Damaged and the Knight (Damaged #2)

Judd scratched at his stubbled cheek and shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. Just thought you’d want to know who took care of the bitch.”


Glancing again at Vaughn, I decided to change the subject. “Aaron sketched up a tattoo design for me. We’ll start on it soon, but he thinks I can’t handle all the pain in one sitting, so he’s breaking it into parts.”

“What’s the tattoo of and where will it be?” he asked, glancing over my breasts.

“A fallen angel and it won’t be on my boobs, Judd.”

Laughing at my tone, he didn’t seem to hear the first part. I saw when the words registered.

“Why fallen?” he asked, his gaze harder now.

Holding his gaze, I refused to back down. “You know.”

“Fuck you for thinking that makes you fallen.”

“Fuck you for thinking you know what I am.”

Judd suddenly laughed. “What?”

Grudgingly, I smiled. “Whatever. You’re irritating me.”

“Where’s the tat going to be? Something around your heart shaped ass maybe?”

“Heart shaped?”

Judd wiggled his eyebrows at me. “I love that damn ass of yours. Shit, this morning when you walked over to get your clothes, I about jizzed myself.”

“Yummy. Best breakfast conversation ever.”

“You’re telling me,” he said, licking his lips and I suspected his jeans were snug.

“Stop. You’re going to get me all worked up around these…”

Glancing around, I suddenly panicked. As if the now faded and I was falling back into the past, the noise was too much and all of those men looked too familiar. Aroused in a room full of bikers sent me over the edge into terror.

“What?” Judd asked, taking a gulp of his orange juice.

Leaning forward, I whispered, “The men who hurt me were bikers.”

Judd was holding the glass when I said the words. I hadn’t finished the word bikers when the drink shattered in his hand. Startled, I jumped back.

“Fuck!” Judd hollered, standing up and looking ready to hit someone.

“I’m sorry,” I said instinctually. “I didn’t mean it.”

Judd frowned at me and I knew by his expression he saw my fear.

“Dude, calm the fuck down,” Vaughn said, standing next to us now.

Judd glanced at his juice covered hands. When he looked up, he sighed. “Watch her while I clean up.”

Vaughn said nothing as Judd disappeared into the restroom. Watching him go, I felt like I should just leave. I was scared with everyone staring at me.

“Come sit at my booth,” Vaughn said, gesturing to a booth in the corner. “Judd doesn’t like booths. Something about needing to stretch out his legs or some shit. He’ll have to deal though since he crapped all over the table.”

“Thank you,” I mumbled, following him to the booth and sitting down.

“What the fuck was that about?” Vaughn said, standing over me.

“I pissed him off.”

Dark blue eyes flicking to the restroom, Vaughn reached back and scratched at his shoulder. “All I know is when Judd came back from Texas, he was all hollowed out. Like a ghost, I guess. This morning before his bitch fit, he looked alive again. Whatever you said or did, can’t be that big a deal compared to the shit mood he’s been in lately.”

Glancing at the restroom, I wanted to go back to before I said the words. My honesty ruined our happy morning.

“You can’t take it personally,” Vaughn added when I just stared at the restroom. “You know how moody Judd is. Always crying and bitching about something. A freaking drama queen.”

Grinning, I looked up at him. “Thank you.”

“Men like us aren’t used to pretty girls looking at them like you look at Judd. He’s not sure what to do with you and you’re just gonna have to be patient while he figures shit out.”

“Okay,” I said, studied him. Whereas Judd hid a deep sorrow and iced heart behind his walls, I sensed Vaughn concealed a barely contained rage. He smiled easily enough, but it was a ruse. Just like Judd who acted like the world didn’t touch him, Vaughn faked his exterior to avoid showing anything to the world.

“Why do they call you Outlaw?” I asked.

Vaughn sighed. “Because it’s nicer than calling me dead man walking.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You don’t need to, darlin. The drama queen returns.”

When Judd appeared next to me, his expression was unreadable while kissing me softly. When he pulled away, his gaze flickered to Vaughn.

“Thanks.”

“You are so premenstrual sometimes.”

Grinning, Judd sat down across from me then glanced at Vaughn. “Fuck off.”

Vaughn leaned his hip against the side of the booth and sized me up. “What is it about the Smith sisters that makes otherwise strong men lose their balls?”

“I have no idea and I’m out of sisters, so I guess you’re out of luck.”

“Thank the Lord too. I like my balls attached.”

Laughing, I looked at Judd who grinned at me before glancing up at Vaughn. “Go away.”

“Fuck you,” Vaughn laughed. “This is my booth.”