“Why would you want to dance with me?”
“Why not?”
“I’m not a very beautiful woman.”
“And you think I only want to be with beautiful women?”
“Why not? Most men do.”
“I’m not most men, sweetheart.”
“I’m confused right now.”
He chuckled. “You came good for the club. Against your father, that couldn’t have been easy. We’re all grateful for what you did.”
“It wasn’t a lot though.”
“No, it was something. It was more than a lot would give.”
She stared at his chest. Her heart raced, and she didn’t want to be dancing with Smokey but she also didn’t want him to be angry with her.
“Ugly Beast is my husband, and well, I’m loyal to him and the club.”
“You’re fucking terrified though, right?”
“I know the damage my family can do. I’m scared.”
“It’s good to be afraid, Abriana. It lets you know you’re alive, but don’t insult the club by thinking we can’t take care of ourselves. We can. Believe me. I want this fight with Garofalo.”
“You do?”
“One day, honey, you’re going to realize some things are not what they appear.” The dance had ended, and Smokey escorted her back to the table.
For the remainder of the night, she danced with several members of the club, but only with Ugly Beast’s permission. She didn’t want to, but she also didn’t want to offend anyone. The only person she was interested in was Ugly Beast.
Raven hugged her hard and promised to stop by later in the week. Abriana climbed on the back of Ugly Beast’s bike, giving her friend a wave. She wanted to be alone with Ugly Beast, and right now, that didn’t make a lot of sense to her.
****
Ugly Beast was starving. He’d already taken a shower, and now he needed to eat. Opening his fridge, he marveled at all the new ingredients that were stacked up. Grabbing some cheese and pickles, he started to make himself a sandwich just as Abriana entered he kitchen.
She came to a stop in the doorway. She wore one of those sexy negligees that showed off a great deal of flesh but also hung on her so he could see how big her tits were. The fabric didn’t do anything to hide her body from sight, and his cock thickened.
He’d hated sharing her with his brothers, letting them have a turn dancing with her, but it had all been for a reason. A very important reason. He wanted all the guys to know her, to take care of her.
She’d picked sides and was willing to go against her family in order to be loyal to the club. That had to be rewarded, and in doing so, he needed to keep her safe. There was no way he was ever letting anyone get to her to hurt her. He’d kill every single fucking man before he let that happen.
“Hungry?”
“Yes. I thought I ate enough wings, but clearly not.”
She looked so nervous. He didn’t want her to be nervous.
“Cheese and pickle?”
“I can eat that.”
She stepped into the kitchen. Her hands were pressed together, enhancing the rounded curves of her tits.
Again, he wanted to fuck her. He wanted to take his wife and discover every single inch of her. She stared into his eyes, not glaring at his face, or making him aware of the scars.
He wore a pair of sweatpants, no briefs underneath, and he wanted to fuck her. He wanted to take her so fucking hard and make her his.
She was his wife. Why wouldn’t he want to fuck her?
“Couldn’t sleep?” she asked.
“I’ve not even tried yet.”
“What are you doing tomorrow?” She tucked her hair behind her ear.
“What are you doing tomorrow?”
Her cheeks were on fire. “I was going to attempt that chicken again. I think I know what I did wrong.”
“Then I guess I’m going to be praying that I don’t get food poisoning.”
“You don’t have to eat it.”
“Oh, yeah, I do.” He winked at her. “Here’s your cheese and pickle sandwich.” He pushed the small plate toward her.
She took it, and he saw her nerves.
“But, what if it’s awful?”
“Only one way to find out.”
“You’re not doing anything else tomorrow?”
“Nothing of any importance, no.” Smokey had already told him he had to stay home. To keep her safe and to get her used to going to the club.
In a way, he had to train a full-grown woman how to live without the constant orders and instructions of the club. While he was doing that, Smokey and several of the guys were meeting up with their contact about Garofalo’s recent new best friends.
They needed more details before they could allow Abriana to answer a call from her father. He had no idea when it was going to ring. The cell phone was in his possession, which was why his wife now had to stay by his side at all times. The information they wanted Vigo to know would come to them soon enough.