Page 55 of Tico

His face and eyes soften. “You’re family, Vicious,” he says, purposefully using my new road name. “You, Pyper, and now Rochelle. We protect our own.”

My throat tightens and I give him a jerky nod.

Liam turns towards Tico. “Everything’s been quiet with her.” He pauses and glances at me before looking back at Tico. “She’s been pretty subdued whenever one of us brought her food and water.”

Hope grows in me that we can put this behind us.

Liam steps aside and after we step inside, he closes it behind us. I glance around the room, surprised when I see that there are two bunk beds in here along with two tall dressers and twoclosets. It almost looks like a dorm room the way they have it set up. I figured the bunnies would have a room to themselves or maybe two women to a room rather than four. For a moment I remember the bunk beds in the breeding room at the Crome Vipers compound, but I push those memories aside. The Royal Bastards arenotthe Chrome Vipers.

Sunny is sitting on one of the top bunks and, for once, she’s actually fully dressed in a t-shirt and jeans. Her arms are wrapped around her legs and her eyes are puffy, as if she’s been crying recently. She eyes me warily for a few moments before she climbs down. I’m surprised that she’s only a few inches taller than me, but then I notice that she’s barefoot.

“I’m sorry,” she says quietly as she wraps her arms around herself.

Tico squeezes my hand, and I’m assuming that means he’s letting me take the reins for this.

I quirk an eyebrow at her. “What exactly are you sorry about?”

She swallows thickly before taking a deep breath. “For ratting you out to Sally, and in turn, the Chrome Vipers.” She glances at Tico and then looks back at me. “And for getting mad about you being with Tico.” She pauses as a slight blush forms on her cheeks. “I’ve had a crush on him for years and when you came in like a storm, I…” her voice trails off as she looks away, her face filled with shame. She closes her eyes and exhales. “I was angry and thought if I could get rid of you, then Tico might finally notice me.”

I want to address our relationship, but first, I need to know something else. “What you told us last night, is that really everything you told Sally?”

“Yes.”

I nod slowly. “And my relationship with Tico. Are you still going to try and sabotage us again or cause more issues?”

She hesitates but shakes her head. “No, I won’t.”

My disbelief must show on my face because she shakes her head again.

“I really won’t. I can’t get kicked out of here. I have nowhere else to go.”

“She’s right,” Tico says and then surprisingly, he cocks an eyebrow in question at Sunny who gives a small nod. Tico turns back to me. “We got Sunny out of a bad domestic situation a few years ago. If she leaves here, she no longer has our protection and her ex will most likely come after her again.”

Rage fills me and I make my decision. “Then you can stay, but if you interfere with our relationship again, or anyone else’s relationship, then that’s the last straw.”

Sunny sits up straighter, relief filling her. “Thank you, and I won’t interfere again.”

I nod. “I have one more condition.” I look up at Tico. “I want all the bunnies to learn self-defense. I’ll teach them how to get out of holds and how to fend off an attacker.” I look over at Sunny who is staring at me in disbelief. “No one should be stuck in that sort of situation, but if it does happen, you should know how to get out of it.”

Sunny opens and closes her mouth a few times but nothing comes out. Then I’m engulfed in a hug.

“Yes, I want to learn. I don’t want to end up in a hospital again.”

My whole body tenses at the words ‘hospital’ and ‘again’. A part of me wants to go on a rampage against whoever the fuck put her in a hospital to begin with. I may not like the woman, at least not right now, but no one should be treated like that.

“We’ll talk to the others and then set up times where you guys can use the downstairs gym,” Tico says and I dip my chin in silent thanks.

Sunny releases me and Tico steps forward.

“In addition to what Ember just said, you’re off the roster for two months, Sunny. You’re also going to pick up more duties around the clubhouse in the meantime. However, if something comes up where we learned you lied to us, then you will be dealt with. Permanently. Do you understand.”

Sunny straightens, clasping her hands in front of her and nods. “Yes.”

“You will respect the Royal Bastards code. Ol’ Ladies are never to be disrespected. A brother’s woman is never to be disrespected. If this happens again, there will be severe punishments. Same for every other bunny.”

“I will and I’m sorry. I’m sorry I let my jealousy cause harm. I never knew…” Her voice trails off and her eyes turn misty. “I didn’t know about how the Chrome Vipers treated their women.”

A part of me twists at the reminder but I push it away. “Now you know.”