Chapter 176: Matt

He called for a car, and watched her dress and gather a few of her personal items. They spoke little and both men watched her closely.

Matt knew Stephon would never seriously hurt her. He had too much control of his inner demons, and when they got to be too much, he found relief in pain to his own body. Stephon needed to talk with her and place all his cards on the table, but Matt couldn't make him.

They entered the suite and Stephon changed into workout clothes and left with little more than telling them he'd be a while. Jewel took a shower and Matt could only stand her crying for a few minutes before he joined her.

"Shh." He pulled her against his chest. "Talk to me."

Her tears slowed. "I didn't mean to make him so angry." Her fingers bit into the skin of his back.

"He's not angry at you. Only himself."

"But why?" She still didn't lift her head.

"He needs to talk to you about that. He would never harm you-redden your ass maybe, suffer through you squirming and sighing with a b