Page 8 of Ripper's Property
“Maybe if you weren’t such a bitch, you might’ve had a shot. But Ripper knows he deserves better than someone with a vicious tongue and a propensity for telling lies.”
Her glare sharpens and it pisses me off further. The bitch truly thinks she’s better than me.
“You know.” I step right up to her, inches from her face. “If you ever want to find a man, you should try not to be such a lying, conniving bitch. You seriously underestimate us. We look into everyone who walks into this club. Dig into their pasts and scrounge up every single detail about them.” Her nostrils flare. I guess she thought I was spineless since I had never stuck up for myself before. I honestly didn’t want to waste my breath. Never been one for drama. But now that she’s trying to manipulate her way out of her consequence, destroy me on her way out, it’s worth my time. “You aren’t some neglected girl off the street, Cherry. Or should I say Priscilla. You were a spoiled little richbitch, a country club brat, who was totally bored with her life. You came here searching for some excitement. You wanted a bad boy and a chance to walk on the wild side. Maybe teach daddy a lesson. Show an ex-boyfriend that you found yourself a real man. But you failed to realize one thing. There’s only one true queen of this club, and you’re looking at her. Should’ve thought about that before you treated me like shit.”
The guys all grunt their agreement, and I feel a hard body press against my back. I know who it is from his rugged scent. Now that he doesn’t smell like Cherry, it’s a smell I’ve grown addicted to. But it doesn’t negate the way he acted last night or how deep he let things go with the bitch. Crawling into her bed every night, cuddling with her. I’m furious as hell, but in the enemy’s presence, I will maintain a united front and let his arm stay wrapped around my waist.
“You need to leave now,” I state, and then turn toward the other girls. “If anyone else wants to join her, feel free. And by the way, from now on, have some fucking dignity. If you want to spread your legs for these guys, do it behind closed doors. I’m done with you treating this place like a strip club, shaking your naked tits around all the time. Have some fucking class.” Besides, guys like the chase. The reason none of them are making the cut to become an old lady is because they’re too easy. Shiloh’s the only one who doesn’t throw herself at the guys. She’s so beautiful she doesn’t need to.
The girls nod and scurry out of the room. When the last one exits the kitchen, I pull out of Ripper’s hold.
“And you guys need to do a better job of picking your sluts. They’re getting bitchier and bitchier. And quit leading their asses on. If you have no true intentions with them, you better make it fucking clear so they don’t get their hopes up.”
I point my glare right at the one who made Cherry think she was about to take the throne out from under me. If it weren’tfor Ripper making her feel special, letting her have special privileges, and acting like a couple, she would’ve known her place. He led her on.
I turn and stalk over to get my coffee. It’s time for school, and I’m actually looking forward to staring at my computer screen so I don’t have to think about the brutal truth of what I just learned. It wasn’t just sex between them. No matter how he spins it, he gave her a special piece of himself.
The jealousy is at an all-time high, and I need to get out of this room before the tears start to flow.
“Didn’t know she was givin’ you shit.” His voice cuts through the pounding in my ears. “Never would’ve touched her if I had known. Do any of the others give you shit?”
What? Is he trying to figure out which girl he’s clear to fuck? I’m done with this conversation. I just want my coffee and to lock myself away.
“Nope. You can fuck any of the other sweetbutts you want.”
I reach for a mug, but Skeeter stops me. “I got you, babe.” He gets right to making it for me until Ripper steps up.
“She’s not your babe, and if you call her that again, I’ll knock out your front teeth.”
My head whips around. “What the fuck’s your problem, Ripper? He’s just being nice. And you’re one to talk. You call me babe all the time.”
“That’s because you’re mine.”
There’s a sudden shift in the room. Every Knight stiffens like they’re on guard. A few, including Skeet, create a barricade at my back as if they’re ready to go to war for me. Now, my pounding heart is beating like a violent storm. I’m not sure what the hell that’s supposed to mean. I’m not his daughter. Only my real father has the right to claim me as his.
“Rip,” Raid warns, and Ripper looks up. His eyes are even darker now. He stares at Raid for what feels like the longestsecond of my life. “We should handle this matter in church. Not in front of our princess.”
Ripper’s jaw locks tighter, but he tips his chin. I don’t understand why it’s a big fucking deal. The guys call me every nickname in the book. Babe, doll, princess, baby girl, sweetheart. He’s never taken issue with it before. Now, all of a sudden, he has a problem with it. It’s not like they call me a brat like his girlfriend did.
“Fine, we’ll discuss this in church. But every single one of you…” He points his glare on Skeeter. “Better remember to keep your hands to yourself. No one touches her.”
And here he goes treating me like a child again. I’m an adult and if I wanted to be Skeeter’s babe, I should have that choice. As the way things are right now, I’m going to die a virgin.
“The same rule applies to you.” I step forward, looking right up at him. “Don’t call me babe and don’t put your hands on me. Now, move. I’m going to be late for school.”
I turn toward Skeeter, taking my coffee from his hands and lean up onto my toes. “Thanks, handsome.” I give him a kiss on the cheek then turn and give Dragon and Raid kisses too. And Dagger. Cage. I go around the kitchen giving each and every one of my protectors a kiss except for the one who broke into my room, read my diary, and then threw my crush in my face last night.
The one who’s been playing house with Cherry doesn’t deserve my kindness. He gets a glare on my way out of the room because like hell I’d give him my tears.
6
Ripper
Her footsteps stomp off, fading in the distance, and I turn back to a set of glaring eyes. They’re pissed at me for calling Skeeter out, but they all need to heed my warning. “Let me tell you motherfuckers something right now. She’s mine. And if I see any of you trying to make a move on my woman, you’ll be staring down the barrel of my gun.”
“What the fuck are you talkin’ ‘bout? Your woman? Just because you’re the Enforcer, don’t mean you’re exempt from club laws.”
Of course, Skeet would be givin’ me shit. I know he’s sweet on my girl. Ever since he got patched in, he’s been sniffin’ around her, trying to get closer. Making her coffee every morning, buying her fancy chocolates every time he goes to town. But I know she don’t feel the same about him. She thinks he’s cute and sweet, and that sheshouldhave feelings for a guy like him because he’s closer in age to her, but she doesn’t. Those hot littletingles only happen for me. And it frustrates the hell out of her. But it makes my dick so fucking hard, I can’t even tell you.
