Chains

A sking the chick behind the bar out and failing made him want a redo. Maybe he'd find a bar fly hanging out in the back of the room and get her to go home with him. For some reason, Sprite had him feeling as though he needed to prove his masculinity.

"Saw you talking to Sprite last night," Savage said. "I take it she turned you down?"

"Yeah, she said that she doesn't date guys in the club, and I respect her decision," lied. He didn't respect one damn thing about Sprite turning him down. His inner caveman wanted to grab her, hoist her over his shoulder, and carry her out of that bar, but he was sure that wouldn't go over well. He knew Savage and Bowie well enough to know that they wouldn't allow him to do that.

"Good," Savage said, "because Sprite is like family to us, and I'd hate to have to beat your ass for not respecting her." The last thing he wanted was to go up against a guy like Savage. Not only was he the club's Prez, but he was also a big guy and would probably be able to take him out with a few well-placed punches.

"Well, that won't be a problem," he assured. "I've already moved on." That was a total lie too. He hadn't moved on and damn it, he planned on asking her out again the next time he saw her, not that he'd tell Savage that.

"She's just been through a lot," Savage said. "I don't want to see her get hurt."

"And you think that I'm the kind of guy that would hurt her?" he asked.

"That's not what I said. I just don't want to see Sprite hurt," Savage repeated.

"Yeah, I got that loud and clear," said.

"Great," Savage growled, "while I have you, I was hoping to talk to you about being our Sergeant-at-Arms for the club." It was an honor that Savage was asking him to fulfill such a role in the Royal Bastards, and there was no way that he'd tell him no.

"You have the background, with your military experience, and I know the guys really like you," Savage continued.

"I really appreciate the offer," said, "and, my answer is yes. I'd love to be your Sergeant-at-Arms." His Prez was right—his military career had given him the necessary experience to fulfill the role.

"What's your schedule like at Redstone Arsenal?" Savage asked. "I don't want to interfere with your work." He had worked for Redstone for over a year now, since being transferred to Huntsville, and he had to admit, he loved his new job.

"I'm basically nine to five, but I have flexibility. You just tell me what you need, and I'll be here," promised.

"Thanks, man," Savage said, slapping him on the back. "I won't forget this favor."

"You don't owe me anything Savage," he insisted. wanted to ask if he'd put in a good word with Sprite, but he had a feeling that he knew what Savage's response would be. That was okay, he'd find a way to get her number, even if he had to grovel.

walked into Savage Hell and found Sprite behind the bar again. He'd waited two nights to see her, and tonight, he'd finally get his chance to ask her for her phone number again. He walked up to the bar and noticed that she was wearing sunglasses and he wondered what that was all about.

"What's up with the sunglasses?" he asked, sitting up to the bar.

Sprite flashed him her best smile and he instantly knew that something was up with her. She never smiled at him that way. "My future's so bright, I have to wear shades," she teased.

"Ha, ha," grumbled. Getting a straight answer out of Sprite was like pulling teeth. "You want to try again?"

"No, because it's none of your business as to why I'm wearing sunglasses," she spat. Sprite turned her back on him and he wanted to demand that she not ignore him—as if that would do him any good. "I was just making conversation," he lied. It was bugging him that she wouldn't give him a straight answer.

"Well, now you've made me feel bad for being a bitch to you," she said. "Here, have a beer on me," she said, handing him a tall glass. She leaned in close enough for him to see the bruises on her arm and cheek. Sprite was wearing sunglasses to hide bruises and that plain pissed him off.

"Who did that to you, Sprite?" asked.

"Did what?" she asked, playing dumb.

"Stop," ordered. Half the guys in the bar turned to watch them, including Savage. "Just give me a straight answer, Sprite. I want to help you."

"I don't need any help," she insisted. "I can handle myself."

"Was it a boyfriend?" he asked, pushing her for answers. The thought of her having a boyfriend made him madder than he'd been in a damn long time. He had no claim to this woman, yet he somehow felt protective of her.

"I told you, I don't have a boyfriend, ," Sprite said.

"No, you told me that you wouldn't give me your number because you don't date guys in the Royal Bastards. You never said that you don't have a boyfriend." He could tell that she was thinking over their prior conversation and when she realized that he was right, she just shrugged, as if it wasn't a big deal.

"Well, I don't have a boyfriend," she repeated.

"Then who gave you those bruises, Sprite?" he asked again.

"If you must know, it was my mother's boyfriend. I came home from work the other night to find him drunk, and he got a little bit handsy. I told him to keep his fucking hands off me and he lost it," Sprite said. She took a step back from him as if trying to hide after telling him the truth. "Do you feel better now that you know?" she almost whispered. Nothing about her situation made him feel better.

"No," he breathed. "You live at home with your mom?" he asked.

She nodded, "Yeah, I was trying to save money for my own place. I just got a job at an accounting firm, and I work here nights to earn extra money, but I still have to pay my mom rent and half the utilities, so it's taking me a while."

"I'm guessing that her scumbag boyfriend doesn't pay rent or utilities," said.

"Nope, and she defends him at every turn. I really need to move out of there, but I'm not ready to do that just yet—you know, financially. Although my mom packed up most of my stuff and helped me load it into my car. I've been sleeping in it for the past two nights, with all my shit."

"You've been sleeping in your car for the past two nights?" he asked.

"Yep," Sprite said, "I parked it out back and Savage has been kind enough to let me use his personal bathroom back in his office. It has a shower and that's all I really need."

"What about the rooms that he rents out upstairs?" asked. He knew that a couple of the guys stayed up there from time to time.

"They are all full and although he offered, I couldn't let him kick someone out for me. I'd feel awful about that."

"Did you call the cops on your mom's boyfriend," asked.

"I didn't get the chance. My mom said that he took off after he did this to me, and she said he hasn't been back since. I called to check in on her, and she was pretty pissed off at me. She even went as far as to say that I was to blame for him leaving," Sprite said.

"That's bullshit," growled, "it's not your fault that her boyfriend is an asshole. If you ask me, your mother is better off without him."

"Agreed, but I can't go back there until I'm sure that he's gone for good. Plus, my mother told me not to bother coming back anytime soon. She said that she needs time to cool down."

"How long will that take?" asked.

"The last time this happened, I had to sleep at a friend's place for three weeks," Sprite admitted.

"Wait, this has happened before?" asked.

"Yes, but with a different boyfriend. My mother has a knack for picking only the biggest assholes to date. It's a gift, really," Sprite grumbled. "Listen, it's been nice chatting, but I need to get back to work. Thanks for listening, ."

"Anytime," he said. He watched her walk to the other end of the bar and worried that he had just blown his chance, but he suddenly cared less about getting Sprite's number and instead felt an overwhelming urge to take care of her. He stood from the barstool that he had occupied for way too long over the past two nights while waiting for Sprite to come into work. He never dreamed that she was hurt and sleeping in her car. That was something he planned to change.

waited patiently for Sprite to finish serving a group of guys beer and quickly got her attention. "You need another beer already?" she asked.

"Um, no," said, holding up his glass that was still half full. "I'm good on the beer front. I wanted to offer you a place to stay."

"Oh, no," Sprite said, "that's not really a good idea. I'll be fine. I'm sure this will all blow over in a few days."

"And then what?" asked. "You'll go back home and let that asshole hit you again? You can sleep in my room, and I'll take the couch," he assured.

"I don't think that will work out, , but I really appreciate the offer," Sprite said.

"Why the hell won't it work out?" asked.

"Because you asked me out," she reminded.

"No, I didn't ask you out," he insisted. "I asked you for your phone number. Listen, I promise that we can keep this completely platonic," he assured. "No strings attached. You'll have a safe place to stay, and I'll feel good about helping out a friend. It will be a win-win for us both." He took it as a good sign when Sprite giggled. He wasn't sure how in the hell he was going to keep his promise when all he wanted to do was pull her into his arms and seal his mouth over hers, but he'd give it his best shot. It was the only way to keep Sprite from her mom's asshole boyfriend.

"Fine," Sprite said after what felt like an eternity. "I'll take you up on your offer, but I'll take the couch. I don't want to put you out or be any trouble. And this is totally platonic—no funny business," she insisted, pointing her finger at him.

He couldn't help his smile, "No funny business," he said, holding up his right hand as though he was swearing in. "I promise."

"I get off at midnight. You want to give me your address and I'll be there shortly after I close the bar down?" she asked.

"I have to stick around for church," he said, "so, I'll be here until midnight. You can follow me back to my place."

She nodded, "Thanks, . This means a lot. You're a good friend." He wasn't sure how he felt about her calling him her friend, but for now, he'd take it. He had his foot in the door and if push came to shove, he'd kick it down if necessary.

Sprite (Royal Harlots Book 3) is coming soon!

Do you love the James family and want to read more? You can find Cillian's story here, in Roadkill (Savage Hell MC Series Book 1)! Here's a little teaser to get you started!