Page 10 of Siren's Salvation

But now I'm on the other side of things.

I’m a prospect.

Someone who's supposed to look out for the club and its family.

"Look," I say, running a hand through my long black hair, "I get wanting a little bit of fun, but you give me that bottle now or I go talk to all your folks. And there’s no negotiating with me. You do it now, or I blow your shit up."

The girls exchange panicked glances, their strength crumbling.

Noelle, still clinging to her false confidence, scoffs. "Come on, she won't talk to them."

I arch an eyebrow, my hazel-green eyes locked on Noelle's face.

This little girl doesnotwant to play with me.

I will fuck up her shit faster than she can get me to stop.

The tension in the air is thick as ever, and I can feel my tattoos—the colorful dragon on my right upper arm and the Kraken below it—almost pulsing with the energy of the moment.

Davina, her voice trembling, contradicts her friend. "Yes, she will."

Her eyes are wide, fear evident in every line of her face.

Aggie, caught between the two, hisses at her sister. "Shut up, Davina!"

I've had enough of this back-and-forth.

With a quick movement, I snatch the bottle from Noelle's hand.

The vodka sloshes inside, a reminder of just how much trouble these girls could be in.

"You'd be smart to listen to your little sister," I say, my voice low and firm. "Now I'm gonna go tell your folks, and I'll guarantee you Davina is going to be theonlysafe one."

Noelle's face contorts with anger. "Geeze, you don't have to be a bitch!"

The words hit me like a slap, and for a moment, I'm transported back to my days in the Bronx, hearing similar insults hurled at my mother.

I open my mouth to retort, but a deep, authoritative voice cuts through the night air. "Noelle, you'd better tell me what in the hell has gotten into you."

My heart drops as I recognize Blackjack's voice.

The VP of the club—and Noelle's father—stands in the doorway, his imposing figure silhouetted against the light from inside.

Noelle's face goes ghost white, all her cockiness evaporating in an instant. "Dad, I... we were just... it's not what it looks like," she stammers, tripping over her own words.

Blackjack's eyes narrow. "Prospect," he says, addressing me, "tell me what happened."

I clear my throat, suddenly very aware of my position as a prospect.

I need to handle this carefully. "I found the girls drinking, sir," I explain, gesturing with the bottle in my hand. "I made a deal with them—if they gave me the bottle, I'd keep it under wraps."

Blackjack shakes his head, disappointment etched on his face. "She was gonna save your hide, and you go and call her a bitch."

He turns to his daughter. "Noelle, get your ass back to the house right now and relieve the babysitter. I'm sure your little brothers and sister will be tickled pink to see you."

Noelle huffs, clearly not done with her tantrum.

Blackjack's voice drops dangerously low. "You better stop with that sass, little girl."

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