Page 18 of Liberator

“And have them try to stop me?” she asked. “No thank you. I go wherever I please. I won’t ever let someone own me again. Not even you!”

“Why did you leave? Was being with me that bad? Did I do something to make you decide you’d be better off without us?” I demanded.

“I thought I might be for a brief minute or two, but it turns out I want to be here more than I want to leave, so I’m back. That’s the end of the story. As to how good you are in bed, I imagine you have a clue. I’m not going to make that stubborn head of yours any bigger by complimenting your cock. Go away!”

“I’m not going anywhere until I get an answer about where you went and why,” I said.

“Then, get out of my way so I can do my job. Take a seat because it’s going to be a long night,” she sassily replied.

She took a full tray of drinks off the bar and sashayed over to a table full of men in the darkest corner of the bar. She swung her hips as she moved. It had the effect of a red cape to a bull on my temper.

I fought back the anger until a large, red headed man at the table pulled her onto his lap, kissed her neck, and said, “Come home with me, sweet cheeks. I’ve got more to give you than the asshole that’s stalking your ass.”

Her reply set me on fire.

“I may have to take you up on that, but I’ll need some proof of your size before I say yes. I’m not feeling much right now,” she teased as she wiggled in his lap.

He let out a belly laugh and said, “I’ve got me live one boys! I think I may have to take her on the table so move your damn drinks!”

He began to rise, lifting Vikki as he did. She squealed and I lost control of all reason. I leapt across the space and took him down to the floor. One hand strangled him as the other pummeled his face.

One of his buddies jumped on my back. The pain shot through me like a lightning bolt. I screamed as he pounded my back that was barely healed. I let go of the man on the floor and reached over my head to tear at my attacker’s hair. A fist hit me in the gut.

Vikki was screaming. I heard her voice over all the others in the bar. She was freaking out, but I couldn’t stop the brawl now. I was all in and others were joining.

“Stop it! Help him!” she yelled. “Please, stop it.”

Suddenly her little fists were pounding on a man who’d dared to kick me in the kidneys. The man turned to hit her, and I grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back. I heard a loud pop and knew his shoulder had left its socket. His scream broke through the mayhem and the fight stopped as quickly as it had started.

The room was in shambles. Chairs were broken, tables overturned, and glass shattered over the floor. Blood dripped from almost everyone.

Flame stood on the bar banging on a pot with a large ladle. She shouted, “Look what you’ve all done to the bar! You assholes had better start cleaning this mess up or you’ll never be welcome here again!”

“You can’t tell us what to do! You don’t own this place!” several of the men retorted.

“The Sinners own this fine establishment,” Prime proclaimed from beside her. “Flame runs it for us, and she is to be given respect. Obey her order or never return. I know who each of you are and I will personally see to it that you are banned if you don’t help restore order immediately! My men will be happy to escort you out the hard way unless you comply.”

There were grumbles yet the tables were lifted off their sides and any unbroken chair was placed around one. The brute who had manhandled Vikki found a broom and began sweeping up the glass. I went in search of a mop to clear the whiskey and beer from the floor.

“Give me that,” Vikki demanded. “You can barely move. Your face is bloody. You’re limping, and it’s obvious your back is messed up again. Why did you start this?”

“Me? I didn’t start anything. The man pawing you did. Why don’t you explain why you were allowing it and letting him think you’d be willing to screw him?” I demanded.

“Because you were being an ass and I wanted to prove I didn’t give a damn what you thought of me. I choose who I’m with and when from now on, and that includes you. I left because I didn’t like that you made me feel too much. Okay? Are you happy now?”

Actually, I was. She’d confessed that I’d made her feel something. My pride was once again intact.

“So, risking your life was the way to stop those feelings?” I asked.

“Who said they’d stopped?” she answered. “I fought that man for you, didn’t I?”

I nodded. “You did, and it made me want you more than ever. I like wildcats.”

Her green eyes blazed. I saw desire in their depths, so I added, “Maybe, I could get you to kiss the only spot that isn’t hurt.”

Her gaze instantly slipped downward. I hardened as she reached out to touch me through my pants.

“I suppose this is the spot you mean. What about your back?” she asked.

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