“I know enough to know this isn’t right.” Ugly Bastard finished off his beer and got to his feet.
Smokey did the same. “Do not screw this up.”
“You think I’m going to leave her here with those assholes? You can fucking forget it. There’s no chance of that ever happening. You got to do what you got to do, but she has to remain out of it.”
“For all you know, this bitch could be a spy and already you’re willing to roll over because she what? Has a virgin cunt?”
He stepped up close to his president. It was the first time he’d wanted to silence the words coming out of Smokey’s mouth. This girl didn’t deserve his compassion or his concern, and yet it was there. He felt responsible for her, and he wanted to take care of her.
“Don’t.”
“Be careful, Ugly Beast. There’s a reason why I picked you for this. I get that she’s young. Remember she’s still a Vigo, and that makes her a liability.”
“If she’s so liable, why did you even bother doing this bullshit marriage?”
“I told you. I’ve got my reasons, and when I need to explain them to you, I will. Until then, play the happily married man.”
“You need to tell me what game you’re playing.”
“Not playing any game yet. The moment I do, you’ll be one of the first to know.” Smokey nodded at him, and Ugly Beast gritted his teeth. This wasn’t what he wanted to hear.
Glancing over at Abriana, he saw her father was gripping her arm a little too tightly for his liking.
As he pushed his way through the crowd, several stepped out of his way. The fear on their faces was pleasing him. He liked their fear and knew he could get anything he wanted.
“I want this dance.” He took hold of Abriana’s hand, feeling her tremble, and shot a glance toward her father.
Vigo looked like he wanted to say something, but Ugly Beast tugged her. The dutiful little wife came with him, exactly how he knew she should.
He pulled her into his arms in the center of the dance floor for all to see. He had nothing to hide in his need for this woman. She smelled incredible, something floral and sweet. Unlike the women he usually fucked, she was untainted, unspoiled, brand-new.
Abriana was every man’s dream in being a virgin.
“You’re tense.”
“Sorry.”
He hated it whenever she used the word “sorry.” There was nothing to be sorry about, and yet it spilled from her lips like a broken record. He really needed to change that.
“What was that about?” he asked.
“Nothing.”
This time, he tensed up. “Don’t even for a second think you can protect him.”
“He’s my father.”
“He’s a piece of shit, Abriana. The moment I put that ring on your finger, you became club property. You need to understand that you haven’t got the time to shake your loyalty now, sweet thing. You’ve got to devote your life to us, to me. If you step out on the club, Vigo property or not, you’ll be fucking dead.”
She flinched as he called her Vigo property. He saw the tears in her eyes.
“Will you be the one to kill me?”
“If it’s what’s demanded of me. We’re a club. We’re brothers, and now you’re my wife. What did Vigo want?”
She looked toward her father.
Ugly Beast knew he was prowling around the edge of the dance floor, watching their every move. He had a sudden urge to drop his pants, and show him his ass. Once Abriana was with them, there would be no reason for this bullshit show.
“He was telling me how to please you. How I should … conduct myself this evening.”
“I thought your mother was supposed to guide you in that.”
“She has.”
“And?”
“My dad felt it was necessary to remind me that I’ve got a responsibility to them as well as to you. I’m just a pawn to be used, and it’s up to you how you use me. He reminded me that the blood between my legs is only worth one time.”
Ugly Beast tensed up.
“After that, I’m worthless.”
“And they think they’ve wasted that precious cunt blood on me.”
She went pale, and her gaze dropped to his chest. “I don’t know what they think.”
He noticed she never said his name.
“You have an idea?”
“No. I don’t know what they think. I never have.”
He nodded. It was honest, and he could handle honesty.
“It’s time for us to head on up. I’m sick of all the bullshit.”
This time, Abriana looked even more afraid.
“You think I’m going to hurt you?” he asked.
“I don’t know what you want to do with me.”
“Simple, we’re going to do what your tradition states, and then we’re leaving in the morning. I can’t stand these pompous assholes for another minute.” If he did, he really was going to stab a bunch of people, and that would ruin their nice and neat diplomatic crap Smokey had going on.