Page 22 of Make You Mine

My neck snaps back with a yank of Junior’s hand in my hair. “You will never disrespect me again. Do you understand?” he seethes.

He gets nothing. I just stare back at him, disdain dripping from every ounce of me.

When he’s finally done, he pulls out of me, but I feel his grip clenching my arm once more before he tosses me forward, sending me colliding into the wall. I wince at the pain, but relish the fact that he’s strolling out of my room. I slump to the floor, my knees coming to my chest as I wrap my arms around them.

Trent… I'm so sorry.

The thought barrels through me as I cry myself to sleep, staring at the bright moon shining through my open curtains. I see Trent’s kind green eyes smiling back at me while his strong arms embrace me so protectively that everything else simply fades away.

Eight

It’s been two days since Ashley didn’t show up at the hotel. Hence my second run in the last six hours. It may be a cool fall day, but sweat drenches my dark blond hair as I ride the elevator up to Trevor’s penthouse.

I’ve enjoyed living with my brother since moving back to New York City, but I’m sure he’s ready for his privacy back.Selfishly, I’m not.

I’ve been saving the money I’m making through the society with each task I’m assigned, but I just can’t bring myself to initiate finding a place. I’ve been in a constant state of immense loneliness over the past three years, and the thought of living somewhere by myself again makes my skin clammy. I think when I moved back to the city, I had looked forward to what that meant for so long that I forgot that the relocation wasn’t going to solve all my problems and heartache. Unfortunately, it was never that simple.

I have a void inside my soul that only one person can fill.

The elevator door opens, and I hear Trevor’s voice. “Slow down. What’s going on?”

He waves me over, putting the phone on speaker.

“One of you needs to get over here and make this right.” Immediately, I recognize Junior’s accusing tone. “He has a fever and the shakes; he’s sweating on top of that.”

“What’s his temperature right now?” Trevor asks.

“I don’t fucking know, but he’s burning up. Just get over here. Now. I have business to attend, but my guards will let you in.”

My ears perk up at the fact that he’s leaving, and Trevor glances my way.

I nod, giving him a silent answer, and he responds, “I’ll send my brother right over.”

The call ends.

“That dude is such a fucking prick. I want to shoot him myself.”

You and me both, brother.

He pins me with a stare. “Don’t go over there and do anything stupid to get your ass caught.”

“I wouldn’t fuck up everything I have worked for until I know the time is right.”

“I don’t know what you would do when it comes to her.” The look he gives me says,don’t even try to tell me differently because you know it's the truth.

And I don’t, because he’s right, so I tell him one truth I do know. “Luca will be there; he’ll have my back.”

“Exactly. So don’t blow his cover.”

I wouldn’t do that to Luca. We were initiated around the same time, and even though we didn’t get to train together since he was in New York and I was in Europe, we were paired for myfirst two assignments in the city. He had my back from day one, no questions asked. He bleeds hard for The Saints and any brother involved.

Luca is best friends with Nico’s son, Bishop. He grew up in this lifestyle, so he was never meant to be a doctor or lawyer like some of our other brothers. He was raised to be a protector…or a killer, when necessary.

He’s loyal to his core, and I wouldn’t want anyone else guarding Ashley. I was thankful when Nico agreed to have him on the inside. After Micah’s father was killed, he was agreeable to having someone not affiliated with Junior guarding his sister. With his vetting and Luca’s Italian heritage, it wasn’t difficult to get him into the fold.

“I wouldn’t do anything to put Ashley or Luca in danger,” I say, making my way toward Trevor’s guest room. “I’m going to shower and head that way. Did you pick up those new bags of vancomycin?”

He nods. “Yep, they’re in the medical fridge. Grab some IV acetaminophen too.”

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