What could she say? Could she spend the rest of her life satisfied with that answer? If she pressed him for more information, he’d repeat those famous words—you accepted me the way I am; I don’t discuss club business. She bit her tongue, determined to respect his privacy.
He smoothed her hair with both hands, his gentle touch so healing. “Start at the beginning, Tina. Don’t forget the smallest detail.”
Did she have to leave the comfort of his broad chest? She lifted her head, catching his intent eyes. “Once upon a time…”
He grunted. Nothing could break the grimace on his face; Vincent Ramos wasn’t a happy man tonight. It took less than fifteen minutes to explain everything. Tina waited for his reaction. But he stayed quiet, rubbing his hands up her back, then down her arms instead.
“Do you need a doctor?” he asked.
“No.”
“Do you want to file a police report?”
Coming from him, that question surprised her. She lifted herself up. “No.”
“Do you trust me?”
“With my life,” she didn’t hesitate to answer.
“Pack a suitcase; bring enough to stay at the clubhouse a few days.”
“Do you really think that’s necessary?”
Vincent helped her stand up. “Kline Barnes is unpredictable. Let’s get you into a controlled environment where he doesn’t have a chance to get to you.”
If she agreed, Tina felt like she was giving in to Kline’s sick and twisted game—surrendering—letting him win. But if she didn’t go with Vincent, would Kline come after her again? “All right.” She hugged herself, tears threatening to spill.
“Hey.” Vincent pulled her into his arms for the longest, most compassionate hug she’d ever received. “I’m here, Tina.”
Oh, he didn’t need to remind her. She’d been aware of his presence since the day they’d met. How could she resist the opportunity to finally trust someone with her heart? What she felt wasn’t love yet, but definitely something that could grow into it. She stepped out of his arms and stared at the bruises on her wrist.
“For the first time in my life I’m actually afraid.”
Vincent lifted her chin. He smoothed his hand up the curve of her neck. “If I could change it I would. Feed off that fear, baby. Use it to energize you, to find the strength to fight back.”
“You want me to confront Kline?” She arched a brow in confusion. Until now, he’d expressed nothing but disapproval at her idea to face him.
“Not exactly,” he said. “I want you to harness that anger so it doesn’t consume you. And trust me to take care of it.”
Exactly what did that entail? She admired his strong body then, all six feet plus. She imagined what damage his fists could do to Kline’s face, how anger would fuel his desire to make things right. Accepting his offer to trust him in that one area would be a big mistake. She refused to risk his freedom. Kline Barnes was the kind of man with trigger-happy fingers. He’d dial 911 without hesitation and lie his ass off to get Vincent arrested for giving him as much as a dirty look.
And she couldn’t forget that Kline knew who Vincent was.
Vincent might have the brute strength and power of his club behind him, but Kline had money—lots of it.
“Please don’t take this the wrong way,” she said quietly. “I appreciate everything you do. How dedicated you are to protecting me. I’ll go with you to the clubhouse and stay as long as you want. But I cannot agree to let you confront Kline. He poses as much danger to you as he does me.”
He huffed out a frustrated breath. “Not sure I understand your last statement. Or that I want to.”
“I asked you not to get offended,” she reminded him. “I believe Kline wants to see how far we’re willing to go. If you pursue him, he’ll probably involve the law. I don’t want to have to bail you out of jail or talk to you through a Plexiglas barrier at county lockup.”
As much as he’d been seized with the need to protect her, not surprisingly, she felt the same. “Didn’t you say where we go from here depends on how ready we are to protect each other?”
He rubbed his chin. “Yeah.”
“It’s my job to keep you out of trouble too.” She rubbed his arms. Even feeling his hard muscles through his clothes triggered a warm sensation between her legs. She wanted to make love to forget all the bad shit for a while.
Vincent was right: giving in to the fear and intimidation tactics Kline used would only hurt her. She needed to live in the moment right now, give her brain and body a break.
“Aren’t you going to say something about my responsibility to protect you?”