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

more scared of some fucking enemy that’s not even come out yet. You’re my Prez and my friend, but don’t think for one second that I’ll let you tell me what to do when it comes to the woman I’m fucking. If you do, this will go both ways, and I’ll let Clara right at your ass.”
    “Don’t fight,” Vicky said, startling both of them.
    Payne took a step back, and King glanced toward the door. She wore one of Payne’s shirts, and it stopped at her knees.
    He also noticed the pain and the hurt in Vicky’s eyes.
    “What’s the matter, baby?” Payne asked.
    “I heard you shouting, and I was worried.”
    “You’ve got nothing to be worried about. We’re all fine down here.”
    “Did you just get in, King?” she asked.
    “Yeah. I spent the night with Clara.”
    “How is she?”
    “She’s fine. It’s not easy to figure out what she’s thinking.”
    “No, it’s not.”
    “Why don’t you go back to bed, babe,” Payne said.
    “It’s morning. I don’t want to.”
    Vicky moved into the room, going toward the coffee pot.
    “What’s Clara’s story?” King asked.
    He figured she’d be the best person to know what he was up against.
    “You expect me to spill all of Clara’s secrets?”
    “You’re best friends with her. You’re going to know a lot more than me, and the best way of actually keeping her here in Grit.”
    Vicky sighed, and her shoulders drooped. She turned around, nursing her coffee. “You’d think I’d know how to keep my best friend in place, but the truth is, I don’t know how.”
    Payne moved up beside Vicky, and King was shocked when she stepped away from him. Usually Vicky was the one vying for Payne’s attention.
    “Why does she move around a lot?”
    “Most of the time Clara gets bored with where she’s staying. She’ll move on to try to find something exciting, something different. When that doesn’t happen, she tends to always find a reason.” Vicky chuckled. “You know, when we were in high school, she was the one who wanted to have the family, the kids, and settle down. That’s not the woman she is now though. Over time she changed, and it stopped being what she wanted. Now, you can’t keep her in one place.”
    The woman who wanted to settle down was not the woman King knew—far from it.
    “What made her move away?”
    Vicky shook her head. “No, I can’t do it. Clara’s my best friend. If she wants to tell you why she travels, then it’s up to her.” She turned to look at Payne. “You don’t need to go warning him about what it would do. Regardless of who forces Clara away, her leaving will hurt.”
    “Baby,” Payne said.
    “No, I can’t do this right now. You’re not fair. I promised you I wouldn’t do this in front of the club, and I won’t.” She glanced toward King, and she gave him a smile. “I’m going to get dressed.”
    She left the room, carrying her coffee along with her.
    “Fuck!” Payne ran fingers through his hair, looking pissed off.
    “If you ask me, Prez, the only person hurting that girl is you.” King slapped him on the back.
    “She knows why I can’t claim her.”
    King was tired of hearing the same old excuses. It pissed him off. Yes, there were dangers out there, but if the club knew she was Payne’s old lady, she’d be more protected than club pussy. Their enemies were many, and they didn’t care who they killed to hurt the club. Club pussy was expendable to some of their enemies. The club did what they could to keep them safe, but there was only so much they could do.
    “I’m going to catch a couple of hours.”
    Leaving his Prez, he made his way toward this room and found Vicky sitting on the steps, sipping at her hot coffee.
    “What are you doing here?”
    “Sitting, waiting.”
    “What are you waiting for?”
    “You to go so I could talk with Payne.”
    “He does love you, you know.”
    “It’s kind of hard to believe when he won’t even accept me.” She sighed. “Forgive me. I promised to