Page 33 of Tico

Dad grins darkly down at me. “This is what happens when someone disobeys me.”

I cry out as the blade slices into my skin. Fire spreads throughout my face as he drags the blade lower, just narrowly missing my eye.

“This will teach you to think you’re actually worth something,” Scooter sneers as his blade sinks into my skin. “You. Are. A. Nobody. You are the property of the Chrome Vipers MC. We can do whatever the fuck we want with you.” He pauses and leans in close. “And I personally can’t wait until you’ve grown up.”

He straightens and grabs his crotch through his jeans. Bile rises in my throat as I realize what he means. Uncle Ryan’s hands suddenly disappear from my face and I cry out again as pain blooms along my ribs. It’s only then that I see Uncle Ryan holding a knife that’s now dripping with my blood.

“It’s time you learn that I am the one in control, you little brat. You will listen to me or your next punishment will be even more severe,” Dad sneers in my face before he steps back. “Jezabelle, clean this up.”

I blink out of my thoughts to find the shower steaming and I step under the spray.

Jezabelle had cleaned and stitched me up that day. She couldn’t give me anything for the pain unfortunately since Stitch, the club medic, heavily monitors its use. He had looked sincere when he told Jezabelle that he was sorry, but my dad had ordered that I wasn’t to be given anything.

The next few days, I was allowed to stay home. I think Dad realized he’d messed up by doing what they did. I heard him muttering a few times that my scars would bring more questions. When I finally did go back to school, I had to lie and say that I fell. I don’t think they believed me, but after that, Duncan and his uncle Wrench tried to protect me as much as possible. They were furious at what Dad, Uncle Ryan, andScooter had done, but there wasn’t anything they could do about it.

I shake my head, trying to push the memories back. As I wash my hair and body, determination fills me.

If Dad, Uncle Ryan, or Scooter try anything, I will make them pay for everything they’ve done to us.

And taken away from us.

Chapter 18

Ember

Itiethehairtie around the end of my braid and then wrap it into a bun at the back of my head. When I’m done, I look at my reflection in the mirror. My emerald-green eyes are sharp, a striking contrast to my fiery red hair. I eye my muscular frame, pride filling me for the years of hard work I’d put into my training even though I still hate the ‘why’ behind how this all started.

I shake my head to clear my thoughts, trying to keep more memories from surfacing. I turn in the mirror, checking my clothes and that my straps are all laying correctly and nod.

Walking into the bedroom, I pause when I see Tico sitting on the bed. The muscle in his jaw ticks when he sees me and I cock an eyebrow in question.

He shakes his head. “Nothing, Vicious. I just gotta get used to others seeing my woman this fucking sexy.” He stands up and crosses the room before resting his hands on my hips. “But make no mistake, I will kill acabrón(fucker) if they lay their hands on you.”

I shake my head at his possessiveness, but I can’t stop my smile. Normally with the Chrome Vipers, I detested the kind of possessiveness they had, but with Tico, it’s different. I know he doesn’t want to control me whereas Dad did.

“What’s going through your mind?”

I blink out of my thoughts, giving him a small, tight smile. “It’s just memories. Did Wire get any more updates? Are they here?”

His face hardens and his grip on my hips tightens slightly before relaxing. “Yeah, Vicious, they’re here. They checked into a hotel on the edge of town. Some of the guys will stay here tonight to make sure they don’t hit the clubhouse and to protect Pyper. The rest of the guys will be scattered in and around the warehouse and the gym.”

I frown up at him in confusion. “Why around both buildings?”

“The warehouse is behind the gym. The fight itself will be in the warehouse, but with the shit the Chrome Vipers have pulled before on other clubs, we’re being cautious.”

Exhaling, I nod. “I’m sorry.”

Tico frowns and tilts his head as he watches me. “What for?”

“For bringing this to your door. Especially since Daemon already got out once.”

He shakes his head and gently grasps my chin. “Ember, listen to me. None of this is your fault. It’s Drone, Bug, and Scooter’s fault. They couldn’t handle you taking back control. They think of you both as assets. As property. As something they can do whatever they want with. But they’re wrong, and we’ll prove it.”

He leans down, kissing my forehead, and then he taps my hip.

“Grab whatever else you need, Vicious, then we’ll head out. I’m looking forward to having you on the back of my bike again.”

Excitement thrums through me. I loved being on the back of Tico’s bike earlier today, so he isn’t the only one that’s looking forward to another ride. It’s been a while since the last time I’ve ridden. A part of me wants to learn how to ride a motorcycle myself, but then the other part of me wants to stay wrapped around Tico.