Page 28 of Tico

I pause as I think about it. I hate the idea of using Ember as bait. Yes, they’ll know as soon as we announce it, but I’d like to keep it under wraps for as long as possible.

“Wire, let Banshee and her team know but that they are to keep her fighter’s identity close to the chest for now. Once the doors open tonight, we’ll have no choice because of the bookies.I need a crew to stay here tonight but most of us, I’ll need at the warehouse.”

“I hate to ask this, but do we use her as bait to lure them out after the fight? If they’re still tied to Oasis like Daemon said they were years ago, then the longer they’re in town means the higher chance of more women going missing,” Radar says and fuck do I hate that he’s right.

“They’re still tied to Oasis according to Ember,” I reply.

“Prez,” Daemon says.

I turn to him and judging by the look on his face, I don’t think I’m going to like what he has to say.

“If you talk to her, I bet she’d be up for it. She hates everything that they’re doing to those women and girls. She’d fight to get them free.”

I hesitate but then nod. “I’ll talk to her, but under no circumstances is Pyper getting into the line of fire. She’s a minor and while I’m sure Ember has taught her some moves, she’s not as trained as Ember is.”

Daemon’s face hardens. “They aren’t getting their hands on either of them.”

“Agreed. Now, let’s figure out our plan for tonight.”

Chapter 15

Ember

Afterdroppingmystuffoff in Tico’s room, I lock it back up and slip the key into my pocket. I still can’t believe that Tico wants me to stay with him and on top of that, he gave me a key to his room. Still, my chest warms at the gesture.

“Let me show you the open rooms,” Liam says as he leads the way down the hallway, away from Tico’s and Taco’s rooms. Their rooms are side by side, the most protected ones in the clubhouse. “They’re all pretty much the same except for whatview you have out the window, so it really just boils down to who you want to room by.”

It hits me then that this will be the first night since Dad and Scooter’s attack that Pyper will be sleeping alone.

Worry churns in my stomach.

What if she has nightmares? What if she wakes up screaming and I don’t hear her? We’ve always shared a room because of our small trailer so the only nights we’ve slept apart were for sleepovers at a friend’s house or when I traveled for my fights.

“Which room is Daemon’s?” Pyper asks as Liam opens the first open room nearest Tico’s.

“His is actually a few doors down on this side,” he says as he tilts his head to the right.

I look around the room, noting that it’s smaller than Tico’s but that’s to be expected since he’s the club’s President. I can see through another open door that it has an attached bathroom and relief fills me that Pyper won’t have to use a communal bathroom. There’s a queen-sized bed on the far wall with nightstands on either side of it. To my right is a dresser and in the far corner is an armchair. In the back corner there is another door that I’m guessing that’s the closet.

“All the windows in the clubhouse are bulletproof by the way. Each room also has their own bathroom, so you don’t have to worry about communal showers or shit like that,” he tells us, confirming my train of thought.

“Is… Is there an open room close to Daemon’s?” Pyper asks, her voice small and timid. Her eyes meet mine briefly before embarrassment colors her cheeks. “Just in case I need something,” she says quietly.

My throat tightens. “You know you can come get me if you need me.”

She nods shyly. “I know, but I want to give you and Tico space, too. Also, I don’t want him getting mad at me if I bother you guys too much.”

She shifts hesitantly on her feet and I hate where her mind’s gone. Pyper’s seen enough around the clubhouse and our trailer to know how violent some men can be but I’m really starting to believe Tico and Daemon about this club being different.

“Pyper, he knows I’m a package deal. I don’t care if he gets pissed. If he can’t handle the fact that you need me, then he isn’t the right guy for me. If it does come down to that, I’ll move into an open room if we’re still here. If the lockdown is over, then we’ll move back to the apartment above Daemon’s shop. But if you need me, Pyper, I’ll be there. Day or night.”

Her eyes are bright with unshed tears as she steps forward and I hug her tightly.

“Thank you.”

I kiss the top of her head. “You don’t have to thank me for that. You’re my sister and I’ll always be there for you.”

She nods and after a moment, she steps away as she wipes her cheeks. “I’d still like to take a room close to Daemon so that he is nearby if I do need him or if you aren’t here to help me with something.”