Page 14 of Bound by Desire
He starts to talk, but one look from her and he decides to justleave.
“You two, don’t fuckin’ move,” sheorders.
The guys halt as she pulls out her phone and sends a text to someone, then looks back at us. It’s strange being in this woman’s presence. She’s had such a reputation in the community for so long that she almost seems like an illusion. Not really here. Almost like a celebrity that you occasionally see on TV, but don’t really get the full effect. Being this close, I can feel the anger coming off her. She’sdefinitelyhere.
“Sorry about that. These assholes will be dealt with.” She nods towardthemen.
“Appreciateit.”
“Did you do that yourself?”sheasks.
“Hell yeah, she did. She’s the best!” Skyler says, and Princess’ brow raises inquestion.
“It’smyjob.”
She goes to ask me something, but stops as two men barrel up to us, eyes pissed as hell. But fuck me, they’re hot. One has tons of tattoos, while the other only has a few. They are both well over six feet tall. One has light brown hair that’s tied in a knot at the back of his head. The other is dark-haired with a playful yet sinister look on his face. They wear the Ravage MC logo on their leather. Great, now they’reinvolved.
“These two,”Princesssays.
Without a word, the Ravage MC guys grab the assholes and guide them out of theplace.
“Your job?” she asks, not missingabeat.
“I work forSchade.”
Her eyes narrow to slits. “Rylie?”
This shocks me, and not much does these days. I’ve been there and done that for a long-ass time. Her knowing my name isstrange.
“Yeah.”
A smile graces her face as I cross my arms over my chest. “No wonder you could put these two out. I’ve heard about you.” She shakes my hand. “You just made afriend.”
I smirk.Friendis a relative word, but I roll with it. Who doesn’t need someone like Princess ontheirside?
ChapterFive
“Tonight. Nine-thirty,”Ricko says in my ear as I sit at my desk in the shop. Jerry, the owner, said I needed one to make sure the right parts were ordered, even though he knows I give all the orders to the secretary and she enters them in the main office. As long as the job gets done, he’shappy.
It is nice to get away in my own space,though.
Ricko’s call comes at the perfect time. I can feel it building. The need for release. The need for escape. The drive that can push me over the edge if I’m not careful. I’ve felt pent-up since the call with Emery twodaysago.
It doesn’t do anyone any good to play the woulda, coulda, shoulda game. That’s not in the cards. The present is all one can deal with, but that doesn’t stop the worry I have for her. I refuse to let her go down the wrong path like I did. Not that she’s to that point, but I’ve been texting her to make sure her head is still on straight. So far, she seems to be pulling herself together, but I may need to suck it up and make a trip to her school. Seeing her won’t change anything, but maybe it’ll help her insomeway.
A throat clearing brings me back to the conversation on the line. “Howmuch?”
“SevenK.”
Sure, the man is out to make money, but I need to make this shitworthwhile.
“Ricko,” I warn, not about to say more. He’ll pay. Healwaysdoes.
“Fine. Ten K, but that’s all I’ve got forthisone.”
It’s funny. That’s exactly what he says at every fight. I’m not stupid. I do my homework. The assholes who come to these fights have serious cash and bet it like it’s water. Knew one guy who walked out with thirty thousand, just on bets. High rollers with money to burn. Therefore, I know Ricko pulls inseriouscash.
“I’ll be there.” I click the phone off, tossing it to the desk. At least tonight I’ll be able to let go of the buildinside.
