I’ve met abusive assholes before, and never had time for them. I’d met some of their wives and had wondered why the fuck they stayed with them. I’m hopeful when Cyn sees examples of Lost, Dart and Grumbler with their wives that she’ll come around to the view that men can be protective and loving without taking over their women’s lives. Even Tits, Cindy and Pearl have more of an idea of their self-worth, and wouldn’t stay if the brothers were violent toward them. As for Eva, I wouldn’t want to be the man who tried anything with her. With her medical knowledge, I think she could be quite inventive.

Yes, hopefully taking Cyn to the clubhouse will be an education.

I wish I could have persuaded Saffie to come there.

I must doze a little, as my thoughts become merged, and I find myself thinking of the discussion I’d had with Kink. Had Cyn had a satisfying relationship? Not that I, as a brother wanted to know, but maybe it was so good it compensated for his other failings?

My thoughts start to jumble, wondering where control begins and ends. Kink restricts his dominance to the bedroom; Hester used his to take over Cyn’s life. There must be a middle ground.Was Saffie hit, just like her?My fists itch to punch something—Saffie’s ex first, followed quickly after by Hester.

My final thought before I give in to sleep is that I should keep Kink and Cyn far apart. If she’s, in his terms, submissive, and I think that she is, she’ll scream to the Dominant in him. Or, conversely, he might be able to give me insight into what makes her tick.

Waking from dreams, or nightmares to be exact, where my naked sister is crawling around the club, I first rouse myself and then her.

What I should have been thinking about is how exactly to introduce her to the club, and what I’m going to say when my mom gets wind of what I do and where I really work, all while I can’t stop wishing it were Saffie I was bringing to the club.

Seeing Cyn’s dropped back asleep despite my shake to her shoulder, I take my phone and quietly make my way outside. Once there, I breathe in the fresh air, then place my call.

“You got Lost.”

As always, I bite back my desire to respond by asking for directions, knowing it would go down like a ton of lead. “Prez. I gotta problem. Need to ask the club for help.”

“Speak to me, Brother. This about the woman who kicked you out?”

I take another lungful of air. Shit has gotten around fast. Not that I expected Token to keep his mouth shut, he lives on information and likes to share—with brothers, of course, no one else. “Not her, no. Prez, I know I don’t talk much about my family, but one of my sisters turned up. She’s left home and needs a temporary place to stay.”

“She okay?”

I sigh. “Long and short is, she was made to leave an abusive ex. I think my folks took the right path, but she’s still cut up about it.”

“He still breathing?” Lost growls.

“Unfortunately, as far as I know, yeah. It’s got her all twisted up. She’s only twenty, Lost.”

“Still a kid,” he observes. After a moment, he adds, “Why you, Niran? You close?”

“About as far from it as half-siblings can get. I know it’s an ask, Prez. I don’t really know her, but if I turn her loose, I don’t know where she’ll end up. She seems pretty adamant she’s not going home.”

“She’s family, Brother. She’s welcome to bunk down with us for a spell. We’ve got plenty of room. Doubt we’ll even notice she’s here.”

Grateful as I am, he deserves a warning. “I can’t vouch for her, Prez.”

“Kid like that? Can’t see she’ll cause trouble for us.” He chuckles softly. “For you, perhaps.”

“Thanks, Prez,” I respond drily, then end the call.

A peek back inside shows me Cyn’s not stirred. Stepping away once again, I place another call.

“Mom, it’s Niran. Cyn’s here. I got her.” I’d messaged last night, but a verbal confirmation always helps.

“Oh, thank the Lord. Is she okay?”

“Yeah. She’s sleeping right now. One question, Mom. This Hester, he get sorted out?”

There’s a pause, then, “She told you? And yeah, Grover got some of his ex-Army pals to have a chat.” I’m sure I hear disapproval in her voice, but then Mom was never into violence.

“Is he going to be a problem?”

“You mean, will he take it out on her?” After I respond with a nod that she can’t see, and an audible yes to back it up, she continues, “Not according to Grover, no.”