Page 21 of Tico

“If you’d rather stay, I can have a Prospect downstairs watching the entrance up to your apartment,” I tell her. “I can also have another one up here in case someone tries to get in from the fire escape.

She still hesitates but then hugs a book to her chest. “I think I’d rather stay for now. Later when I’m feeling more comfortable, I’ll come along. I want to learn some more moves, too, since I couldn’t…”

Her voice trails off and Ember quickly crosses the room and hugs Pyper tight.

“When you’re ready, I’ll teach you all the moves you want to learn, Pyper. Until then, I’ll have your back and take care of the things you aren’t able to.”

“You’re not alone, Pyper. I’ve got your back as well,” Daemon tells her which Reese seconds.

“And don’t forget, you’ve got me and my club behind you now as well,” I tell her and Pyper gives me a grateful, though wobbly smile.

Taco steps forward as he stares at his phone. “Jesse is on his way to watch the entrance, Tico. I also informed the officers that the girls are under our protection since you’ve claimed Ember as your woman. I’ll stay with Pyper for a bit and order in food, so she doesn’t need to leave.”

I dip my chin in thanks to Taco as I clap him on the shoulder. “Gracias(Thank you),hermano(brother).” Turning toward Ember, she gives Pyper one last squeeze and then picks up her bag. “Ready?” I ask her and she nods.

“Ready.”

Daemon, Reese, Ember, and I head downstairs. Both Daemon and Reese will be present to help Ember get ready tonight since she has very little prep time. Ember puts her stuff in Reese’s SUV while Daemon gets on his bike.

“Have you ridden before?” I ask her and she nods.

“Yeah, it was usually with Daemon, then later his uncle Marcus, or Wrench to the club. Back when Daemon was still there, they’d sometimes take Pyper and me out for a ride together.”

I push down the irrational jealousy of her being on someone else’s bike, but at least it was with people she considers family. I hand her some sunglasses that are a bit too big, but since my bike doesn’t have a windshield, eye protection is required. I also hand her my brain bucket and tighten the straps for her once she has it on. Helmets aren’t required in Wisconsin so long as youare over eighteen and you have a full license, but in my opinion you only get one brain, so you best protect it.

“We’ll get you set up with your own helmet and some other gear later, but what you have will do for today. Hold on tight and lean when I do.”

I straddle my baby and hold out a hand to help Ember on. She takes my hand and gets on behind me. Her arms wrap around me andchingar(fuck), the rightness of having her wrapped around me hits hard. And in that moment, I also know I now have a major fucking weakness, well two weaknesses. Despite that, I know I’ll do everything and anything I can to protect Ember and Pyper.

Starting up my bike, I pull out onto the street and lead Daemon and Reese to our gym. Ten short minutes later, I park my bike and help Ember off. Glancing in the window, I’m surprised to see the glare on Rocket’s face, one ofmis hermanos(my brothers). Though, if Ember sees it, she pays it no mind as she walks over to the SUV and retrieves her bag. Rocket is one of my managers and helps me with the day-to-day nuances at the gym. However, he better not give my woman any grief. While we mainly have men clientele, there are a few women who work out here. Namely, my fighters.

Walking into the front door, we’re stopped by Rocket blocking the way, his arms crossed over his chest. I glare at him, but the fucker ignores me.

“This isn’t the place for the likes of you, little girl,” Rocket sneers, a bit of his Irish accent coming through since he’s pissed. I’m about to tear into him when Ember speaks.

“I see we’re doing the dick measuring contest already,” Ember sighs heavily. “Well, contrary to what you think, this is a place for me being as I’m subbing in for Ice since she’s unable to fight. Name’s Ember and my moniker is Viper, though I’ll be changing it going forward.”

Rocket’s eyes narrow on her. I know he’s heard about Ember’s fights, but judging by the look on his face, he doesn’t believe she’s the real deal.

“Very well, we’ll do this the hard way,” Ember says before taking off her jacket and then she leans down, unzipping her boots, taking them off along with her socks. She starts to pull up her shirt and I step forward.

“Whoa there, Vicious.” No one is going to see what’s mine.

She turns, patting my chest. The corner of her lips twitch like she’s fighting not to smile and her eyes glitter with mischief. “Easy, Handsome, I’ve got my training gear on under these clothes. No one is gonna get any more of an eyeful than what you saw the other night when I fought Luna.”

Rocket’s brow furrows further at the mention of Luna, and I think he’s starting to get the picture that Ember really is who she says she is, but still, he says nothing. I don’t like it, but I step back, letting her take the lead on this. If she’s going to be respected around the gym and in our circuit, then I can’t do this for her. Even though I’d much rather be the one to hand Rocket his ass right now, but that will have to wait until later.

Ember quickly strips until she’s in a sports bra and short workout shorts. She takes a couple of hair ties from her wrist and wraps her braid into a bun at the base of her head. Then she sinks into her stance.

Rocket huffs out a laugh, a smug look of superiority on his face that I want to beat off him. A glance around the room shows that some ofmis hermanos(my brothers), Shuriken, Creed, Chief, and Claw; a few of our fighters; and some of our clients are watching Ember and Rocket interest. I narrow my eyes at the ones that are blatantly eye fucking my woman and they quickly advert their eyes. I’ll be talking with them here shortly.

As well as Rocket.

“I am not someone you want to mess with, little girl. I’ll wipe the mat with you and your blood.”

Ember shrugs a shoulder. “It’s not the first time a big lug like you has underestimated me. Even women underestimate me because of my size. Bring it big boy. You’ll be the perfect warm up for my match tonight.”

Rocket shakes his head but pulls his phone out of the pocket of his shorts, then takes off his shoes and socks. He looks up at me in question and even though he’ll be feeling my wrath later, I just smirk at him, which just confuses him even more. He looks back at Ember, still not taking her seriously.