Page 5 of Evil Beautiful

A knowing glint appeared in Kellen’s eyes before he nodded.

“I’ll be waiting.”

“Gideon.” A voice angrily growled my name.

I turned my head to look at the man.

Kid Knight, VP of the Cape Town chapter of the Iron Dogz MC, and the last man I had thought I’d run into tonight.

“Kid.”

We stared at each other, not saying another word. Kid was playing a long game, the same as Dom and I was, and neither side could let on that we were working together. As far as anybody was concerned we were business rivals.

Therefore we acted cordial but not friendly whenever we ran into each other.

“We’re closing boys, time to stop measuring your dicks and move along.” Pixie’s mirth filled voice rang out.

It was impossible to stop the grin even if I tried and neither could Kid.

Standing to one side I watched as Pixie finished her business with the Iron Dogz. Finally they left and Pixie, Kellen, the prospect and I were left in the shop.

“Kellen, sweetie, you can go. I’m safe with Gideon, and Jakes is here to follow me home, so no worries.”

“Are you sure? I can stay a bit longer, it won’t be a problem.” Kellen gave me a quick glance then looked back at her.

She shook her head and laughed. “Stop fooling yourself, Kel, there definitely will be a problem. That crazy person you’ve been banging has called so many times tonight at one point I felt like stomping on your phone to make it stop. Thank the pope you finally turned the damned thing off. You need to kick the bitch to the curb because she’s got crazy written all over her.”

Kellen shot another quick glance my way. “I’ll be doing exactly that tonight. I’ve had enough of the crazy bullshit she’s been pulling lately.”

But Pixie wasn’t happy with his decision. “No, not tonight. You don’t break up with her at her house, that’s not a good idea. And not at your place either. She’s the type who will beat herself up then call the po-po and tell them you assaulted her. You meet her in a public place and break it off with witnesses all around you, and then you walk away. Boom, done.”

“If you give me a little time I can have a background check done to see if she’s as crazy as Pixie says she is.” I shrugged when they all looked at me. “You have to be careful who you hook up with today. There are some serious crazies out there.”

“So you have your dates checked out? That’s so weird. And Dom, does he do it as well?” Pixie looked a tiny bit shocked and disgusted at the same time.

I sighed and shook my head. “You know who we are. We don’t take any chances with our safety, or yours, for that matter.”

She gave me pissed off narrow eyes. “Are you saying you bastards do checks on my dates? That’s an invasion of my privacy, asshole.”

“It’s not an invasion if it keeps you safe.”

She snorted derisively and then out of nowhere vitriol spewed from her like a vicious fountain.

“The only reason I’m in danger is because you and Dom are criminals who hide behind your pretty faces and fancy designer suits. I know exactly who you really are. You are dirty disgusting thugs and that’s why I want to get rid of my shares in that freaking company.” She spat vindictively.

And suddenly I had enough of always being painted in the blackest light possible. Yes, I’ve done some shady business deals and yes, I’ve got blood on my hands. A lot of blood. But did she ever stop to think why that was. Why Dom and I did what we did? No, not once. She was only too ready to point fingers and judge.

Enough was enough. It was time she heard the ugly truth. I moved until I was right in her personal space, dominating her.

“The only reason I’m not walking out of here and leaving you to Winifred’s tender mercies is because your brother trusts me to take care of you. If not for my loyalty to him I would leave it to the Road Warriors to try and protect you from her. And believe me little girl, they won’t be able to stop her from taking you and breeding you with one of her fucked up family members. And by breeding I mean being raped repeatedly until you’re pregnant…or dead. For years now we’ve done unmentionable shit to ensureyouhave the life your parents would have wanted for you. And did you even once think about asking Dom what it was like living in that damned house with that crazy hag or better yet, why he even stayed? No, you did not. You were only too happy to judge him, judge his choices, which by the way, he had no option but to make. And all those choices, every one of them, he made because of YOU. To keep YOU safe, to ensure YOU lived a good life even while his own life sucked.”

I put my hand over her mouth when she tried to talk and drew in a much needed breath.

“No, no little girl, it’s time for you to listen and not talk. Your brother is a goddamned hero. He gave up his life for you and your family’s legacy. I am proud to stand by his side and fight to get him what he wants. No matter what it takes I’ll happily do it because I know that if I ever needed him he would be right there, taking my back, no questions asked.”

Through my tirade Kellen had stood quietly and so had the prospect, neither of them interfered and when I turned to the door I realised why. Both my men were in the shop with us, ready to do whatever to protect me. I waved them off.

“I’m fine, no need to worry. Step back out. I’ll be with you in a minute.” I ordered and they reluctantly retreated back outside. One of them situated himself in such a manner that he could keep an eye on me and the parking area at the same time.

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