Page 39 of Tico

Chapter 21

Tico

Shurikenknocksonthedoor. When I answer it, I take the envelope he hands me containing Ember’s cut of tonight’s winnings. Since she’s still changing, I pocket it for now so I can give it to her later.

As we wait for Ember to come out of the women’s locker room, my gaze keeps going back to Rochelle, who is sitting on one of the benches as far away from us as she can. Her worried gaze keeps darting between each of us. I know she trusts Daemon, toan extent, but we’re all big men. Some of us are bigger and more muscular than the men in the Chrome Vipers per the pictures Wire had sent to me during Ember’s fight. The fact that we could easily overpower her if we wanted to, which we would never do, probably isn’t helping her nerves.

I walk over to her and stop a few feet away, crouching down to make myself smaller instead of hovering over her. Her eyes lower to her hands and a slight tremble runs through her.

“Rochelle, I know we said this before, but no one in my club will ever raise a hand to you in anger. I’d have their patches, shave off their club tattoo and then they’d be subjected to the punishment of the club if they ever did. You are safe with us, but as you well know, anything can happen. If you ever feel unsafe, let me know immediately. If I’m not around, then talk to Taco who is my VP, Cobra who is our SAA, or Daemon who is our Enforcer. That goes for the bunnies as well. I know it will take you some time to realize the Royal Bastards are not the Chrome Vipers. Our women and children are cherished; not hurt, abused, bred, or sold.”

She looks up hesitantly, staring into my eyes as if searching for the lie, but she won’t find it. After a few moments, the tension in her body eases slightly and she gives a small nod, her lips curve into a small, soft smile.

“No wonder Ember is so drawn to you,” she says quietly. “You don’t know how much it means to me to know that her and Pyper have finally found a place to belong.”

“You could, too, if you wanted,” I tell her. “It’s obvious how much Pyper and Ember mean to you and vice versa. We can help you get settled after all this… is dealt with,” I carefully say and this time, Rochelle chuckles softly.

“You don’t have to tip toe around that with me, Tico. I know you guys sometimes take care of things in not so legal ways and that doesn’t bother me so long as there is a good reason. I’veseen men, women, and children abused and killed just because of a perceived mistake or action.” She hesitates as she clasps her hands in her lap so hard her fingers turn white. “If…If you’re serious about helping me, there will be problems.”

My gut twists and I feel more than seemis hermanos(my brothers) attention honing in on Rochelle. “What kind of problems?”

She swallows thickly. “I…I was born into the Chrome Vipers. My mother was one of the women they kept in what us women call the ‘breeders room’. A large room with four rows of six bunk beds per row. I have no idea who my father is, much like the others born there. None of our births were ever recorded and none of us were allowed to go to a real school. We were all homeschooled. Then, when we were old enough, we worked the homestead.”

My jaw clenches. “They kept you invisible on purpose…” my voice trails off, unable to finish the sentence.

That if they were undocumented, there would be no trace of them when they were sold off or were killed.

Chingar(Fuck)…

Rochelle nods before looking over at Daemon and then back at me. “Things got worse after Daemon left,” she says then her eyes widen and she shakes her head and hands, “not that we’re blaming you, because we’re not. Not at all. We were all happy you got out because we knew at some point Scooter would come for you, too. Just like he did to your parents. But by Daemon protecting Ember and Pyper, he’d been inadvertently protecting the rest of us, too, because Scooter and the others knew he was watching.”

I turn, looking at Daemon and Taco who look like they want to go on a rampage.

“We bring down Chrome Vipers and then we free those women and children,” I tell them, my voice hard and cold with anger.

“Agreed,” they both reply in unison.

“But…where will they go? Most of them will need intensive therapy,” Ember says and my head snaps toward the locker room door, not having heard it open.

“That club we helped out a few years ago, the Steel Archangels,” Daemon says, “a couple of their Ol’ Ladies started a battered spouses and children’s center. Maybe they’d have room. Though, some of the women could have been kidnapped and have families to go back home to.”

“We’ll call them once we make our move.” Standing, I pull out my phone and shoot off a text before holding a hand out for Ember. “Come on, ladies, let’s get you back to the clubhouse. I just told the guys we’re heading out.”

“Does anyone have eyes on the Chrome Vipers?” Daemon asks as he steps up beside Rochelle.

“Yeah, Wire’s following them via camera while Psycho, Kane, Clutch and two Prospects all have eyes on them. It looks like they’re heading back to their hotel. Still no final word for a head count outside of those seven, though.”

I tuck Ember under my arm and Daemon stays close to Rochelle as we head out through the hallways. Outside, Jesse is waiting by the SUV, the door open and he is scanning the parking lot.

“Haven’t seen anything, Tico,” he says quietly while Ember helps Rochelle into the SUV.

Ember turns questioningly to me.

“Ride with Rochelle for tonight, Vicious. I don’t want them trying anything with you on the back of my bike.”

She gives me a slight nod and I shut the door after she climbs inside.

Turning to Jesse, he straightens at the look on my face. “Protectmi mujer(my woman) and our guest. Stay together.”