Page 32 of Rough Start

“They’d really try to get to me through her?” Kye asked, and Grier gave him a look that informed him just how stupid that question was. “Can you get her out of here?”

“Sure, man,” Grier agreed and clapped his friend on the shoulder before making his way back to Eliana. She was sitting at the counter, still shaking, when the older waitress handed over the paper sack with her food. Clearly wracked with guilt, Eliana didn’t even have to pay. “I’ll walk you out,” Grier offered, and Eliana stared longingly over at Kye who could only send her an apologetic look.

“Why is he just sitting there?” she asked in confusion and bitterness. Wasn’t Kye supposed to be the one coming to her rescue? Running interference between her and his gang?

“I’ll explain, just…” He trailed off as the bell above the door rang, and the three guys came back in. “Act like you like me.” Throwing his arm around her shoulder again, he guided her toward the door.

“Where are you going?” Wayne asked as he stopped them in the doorway. Eliana felt a wave of fear overtake her, and Grier tucked her closer.

“Party girl owes me a favor for buying her dinner,” he said suggestively. “Won’t be long.” Wayne looked from Grier down to Eliana who did her best to look placid.

“You’ve got ten minutes,” Wayne relented. “This cherry looks tight, I doubt you’ll last five.”

“I’ll do my best,” Grier said, chuckling and hurrying out the door with Eliana still tucked under his arm. When they were outside into the night and around the corner of the diner, Eliana pulled away from him and huffed loudly. “You could say thanks,” Grier called, and she stopped in her tracks.

“Thanks? Those assholes are your friends! They were going to rape me!”

“I doubt that,” Grier said, pulling a cigarette from his cut and lighting it. “They’d have copped a few feels and gotten you all riled up, but rape? Doubt it.”

“Gee, I feel so much better,” she said sarcastically.

“You should, you have no idea how bad that could have gotten.”

“You said they weren’t going to rape me…”

“Wouldn’t stop them from beating the shit out of you and your boyfriend,” Grier offered. Eliana looked confused again, and he walked toward her. “Aren’t you wondering why Kye just sat there?”

“Of course…”

“He’s making something of himself in the Demons. He’s rising in the ranks, and fast. He’s got a target on his back, and there’s a lot of guys who would love to tear him to pieces. They’re going after him and anyone he cares about. Like you.”

“Why? I don’t have anything to do with your gang.”

“Like it or not, if you’re with Kye, you have a lot to do with us. It’s not personal—it’s politics.”

“So Kye asked you to step in?” she asked softly as understanding overcame her, though it did little to settle her nerves. Grier nodded and handed her a cigarette. Without fully understanding why she took it from him, she inhaled her first drag of nicotine. Letting it out with a cough, Grier laughed and took it back.

“You are cherry, aren’t you?” he asked with amusement, and she glared at him. “Don’t worry, I like my women sluttier than you.”

“Thanks?”

“You’re welcome,” he tossed back, and Eliana smiled softly. “Is he going to be okay?”

“Kye?”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t know,” Grier admitted and the two exchanged looks and sighed simultaneously. “Let’s get you home.”

“Holy shit,” Grier laughed as Kye walked into the main room of the clubhouse. Though members were crowded in small pockets, most turned to throw catcalls and whistles at Kye as he made his way through the room. His black hair was styled into a classy slick-back look, and instead of his usual cotton shirt and jeans, he wore a black suit jacket over a silver satin dress shirt complete with a metallic black bowtie and matching black slacks. His leather shoes were shined to perfection, and he’d bought himself a new watch with a reflective face.

“Thank you, thank you!” Kye called to the onlookers who didn’t relent in their amused jeers.

“You look like one of those douches who plays piano in a fancy department store,” Grier goaded as he joined him in walking toward the front of the building.

“Coincidentally, I applied for a job as one of those douches who plays piano at a department store,” Kye teased.

“Can’t believe you’re bothering with prom, how lame is that?” Grier asked, but there was an element of envy to his voice.