“That woman needs a firm hand,” the warrior stated, looking over his shoulder at Odin.
“Are you doubtingmyskill now?” Odin raised a questioning brow.
“No, just your sanity.”
Chapter 23
Broni moved stiffly across the clubroom. It had been four days since she had been attacked, and her body was still sore, bearing the bruises of the hits the men had inflicted. She sat down at the first table she came to, biting her lip at the excruciating pain.
“Should you be out of bed?” Adam asked, sitting down beside her.
“I couldn’t lie in that bed another second. I needed to walk the stiffness out.”
Adam frowned. “When I go out, I’ll try to find something for pain.”
Broni covered his hand with hers. “Don’t. Those are the most dangerous spots. I’ll be fine in a couple of more days.”
When he didn’t say anything, she could tell she hadn’t convinced him. Any place that had anything medicinal was not worth the risk, though. Things had not gotten any better since her arrival on Earth. If possible, they had deteriorated even further. What government resources remained were protecting the utilities and water facilities, trying to keep those going as the world fell apart.
“Please, Adam.”
His harsh face softened momentarily. “We need to find a supply of the basic necessities anyway. We need to have certain items on hand.”
“All right, but it’s too late in the day now. Early morning is the best time for searches.”
Broni felt him searching her pale face. “There are a few hours of daylight left.”
“Wait until tomorrow, and I’ll tag along.”
“You’re not going out any more.”
“Yes, I am.” She wasn’t about to be left behind with Tank.
“I’ll take Tank and a few others.”
“No!” Broni said, clutching his hand harder. Tank would make sure Adam didn’t come back. He would use the opportunity to kill Adam. Here at the club surrounded by his men, Adam was protected; but outside the gates, he would be vulnerable. Jace and Fin were decent men, however they weren’t strong enough to cement Adam’s power.
Broni managed to drink a few sips of the broth that Abby brought to her. She had noticed the young girl had been hesitant to approach the table with Adam seated beside her; it hadn’t missed his notice, either. His harsh expression returned when she skittered away.
Broni turned curious eyes to his, not understanding Abby’s fear of him.
“I had to make my position obvious to the others when Tank returned, and she saw it all. Abby probably thinks I’m a bigger monster than Tank.”
Broni gazed at her as she served the men their food and drink while the men constantly tried to touch her.
“You need to stop that shit.” Broni inclined her head, seeing one of the bikers deliberately take his drink, letting his hand brush against her breast.
As Adam’s lips tightened, Broni guessed he didn’t like being told what to do.
“She needs to learn her place here.”
Broni almost threw her bowl at him. “Underneath one of your men?”
Broni started to get up, but Adam jerked her back down to her chair.“That’s not what I meant! She can’t stay hidden away in her room, she has to learn to deal with the men. There is plenty of willing pussy in the club, but she has to stand up for herself. When Jace backs her up, the men will leave her alone.”
“Jace? Why not you? If you told the men to leave her alone—”
“They accept Jace as her protector because he owns her.”