The Cut by Carol Lynne: Kings of Bedlam MC Series, Book One by Carol Lynne

to be friends, right?”
    Her expression fell. “Used to be.” She pointed to a table in front of the door. “What’s wrong with that one?”
    “It’s not safe to sit in front of the door. Too easy for someone to walk through and level their gun on the first person they see,” he replied.
    “It’s safer for me because it would put me closer to an escape,” she mumbled.
    Laughing, Tiny met Stake’s gaze. He glanced at Santana and the blood seemed to drain from his face as he got to his feet. “Too late, Tiny’s spotted you.”
    “I need to go to the bathroom.” Santana started to pull away, but Stake kept his arm firmly around her.
    “No, you need to stand up for yourself. Whatever happened between the two of you, you need to understand that it wasn’t his fault.”
    Tears sprang to her eyes as she stared up at Stake. “I can’t.”
    “Santana,” Tiny said, approaching them.
    Santana refused to look at the burly young biker. “Hi, Tiny,” she replied, her face pressed against Stake’s chest.
    “Ummm, I was sorry to hear about what happened,” Tiny said, obviously as uncomfortable as Santana.
    Part of Stake wanted to shake her for the way she was acting, but a bigger part understood. She’d been alone for years, and although he was grateful she’d accepted him so easily back into her life, he couldn’t fault her for being wary of everyone else who’d hurt her. “Give us a minute,” he told Tiny before leading Santana to the opposite side of the room. He guided her down a hallway to the back door of the club.
    Once in the warm night air, he led her to a grouping of picnic tables they used for family cookouts. He sat on one of the benches and pulled her between his thighs, pressing his cheek against her tits.
    “I’m sorry,” she said, running her fingers through his hair.
    “You need to understand that no one here wanted to turn their backs on you. The club was put in a no-win situation by Ellie, and we did what we had to do. I know you’ve been hurt, and I wish like hell I could take it away, but I can’t, and unless you learn to forgive these people, you’ll never fit in.” He nuzzled his face against her breasts. “I need you to fit in, because I don’t plan on ever giving you up, and these people are my family.”
    Santana put her hands on his cheeks and tilted his head back to look up at her. “I’ll try to be nice, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to trust that they won’t leave me alone again.”
    “Do you feel that way about me, too?” he asked.
    She nodded. “There’s no one I want to be with more, but I know it could all end tomorrow. You’re a biker, and I know how easy it is for you to get women. You’re with me because I’m different, but that won’t last long. Someday, you’ll see me just as you see the others.”
    Stake removed her hands from his face and brought them to his mouth. He reverently kissed each finger, trying like hell to convey his promise. She was it for him, and he knew that in his soul, but he doubted she would believe him because why should she? He didn’t have the best track record where Santana was concerned. “Guess I’ll just have to prove you wrong about that.”
    * * * *
    “I need to talk to Cecil,” Stake said, finishing his beer. “It might be a good time for you to talk to Tiny.”
    Santana took a sip of her beer. The last thing she wanted was to go back into the clubhouse, but Stake was right. She needed to get the talk with Tiny over with. “Can you send him out here? I’d feel better without people watching us.”
    Stake pushed his hand under her shirt and caressed her pebbled nipple as he stared up at her. “I can’t leave you out here by yourself.”
    “Despite everything he’s done, I know Tiny won’t hurt me.” Although Tiny hadn’t spoken to her, she had a feeling he was the one who’d given Robby Langers the black eye and split lip after Robby started bragging about popping her cherry.
    Stake pulled his