Page 47 of Tico

“Are you sure?” she asks me hesitantly.

“Yes,” I reply immediately. “You’ll find out they are nothing like the Chrome Vipers. And regardless of if you decide to stay or not after this is all done, I’d still like for you to be in my life.”

“Our lives,” Pyper adds as she gently takes one of Rochelle’s hands in hers. “I don’t remember Mom much, and I barely remember Erica, but you’re the Mom I remember the most. Please stay or at least, stay close.”

Rochelle’s eyes shimmer with tears and she gives a shaky nod. “Okay. I’ll stay. I’ve always seen you both as my daughters, too, even though you aren’t mine biologically.” She pauses andlooks at me. “If he makes you happy, then I’m happy for you. Congratulations, Ember.”

She hugs me, making sure to keep it gentle, and I whisper a thank you to her.

Pulling back, she turns away slightly to wipe her eyes, and I pretend not to notice. Tico comes over, grinning that sexy, half-grin of his, and hands me a box.

“What’s this?”

“Open it.”

I take it from him, opening it, and a gasp slips past my lips. Logically, I knew Ol’ Ladies got cuts, but for some reason, my mind didn’t connect the dots that I’dactuallyget one. My gaze flies to his and his eyes soften.

“The lady that does our cuts worked through the night when she realized it was for my Ol’ Lady. I wanted to have it for when you were ready.”

My fingers tremble slightly as I lift the cut from the box, and I huff out a small laugh when I find his nickname for me, Vicious, sewed onto the cut. Then I freeze when I see ‘Queenie’ stitched into a patch where the ranked club positions are normally sewed on. I run my finger over the patch and feel something shifting in my chest.

“Some of the guys asked if we should give you your title on the cut, and after last night, we realized what it should be.”

Turning, I scan the room and it lands on Taco, the man who gave me the nickname. He gives me a chin lift and the corner of his lips twitch, something I’ve started to realize is his version of a smile. I dip my chin in return and look back down at the cut. Turning it over, I run my hand over the rocker proclaiming me as ‘Property of Tico’ and my chest warms.

I slip it on and cheers once again fill the room.

“Tonight, we’ll have a party to celebrate, but for now, let’s head out back,” Tico says, his voice hard as he looks in the direction of the dungeon.

I follow his line of sight and my fingers go to my patch, Vicious. My spine straightens as resolve fills me.

It’s time my dear old uncle Ryan realizes he has absolutely no control or ownership over Pyper or me.

Poison steps up next to me. “Now knowing your history, I’m going to take a stab that you won’t need any advice, but if you do, don’t hesitate to ask. I’m sure between Daemon and me, we’ll have you covered,” she tells me with a wink and I huff out a small laugh, smiling as I nod.

“Thank you.”

We head outside, Xochitl and Poison included. As we descend the stairs the first thing I notice is the smell—unwashed bodies, piss, and I can damn near taste their fear.

Tico presses his thumb to the thumbprint reader and then punches in a code. When the door unlocks, he holds it open for me. As I step through, my gaze locks on my uncle Ryan who is hanging from chains in the center of the room. There are three bodies hanging on each side of him with a plastic sheet underneath them. I recognize all but two of the men—Rover, the Road Captain for the Chrome Vipers and three of their Prospects, Bones, Rail, and Spike. As for the other two…I wonder if they are part of Oasis?

Uncle Ryan glares at me and sneers. “Well, look who finally showed up,” he pauses as his gaze locks on my cut and his sneer deepens. “Wearing that fucking cut will do nothing and it means nothing. You’re worthless, girl, and the sooner you realize you need to return home to your owner, the better. Wouldn’t want anything to happen to your newfriends, now would you?”

I don’t reply, which only irritates him more. Instead, I look around the room, taking in the various cabinets where I’m sureDaemon has his toys stashed away and then I lean against the wooden table, taking a front row seat to watch Uncle Ryan’s demise. Though, I really should stop referring to him as my uncle. Especially one that wants to exploit and sell me.

Tico steps up beside me and takes off his cut before handing it to me. I drape it over my arms. Surprisingly, he cups my cheek and gives me a quick kiss before turning back around towards the men. His eyes harden as his gaze roams over Ryan and the others before focusing back on Ryan. He takes the knife Daemon hands him and approaches Ryan.

“So, you’re thegüevón(asshole) who thinks he can get away with putting his hands onmi mujer, my woman, my Ol’ Lady.”

Ryan scoffs, but fear sparks in his eyes for a moment at my new title. Even he knows what it means when you mess with another person’s Ol’ Lady.

“She isn’t your anything. She’s Chrome Vipers property—nothing more.”

Tico taps his knife against Ryan’s cheek. “See, that’s where you’re wrong,güevón(asshole). She may have been born into your worthless fucking club but that does not make her your property.”

Without another word, Tico starts cutting off the patches of Ryan’s cut. Ryan tries to thrash his body to stop Tico, but Rocket and Gorgon step forward, steadying Ryan’s body. A dark part of me relishes in seeing him like this because I know he’s not getting out of here.

Not in one piece at least.