Page 21 of Babydoll

“Leave me the fuck alone!” she barks.

I lower my ass onto my heels, but don’t rise. Lu’s head whips up to face me.

“I don’t care if you get me fired,” she shoots, and it sounds petulant. “Go on! Go find your buddy, Brad.”

Again I don’t reply. Without the threat I have no leverage, but I’m sure as hell not leaving her alone. And after a few minutes of silence, Lu sighs and leans back against the wall, allowing her head to hit hard enough to make me wince.

Who the hell is this girl and where did she come from? She very suddenly became involved with Satan’s Ransom—like out of the blue—and at first I thought her weight loss was from using, but I’ve never seen her use, never seen her eyes wild, dulled, or hazy, and I’ve kept a damn close watch. Dealing doesn’t make much more sense though. I’m missing something.

Three months ago, Lu was an upstanding citizen, at least on paper. Went to college on a soccer scholarship, worked part-time as a waitress until she finished her vet tech course and has worked for Burkston Animal Hospital ever since. She lived in a nice apartment and went for dinner and to the movies every Friday night with the pink ponytail brigade from work. But now? She sleeps in her car, works two jobs, and her social circle consists of Preacher, Python, and Slash.

Rubbing my hand on the back of my neck, I chew the inside of my cheek and plunk my body down next to Lu. I need to crack this case open and if the current angle isn’t working, I need to find a new one.

For my sister, for my parents, and for Reece. For the losses we’ve all suffered at their hands.

I need information. And I want it to come from Lu. First, so I can protect her legally from whatever she’s up to. And second, so Satan’s Ransom is locked up for a good long time, unable to hurt her. Otherwise, when shit goes down, she’ll go down with it.

Possibly the same way it went down for my sister.

Things had always been difficult with Lisa. Fights with our parents, constant drama at school with her friends and boyfriends, her low self-esteem which eventually presented in disordered eating; my sister was a mess. But she was also the first one to make me laugh after a shitty day, the first one to drag me out for a run when I needed it or take me to a ridiculous costume party so I could let loose. Quick to anger, but quicker to apologize, Lisa was worth all the heartache.

When she got involved with Satan’s Ransom, she ruined my dream of becoming a cop and I was bitter about it for a long time—didn’t speak to her for over six months. No law enforcement agency wants officers with ties—however loose—to any criminal organization. My dream was in her hands and she chose them—a fucking MC.

But she was my family, and she told me she was happy, so I let go of my dream and opened my own security firm instead. And when Lisa came crying to me, bloody, beaten, and pregnant, I was there for her. But after Reece was born, she went right back to Preacher.

Her death was ruled a suicide, but my parents and I knew it wasn’t. Preacher was untouchable though. The cops told usthere was no evidence and any probing into her death would compromise several important federal investigations.

Our only lucky break was that Satan’s Ransom never knew about Reece. And Lisa never put Preacher’s name on the birth certificate.

My parents took legal custody of Reece and life went on, for them anyway. I never let it go. I started compiling evidence to bring Satan’s Ransom to their damn knees that first night the police brushed us off and I haven’t stopped since.

Chapter Six

Jeff

Shoving all thoughts of my sister out of my mind, I look at Lu. She’s calmer now, more relaxed since unbarring herself that little bit.

“Want to tell me what that was about?” I ask, examining her face for any change in expression. Her face remains impassive. “Lu,” I call, her name a whisper on my lips. “I want to help you.”

She swallows, her throat working hard, before she turns more fully. “No.” Her eyes are stony. “You can’t. And you’re the one who needs help.” She points at my cheek before leaning forward to her cart, grabbing a blue bag with white writing on it. A first-aid kit.

“I can,” I say, and it sounds like pleading. My gaze falls to her neck where redness is blossoming darker, the start of purple bruising. I want to touch the inflamed skin, to soothe. But as I reach for her, she knocks my hand away and shoves me back onto my ass .

“Not worth it.” Her answer is void of all emotion as she opens the kit and cleans up my face.

I’m the one swallowing now. Did she mean she wasn’t worth it? Jesus. “Yes, you are! You don’t have to do this alone.”

Her brow lifts and she shakes her head, looking every bit the bitch she’s been pretending to be.

“Not that, Grizzly Daddy. For fuck’s sake. I’m not having a pity party here.” She stands then, making a sound of annoyance, tossing the kit back onto her cart. “I didn’t mean I’m not worth it. I’m a goddamn peach. I meant stop trying to rescue me. I don’t need it. It’s not worth you getting mixed up in it because I know exactly what I’m doing. And actually, if I’m being honest here, you fucked things up far worse for me now.” She looks down a second before finding my eyes again. “Your cheek’s fine, by the way. Cut’s shallow.”

She starts to walk away, pushing her cart, but I’m on my feet in a flash. I grab her and shove her against the wall, caging her there between my arms. “You have no idea what they’re capable of, babydoll.” The words come out sounding like a growl.

Stowing my empathy, I give her a hard glare. She tries to turn her face away, but I grab her chin and force her face back to mine. She rolls her eyes at me, but there’s something else in her expression—it’s fleeting but it’s branded in my mind. Lu’s vulnerability.

“I’m done asking, Lu,” I add through my teeth. “You’re not doing this alone. Fight me on this, and you’ll lose.”

Her cheeks flush and it’s not just from anger. With her mouth in a hard line, she glares at me, but it’s the heat in that stare that tells me Lu responds well to a little manhandling.

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