“I just want to make sure he’s not going to hurt you.”
“He won’t do anything too awful while we’re here, and I’m gonna try to get out of going to his place.”
“I know this is none of my business, Krystal, but has he hit you before?”
Krystal waved to the bartender for another drink. “You know that’s a stupid question, Luke.”
I checked again to make sure Bug hadn’t made a move toward us. “Why do you stay with him?”
“I told you, it’s complicated. I can’t explain it to you here.” Krystal shook her head and laughed. “Who the hell am I kidding? I can’t explain it to myself, no matter how hard I try.”
“I don’t want to stay here too long and cause problems for you, but I just want you to know that if you need help, you can call me. Any time, day or night.”
“Thanks. I can take care of myself. I’m tougher than I look.”
“It’s dangerous for you to bring up how you look, Krystal. I would give anything to take you out of here with me and take you back to my suite.”
I could see the desire in Krystal’s eyes. She wanted me, but she had her hands full with the mess she’d created with Bug.
“Will you do me a favor?” I asked.
“Depends on what it is,” she said.
“Will you send me a text when you get home safe? I’m gonna worry about you until I get it.”
“I will.”
I wanted to reach for her hand or lean over and kiss her, but I knew that I couldn’t. “I have to go,” I told her. “See you soon?” I asked quietly enough that no one could overhear us.
“Absolutely,” she whispered.
I turned away from the bar because I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to leave her if I didn’t go right that minute. I waved to Joker and the guys again, ignored the glare Bug sent me, and headed for the door.
The cool air was a refreshing change from the smoky bar, and I immediately felt clear-headed and wide awake. As I drove home, I thought about the mess that Krystal was in, and I wondered why on earth a young woman who was clearly smart and capable would spend even a minute in the company of a man like Bug. It occurred to me that I’d seen Joker treat Sable in a way that I would certainly consider sexist, and I shook my head as I realized how pervasive the MC mentality was for all of its members and hangers-on. It made me reconsider taking a ride with Joker and Jimmy tomorrow, but I decided that a few hours on a bike wouldn’t change my life, and if I canceled, it would certainly disappoint Joker.
I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
Chapter 14
Krystal
I knew I should have asked Luke to walk away right after he’d put the bottle on the bar, but I just couldn’t. He was so sincere in his desire to make sure that I was okay, and I knew there was no way he could possibly understand the depth of Bug’s insane jealousy. The fact that I was attracted to him made it even harder to ask him to leave. I knew that chances were good that Bug would make me pay for the conversation, but just the few moments of looking into his blue eyes would be worth it.
Sitting in Bug’s usual corner of the bar, I watched J.C. finish a conversation with Bug, nod his head, and walk toward me.
“Bug wants to talk to you,” he said, gesturing to the hallway.
“If he wants to talk to me, he can walk his ass over here and talk to me,” I replied. “He ain’t the King of England.”
J.C. leaned closer. “Look, Krystal, I don’t exactly know what game you’re playing with that blond guy showing up here, but Bug’s pissed, and if you know what’s good for you, you won’t make him any madder than he is.”
It sounded like he was actually concerned about me, so I sighed and stood up from the bar stool, pulled my dress down to a slightly more modest length, and followed him down the hallway to one of the bedrooms. I didn’t have more than a few seconds to wait before Bug came inside. I expected J. C. to leave as soon as Bug walked in, but he shut the door and watched silently as Bug approached me.
“You’re the hottest fuckin’ girl in the room. Too bad you’re a fuckin’ slut.”
I stood, silent, unsure what he wanted from me.
He raised his hand to my face, slowly. “You say that I’m not man enough for you? You need another man to get that worn-out pussy of yours wet?”
“No, Bug, you’re the only man I want. The only man I need.” I didn’t know exactly what he had planned, but I knew it wasn’t anything I wanted.
He looked me up and down, letting his eyes linger on my tits as he reached out to grab me roughly with both hands. He pulled me toward him, slipping his hands beneath the cutouts on the side of my dress. He tugged at the fabric, and I suspected that he was considering ripping the dress right off me.