Page 21 of Property of Rattler

He looks almost as embarrassed as I am, but steps back so I can exit Rattler’s room. Then follows me up the corridor and mortifyingly indicates he’ll be waiting outside. I pee, wash my hands, then go back out, and am escorted back to the room. I start wondering if this is my future now I’m depending on the Kings. Taking my chances out on my own would probably be preferable and definitely less restrictive.

I’ve no phone, don’t wear a watch, and there’s no clock in Rattler’s room. I have no idea how much time has passed before the door opens and the man himself walks in.

He strides over to where I’m sitting on the bed, acknowledging me with a raise of his chin. “Prez has agreed you’re under our protection.”

Circling back to my thoughts of a moment before, and dreading continuing to be treated like a prisoner, I ask,admittedly not very enthusiastically, “And what does that look like?”

“Fuck knows.” He shrugs. “Prez and the top officers are discussing how it will work.” He picks up the television remote and starts flicking through channels. “What do you like to watch?”

Surprised he’s even asking me, I just shake my head. “I’m not bothered. Whatever you want.”

There’s a quirk to his mouth as he settles on an old rerun of the original CSI series in Las Vegas.

“You just want me to critique their methods, don’t you?” I smirk, then remind him, “I’ve only started on the course, so don’t expect me to know everything.”

He mumbles under his breath, “Don’t expect a woman to know anything.”

After rolling my eyes, I cock a brow toward him. “I don’t think I’ve ever met such a misogynistic dick as you. Nor someone so unpleasant.”

His eyes widen as he laughs. “And you’re just an absolute sweetheart whose own brother wants to kill her.”

I shoot him my middle finger. It’s childish, but he deserves it.

Rather than continuing to exchange insults, we settle down to watch cops, murderers, and scientists running around the streets of Vegas. Despite my misgivings about some of the dubious techniques, even given that time has moved on since the series was filmed, I find myself getting lost in the over-the-top story when a knock comes at the door.

Rattler pauses the program and gets up to open it.

The visitor pushes him aside and comes running over to me. “Ames, I’m so fuckin’ sorry I wasn’t there. I can’t believe the one day I’m not around is when Malachi came calling.” I stand and fling myself into my friend's arms. Suddenly, we’re both sobbing. “I’m so fuckin’ sorry. I couldn’t believe it when the manwho came and got me told me what happened. I’m so sorry,” she repeats, then pulls back slightly. “We’ve got to leave. And this time get out of state.”

“She’s under the protection of the Kings now,” Rattler lazily states.

Satin turns toward him and glares. “She’s under my protection.”

“Yeah?” Rattler snorts. “And where the fuck were you last night?” He taps his forehead. “Oh yeah, curled up with a hot water bottle, eating your weight in chocolate.Bitches,” he adds under his breath.

I round on him. “Not fair.”

“No? Well, one benefit you’ll find with the Kings is that we aren’t hormonal.”

The look Satin and I exchange speaks volumes.

Rat’s phone rings. He turns away to answer it. I pick up nothing from his end of the conversation, which seems to consist of a series of grunts at varying pitches. When he ends the call, he turns to us.

“Bullseye wants to talk to you both.”

“The bossman?” Satin’s eyes widen. “What’s he got to say to us?”

But Ames, who knows what’s at stake and why the club would be interested in being involved, stands up. “Come on.” She gestures toward her friend, and no, there’s no fucking way I’m calling her a bodyguard. “Let’s go and find out.”

I gesture for them both to go out the door. As I follow them, I lean to speak into Dee’s ear. “Don’t go too far. I might need you later.”

He gives me a sharp nod, then trails our trio a short distance back.

I take the lead as we exit the barn and direct them toward the clubhouse. As there will be a number of us, Bullseye told me themeeting will be held in our church. Not my idea. Fuck, what’s up with us having all these women in church lately? It feels like they’re going to leave a stain that will be hard to remove. But he’s the prez, and what he says goes.

When we arrive, Bullseye, Saint and Tempest are already seated as I expected, but I’m surprised to see Freak. I wonder how Prez managed to pull him away from his woman.

I raise my chin toward him as we enter. “Thought you’d be on your honeymoon.”