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Out of character, Screw remained silent and watchful on the couch next to Jazz

She stood, following his path across the room “Gumby, I promise you, it wasn’t one of your brothers No one associated with the club hurt ht herself with a shake of her head “They’d never have hurt me”

The relief at her declaration did nothing to ate the ache in his chest Each heavy thru his ribs They stared at each other until Screw finally had the balls to ask what Gumby couldn’t

“Jazz, were you…” He cleared his throat “Were you raped?”

She turned her sad eyes on Screw “No,” she said, though Gumby didn’t think either of them believed her It wasn’t the first time she denied the claim, but sexual assault seemed the most obvious reason Jazz would be terrified to reveal her body, especially in the presence ofwith Screw, Gu to Townsend

Yeah, he’d asked around

With a resigned sigh, her shoulders slu to the cushions “Please come sit,” she said “I can tell you don’t believe me I’ll tell you what happened”

He did as she asked, taking a seat beside Screw Though their bodies weren’t touching, in fact a good foot separated the the otherto be brutal; he knew it in his bones But having soside him eased his dread

Strength in numbers

Jazz didn’t return to the couch She didn’t sit at all She alth of her s

Pressure against the side of his boot had Guainst his own, having crossed over into his personal space Gulanced at the other h Screwof physical support And he appreciated it soshifted in hi more than just the sexual desire he felt for Screw He was drawn to the other biker in a way he’d never allowed himself to be drawn to another man In fact, the only experience he could compare it to, was the pull he felt to Jazz

Unacceptable

He couldn’t be drawn to aaround the roo to be analyzed later Not no they both needed to focus on Jazz And if he needed Screw’s presence to get through her tale, so be it