Chapter 72 You’re not welcome here anymore
“Oh, I left at the end of my third year. I would’ve graduated last month with a degree in Linguistics and a minor in Hospitality.”
“Wait, I have so many questions,” Catalina said. “How many languages do you know?”
“Well, besides English, I’m fluent in Mandarin, Spanish, French, and Japanese. I can get by in Arabic, Russian, and Vietnamese. I understand German pretty well, but I can’t speak it much—mostly just the bad words. But I want to learn it properly someday,” she said with another laugh.
“Holy crap, that’s incredible,” Jenna said. We all nodded.
“Why did you leave school?” Catalina asked.
I saw the color leave Lia’s face. Her eyes jumped to Owen. My eyebrows went up, and I noticed Hex, Viper, and Torque all react the same way.
“Oh, um…” she started, but Owen spoke over her.
“Her dad died. She fell into a bad place for a while,” he said, plain and honest.
“Yeah,” Lia said, her shoulders dropping a little.
“I’m sorry,” Catalina murmured.
“It’s alright, really. So when do we eat? I’m so hungry I could eat a whole horse,” Lia said, clearly steering the conversation away.
“I heard Doc call out that the food’s ready. Let’s go get you a plate,” I said, taking her hand and helping her up.
We got in line. Lia stood in front of me, and I was enjoying the view when I felt hands wrap around my waist from behind.
“Hey, Beast, baby. You need some company tonight? Maybe we can play with that tongue ring of yours again.”
My eyes went wide as I turned and saw Raven behind me.
“Ray, what are you doing here? Does Doc know you came?”
“He knows. Just because I’m not his Old Lady anymore doesn’t mean I’m not allowed at dinner. I have a contract.”
“Since when?”
“Since today. Doc said the only way I come back is as a club girl. He won’t touch me, but that doesn’t mean you can’t. We’ve had fun before. You, me, Doc, and Amber. Remember?”
“That was before. Before you cheated on him, before everything changed. I don’t do that anymore.”
“Yeah, right. I heard Kiki woke you up with her mouth this morning. She told everyone.”
“So? I didn’t ask her to. She did her job, then went and messed around with Butcher. That’s what she’s here for. And to answer your question, no. I don’t need a club girl now or ever. I’ve got a woman right here. Isn’t that right, sweetness?” I turned and pulled Lia tight against my side. I looked down at her. Her eyes were huge, her mouth open.
“Um, what?” she managed.
“I was telling Raven I don’t need anyone in my bed. I have you. You’re all I need.”
I almost laughed at the look on her face. She was panicking, no doubt about it. I squeezed her side and tipped my head toward Raven.
“Um, yeah. That’s right.”
Raven’s face hardened. She spat out something in another language, her tone nasty.
I didn’t understand the words, but I knew by the way Lia went rigid beside me that she did. Her face transformed from surprise to pure fire. This sweet girl had fight in her.
Lia answered back in the same language, her voice cold and clear.
Raven cursed again, then lunged forward.
I caught Raven around the waist and hauled her up over my shoulder before she could reach Lia.
“Be right back, sweetness. Can you put some ribs, corn, and beans on a plate for me? And three pieces of cornbread. Thanks, darlin’.” I leaned down and kissed Lia on the nose. Her mouth fell open again, cheeks burning red. Fucking adorable.
I carried the screaming woman out of the clubhouse, all the way to the gate where two prospects stood.
“Open it,” I ordered.
Outside, I set Raven down on the curb.
“What the fuck, Beast!”
“You’re not welcome here anymore. Your contract’s done. I’ll tell Doc and Butcher you’re banned. I didn’t know what you were saying in there, but I got the feeling. You insulted my woman, my soon-to-be woman, and then you tried to put your hands on her. If you ruined this for me, I will find you. She is my second chance. Do not test me,” I growled the words right into her face.
I turned and walked back inside. I took one deep breath before pushing the door open.
My eyes scanned the room for Lia.
“Motherfucker,” I muttered under my breath.
There she was, surrounded by prospects, all of them grinning like fools.
Do these guys not get it? She’s mine.