Page 35 of Glacier

“Mm,” I hummed, staring into her eyes. “I don’t think you have. I think you need a reminder.”

I raised the hand holding the knife, ignoring the terror in her eyes along with the shouts from everyone watching. I was sure they thought I was going to stab her.

Instead, I tightened my grip on her long hair and used my knife to cut her hair off close to her scalp. I kept my knife razor-sharp, so it didn’t take long before I was holding my prize in my hand.

Barb looked horrified as I dropped the severed length of hair in the dirt in front of her.

“A little keepsake so you remember your manners and where your loyalty should lie.”

I turned away and met Rita’s gaze. “She’s all yours, Rita.”

Harriet let out a hoot of laughter. Rita chuckled as she strode towards me, respect gleaming in her eyes. “Girl, you’re going to fit right in.”

She grinned at me as she grabbed Barb’s arm and hauled her roughly to her feet. “Time for you to pack and get out of Bitterthorn. Don’t need troublemaking skanks working and living off the Kings.”

Rita led the snivelling Barbara away.

I turned to look for my man. I’d made my decision. My actions had sealed my fate.

Glacier was already moving towards me. He pulled me into his arms and dipped his head to claim my mouth. His tongue slid against mine as he possessively kissed me.

“And that’s how it’s done, ladies and gents,” Lawless shouted. “Nobody fucks with the Kings!”

“Or their Ol’ Ladies,” Lurch added, laughing.

The tension eased, and chatter filled the afternoon as the music started up again.

Glacier continued to kiss me, making his claim perfectly clear to everyone around us.

I was his.

“You make me so fucking hard, baby,” he whispered in my ear when he finally released my mouth. “I’ve got to speak to North and Carnage.”

I nodded. “I need a word with Jen. This being in charge is hard work.”

He snorted a laugh, burying his face in my neck and hugging me to him. “It really is. But with you at my side, it’s also going to be fun.”

“I’ll keep you on your toes,” I promised with a smirk. “Go do your thing, and I’ll do mine.”

Glacier released me and went to speak with North and Carnage.

The moment he stepped away, I whirled around and pointed a finger at a wide-eyed Jen, Janis, and Tru.

“Don’t move,” I snapped. “I’ve got something to say to all of you.”

They froze like kids caught doing something they shouldn’t be.

Jen’s eyes flicked nervously between me and the others.

Janis folded her arms defensively.

Tru shifted her weight from one foot to the other.

“You are not helping Jen if you always jump in to protect her,” I said firmly.

Janis opened her mouth as if she was about to argue, but I shut her down with a look.

Returning my attention to Jen, I softened my tone. “You need to stand up for yourself.”