Page 85 of Blade

Steele stepped up, putting his hand on Angel’s shoulder. “Easy, brother.”

King looked over at Becca. “Come here, sweetheart.”

Becca hesitated and looked at me. “It’s ok, baby.”

Beck walked her over to King, and she stood in front of him. King pulled her into his chest and whispered enough that only I could hear him, “You ok, sweetheart?”

Her voice was shaky when she answered quietly, “No.”

King handed her over to me and snapped, his eyes cutting me down in a way Angel couldn’t. “Why the fuck is she not wearing a cut?”

“She came over before I got back to pick her up. It was my fault. I assumed she would wait for me.”

“I-I’m sorry,” Becca stammered, looking up at me.

“No, baby, this is all on me.”

“Damn right it is. JACK!” King yelled.

“Yea, Prez?” Jack stepped over so King could see him

“Get her a fucking cut.”

“Prez, when this is done, we’re headed up to my room.” King glared, then turned back to Angel.

“What the fuck is going on? Your boy disrespected a member of the Mother Chapter, and we’re still standing here gabbing like fucking hens? What kind of chapter are you running?”

“Watch yourself, Angel,” Steele warned.

He always stood back and let things work themselves out.

Unless Steele had to intervene, he wouldn’t.

“Angel, what did Beck say when you asked her to go upstairs?” King questioned.

“When the fuck have we had to ask? The whores know why they’re here.”

King leaned into Angel’s face, and in a voice we didn’t hear often, said, “Call her a whore one more time.”

“She isn’t wearing a cut,” Angel whined again, and I heard multiple brothers snarl.

“Sweetheart, did you tell Angel you wanted to go upstairs?” King asked, his voice softer now and his eyes still on Angel.

Becca stood frozen against me.

I wrapped my arms around her and whispered, “It’s ok, baby, I’ve got you now.”

Grace stepped up to King and glared at him. “Why are you putting her through this? She has been through enough. I will tell you what the fuck happened. The girls and I were dancing when Angel walked up, said something to her and grabbed her hand, dragging her across the room. She yelled for Rachel, and I came to get you.” She poked her finger into his chest, emphasizing her last few words.

“He didn’t ask, he took. Jade stepped in, trying to halt his progress with an offer, and he said no, trying to continue on with Beck upstairs. That was when Blade came in.”

Pointing back at Angel, she insisted, “He is at fault here.”

King listened as Grace recounted what happened. He leaned down, kissing her forehead. “Thanks, babe, please go over to your girls.”

She narrowed her eyes at him before stomping over to me and whispering to Becca.

King looked at Angel. “Is what she said true?”

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