Page 25 of Cold Bastard
“You’re assigning me a babysitter?” I said, my voice dangerously low.
“I’m assigning you protection,” Zeus corrected. “If someone’s looking for you, and I think someone is, then you need someone watching your back.”
“I don’t need protection. I need—”
“You need to do what you’re told,” he said, his voice hardening. “This isn’t a negotiation, Alexandra. This is how it’s going to be. Abyss goes with you. Everywhere. Until I’m satisfied that you’re not bringing heat down on this club.”
“This is bullshit,” I snapped, standing up so fast my chair scraped against the floor. “You can’t just—”
“I can,” Zeus calmly replied. “And I am. You’re under this club’s protection now, whether you like it or not. That means you follow our rules.”
I looked at Oscar, desperate for him to say something, to argue, to tell Zeus this was too much. But he just stood there, his expression unreadable.
Traitor.
“How long?” I asked through gritted teeth.
“As long as it takes.” Zeus smirked.
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only one you’re getting.”
I wanted to scream. Wanted to flip the table and tell them all to go fuck themselves. Wanted to walk out of this room and never look back. But I couldn’t. Because walking out meant losing Oscar’s protection. Meant being on my own with no backup and no resources. And it meant possibly missing the meet withBrotherDocstonight.
Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.
“Fine,” I said, the word tasting like poison. “Whatever.”
“Good.” Zeus stood, signaling the end of the meeting. “Abyss, you start now. Don’t let her out of your sight.”
The prospect nodded eagerly, like he had just been given the most important assignment of his life. I wanted to punch him. Instead, I turned and walked out of the room, my hands clenched into fists at my sides. Oscar followed me into the hallway, catching my arm before I could make it to the exit.
“Alex—”
“Don’t,” I said, jerking my arm away. “Don’t you dare try to justify this.”
“Zeus is trying to protect you.”
“Zeus is trying to control me. There’s a difference.”
“He’s doing what’s best for the club.”
“And what about what’s best for me?” I demanded, my voice rising. “Did anyone in that room stop to think about that? Or am I just another problem you need to manage?”
Oscar’s jaw tightened. “You’re my sister. I’m always thinking about what’s best for you.”
“Then tell Zeus to call off his dog.”
“I can’t do that.”
“You mean you won’t.”
“Alex.”
“Forget it,” I said, turning away. “I’ll deal with it myself.”
I pushed through the gathering room and headed back upstairs. Behind me, I could hear footsteps—Abyss, no doubt, already starting his new job as my personal shadow.
