Kenny faced her, looking angry but under control. He was pissed because she wanted to put her life on the line to capture Triumph. She understood that because they cared for her as she cared for them. Even as she said the words back in Wyatt’s office, she felt her rear tingle as if a reminder to their pledge to protect her. She just went against everything she promised.
“Don’t say it, Kenny. Don’t yell at me, don’t throw me over your knee and spank me, just don’t do anything, Kenny, but listen. Listen to where I’m coming from and why I was compelled to offer what I did.”
Kenny released her arms, crossed his arms in front of his chest, and stared at her. He was angry all right, and looking at Bryant, Quinn, and Blake’s facial expressions made her take a deep breathe.
“What is going on?” Blake asked.
“Yeah, what the hell happened in there?” Quinn asked next.
“Lena offered to be bait to catch Triumph,” Kenny spit out, and she shook her head as the others began to carry on.
“Damn it, Kenny, it wasn’t like that and you know it. Did you hear what the detective said? Did you hear what the preliminary reports on Ariel’s body found? She was raped, Kenny. Multiple times and probably by multiple men. She was beaten, and she was stabbed in her stomach then dumped into a Dumpster like a piece of garbage!” Lena yelled as the tears began to fall. She was shaking. Bryant moved toward her, and she raised her hand for him to go no further.
“Did you hear about those innocent people gunned down at the bus stop? He’s killed, raped, destroyed people’s lives, Kenny, and now he could have Sage. He doesn’t belong free on the streets, he belongs dead or in jail.”
“That is not your place to be the one to put him there, damn it. Lena, didn’t you listen to what we told you last night? So easily you would defy our commitment and place yourself in the ultimate danger?” Kenny countered, taking a step toward her. She took another step back but bumped into Quinn. His hand held her shoulders. His chest was snug against her back as Kenny’s steps devoured the space between him and her.
He reached up to cup her cheek as he held her gaze. Kenny shook his head.
“Your life has been about dodging danger and death, surviving on your own, and dodging the same group of people you’re now ready to throw yourself right in front of? That’s not acceptable, that is not an option, Lena, and that is the bottom line. I understand that you want to help. I understand your anger and upset over the details of your friend’s death and of that family that suffered, but you are not going to be the one to catch Triumph and his buddies and bring justice. You are ours to love and protect.”
She felt the tears roll down her cheeks, and she couldn’t help but feel the ache in her heart for Sage.
“I feel terrible inside. I should have found Sage and brought her with me, but instead I was so scared for my own life I never thought that Ariel would wind up dead or that Sage would be in such danger.”
Quinn squeezed her shoulders then wrapped his arm around her waist from behind to pull her against him.
“You didn’t do anything wrong, Lena. You don’t owe anyone any explanations. Sage chose the life just as Ariel had.”
“Sage is different, Quinn. I won’t be able to live my life unless I at least know that she’s okay.”
Kenny cupped her cheek, and she looked up toward his eyes.
“We’ll see what we can do to help make that happen, Lena. Let the detective see what he comes up with questioning Triumph and his friends.”
“Please don’t leave me out of the loop, Kenny. Maybe there are other ways that I can help. I do know a bit about his gang, including where they tend to hide out and other things they’re into that the detective might be able to use as leverage.”
“We’ll see, Lena. Let’s head home. You look exhausted.” He took her hand, and Quinn took the other as they walked back down the hill, ready to head home.
Chapter 18
Lena was sitting with Bryant on the living room rug helping him with his exercises. Every time he lifted up he would either steal a kiss or cop a feel. He kept running his hand up her shirt to caress her skin or touch her breast. They had their feet locked together as they did sit-ups, helping one another. As Bryant came up, he kissed her on the mouth.
“Concentrate!” she reprimanded then lay back down and sat up again.
He grabbed her shoulders this time.
“Bryant, you have two more sets to do.”
“I have a better way of working out, Lena,” he teased as he unlocked their ankles and pulled her between his legs on top of him.
“Bryant!” she yelled as his arms wrapped around her and he rolled her to her back, pinning her to the rug.
He thrust his hips against the V between her thighs.
“You are so frustrating,” she stated then smiled.
“You are so hot, and demanding as you count out the reps. I want to be inside you.”