Page 34 of Avenging Devil: Part 1

Her shrug tells me everything.

I might not know Cyn, but I know she’s worth more than a life with an abusive fuck. If Grover hadn’t taken care of him, I’d have done it myself.

“You don’t know Hester,” she cries. “All my friends were jealous when he picked me. He’s got money, drives a nice car. He apologises…apologised,” she stresses rapidly, correcting herself, making my jaw clench. “When he lost his temper, he bought me flowers and everything. He promised he’d never do it again, and I believe him. But Dad… Dad flipped when he saw what he’d done.”

I don’t blame him. I’m certain this wasn’t the first time, but maybe the first where he’d left visible marks. I revise my view of my spoiled sister, and my brain makes some connections. She moved in with this man, probably the first proper relationship she’s ever had, not surprising if Grover kept her on a tight rein. Probably an act of rebellion to move out, and she ended up with an abusive fuck just because he showed her some attention.

I also rapidly review my idea about keeping her away from the club. Maybe it’s time she had an education on how real men treat their women, and that no fists are involved when it comes to true love.

I have to know. “Cyn, what did you do to upset him?” No reason would be good enough to justify this asshole’s actions, but I’m interested in seeing what excuses she’ll make.

She bites her lip, looks down at her hands, and then admits, “I’d arranged to go out with my friends. He objected to what I was wearing, and thought I was going out on the prowl, looking for someone to replace him.”

She’d taken off her heavy coat as soon as we’d gotten into the truck, and as her clothes were the last thing on my mind, it’s only now I look at them, seeing she’s dressed quite conservatively—smart pants, not jeans, and a blouse buttoned up. She looks more middle-aged than twenty.

“You lived with him?”

She nods. “Just for a few months. Dad didn’t want me to move in with him, but I’m an adult now. Mom didn’t mind, and she persuaded him.”

She’s over eighteen, but her naivety shows. She jumped at the first man to show her attention, left her family and jumped into his life. What the fuck was my mom thinking? All of a sudden, I want to give her back her youth which she seems desperate to leave behind.

Life is for living for oneself, not for family and definitely not for an abusive boyfriend.

“Cyn,” I say gently, as I sit back down. “Mom doesn’t know this, and it’s up to you if you tell her. It’s true I’m a mechanic, but I’m also a member of a motorcycle club. I live at the clubhouse.” While I’d kept my life to myself, it’s not something of which I’m ashamed. If Cyn can’t keep secrets to herself, it’s past time they came out.

“You’re a biker?” Her eyes widen, then glance down to my prosthetic leg hidden under my jeans. “I didn’t think you could ride a bike.”

Shaking my head, I appraise her of the fact that I sure can.

“Are you a gang member?” Strangely my revelation has her animated. She’s brightened and is leaning forward as if eager to hear more.

“We’re a club, not a gang. In fact,” I wipe my hand over my face, wondering whether my hastily decided course of action is indeed the right one, “I’d like you to meet the other club members. You want to come stay at the club for a while?”

“Niran!” For the first time tonight, a genuine smile lights her face. “You’d introduce me to your friends?” Coming over, she leans down and gives me an awkward hug, which I return after a moment. “I knew I was right to come see my big brother.”

Hell, it might work for her, but now I’ve taken on responsibility for my young sister, I’m having doubts. Doing so is something I never expected and am far from certain that’s what I want, especially with another woman occupying my mind.

Dom traits? That’s what Kink thinks I have? Nah, he’s wrong. I want to be there for Saffie, but I’d gladly walk away from my sister if I had the choice.

As Cyn goes to the bathroom and does whatever women do to get ready for the night, I lie back on my bed.

Why is it I think of Cyn as a burden? I never saw Saffie that way. From the moment I’d first seen her crying, all my instincts were to protect, help and do what I could to make her life better.

Cyn’s my fucking sister, yet if she agreed to go back to Michigan tomorrow, I couldn’t be happier.

One woman’s compliant when I don’t want her to be, the other anything but.

Fuck my life.

Chapter Twelve

Niran

With Cyn seeming happy her immediate future is sorted, and me wondering how much I’ll regret it later, we settle down for what remains of the night. Trying to keep my tossing and turning to a minimum so as not to disturb her, I can’t switch my mind off.

Why did Cyn want to stay with an abusive partner? I really don’t understand. Does she really think that’s all she’s worth, or as it was her first boyfriend, all she thought she could settle for? Is she misinterpreting his controlling nature for love? If so, she’s sorely mistaken.

Was Saffie’s missing baby daddy abusive? Was that why she’d run? While I try to concentrate on the woman I’m supposed to care for, I can’t help but think about the woman I have no blood connection to. If that’s Saffie’s situation, she was wise to get herself free. That could be why she’s in such a shit apartment. Cyn, though, she wants to go back to the fucker. How the hell do I deal with that?

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