Page 29 of Property of Rattler

After a few moments, where my mouth opens and shuts like a landed fish, I rush forward, twist the handle and open the door through which he’d just left. Only to find a different prospect standing outside barring my exit.

“Let me out.”

“Not happening,” the stranger replies.

“Please…”

He shakes his head. “Not risking getting my fuckin’ patch over some broad.”

I give him my best glare. “Do you know what they’re proposing to do with me?”

“Not my business to know. I just do what I’m told. And that’s to make sure you’re going nowhere.” He pauses a moment, then adds, his head tilted to one side. “Unless you need a piss. Do you?”

Unladylike, I respond, “I’d like to piss on your head.”

He doesn’t react.

What else can I do but re-enter Rattler’s room and take the only pleasure I can by slamming the door? And scream. You better bet, I scream.

CHAPTER TWELVE

RATTLER

She stands beside me in a cute summer dress, which is a great improvement over what she was wearing when I went to my room to collect her. For some fucking reason, she’d thought turning up for her wedding in her Royals-issued uniform was a good idea. I’d quickly disillusioned her.

While she hadn’t mentioned it, she couldn’t hide her smirk when the clerk asked for our IDs. When I’d taken out a valid driver’s license in her name and placed it in front of him along with mine, she’d stared at it in disbelief. Yeah, Pippa is a fucking genius. I wished I’d been able to take out my phone and capture her image as she’d leaned over to examine it. Her face was a fucking picture.

Saint, Pippa, Short, Bronwyn and Bullseye had accompanied us to the clerk’s office. The presence of the women, who’d obviously been given some form of the life-and-death story to persuade them to come along—or maybe they’d just wanted to see me squirm—had negated the impression Ames was being pressured into this marriage. Pippa’s totally faked enthusiasmand out-of-character squeals had certainly helped the process along.

We’d then returned to the clubhouse. Unlike Freak’s wedding, Words didn’t ham up his role, restricting himself to the basics. Do I take her, does she take me? Her reluctant response only given under coercion and the threat of the number of men staring emotionlessly at her. Bullseye had somehow come up with two rings. I think she tried to break my finger as she shoved mine on. Of course, I made a show of sliding the one I’d been given onto hers.

Kiss the bride? Fuck no. I wasn’t going to give her an excuse for slapping me around the face for a second time. I’d allowed the first. There’d be no more. She was soon going to learn who the boss was.

Words disappeared to return the marriage license, and Stalker encouraged us both to the bar, but while I partook of a whisky, Ames had only soda, even though we’d have overlooked that she was underage. Trixie had produced some food, but Ames had no appetite. There was no cake, no speeches, and no one raised their glasses to us.

Mywifeacted like an automaton. Her face had paled as she realised her fate was now sealed and tied to mine.

For my part, I felt numb. This marriage is totally fake, just a ruse to draw her brother out into the open, so I wasn’t bothered about that. What cut me deep down to the soul was that, for all intents and purposes, I was being banished from the club for an indeterminate amount of time. I drained my glass, then requested a refill, wondering how long it would be before I was surrounded by brothers again.

One million dollars for me. Four for the club.I repeated the mantra in my mind. Of course, we’d have to wait for years to reap our reward, but pleasure deferred didn’t mean it was being denied. I tried to focus on where I’d spend the money. A newbike? House? Fuck, it was more cash than I’d dreamed of. Maybe I’d just put it away for when I could no longer ride.

Before the wedding, Genie had drawn up the contract, which she had duly signed and sealed, though it had yet to be delivered. But Pippa confirmed it was airtight. On her twenty-fifth birthday, she was bound to give us the money.

If she was still alive.

Problem is, as it stood, I’m not sure it’s only Stone who wants to kill her. Secluded with her in that cabin? I couldn’t be certain either of us would survive.

At last, Bullseye told me it’s time.

I’d rattled the cages of all my brothers at one time or another. Yet now they all lined up to slap my back, shake my hand, and rush to reassure me they’d make haste to ensure I’d only be away for a limited time.

Then came the moment I knew had been coming and dreaded. It felt too solemn, almost ceremonial, when I removed my cut and passed it into the safekeeping of Bullseye’s hands. Then, feeling naked as a civilian, I’d walked outside, pausing to stroke my fingers across my bike before passing the key into Freak’s hand. He assured me he’d garage it and care for it as if it were his own.

I’d turned, only to ensure Ames was following me, and with a hand to her back — not so much gentlemanly as making sure she didn’t run, which I was certain she’d do given half a chance — led her to an anonymous truck.

Trixie rushed up, whispered something to Ames that I couldn’t hear, and then I helped her climb into the passenger seat. After one final glance around, my chin lift returned by my brothers, I hoisted myself into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and headed out through the gates.

My eyes kept flicking into the rearview until the compound was out of sight, my heart full of grief as if I were mourning someone who’d died.