“Oh,” she said.
“I need you to get close to Hank, then he’ll lead you right to Luther. You’re to gather as much information as you can and bring it back to the club.”
Sable was tense and Dog didn’t like this.
“But they know that I’m part of the club. Hank knows. They won’t buy it.”
Forge opened his desk drawer and pulled out a file with a set of keys. “Not unless to the outside world, you’re not part of us. I’ve got a house, a car, and I’ve arranged for a job as well. You’ll not be in the club, living here, or be with any of the boys. I know this is going to take some time, Sable, but the club needs this and you’re the first person to have ever gotten under Hank’s skin.”
“Can I think this over?” she asked.
“You can.”
“What about after?”
“You’re always welcome to the club, Sable. This is your home and Beth wouldn’t have it any other way. You’ve got a couple of days to think it over.” He closed the file and placed it back in his desk.
Sable got to her feet and without a word or a look toward him, was gone.
“I don’t like this,” Dog said.
“I didn’t ask you what you liked or not, Dog. This is what’s going to happen. Sable’s a club whore and we need to go after Grass. He’s putting a lot of pressure on the club and if I can deal with him quickly and swiftly, I will. Besides, I thought you said so yourself, she’s just club pussy.”
****
Sable stared into the room she’d been living in at the clubhouse for a long time now. This was her space. A couple of the guys had stayed the night, thinking something had happened, but even the boys couldn’t fight the consequences of alcohol.
There were a lot of secrets about her life. No one knew the truth, not even Beth.
Speaking of which, her best friend let herself in.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, just thinking.”
“I was expecting you in the kitchen. I figured a nice hot chocolate would make you feel better.”
She giggled. “You always do know what makes me feel better.”
Beth sat down on the edge of the bed. “I wish I knew what could make you smile right now.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine. It doesn’t take a genius to see that you’re hurting.”
“It’s nothing. Believe me.” She pressed her lips together even as the tears filled her eyes.
“Oh, this isn’t nothing, Sable. Please, don’t cry.”
Beth wrapped her arms around her and held her tightly. It wasn’t lost on Sable that it was her best friend offering her comfort and not her mother. She held on to her friend and sobbed. She didn’t even know what she was crying about.
“Is this about Forge and what he wants you to do?” Beth asked.
This made Sable pull away and stare at her friend. “You know?”
“Of course, I know. I don’t like it. I hope you don’t agree to it. It sounds dangerous. I don’t like the sound of Hank at all. He’s a cop and he thinks he can go around hurting you.” Beth held her hand. “I don’t like it.”
“You can keep saying that but it doesn’t change the facts.”
Beth looked at her. “Oh, you’re going to do it, aren’t you?”
“The club needs me, Beth.”
“What about Dog?”
Hearing his name sent a spike of pain rushing through her. “What about him? It’s not like he wants me, is it? I’m just a club whore to him.” She stared at her hands where they rested in her lap. Her feelings for Dog were making her weak, pathetic, and she didn’t want to appear like either to him.
He’d always been nice to her, but now, there was this distance. She could handle being called a club pussy and having guys randomly grope her just so she could be near Dog. Her hope was that he might take a chance on her, but he wouldn’t. She’d been living an illusion. Dog saw her as nothing.
She was never going to get her happy ending, but at least the club would be able to continue without Grass’s influence. After her meeting with Forge, she’d logged onto her laptop and researched him. The promises he was making. It was scary. He viewed the club as dirty and the members as animals.
She hated him just from his description of them alone.
“If I was anyone else, I’d believe that.” Beth touched her hand. “Come on. You can talk to me.”
“I’m fine. I’m going to do this for the club, and then I’ll figure out something. You don’t have to worry about me.”
“I will always worry about you,” Beth said. “You’ve always been so nice to me.”
Sable smiled. “It’s not like you’re a hard person to get along with.”
“Yeah, but look at the start I had here. It’s taken me a long time to find my place and I know the only reason I have is because of you.”