Free King (Grit Chapter Book 2) by Sam Crescent, Jenika Snow

couldn’t help but sneer at him. This man, he was hurting her friend, and he didn’t even care enough to see it.
    Vicky is a big girl, and this is her life and the way she wants to lead it.
    “What the fuck was that all about?” Payne asked.
    “Payne? What the fuck is going on between you two?” King asked, looking between them.
    “No, King. She wants to give out dirty fucking stares, then let her. I’m not going to accept them unless she has a good enough reason.”
    Folding her arms, Clara rounded the counter and made sure nothing was between them. She wasn’t afraid of this man, not when he was hurting Vicky’s emotions. “Yeah, I’ve got a problem with you. You’re a fucking asshole. What’s worse, my friend doesn’t see it. You’re using her and getting what you want, but you’re too much of a chicken shit to even see it yourself. You hide behind cowardly excuses, and that just makes me sick.” Clara was not about to rein it in. “Can’t you see what’s right in front of you?”
    “Don’t for one second think you can come—”
    Holding her hand up, she silenced him. She probably had a death wish, but she didn’t care. “I’ve known Vicky my whole life, and she’s in love with you, but she wants you so much she doesn’t care what kind of relationship you’re in. I know her, Payne. You’re killing her with how you’re using her.”
    “I’m not using her.” Payne looked pissed. Good, because she was too.
    “Then claim her as your old lady! You screw her and toss her aside. You don’t see the real pain you’re causing but it’s going to get her killed.”
    “I would never let anything happen to her.” Payne ran a hand over his hair, looking and sounding frustrated.
    “Oh yeah, what about if it was to be at her own hand?” Clara let him think about that. “Vicky is a good woman, but she can only take so much. She has a history of ... hurting herself. If you keep pushing her away, if you keep on hurting her, and she doesn’t see a way out, she gets down. I know Vicky. She’s fragile when it comes to her love. Why do you think I try to see her often? You’re the first person I’ve seen her really truly fall for, and that scares me. You put her at risk making her some club whore, but you don’t even have the balls to claim her properly.”
    “She’s a grown ass woman and knows what she wants,” Payne growled out.
    She pointed at King. “All of your boys, King included would protect her with their lives if you showed them that she meant something, but you just won’t do it. Others may be afraid to stand up to you, but I’m not.” She looked at Bill. “I wouldn’t join the club—you’re better than that.” Shoving Payne hard, she walked away, not caring about the chaos she left behind.

Chapter Sixteen

    C lara was sweating, but it was the good kind of perspiration, the kind that told her she was having a good time. The music was loud, pumping, and the club was packed with so many people she could smell the sweat and arousal fill the room.
    Vicky and Bridget were dancing just a few feet from her, their smiles wide, and the obviousness of them having a good time made Clara feel good about making this night happen. She lifted her hand and gestured for something to drink, and Vicky nodded. Bridget did the same, and Clara pushed her way through the throng of bodies to go to the bar. The line was ridiculous, but she needed a little reprieve from the heat and suffocation of dancing in the club.
    When her turn to order finally came up, she leaned on the bar and ordered three girlie but strong drinks. As she waited for the alcohol to be passed her way, she turned and faced the bar. She could see Vicky and Bridget still dancing, and she found herself smiling.
    “Here you go.”
    She turned and faced the bartender. He wore a silver sequin top, his muscles pronounced, and the scent of his cologne washing through her.
    Making her way through the throng of people once more, she