Page 109 of Dangerous Attraction

"I know exactly who they are, and I know what they do. None of them are evil. They've all been dealt a shitty hand in life, just like I have. They've come together, created their own family, and found something in life that gives them all a purpose."

"Being around them means you're putting yourself in danger."

"I've been in danger my whole life!" Shaking my head, I glance at Emery, who's standing there quietly staring at the floor, then back to Michael. "I appreciate your concern, but I'm old enough to make my own decisions, and I don't need your input to decide how to live my life. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've lost my appetite."

Spinning around, I walk through the living room to the front door, slide on my shoes, and exit the house.

Walking down the street, I hear Emery's feet slapping against the ground behind me.

"Trix, wait up!"

I slow, waiting for her to catch up. When she's by my side, I send her a scathing glare.

"What the hell was that, Em?"

She flails her arms in the air. "I'm sorry. I knew he wasn't happy about you working at the clubhouse, but I didn't think he was going to be rude, and ambush you like that."

"You could've given me a heads-up! I didn't even know he knew, let alone the fact that he wasn't happy about it."

She huffs, dropping her arms and letting them slap against her thighs.

"He's just concerned. He cares about you, Trix, and he wants to make sure you're safe."

"Well, you can tell him I'm much safer there than I am at the trailer park!"

Her brows draw down, casting shadows over her light blue eyes.

"Why aren't you safe at the trailer park?"

Oh, shit.

Sighing, I chew on the inside of my cheek, glance around the street, then focus on my best friend.

"My dad came back. Let's just say, he wasn't too happy to see me." Her eyes widen, and her jaw goes slack. I point at my face. "Why do you think I'm wearing makeup?"

"He hurt you, didn't he?"

I nod, and she gasps as she steps toward me and gently grabs my arms.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

I shrug. "I didn't want you to know. I was embarrassed, and I didn't want to be a burden."

Her eyes dart between mine, and she frowns.

"So, are you staying at the clubhouse, then?"

Flattening my lips, I nod again.

"Reeve wasn't happy when he saw my face. He went after my dad, then demanded I leave the trailer park and move into the clubhouse. I've been staying there for the past week."

"And you didn't tell me?"

I sigh. "I didn't feel like I could. You didn't have the best reaction to me working there, let alone if I told you I'd moved in. If it helps, I haven't told Liam, either. He doesn't know anything. I left you both in the dark about it all because I didn't want you both to know I failed."

She releases a dry laugh.

"Why in the hell would you think you've failed?"