Page 98 of Renascence

I guess sometimes all you need is a bad boy to be good to you.

Halfway through grading, the message tone sounds from my phone. Thinking it’s Venom, I reach for it, almost dropping it in my excitement. It’s not him. I don’t know who it is, but I’m staring at my face, eyes closed, head tilted back as I wash my hair in the gym’s shower. Naked. The phone slips from my hand, clattering to the ground. I raise my trembling fingers to my lips, baffled as to what the hell is going on.Who took that picture? Why? Oh, God… who else has seen it?Panic takes over and I begin to pace, having a freak out of epic proportions.

Raven’s voice cuts through the fog in my brain, pushing me to action.Trust your man. Whatever happens, let him handle the situation. Always.I pick up the discarded phone, dialing Venom’s number.

“Em.”

“Venom… my phone… a picture,” I ramble, unable to form a coherent sentence.

“Emily, listen to me. The prospect is on his way to pick you up. Pack a bag.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll see you in a bit, darlin’.”

I hurry to the bedroom, tossing clothes and toiletries in a bag. It doesn’t occur to me that I have no idea where I’m going. All that matters is that this is what Venom wants me to do. He’ll take care of me. I know he will.

A knock at the door startles me, making me jump a mile. I heave the bag on my shoulder, checking the peephole before opening the door. Tyler is cautious as he accompanies me to a Charger, taking my bag and helping me in.

My thumbnail is chewed down by the time we arrive at the clubhouse. I seek Venom out in the crowd, running into his arms. The moment they wrap around my body, my nerves begin to fade.

“You’re okay, Emily. I’m here.”

So is everyone else.

A tentative survey of the room reveals all the men and old ladies, even the Hounds. Everyone seems worried.What’s going on with them?

“Venom, what—?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll get to the bottom of it.”

My brows knit as I stare up at him. I haven’t shown him the picture, didn’t even string enough words together to tell him what happened. How does he know there’s something to get to the bottom of? That’s when I realize he didn’t ask any questions. When I called, he didn’t sound surprised, not even a little curious. He knew I needed to get out of there. He knew….

“You knew.”

“I got the picture, too.”

He takes my hand, weaving through the crowd and to his room. I perch on the edge of the bed, but I’m back on my feet and pacing after a few seconds.

“What’s going on, Liam?”

“I don’t know, but we’re on it.”

“What does that mean?” I halt my pacing, turning to face him.

“Tek’s looking into it.”

“Tek?” The word is a shriek, my panic returning. “You mean he’s seen it? Who else have you shown it to?”

“I didn’t show it to him. He found it—” He expels a breath, shaking his head. “—online.”

“What?” I exclaim.

Jesus. I rub my forehead, a persistent throbbing developing in my head.Online. There’s a nude of me on the fucking internet. What the fuck is going on?I wrap my arms around my body, skin crawling at the utter violation. Why would someone do this to me?

There’s a knock at the door, followed by a deep voice. “Venom, church.”

“Darlin’, why don’t you lie down? I have to go talk to the guys, but I promise I’ll tell you everything I know when I get back.”