you can,” I murmur as I push past her into the room.
Apple huffs out a breath. “You’re a lot like him, ya know?”
After setting the bag on the bed, I turn around. “Like who?”
