Page 7 of Tico

It wasn’t until later that I found out one of the reasons why Dad kept Erica and Rochelle away so much was because he hoped I’d fail and crawl back to him for help. Thankfully, I’venever had to do that. A few times it was close, but I never asked him for help for fear that he’d make Pyper go back into the ‘grooming’ sessions.

I push those thoughts to the back of my mind and smile down at Pyper. “You’ll never guess who I saw tonight after the fight.”

She looks up at me in confusion but then her eyes widen as I tell her about Duncan’s visit. Or I should say ‘Daemon’ since he was wearing a cut that had the Royal Bastards MC patch on the back.

That makes me a little nervous, especially since I frequently hear Dad and the others bitching about the Royal Bastards a lot. Would we be exchanging one cage for another if I take Duncan up on his offer? And why didn’t he ever tell me he joined another club? Then again, I never told him I was fighting in the underground fights either. Guess we were both keeping secrets from each other.

“Do you think they’re a nice club? In school, I heard about two locations the Steel Archangel’s MC has down in Wisconsin. They even allow women in the club now.”

I’d heard about that, too, but I’ll believe it when I see it. From what I know, most women barely have any rights in the clubs, but I don’t tell her that.

“I don’t know about those clubs. Duncan’s cut said that he’s with the Royal Bastards. From what I’ve heard at the bar, they’re into similar stuff as the Chrome Vipers, but they don’t deal in skin.”

That’s one plus towards them at least. Well, that and that Duncan would be there, too.

We talk for a while longer before I catch the time on the nightstand. Pressing a kiss to Pyper’s forehead, I lightly pat her thigh. “Get ready for bed, Kiddo, it’s past midnight.”

She grumbles but does as I ask. At fifteen, she sure does have a lot of snark and sass, but I’d rather have that than the dull eyedgirl she used to be before I made the arrangement. I was fifteen at the time and she was eight. It took a lot of work to ‘unprogram’ her, but it was worth it to see her happy and smiling now. I know Dad hates that I undid all their ‘work’ as he likes to say, but she at least keeps things tame when he’s home.

Twenty minutes later, we both crawl into the bed we share since there isn’t space for two beds in our tiny room. Surprisingly, Pyper turns her back to me and scoots closer so that she’s the little spoon. I blink down at her in shock. She hasn’t done that since she was ten.

“Is everything okay?” I quietly ask her, but the only response I get is her snuggling in closer and burying her face into my arm and the pillow. Instantly, alarm bells ring in my head. “You can always tell me if someone is bothering you. Or if one of the guys does something they aren’t supposed to. I’m always here for you, Kiddo.”

She nods but still stays quiet. Deciding not to push her right now, I curl my arm around her. Tomorrow is Saturday and I have a rare day off from work. I might be able to sus out what’s going on then. As I decide to watch her closely tomorrow, I’m surprised when she clutches my hand tightly as if she’s worried I’m going to leave.

Anger swirls in my gut. If that bastard, or anyone else for that matter, has done something to her, they are going to pay.

Big time.

Chapter 5

Ember

Thenextmorning,Iwatch Pyper closely but discreetly. Around three in the afternoon, I notice her getting quieter and quieter. My phone buzzes and it takes a minute for me to realize it’s my burner phone. When I open my messages, I find a new one from Frannie. I had given her my number when she bought me my first burner phone, so I’d have a way to contact her if I ever needed help or advice. Ever since, she’s always gotten mynew number when I get a new phone. Clicking open the text, my blood runs cold when I read her message.

Frannie: Girl, you need to get yours and Pyper’s asses out of town and fast. I just overheard your dad promise to give you to the Prez. There’s also something going on about Pyper. I tried to get close enough to hear them but then they went into the Prez’s office.

Ember: Fuck… Thanks for the heads up. I’ll figure something out.

Fuck my life.

I don’t want anything to do with Scooter. He’s a fucking sleazeball and is among the worst in the club for how they treat women. Shit. Is this why he’s been leering at me more than usual? Pawing at me and trying to get me to wear a smaller uniform at the bar?

Fuck. I’m supposed to go into work tomorrow at the bar. Who knows what he’ll try to pull then because of this new arrangement with Dad. I gnaw on my lower lip as I debate my options, but there’s really only one option that I think will succeed. Fuck, I hope this works. Decision made, I text Frannie one more time.

Ember: Delete this number and conversation. I’ll contact you when we’re safe from a new phone with our usual code.

The sound of Dad’sHarleyapproaching has me quickly deleting the chat and stuffing the phone in my pocket. Looking up, I frown when I realize Pyper’s face has paled and she’s staring out the window with wide, scared eyes. She scrambles upto her feet, shuts off the television before picking up her book off the coffee table. Dad walks in right after she settles back down on the couch. His gaze narrows on me as he sways on his feet.

Great… He’s drunk.

“What the fuck are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be working?”

I bite my tongue to keep my anger in check. I can’t tip him off that I know what he’s trying to do. “I have today day off because they’re doing some repairs at the diner.”

He grumbles something under his breath that I can’t make out as he staggers through the living room and then the door to his and Rochelle’s room slams shut. My gaze cuts to Pyper and I frown when I realize her hands are shaking.

“Pyper?” I ask but she jumps to her feet and runs back to our room, shutting the door behind her.