Hazel St. James - Fighting For You (Redemption#1)[ Read Free

rage. Tristan held onto Chris’ arms as he held him off the ground and resisted every urge that he had to lift his knee up into the other man’s balls. Maybe by getting everything out there, Tristan would know what his beef was with him, and he could smooth things over well enough to get on with this.
    “It is because I trust that man explicitly that I’m here at all, you fucknut. Being in control of another human being is not like playing a game, and I don’t want to see anyone get hurt.”
    Dominic was pulling the two men apart as he cursed, “Knock it off, you two. That’s enough!” His last words came out in a rush when he gave Chris’ arms a final tug and the two men separated.
    “Tristan, his trust in me isn’t in question here. Chris is right to be upset with me for how this entire situation is being handled. I will take full responsibility from here on out, Chris. I’m sorry I brought you into this.”
    Chris sagged forward, his shoulders rising and falling a few times, and then he pulled his head back up. There was no mistaking the pained look in his eyes, for Tristan had seen it far too many times before. Not recently, but the look was reminiscent of someone from his past.
    “I know what it is like to hurt someone so badly that they never fully recover from it, Tristan. I trust Dominic with my own life, but I can’t seem to get over your cockiness towards this entire situation. There are a lot of guys out there that try to be posers in our world, just so that they can intentionally maim and injure people for kicks.”
    Tristan could sense that he was losing this battle of wills, and needed to convince Chris that he wasn’t here to hurt anyone. He almost thought for a second about letting go of the whole scenario, but then he was back to square one, back in the same ole’ rut.
    Taking a deep breath, Tristan blew it back out and measured his words carefully. “I fully understand where you are coming from, Chris. You take your position here very seriously, and for that I’m grateful.”
    “I’ve always known that there is more out there for me, but was too scared to look for it. I was always the kid that wasn’t smart enough, good enough, or even strong enough to be taken seriously. I’ve lived in the shadows for so long, and I’m ready to walk out into the light. You don’t know me, and you don’t like me. I get it. But, damn it, I’m asking you…begging you…please, help me. I don’t have anyone that is willing to stand up for me; to vouch for me that I’m just looking for something more than what I have right now.”
    The speech was given with every bit of emotion that Tristan could pull from inside himself and was full of half-truths, or Tristan’s version of the truth. First of all, he was never scared of anything; secondly, he was street smart, but not book smart and that was a damn-sight more than most people were. The rest was somewhat true, but begging for help was something that Tristan never did, unless it was absolutely necessary. And right now, it was beyond necessary if he didn’t want to get booted out on his ass.
    The next words Tristan said with a stronger voice, “I would never intentionally hurt a woman, or anyone at all for that matter. This is about exploring my options, Chris. Please. Help me with this.” He stuck his hand out in a fist, waiting expectantly for a gesture that Chris was on the same page with him.
    Chris gave him a return knuckle bump, with a tight smile on his face. “Deal, but you have to drop the attitude before I beat you with my fists.”
    Tristan gave him a cool smile and said, “Deal. Would someone mind showing me more about the whip? I saw the way the tablecloth split and know that it is very dangerous. I think this is something I could handle really well, though.”
    Chris twisted his head from side to side and gave Tristan a thoughtful look. Dominic was first to respond, however, and his words floored everyone in the room.
    “I do think