Page 7 of Born Savage

Six

Scarlett

My face feels hot. My eyes stay locked on his back as he stalks outside. I read the thick black letters inked deeply into his skin, spelling out SAVAGE across his upper back, between his shoulders.

“Ahem,” Trish clears her throat and I turn back around in my stool. I pick up my spoon and take another bite of my cereal, feeling her eyes on me.

“What’s going through that pretty little head of yours?” she asks and I finally look up to meet her gaze. I shrug.

“What?” I question in return, although I’m fully aware of what she’s really asking.

“I see you looking. You better be careful around that one,” she warns.

“It’s not a crime to look,” I smile back, feeling my cheeks heat again.

“Your daddy might disagree. Especially with a man like that,” she says.

“And what exactly does he expect? This is the life he gave me. He doesn’t want me to date anyone inside the club, but he alsodoesn’t want me involved with anyone outside the club. What am I supposed to do, join a convent?” I rant.

Trish’s eyes go wide and her hands lift in surrender. I instantly feel guilty, knowing that I’m taking my frustration out on the wrong person. She’s been like a mom to me and I know she means well, but I didn’t need the reminder this morning. Sometimes I just want to look, like any other girl would.

“I’m sorry. It’s not your fault. I just wish my dad would understand that I’m twenty-three years old and I’m not a baby anymore,” I offer.

“You and I both know that, but you’ll always be his little girl,” she retorts.

“It’s just annoying that Sonny gets praise the more girls he’s with, while I get the complete opposite,” I breathe.

“I think he’s still clinging to the idea that you were meant to be with Manny,” she offers with a soft smile, and I know she’s right.

Manny was Sonny’s best friend, but during our teenage years I managed to steal some of his attention. His place in the club had been cemented at a young age, but Dad was more understanding, since we had grown up together. Manny wasn’t like other prospects getting patched in. He loved me. But then, in an instant, he was gone.

“You know I loved Manny, but it’s been almost five years. I was still a teenager then,” I tell her.

“Believe me, honey, I know. But have you tried talking to your dad about it? I’m sure he’ll listen if you try. He’s a smart man, but he’s no mind reader,” she smiles.

“I know,” I breathe out, lifting from the stool and carrying my bowl to the sink. I rinse it quickly and add it to the almost full dishwasher. “Thanks, Trish,” I offer as I scoop up my towel and move towards the sliding glass door, my sights set on the pool.

???

He’s only been outside for a few minutes, but beads of sweat have already formed on his skin. He glances back over his shoulder, a soft cloud of smoke seeping from his lips and nostrils.

“I see the need for the pool. It’s fuckin’ hot here,” he chuckles and the sound makes my knees buckle.

“This is nothing. Just wait until we hit triple digits,” I smile back, forcing myself to keep walking.

I stop at the edge of the water, dropping my towel into an empty lounge chair. This is the perfect spot to spend my day. I carefully shimmy my shorts off my hips before dipping my toes into the cool water. I can feel his eyes on me before I even turn around.

“It’s for everyone. Feel free to use it when the heat gets to be too much for you,” I offer. His eyes rake slowly up my body and I feel my skin flush at the attention. I suddenly feel the need to put more than my toes in the water to cool off.

“It’s really nice back here. This pool and patio set-up is pretty fuckin’ sweet,” he observes, his eyes leaving my body to glance around the backyard.

“Yeah, the patio was already here when Dad took over. But he added the pool and a few cabanas for me and Sonny when we were kids,” I share.

“Wait. You grew up here? In the clubhouse?” he asks with wide, surprised eyes.

“Kind of,” I nod. “We weren’t babies, but we were still pretty young when Dad became president. I was nine, almost ten when we moved in here,” I tell him.

“Shit. I mean, I pretty much grew up in my clubhouse too, but I imagine it’s a little different for a girl,” his lips curl into a knowing grin.

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