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Chapter Twenty

Salt

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Grabbing the back ofher neck, I held her firmly in my hands. “I told him I would bring you back, and that's what I'm doing.”

Berlin's lashes swept up as she blinked, her eyes studying me with piercing scrutiny. “You really are a cold-blooded asshole.”

“No, I'm a man of my word.” Marching her forward, her legs were sluggish. “I just need you to open your ears and listen.”

“Oh, I hear you just fine. And I think you're a fucking coward.”

“A coward, huh?” Chuckling, I squeezed her neck tighter. “And why's that?”

“Because this isn't who you are. I know it's not, you're not this person.”

“I already told you who I am, so what the hell makes you think that I'm anything different?”

Swallowing hard, Berlin started to answer. “You're eyes—”

“Welcome back,” Virgo called out as he opened the door, causing Berlin to stop talking instantly. Stepping out onto the large marble platform at the top of the stairs, his eyes watched us suspiciously as he slanted a heavy brow. “How was my sweet girl last night?”

“I don't believe our agreement included details, Virgo.”

Leveling his eyes with mine, he crooked his lips. “Well I hope she was worth it for you. Come, sweet girl.” Waving his hand, he wanted her at his side.

“She's fine where she is,” I said, wrapping my arm around her neck and holding her close. “I'd like to see she gets in safely.”

“Safely?” he asked as if he had no clue what I was referring to.

Lowering my eyes, I glowered, running my hand up and down the outside of her arm. “Don't play games with me, you know exactly what I mean.”

Clicking his tongue, Virgo perused his eyes between us. “Fine, she's due to go on soon anyway.” Shifting on his feet, he threw his shoulders forward and walked inside. Pointing his finger towards the club doors, he spoke to her as if she was a dog. “Go, Berlin.”

Berlin reacted, not even thinking twice about how he was talking down to her. Dropping her eyes to the floor, she went to walk, but I held her in place.

The least he could do was talk to her as if she was human. It wasn't too much to ask. She had already done more than enough to earn that from him.

Snapping her head in my direction, her big green eyes anchored on mine. I knew what she was thinking, I knew she wanted me to just grab her and run.

But if I was going to do anything to help her, we had to do it my way.

“Why don't you try that again, and this time ask her nicely.” Clenching my jaw, I refused to let her go until he addressed her with some compassion, and talked to her as if she was on the same level as us.

“Nicely?” His back stiffened as his lips rolled into a deep grimace. “Nicely?” Taking a firm step into me, his arms went pin straight. “You see this?” he asked, grabbing her face and twisting it hard. “This is mine, she belongs to me. I'll talk to her however the fuck I want to.”

Holding my ground, I lifted my chin higher. “Not while I'm here. While I'm here, she's a woman, and you'll show her some damn respect. I think she's earned that much after what you've put her through.”

“Okay, I see now.” Virgo let out a cackle that was high pitched. “What I put her through. . .” Pressing an open palm to his chest, he smiled coyly. “Every fucking bruise, every cut, scrape, and fucking scar she has could have been prevented. All she had to do was follow orders, that was it. She asked for all of it, she defied me by not listening like a good fucking whore should.”

Balling my fists, my voice shot out deep and husky. “What did you just call her?”

“Bentley, please. This little fucking hard on you have for her needs to stop.”

“She's not going anywhere until you do what I'm telling to you to do.”

Huffing loudly, Virgo rolled his eyes. “Berlin, sweetie, can you please go get ready for tonight?” His voice was high-pitched like he was talking to a child, as the muscles in his face twisted like he was sucking on a lemon.