Sophia waited for him to leave before she got her shampoo and conditioner. She chanced a look in the mirror and winced when she saw the marks on her face. Kate never came home looking like this.
Pressing her hand to the glass she walked away, finishing her case. Zero had packed her fridge up and was eating a slice of the chocolate cake she’d baked the night before.
“Did you make this, or is this one of the shop bought crappy ones?” Zero asked.
“I baked it.”
“You’re a damn fine cook.”
“You’ve not tried my food yet. A cake is not a good thing to judge on.”
“If you cook like this then you’re all right by me. I might even put a good word in for you with Tiny.”
She snorted. “I doubt he’ll want anything to do with me. He’ll probably hold me responsible for one of his men going off the rails.”
Zero finished his slice of cake, taking the whole thing with him. “You’ll be surprised. Tiny wouldn’t hold you responsible at all.” He walked toward the door. “Any man who becomes a Skull has to take on the job of being strong enough to handle what anyone throws at them. Nash needs to be strong no matter what bitch stands in his way. What’s the point of having men who can’t fight when their pussy’s being difficult?”
“Do you have to speak like that?” she asked.
“Get used to it, baby. We’re not here to make everything a fairy tale. We work hard and party hard. We fuck who we want and don’t give a fuck about what people think. You want Nash then you’re going to have to start playing by their rules.”
She was close behind him as he made his way out of the building. Sophia noticed him holding the butt of his gun on the way to the truck. “Do you expect us to be attacked?”
“If word spreads about Nash enemies could think we’re weak. I’m not about to be jumped for the kid making a mistake. He has serious issues, but what Lash is about to put him through is going to be hell.” Zero pushed her up in the truck.
Putting on the seat belt she waited for Zero to get in the driver’s seat.
“What do you mean hell?”
“You don’t think Lash is going to let his brother get away with him taking a beating? Lash is going to make sure Nash pays. Tiny and the whole of the club are going to need proof that Nash is making recompense and that his recovery is as painful as possible.”
Her eyes were wide as she stared at him. They had to be wide. She’d never heard anything so barbaric in her whole life.
“They’re brothers. Why can’t you accept that?”
Zero steered the truck to the side of the road. “Listen, sweet cheeks, we’re the ones responsible for this town. We make sure you can walk down the street safely, or in your case as safely as you can. We keep the shit out of the town. If Tiny starts taking anyone on, our enemies would be on us like flies ‘round shit. Deal with it. This is how we handle club business. You can’t handle it then I suggest you get the fuck out of the way.”
She licked her lips. Her throat had gone dry. “I’m not going to like what Lash is going to do to his brother, am I?” she asked.
“No, you’re not. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll turn away and do exactly what Lash demands.”
Zero pulled the truck back onto the main road.
She didn’t speak for the rest of the journey. When they parked up outside of the factory, Lash was smoking a cigarette and talking on the phone.
“I’m okay, baby. I’ve got everything covered. I’ll be there tonight, and we’ll talk about it. Nash is fine, and I’ll take care of him.”
Sophia grabbed her case and started walking toward him. She was conscious of Zero following behind her.
“I love you, too. Bye.” Lash hung up, facing her. He looked at the case. “Is that it?”
“I don’t have a lot of stuff.” She shrugged.
“I brought her food. Bitch is one good baker.” Zero was guarding the chocolate cake as if it was an expensive jewel.
“Good, let’s get set up.”
Lash headed into the factory.
****
Opening his eyes, Nash saw his brother leading Sophia back into the room. One of her hands was holding her side, and she was carrying a case with her.
“She going to be my babysitter?” Nash asked.
“Yep, I thought I was being kind.”
“Then you’re fucking wrong. You want to get me sober and off the drugs get her away from here.” He saw her flinch, and he hated causing her any kind of pain. “She’s too weak to handle what you’re going to throw at me.”
Lash looked at Sophia then back at him. “You really think so?”