Page 57 of Tico

“We spring the trap ourselves so we control the narrative.”

As if they’d coordinated it, Tico, Daemon, and Taco all smirk in unison.

“That’s our Queenie,” Taco says with a wink.

Chapter 28

Ember

Earlier,wespenttwohours planning in Diego’s office and while I’m not a hundred percent on the plan, I think it’s our best option.

And now it’s time for my first Royal Bastard’s party.

I look at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. I’m wearing a Royal Bastard’s tank top that Diego gave me along with a pair of shorts and the only pair of sandals I grabbed from home—they are black, flat sandals that lace up my legs, stopping just belowmy knees. I unbraided my hair, and for once, I decided to just let it hang in loose waves down to my waist. As for my makeup, I kept it fairly simple with natural eyeshadow and blush, mascara, and a shimmery lip gloss. For jewelry, I’m fairly limited since I only have what I took off before my fight with Luna—silver hoops, a thin silver bracelet, and a locket from my mother that has a picture of Pyper and I with Mom inside it. Finally, I slip on one of the rings my mom always wore—a black hills gold ring with a sapphire in the center. Pyper has the same ring but hers has an emerald in it. Mom had bought them because they are our birthstones.

I reach behind me and take my cut off the hook on the wall and slip it on. My fingers trace over my road name patch, and for a moment, emotion overwhelms me. I still can’t believe that this is my life now. That Pyper, Rochelle, and I are no longer trapped under the Chrome Viper’s or Oasis’ thumb.

Well, sort of.

After we deal with them once and for all, I mean. But I never thought I’d be a part of another motorcycle club again. Not after everything I saw and experienced with the Chrome Vipers.

But here I am.

Officially tied to another club as Tico’s Ol’ Lady. And not just any Ol’ Lady. The President’s Ol’ Lady.

I take a steadying breath at that.

Then my eyes widen.

Shit.

I’m thePresident’sOl’ Lady.

Arms wrap around me and I startle. My head whips up to see who’s behind me in the mirror, but then my body relaxes when I see it’s Diego.

He kisses my shoulder. “It finally hit you, didn’t it?” he asks quietly and I can see myself blushing in the mirror.

“Yeah, it did.”

“You’re still okay with it?”

I turn in his arms and wrap my arms around his neck. “Yeah, I am. It just hit me that I’m the President’s Ol’ Lady, and while I know that requires extra responsibilities, I’m not fully sure what all those responsibilities are. I was six when Daemon’s parents were killed and Scooter never had an Ol’ Lady, so I don’t really know what all I’m supposed to do.”

He leans down, kissing my forehead. “You’re basically the Queen of the club. The bunnies will eventually report to you, and essentially, you’re above any other Ol’ Lady that joins our club in the future. Later, we can discuss everything in detail. When you’re ready, we’ll announce the reporting change to the bunnies.”

I nod slowly, absorbing everything.

His hands tighten on my waist and his chocolate eyes turn molten. “You are sexy as fuck tonight, Vicious. It’s going to be hard keeping my hands to myself.”

I bite my lower lip, suddenly nervous while at the same time, insanely aroused.

“What… What if I’m okay with that? Not keeping your hands to yourself, I mean?”

His grip tightens even more and I can feel him hardening against my stomach. Then his hands come up to cup my cheeks.

“Vicious, I don’t want you making this decision because it’s something you think I want you to say yes to. I may be apinche pendejo(fucking asshole), but I would never force you to do something you are not ready for.”

I pause at his Spanish. I’ve heard ‘pendejo’ before, but from context, I’m going to assume he meant fucking asshole.