“I can walk you know.” I whine because I’m annoyed as hell.
Dragon waited until he got to the bottom of the stairs and then lets me down. Unfortunately, he keeps hold of my hand and drags me behind him to go talk to his buddy.
“Sorry man didn’t mean to interrupt. Hey Darlin’,” Crush said. His eyes went up and down my body, a little too friendly. I probably should reiterate to Dragon that I wasn’t club pussy. Still, I let my eyes travel up his tight and toned body. He was wearing a black muscle shirt, which normally I wasn’t a fan of, but he had this arm sleeve tattoo on his right arm that went all the way up. It was a mixture of blacks and a vibrant red line. It ran along the entire length, twisting and turning all over his arm. It disappears, following his collar bone. I couldn’t help but wish he had his shirt off so I could see where else it went and what it did. Not to mention, the way he said Darlin’ could make a woman melt. What was it about these bikers?
“Hey,” I huff. Dragon’s hand tightens up on my wrist and he yanks me so I fall into his side.
“What?” I grouse.
“Quit checking Crush out before I have to kill him,” Dragon complains.
My eyes get as big as saucers, because I am pretty sure he’s not kidding. I think I can scratch off reiterating not being club pussy off my to-do list.
“Hey boss? Man, we got shit going on. Need you out at Pussy’s now.”
“OH MY GOD! YOU HAVE A PLACE CALLED PUSSIES!?!?!?!”
“It’s a strip joint. That’s where I was a couple nights ago Nic. Some hot looking women there.” Dani chimes in helpfully.
It doesn’t surprise me that Dani has been at the strip joint, but I notice the way Crusher checks her out. Men are such pigs.
“Of course it’s a strip joint! Dear Lord I bet you even picked out the name, didn’t you Dragon?”
“Shut it Mama.”
“This is my home and you can’t just tell me to shut up you overgrown…” I stop ranting at him when he reaches down and twists the fuck out of one of my nipples and as a result, I end in a squawk…which is to say, a painful squeal and an outraged sound of disbelief all rolled into one sound.
Crush gave a half smile, but I could tell he was upset, so I remain quiet. It had nothing to do with Dragon telling me too. Though, to be honest I’m not exactly anxious to have him seek further retribution. That shit hurts.
“What’s up?”
“Uh...” Crush looked around the room.
“Speak.” Dragon orders and the man clearly has a big problem with politeness.
“Boss, it’s kind of… private.”
“Nicole is a part of us now. You feel me? So say what you’ve got to say or get the fuck out and quit cock blocking me.”
I hold my head down. Damn, Dragon has zero filters. I couldn’t deny the small thrill I had though of him telling one of his boys I will be around for awhile. I’m not sure why, but that one sentence paved over some of my insecurities which caused our earlier fight. I wasn’t about to tell him that though.
“Boss it’s the new girl, Jess. She’s been beat up pretty bad. Pops found her out back in the alley.”
“Pissed off man?” Dragon asks, and I find myself thinking of this unknown Jess and hoping she would be okay.
“That’s just it Boss…she had a note taped on her chest.” Crush reached in his inside jacket pocket and handed a folded white paper to Dragon.
Dragon opens the paper and you can see it had been soaked with blood and my stomach twists. That poor girl, what happened to her? I read the note while Dragon stares at it and then wads it up in his hand.
Devil’s Fire
I don’t know what that means, but from the look on Dragon’s face it’s not good.
Dragon looks down at me and he grasps my chin. He looks me in the eye, not allowing me to look anywhere else.
“Mama, need you at the club. Pack a bag.”
“Dragon… I…”
“Mama we got things to discuss. I don’t know how long I’ll be, but when I get done? I need you there. Yeah?”
“I’ll be here. Come here when you’re done.”
Dragon sighs heavily and I can see in his eyes that I disappointed him. When he lets go of my hand, I don’t like the feeling that settles in the pit of my stomach.
I reach up and let my hand caress the side of his face.
“Hey, I’ll come--just later. It’d take me awhile to get changed and pack. You go do what you have to do and come and get me when you’re free.”
Dragon looks at me for a minute then nods. I stretch up to leave a chaste kiss on his lips.
“Be careful sweetheart,” I whisper and his face changes. I couldn’t really describe how, but it was good.
“I like that.”
“What?”
“You soft and sweet and calling me sweetheart. I want more of that.”