Page 10 of Giving It to the Man-Whore

“I don’t think he poses a threat to us. I agree with you that there are enemies that could hurt our own. I’m not going to let that happen. I’ve got your back, and the club’s back.”

It was what he wanted to hear. “Why didn’t Rage tell me this?”

“Because I told Rage I wanted to deal with everyone. I don’t want anything to get lost in communication. Continue with your hate of him. Don’t change who you are.”

Pea nodded. “I’m heading home.”

Leaving the clubhouse, he ignored a couple of the whores who wanted his attention. It was moments like this when he really thought about his decision.

Riding the long stretch of road, he was rounding a bend when he paused. There at the bottom of the road were Mel and fucking Big Ricky laughing. Slowing his bike down, he was so fucking angry he wanted to pound the fucker.

He was aware of Big Ricky’s reputation. He hunted, tortured, and killed everyone who got in his way. From tearing out fingernails to crushing bones, this fucker had done it all, and there’s no way he was going to let Mel alone with him.

As he pulled to a stop beside them, his woman turned to look at him.

“Hey,” she said. “Are you heading home?”

“Yeah, get on.”

She looked surprised, but he didn’t care. He wasn’t having her alone with Big Ricky.

“I don’t think you should talk to a woman like that.”

“It’s fine, Ricky. It was lovely to talk to you.” She placed a hand on his arm, and then climbed on the back of his bike.

Pea glared at the fucker that he despised, and then pulled away, driving back home. The moment they were inside their home, he couldn’t help it, he slammed the door closed.

“What did I fucking tell you?” He was yelling, and he couldn’t contain it. When it came to Mel’s safety it was a big fucking deal to him.

“Why are you yelling?”

“Last night I told you to stay away from him and the next day I see you fucking laughing with him. Is this a joke to you, Mel?”

“It’s not a joke to me.”

“You could have fooled me, or are you so fucking thick you couldn’t get the warning?”

Her palm struck with all of her force right across his face, slap. It was going to leave a mark. The instant she did it, he watched as she pulled back, her eyes filling with tears. She covered her mouth.

“Oh, my God, I’m so sorry.”

Pea stared at her. He was still angry that she’d been talking to Big Ricky. “You didn’t answer my question!”

“Please, don’t call me thick again. I know what you said. I … it wasn’t what it looked like. I noticed that Willy today had a thing for a little blonde I didn’t recognize. I’ve lived in this town all my life. I recognize everyone. He’d seen her come out of Ricky’s house, so I said I’d find out who she was.” She stared at him, and he saw tears still in her eyes. “I shouldn’t have hit you. I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry.”

He felt like a prick for talking to her like that. He saw the guilt in her eyes as well. Mel was never normally a violent person. He’d hurt her feelings.

“Mel?”

“She’s his ward,” Mel said. Her arms were folded around her. “Big Ricky is taking care of a girl. Her name is Autumn, and she’s just lost her parents. I think it’s one of the reasons he’s here. To keep an eye on Autumn because he wouldn’t tell me anything else. Nothing about her parents. She’s a complete mystery.” Mel opened and closed her mouth before finally speaking. “You normally like that I get information for the club. With Willy’s interest, I thought it would be relevant. I didn’t want to cause a problem. I’m really sorry for hitting you.”

She walked away, and Pea’s entire body slumped.

“Mel, I’m sorry.”

Entering the kitchen, he watched as she opened the fridge and took out leftovers.

“Look, I’m sorry okay? I didn’t know why I called you thick. I just … I don’t like seeing you with him.” He moved toward her, cupping her shoulders, but she shrugged him off.

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