Protecting it All (The Punishment Pit #6) - Livia Grant Page 0,18

Just trust me, Jake Davenport is bad news," Lukus said.

"Do you want my help or not? I need to know what's going on."

Lukus had started this conversation. Holding back facts helped no one. "Listen, I know you think I corrupted your sister, but she used to go to BDSM clubs with Bri years ago, before I even met her. That's where Brianna met Jake. He was her abusive Dom. He broke every rule in the Dom handbook, even to the point of caning her until she bled, and then would send her home to Tiffany. Your sister was, of course, furious and tried to protect Brianna from Jake. You know how sassy she can be, and Davenport clearly didn't like Tiff threatening to go to the cops. He has a real hard-on against her. Jake showed up in Chicago a couple of months ago trying to weasel himself back into their lives, and now shit is snowballing. The girls are in danger."

Aiden was quiet for several long seconds before answering. "I don't believe you. Tiff knows she can talk to me about anything. She would have come to me for help if she were in danger."

"Well, apparently not. And the reason she didn't tell you or your brothers was because she was afraid you'd judge her about her submissive desires; which, I might point out, you've proven she'd been right to worry about, since all you've done since you found out she was with me was judge her and her choices."

Lukus knew he was being an ass, but Aiden deserved it. Still, he needed the cop's help, so he continued. "Tiff also has nightmares because years ago Davenport compiled a video of himself with Brianna that made it look like the shit he was doing to her was consensual. Then he added on to the end of the video that he felt he was being harassed by a pack of cops from Michigan. Brothers to one Tiffany O'Sullivan. He threatened to lodge a formal complaint against you if she didn't back off. After that, she was too afraid to ask you for your help, not wanting to drag you into the mess for fear you'd do something stupid."

"Fuck, I'm going to kill that bastard," Aiden vowed.

"Not if I get to him first."

"So why are you telling me this now?"

"Because the situation is heating up, and Davenport is wily. I have a whole team out here in California with me trying to get enough dirt on him to put him behind bars, but he's making new threats. The closer we get to him, the more he's feeling the heat and the more dangerous he gets. I have the girls on lockdown at my loft, where I know they're safe. I have a guard with them 24/7, and Markus is staying down there with them while I'm out of town. Still, I decided I'd feel better with you knowing what's going on. Maybe do a drive-by. Check in on them after you get off work. That kind of thing. I know you hate the idea of seeing her at The Punishment Pit, but you could visit Tiff up in our loft. You're welcome to even stay over in one of the guest rooms while I'm out of town," Lukus offered.

The silence stretched between the men for so long, Lukus wondered if they'd been disconnected.

"Why me? You know I hate you, right?" Aiden said at length.

"Yeah, I know. But I also know you love Tiffany enough that you'd give your life for her. Right now, that makes you a damn fine bodyguard."

Aiden's awkward chuckle was the first sign that he might be softening to Lukus. "You'd just love it if I got plugged, wouldn't you?"

Lukus didn't joke back. "Unfortunately, no. I know you don't believe me, but Tiffany's safety and happiness are all I care about. She loves you. You make her happy, so that means that, like it or not, I'm gonna play nice with you until you realize how much I love your sister."

Silence stretched between the men again until Aiden asked, "So, you gonna give me a code to get in, or what?"

"I already programmed one for you. I'll text it to you." Lukus was about to hang up when he snuck in a final thought. "And, Aiden... thanks."

"Don't thank me yet. I'm still not sold on this whole marriage thing."

Lukus finally chuckled. "Yeah, well, I guess I can't blame you. If you'd have told me a few months ago