Free Stain (King's Harlots MC Book 2) by J.M. Walker

sorry.”
    “Fine. When we walk into the house tomorrow, if directed, you’ll be expected to follow like a dog. On your knees with a leash around your neck.”
    His words sounded around the room, but I could no longer focus on them. I would be treated like an animal. No, they probably got treated better. I would be garbage. Used for one thing and one thing only. How anyone could get off on this, I would never understand. Control and power, it was all they craved. They tortured females because it got them off. Because they could. Even the strong willed would eventually break. They always did.
    “I will be there by your side at all times but just in case, you need to follow the demands of anyone who asks them of you,” Asher continued.
    “What if I don’t?” I asked, my voice small.
    “They’ll hurt you. I can only protect you so much, Hummingbird. I will make it be known that if they touch you in any way, I will end them.” Asher brushed his fingers down my cheek.
    I tilted my head.
    He placed a soft kiss on my mouth, his lips igniting a burning need. “Be strong. For me.”
    “Please don’t leave me tomorrow. Whatever happens. I can only survive if you are there with me. We’re in this together,” I repeated the words I had told him years ago. When we approached his step-father. When we finally went to the police after much convincing on my part. His step-father broke, telling them he needed help, and that messed with Asher’s head more than the abuse. It confused him, and he had never been the same since.
    “I would never leave you. They’ll have to pry my cold broken body away before I’ll leave you alone with those fuckers.” He leaned his forehead against mine, his breathing shallow.
    “This brings back memories,” I whispered. “Doesn’t it?”
    “I’m trying not to let it but yes.”
    “I wish we didn’t have to go to Charles’ place. I wish … I wish we were in a different life. Born in a different time.”
    “You’re the only family I have,” Asher whispered. It had been so quiet I almost didn’t hear him. Clearing his throat, he rose to his feet. The solemn mood changed. He went from scared to dominating in a matter of seconds, and it threw me off. Ever since he was a child, he had been known to switch off his moods, his emotions. After what he experienced, I couldn’t blame him. It used to bother me at first, but then, I got it.
    “What time do we head out tomorrow?” I asked, knowing the conversation was over. It was time to get back into training. All of my years of experience couldn’t prepare me for this. No matter how hard I tried, I wasn’t ready.
    “A car picks us up at—” A phone rang, interrupting the impending conversation. “Shit.” Asher put the cell to his ear. “Yeah.” His gaze met mine, his brows furrowing. “Fine. We also need to talk about some matters that can’t wait. Your men, tell them to stop following me and sitting outside of my house. That’s exactly what I said. You think I don’t know? You clearly have no idea who you are dealing with, Charles. I have a lot of money riding on this. I already put half down, you want the rest? Get your men off my tail.” Asher hung up the phone, closed his eyes, and waited. The phone rang again. “Deal?” He smirked. “Good. Now about tomorrow.” He paced back and forth. “She will not be touched. If anyone, including you, lay a finger on her, I will break every bone, forcing you immobile. The only thing you will be able to do is stare at me while I peel every inch of skin off your broken body.”
    I shivered at his dark words.
    “You think I’m kidding?” Asher chuckled. “Try me. I don’t care who you are. I will find another way into the house. I don’t need you or those bastards. Good. I’m glad we understand each other.”
    I left the room quietly, leaving him alone to talk to that man. He was a person I wanted nothing to do with, but unfortunately, life had a funny way of bringing people