“I’ve got to go sort out Edward tomorrow.” He gritted his teeth. Saying his name aloud made it hard for him to cope. The boy was such a f**king disappointment and a danger. Eva walked farther into the room.
“So?”
“He almost killed you, Eva. I can’t let that f**ker in my club again.”
“I’m not a member of your club, Tiny. I’m not an old lady or a sweet-butt. I’m nothing.”
“You’re not nothing, and you know it.”
“Do I? Edward has been part of your life for a long time now, and you’re just going to throw that all away because he made a mistake?”
“Don’t fight for him. He’s not worth it.”
She threw her arms up in the air. “Why are you being so f**king difficult? Out of the twenty-nine years you’ve known him, he’s let slip this once. How can you justify in hurting him?”
Tiny stood up. “Because he aimed for you.” He walked around the desk, standing over her. She looked up at him, exposing the long length of his neck. “Any of the women and I wouldn’t give a f**k about what he’d done. He risked hurting you, and that I can’t accept.”
Her expression softened. “I’m fine.”
Pressing his hand to her chest, he felt her rapidly beating heart. “If he’d not missed he’d be dead by now, and so would Lash. I’d kill everyone who threatens you, Eva.”
Tears were glistening in her eyes. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he breathed in her scent.
“I’m not that important, Tiny. You know it, and I do. Forgive him.” She pulled away from him like she’d done so many times before.
He didn’t know what to do to get her back. There were times he thought he was making progress, and then he’d slip up. When was he ever going to get what he wanted from her?
What did he want from her?
“I can’t.”
“Then you’re not a very good leader.” With those words hanging in the air, she turned on her heel and walked out of the door.
Watching her go, he went back to his desk and dropped his hand in his hands. Would he be forever cursed to screw up around her? Eva evoked feelings within him that terrified the life out of him. He wasn’t ready to let her go. Tiny felt it was only a matter of time before she moved on, and he didn’t have a choice.
Chapter Seven
Edward stared at the vomit on the floor. He heard Sophia running around trying to clear it up. Tiny was going to arrive any minute. Killer had moved him away from the vomit and soaped him down. He needed a bath badly. The stench of the last couple of days was starting to turn his stomach more than the withdrawal. His diet of porridge and water was starting to wear thin as well.
“Don’t worry about the mess. I’ll see to it. It’s my job to make sure he’s fine.” Sophia pushed Killer out of the way. He watched the big guy take a seat and begin reading the newspaper. Edward didn’t even know the other man could read. “How are you feeling?” Sophia asked, cupping his cheek.
Her touch made him burn from the inside out. Fuck he wanted to be inside her so bad. When he was well and sober he was going to spend a month f**king her hard. She’d like it rough.
“Like I’ve been run over by a f**king bus.”
She smiled. “That’s good.”
“Me being in pain is good?”
“No, you being able to tell me that is good.” She kissed his lips and wrinkled her nose. “You need to brush your teeth. You stink.”
He laughed despite not wanting to.
“Get away from him,” Tiny said, invading their moment. He tensed up, and Sophia tightened her grip on his face.
“It’ll be okay.” She got up, grabbing her stuff and leaving his side. Edward looked up to see the guy who’d beaten him badly. Tiny was f**king huge and scary. The scowl on his face gave evidence to his temper. Great, if Tiny got hold of him, he was f**ked.
Tiny reached out grabbing Sophia’s arm and drawing her in close. He heard her squeal and try to hide it. Tensing in the cuffs, he glared at where Tiny was holding his woman.
“What were you doing that close to him?” Tiny asked.
“He’s been sick. I was cleaning him up.” Her voice was small, but she didn’t cower away from the man.
“I told you not to get too close,” Lash said, speaking up.
“Someone had to clean him, and I didn’t see the big lug giving me a hand. I did what I had to do.” She tried to get Tiny to leave her alone. The leader of The Skulls kept his hand on her. “Let go.”
“Get your hands off her,” Edward said. He’d had enough of the power play.
“Are you talking to me, boy?”
“She’s not your concern. Sophia is helping you, but that doesn’t give you the right to be a dick toward her. I’m the one you’ve got a problem with. Me. I was the one who almost killed Eva. Deal with me.”
Tiny let Sophia go. “You’re right. My issue is with you.”
The big man walked toward her. “Get these cuffs off him, Lash. He and I are going to have a little chat.”
Swallowing past the lump in his throat, Edward stared past Tiny’s shoulder to see the fear on her face.
“It’s all right. Nothing is going to happen,” he said.
Lash released the cuffs and helped him out of the room. He looked behind him as Sophia made to go to him. Killer held her back. His arm was across her chest stopping her from moving.
They didn’t leave the building. He heard the doors being shut as they moved far away from the room with Sophia.
Tiny opened the far door on the right leading out to what looked like a gym. “Some of the boys have been using this place to make their own amusement. I thought it was rather inventive of them.”
Edward didn’t comment. It was the first time he was able to move around. Instead of using the time to his advantage he collapsed onto the floor sitting on his butt.
“Are you begging me for forgiveness?” Tiny asked.
“No, I know you better than to beg. You won’t give me forgiveness until you feel that I’ve earned it.” He was cold away from his blanket. Fuck, his life had gotten so messed up. “Are you going to finish what you started?”
“Am I going to kill you?”
“Yeah.”
Tiny let out a sigh. Lash was stood near the far wall with his arms folded. “No, I’m not going to kill you.”
The news surprised him. He expected the next time he saw Tiny he’d be dead within seconds. “If you’re not here to kill me then what are you here for?”