“They only said them because they thought—”
“I know what they thought, Dog.” She put a hand on his arm to stop him. “What bothers me is they didn’t even doubt my loyalty. They … believed it. I’ve never given any of you cause to believe that I wasn’t one hundred percent invested in this patch. I am. Club whore or not, this is my family and they were able to believe me so weak.” This time she let the tears fall. Her pain so acute.
“Right now, it hurts. I don’t want to hug my mom or sister. I don’t want to talk to people. It’s easy with you because you knew the truth but, really, you thought I was with every single guy.” She looked down on the ground. “Everyone always assumes the worst of me, and right now, I just, I need some time.”
“Would you like me to leave you alone?”
“No. I’d like for us to have the day together. Where it’s just me and you. None of this other crap, if that’s okay? Fake smiling isn’t my thing.”
He smiled but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. She wondered if she’d messed up, talking so openly about her pain.
“I want you
to know that you can come to me about anything,” he said.
“I know.” She pressed her head to his shoulder, taking the comfort and peace his strength always gave her. “Let’s get something to eat.”
Chapter Nine
Dog thought after the first few days back home, Sable would be able to settle back in. It still hadn’t happened. She was acting like a pariah, not speaking to anyone and keeping to herself. He couldn’t say he blamed her, but it still wasn’t healthy.
He’d just gotten out of a meeting with Forge and a few of the higher ranks when Honey crossed his path in the yard. He really hated the bitch after what she’d put Sable through.
“Want some company tonight, Dog?”
Dog had never slept with her and had no intention of starting now. He knew he needed to make his relationship with Sable public. He’d talk to Forge about it this week. Sable was the only woman he wanted as his old lady. Soon everyone would know.
“I’m on my way to see your sister.” He attempted to walk around her, but she held on to his arm.
“Sable?”
“Yeah, that’s your sister’s name.” He tugged his arm free.
“Why you want to be with her, anyway? She’s not one of us. She liked being a civilian. I saw it in her eyes. You think she didn’t fuck the cop?”
He gritted his teeth. Sable was right. Her family would never love her how she deserved. “Did you hear what Forge said when she came home? It was all a fucking act. At Forge’s request. She did nothing wrong.”
“We all know the real story.”
“And what’s that?” He wanted to wrap his hands around her neck and steal the life right out of her.
“She’s never been a real part of the club. Even our mom’s ashamed of her. She’s a goody two-shoes and you’ll never get anything but boring vanilla sex out of her,” she said. “Me, on the other hand, I’ll do anything you ask. I have a reputation for a reason.”
Dog looked down at her. “I’m done with club pussy. Stay the fuck away from me.”
He headed upstairs to his room. Sable had recently taken a shower. She sat on the edge of the bed, drying her hair with a towel. He’d always loved her long hair, loved how it felt wrapped in his fists as he fucked her.
“Meeting over?” she asked.
He nodded. The encounter with Honey still didn’t sit well with him.
“You’ve been cooped up for days already. Forge said it could be months before he gives you any freedom.”
“I don’t mind,” she said. “It’s better than playing the role of Hank’s girlfriend.”
He couldn’t agree more.
“Not acceptable. Get ready, I’m taking you out for a ride. You need some fresh air.”