Page 54 of The Gentleness of Rage

“Slate, I don’t get it.”

“Which bit?” Slate asked.

“Your old lady. It’s a bit quick, isn’t it?”

“Maybe. But I’m moving slower than my brothers did. When you meet the other old ladies, they’ll tell you their stories. Jaelynn, I won’t receive your cut in time, but Phoe and Drake are aware I planned to claim you. Babe, I’ve been courting you slowly, and I’d not have approached this for a few more weeks, but I’ve no choice. Be my old lady,” Slate said.

Being honest with Slate was vital. “Slate, I’m not ready for sex.”

“That’s fine, baby. You suffered trauma, I can understand. Sex isn’t the be-all and end-all. Although my cock thinks you hate him.” Slate chuckled.

Weakly, I returned Slate’s laugh. “I want to have sex with you, Slate, but the thought of someone touching me there…”

“Jaelynn, I get it. You don’t have to explain. Take your time. Nothing will change how I feel about you.”

“Then I’ll be on whatever plane you need me on,” I said and sank into his arms.

Slate wasn’t lying about his cock. Poor Slate seemed in a semi-permanent state of arousal around me. I had to get to grips with the fear of being touched intimately again. He wouldn’t hurt me, but anytime I thought of having sex or being vulnerable down below, I felt sick.

“Hey, stop worrying. Jaelynn, we’ll find a way. You’re stuck with me,” Slate reassured.

That was good because somewhere along the line, I’d fallen in love with Slate. And he could make or break me.

Slate

He was heading to the strip joint when he got a call.

“Come to the bar. Now,” Drake ordered and disconnected. Slate did a U-turn in the road and throttled his Harley towards the Hell’s Rage. Now fuckin’ what?

Slate parked at the rear, noting how many Harleys were parked up. He walked in through the back entrance.

Half of his brothers were here, and Mac looked pissed.

Sat on a chair crying was Starla.

Slate took in her appearance, and a growl left his lips. “Starla was attacked?”

“Yes,” Axel responded softly. Slate was moved aside as Ellen bustled past him and wrapped a blanket around Starla’s shoulders.

“How bad is she hurt?” Slate asked.

“Starla was beaten, and the asshole tried to rape her, but she fought him off,” Axel replied.

Ellen went to take Starla’s hands, and she shook her head and snatched them away.

“No, I clawed him, I probably have DNA evidence,” Starla cried.

“Damn, that girl has spunk,” Axel muttered.

Drake moved behind the bar, searching for something. He came back around and placed two bags over Starla’s hands. Ellen immediately grabbed hold of them to comfort Starla.

“Is the ambulance on the way?” Slate questioned.

Ace approached. “Yes, and Drake called Ramirez. Ben’s going to meet Starla at the hospital. Nando’s collecting the footage.”

“Do we have anything?” Slate asked.

“Nothing, the asshole blacked the camera out, but we see him approach, dressed all in black, and then he sprays the lens. If Starla hadn’t fought hard, her body would be lying out back,” Ace muttered, keeping his voice low.

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