Page 56 of Made For Ruin

MARCUS

“You wentwhere?”I growl, my fists clenching at my sides.

Lainey flinches. “Marcus, please calm down.”

“I am calm,” I snap, even as I feel my blood pressure skyrocketing. “What I amnotis okay you going to the Southside Kings clubhouse without me!”

It’s Thursday night and we’re in my cabin’s kitchen. I’m pacing back and forth, trying to process the fact that Lainey just told me that her brother is out of prison and that she went to a motorcycle clubhouse alone.

“And why the hell is Derrick even out?” I demand, running a hand through my hair. “He had at least two more years on his sentence.”

Lainey sighs, leaning against the counter. “Good behavior, apparently. I was as surprised as you are.”

“Good behavior my ass,” I mutter. “Did any of the guys say anything to you? Touch you?”

Lainey shakes her head.

“No, nothing like that. Derrick and I just talked. Then things felt weird, so I left.”

I consider her words, my mind racing.

I’ve been trying my best not to comment on Lainey’s relationship with her brother. I know it’s complicated and messy, especially with Derrick’s criminal history. And I get that he’s family, that you can’t just cut ties, no matter what they’ve done.

But now things have changed.

With Derrick out of prison, all my protective instincts are on high alert. I can’t just stand by and let her walk into potential danger, family or not.

“You need to stay away from Derrick,” I say firmly.

Lainey’s eyes widen. “What? But Marcus, he’s my brother.”

“I don’t care. Stay away from him.”

“You can’t just order me to cut off my family.”

“I can when that family is dangerous. Derrick’s bad news, Lainey.”

“But what if he’s changed?” she asks, a note of hope in her voice that makes my chest ache. “Prison could have straightened him out.”

“I don’t care if he’s changed or not,” I tell her. “Stay away from him. I mean it.”

Lainey’s eyes flash with anger. “You can’t control who I see. You’re not the boss of me.”

Something inside me snaps at her defiant words. A possessive, primal urge surges through my veins like wildfire.

In an instant, I’m crowding into Lainey’s space, towering over her. My hands fist in her silky hair, tugging just hard enough to tilt her head back. Her startled gasp echoes in the charged air between us.

“I can do whatever I want,” I growl. “And I said stay away from your brother. Do you understand me?”

Lainey’s breath hitches. Then she nods.

“Yes.” Her tongue darts out to wet her plump lower lip. “I understand.”

As she holds my gaze, something heated flares in the stormy depths of her eyes. A knowing glint.

“You know,” she murmurs, a coy smile playing at the corners of her mouth, “you’re kinda sexy when you get all growly and protective like this.”

My cock twitches at her words.

---