Page 89 of Tico

Levi pulls a couple of paracord bracelets out of the pouch and then she shows me hers that she’s wearing. She shifts so that her back is to me and then places her wrists together. She shifts slightly until she’s able to undo one of the bracelets and I gasp when I see the small, hidden dagger in it. Levi straightens and then puts the bracelet back on.

Fuck, I wish I had that in the van a few days ago…

“There are trackers built into them as another safety feature,” she continues. “The kids wear them, too. Though theirs don’t have blades in them and they are semi-permanent, meaning only the adults in the club have the keys to unlock them. Sure, they can be cut off, but due to the strength of the wires insidethem, it would take a considerable amount of time if they didn’t have the right tools.”

My hand flies to my mouth as realization finally settles over me. “You did all this to try and prevent someone else from suffering the same fate you did and then constructed devices to make people like that pay for what they’d done.”

Levi’s eyes turn misty as she nods. “Yes. I know our clubs aren’t exactly aligned the same with us being legit and yours being a one-percenter, but we all end up encountering the same type of enemy every now and then. As well as having to deal with them ourselves.

“I got to know your club pretty well a few years ago when they came and helped us out with Oasis trying to go after several of us Old Ladies and the children. I’m glad Tico found you. Even back then I knew it’d take a pretty special lady to get him to settle down—and to help him with the heavy cloud he always seemed to carry. I haven’t known you for long, but just from your actions yesterday, I know I can trust you with this and that you won’t let these get used by the wrong hands.”

Immediately, I shake my head and reach over, taking her hand in mine. “No, never. The only ones that will receive this treatment are the ones that truly deserve this as well as the sick fucks who enjoy raping and beating women and children like our guests that are currently waiting on ice for us to get back.”

She gives me a nod of approval before slightly lifting the box. “This isn’t the only set I’ll be sending back with you. The others are prepped and sitting in Church until you guys leave. There are also enough bracelets for your club members along with some extras. Smoke already sent Wire the information he’ll need for the trackers. If you ever need more, don’t hesitate to let me know and we’ll get more made for you.”

“Thank you, Levi. I’ll make sure they get put to good use.”

She smiles, squeezes my hand back and then helps me put on the bracelets. Later I’ll have to practice with them so that I’ll be able to use them without cutting off a finger if I’m ever restrained again.

As we get up to leave, she pauses at the door. “If you ever want to chat about anything else, feel free to reach out. I know from experience that you sometimes just need to speak to another woman that gets what you’re going through. And if you’re ever in the area again, feel free to drop by.”

“Thanks, Levi. Same to you. The next time you’re out our way, stop by and stay for a few days if your schedule allows it. Maybe I can even do a bit of ink for you if you’re up for more.”

Her eyes light up and I chuckle, looking forward to being able to tattoo again.

Chapter 41

Tico

WestayedinForestCreek for two more days to help the rescued women and children settle in. Levi and Ember became very close during those two days, as well as a few of the other Ol’ Ladies, and I have a feeling that we’ll be seeing more of them in the near future.

Before leaving, Lucian met up with us in Forest Creek and followed us back to Sheboygan Falls. Thankfully, by then I’d already filled Ember in on what all he told us after we foundout she was kidnapped. While Ember is still hesitant around him, she did tell him that she’ll at least listen when he explains everything to Pyper and her once we got back home.

While we were gone, Corvus stayed glued to Pyper’s side. The guilt of not being able to protect Ember had him being extra vigilant with Pyper.

True to her word, Xochitl called down several members of her club to help protect our clubhouse while we were gone. Having them there immensely helped our raid because it meant I was able to take almost all ofmis hermanos(my brothers) with me to rescue Ember. Xochitl had wanted to come with us and she wasnothappy when I asked her to stay. However, with her history with Oasis, I didnotwant her anywhere near those sick fucks.

And now… Now it’s time to deal with our ‘guests’.

I look across the room as Ember descends the stairs. A few minutes ago, Chief had wrapped her arm before she went up to change, but staring at her now, I wish I could be doing other things with her.

She has a blood red tank top on underneath her cut and her black jeans mold to her like a second skin. Her fiery red hair is braided and piled up on a bun, high on her head. With the way Chief wrapped her arm, she looks even more badass than usual, though her killer makeup helps with that as well. I’m almost sure she took pointers from Levi and Sasha while she was in Forest Creek.

A thought has my dick twitching in my jeans, and I wonder if I could talk her into getting a pair of the pointy, sexy as fuck boots that Levi and Sasha have as well—they are high heeled knee-high leather boots with a metal spiked heel. In Levi and Sasha’s words, they have red leather ones for business and black ones for pleasure.

I shake out of my thoughts as Ember approaches me.

“You ready, Vicious?”

I’m still a little nervous about how Ember will be after going down to the dungeon, but I know she needs this closure. Especially after Jerry held a fucking gun to her forehead.

“Damn fucking ready,” she says under her breath, but I still catch the hesitation in her eyes.

“If at any time you want to leave, or it gets to be too much, you can. You know that, right?”

She gives me a small smile. “Yeah, I know, Diego. I just…” she pauses as she takes a deep breath. “A part of it just hurts, you know. For twenty-two years Jerry was the only father figure I had. I mean, sure, Uncle Marcus stepped in and helped me as much as he could, but…yeah…”

I pull her into my arms, hugging her. After a moment she pulls back, her face and eyes hardening.