Текст книги "Tempted"

Автор книги: Alana Sapphire

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Текущая страница: 6 (всего у книги 9 страниц)

CHAPTER 11

***Gage***

“Hey, big brother,” Ellen grins at me.

“Hey.”

I kiss her cheek and take a wiggling Mikey from her arms. He taps my jaws with his palms and giggles excitedly.

“Unca, Unca, Unca!”

“Hey, buddy. You being a good boy for your momma?”

“Yes! Good boy!”

“Then that means I have a present for you.”

His laugh blocks out everything and in this moment, it’s just me and him. There really is nothing like a child’s laughter. Too bad I’ll never get to hear the sound from my own child. He claps his little hands together as I pull the wrapper off and hand him a lollipop.

“Yay! Look, Momma!”

“I see, baby.” Ellen looks at me questioningly. “You wanted to talk to me?”

“Yeah. I need your help.”

“Sure. What’s up?”

“I may have gotten in over my head here. I promised Raven a birthday party.”

“Oh…I see,” she smirks.

“Waben!” Mikey shrieks.

“Wipe that grin off your face, sis.”

“What? I’m happy for you. Even Mikey likes her.”

“So he told me.”

“So, when’s this shindig?”

“The twentieth.”

“Great!” She rolls her eyes. “A week, Gage? You couldn’t give me more notice?”

“Sorry.”

“Well…what does she like? Other than the color blue.”

“Books…music…drawing…”

“What kind of music?”

“I don’t know. Talk to her friend Chrissy. She said she’d help. And you can do it at Scythe, so you don’t have to worry about the location.”

“That’s something, at least,” she says pensively.

“I have an idea I think she’d like.”

“What?”

“She mentioned that she missed her prom. I figured that could be the theme or whatever.”

She gasps and places her hand on her sternum, her mouth hanging open.

“I had no idea you could be so sweet. That’s a great idea! We can get her a dress and…oh! You’ll wear a suit and –”

“Wait a minute. Who said anything about a suit?”

“You’ll wear a tux, and you’ll dance with her.”

“Ellen –”

“This was your idea. Man the fu–,” her gaze flicks to Mikey nervously then back to me. “…heck up, Gage Hunter.”

“I changed my mind. You come up with something.”

“No way. We’re doing this. I’m so happy!”

She claps and jumps up and down like an excited child. Me in a tux? And dancing? No fucking way.

“It’s so good to see you focusing on one girl for a change.”

“Oh? What girl is that?” Aunt Nita walks up with a raised brow.

Ellen folds her lips, takes Mikey, and rushes off. Great.

“What’s going on?”

I try to sound nonchalant. “She’s just helping me to plan a birthday party.”

“For who?”

“Her name’s Raven.”

“Raven…Millie’s waitress? Mikey’s babysitter?”

“You know her?”

“Yeah. Talked to her a few times when I went to the diner. Also know she’s just seventeen. What the fuck are you doing, Gage?”

“Nothing…yet. It’s her eighteenth birthday next week and I can tell you that afterwards, you’ll be seeing a lot of her.”

“And you haven’t fucked her?”

“No.”

“Uh-huh,” she says skeptically. “I know her father passed. What about her mother? She know about this?”

“She’s never met her mother. Lonnie’s the only family she has.”

“Poor thing. No wonder Millie’s so drawn to her.”

“She’s a good girl, Nita. I really like her.”

“Okay, son. When do I get to meet her officially?”

“She might be coming to the show today. If not…soon. I promise.”

“Yeah. I really need to get to know this chick better if she’s got you keeping it in your pants.”

Oh, trust me, Nita. I won’t be keeping it in for much longer.

***Raven***

“Ray…please. It’s a bike show. I know Ron’s gonna go off and leave me at some point. I need you.”

We’re sitting on my porch, waiting for Ron to come and pick her up. She’s been begging me for days to go to the stupid bike show. Once I heard Lonnie and Deena making plans, I decided I wasn’t going. I only have a couple days left in this house, and I don’t want to make them worse than they already are. I haven’t said anything to Lonnie about Glenn, but I know she’s seen him. She looked like she wanted to say something to me, but I gave her no indication of what happened. It took everything in me not to slap the bitch.

“I said no, Chrissy.”

“Why?” She whines. “I know Gage wants you to go, too.”

“Well, it’s not about what you and Gage want. It’s about me.”

“Think of it as a way of making up for holding out on me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Come on, Ray…everyone’s seen the hickey on your neck, but don’t think I haven’t seen the one on your thigh...your inner thigh. Did he go down you?”

“I can see why that would excite you but no, he didn’t. Things…got a little heavy, but we stopped. We didn’t even get naked.”

“Bummer. Promise me you’ll tell me everything when it finally happens.”

“Fine. I will.”

Ever since her birthday, I’ve been hearing all about her sex life with Ron. I swear I know all about the size of his dick, his favorite positions, and what he likes. All it does is remind me of what I’m not getting.

“What do you guys do anyways since you’re not having sex?”

“What any normal couple does. We talk, get to know each other better.”

“He just doesn’t strike me as the type to be in bed with a woman and not fuck her.”

“Well, it’s that dual personality thing I told you about. He’s the type to cuddle in bed and talk, but will also break someone’s face for me if that’s what I need.”

“Whose face needs breaking?” She asks, giving me the side eye.

“No one.”

The rumble of motorcycles sounds in the distance, and I welcome the interruption. I don’t want to lie to her, but I can’t tell her about Glenn, either. As the bikes draw closer, I steel myself against giving in. I know Gage will try to push me into going. I also know he’s the reason I suddenly got the weekend off from work. As the bikes get closer, Chrissy gets more excited.

“Do your parents even know where you’re going?” I ask her.

“No. They think I’m hanging out with you. Don’t make me a liar…please?”

A couple bikes turn into the driveway while the others stop out on the road. There must be about twenty or more. Gage, of course, is in front. He’s wearing a helmet, shades, and a skull bandana that covers the rest of his face, but I know it’s him. With his hoodie, he is now the very picture of the Grim Reaper. The only thing he’s missing is the scythe. Then again, his version is probably tucked into the back of his jeans. I can feel his eyes on me, but I do my best not to look at him.

“Ray?” Chrissie pleads once more.

“No.”

She grabs my hand and pulls me to my feet. We’re down the stairs before I’m able to dig my heels in and stop her.

“Okay, fine,” she finally relents.

She releases me and heads over to Ron’s bike. Lonnie is with Venom, staring daggers at me.

“You’re not coming, baby girl?” Crow shouts over the roar of the bikes. His old lady, Marlowe, nods and gives me an encouraging smile.

I shake my head, still avoiding Gage. Suddenly, the men—the ones I know, anyway—all start begging me to come along. Lonnie looks confused, no doubt wondering how they all know me and why they’re all so…familiar with me. I also notice the redhead with Razor. She looks at me appraisingly from head to toe. I finally glance at Gage. He’s removed his shades but he’s still just sitting there, watching me. Shit. I look around again at all the faces imploring me to join them, and I crack.

“Fine. Let me just change my shoes.”

I return in my combat boots and find that only Gage, Dr. E, Ron, Venom, and Razor are waiting. Lonnie is fuming. I look to Dr. E, silently begging him to let me ride with him. His gaze flicks to Gage then back to me before he nods. As I pass Gage, he grabs my wrist. Dr. E shrugs helplessly. Chrissy smirks. Lonnie’s shocked, unable to close her mouth, and Redhead is watching with growing interest.

“Where do you think you’re going?” He asks for my ears only.

“With Dr. E –”

“Get your ass behind me.”

He hands me his helmet and slides his shades back on, but not before I see the anger in his eyes. I strap on the helmet and climb on behind him, using his shoulders as leverage. He raises his hand, makes a signal, and we all ride out. I can’t even enjoy the ride because I’m afraid Lonnie’s going to shoot me in the back along the way.

We’re on the road for about an hour before he pulls in to a gas station, where his crew is already waiting for him. As soon as my feet hit the ground, he drags me to the side of the building where no one can see us. He removes his shades, pulls the bandana down, and crashes his lips into mine.

“Ga–”

His tongue barges into my mouth. As much as my brain knows this is not for pleasure, my body still reacts. My heart thuds in my chest. Little tingles travel down my body and land between my legs. He unleashes his anger on my mouth. Lips, tongues, and teeth clash, the sounds of our ragged breathing filling the air. He pushes me against the wall and ravages my lips, digging his fingers into my jean-clad hips. I slide my fingers through his hair, grabbing a handful. It becomes hard to breathe. I try to break away, but he growls and pulls me back in. I pound on his chest and he releases me but cages me in with his arms while I desperately draw air into my lungs. He’s breathing hard, jaw clenching in anger. My lips are pulsating and are, no doubt, an angry red.

“You don’t sit your ass on anyone’s bike but mine. You got that?”

“That’s what this is about? I just thought –”

“There’s nothing to think about. Your ass, my bike. Period.”

Jeez…talk about possessive. He reaches into his pocket and hands me a wad of cash.

“Get yourself some snacks or something.”

I get that the conversation is over, so I walk ahead of him. I pull my bottom lip between my teeth, hoping everyone will think it’s swollen because I’ve been chewing on it. Gage veers off to the pumps and I head into the store. And right into Lonnie.

“What the fuck is going on?” She demands.

“With what?”

“You know what I’m talking about, you little bitch. I told you to stay away from him.”

“Why don’t you go ask him?”

“Because I’m asking you.”

“I’m not in the mood for your shit, okay?”

Razor walks up and glances between the two of us. “Everything okay, girls?”

“Fine. Just a sisterly talk,” I tell him.

“Good. You need anything, you let me know, baby girl.”

In his eyes, I see the meaning behind his words. It’s clear whose side he’d be on if anything went down. Strange, considering this is the first time we’ve spoken. “Sure thing.”

After he leaves, Lonnie turns to me again. “How come you’re so cozy with everybody?”

“I’m lovable. I can’t help it.”

I walk away, not looking back. Chrissy shows up at my side while I’m deciding between Cheetos and Oreos. Oh, why choose? I’ll just get both.

She jerks her chin toward Lonnie. “What was that about?”

“She thinks she has some kind of property rights on Gage and the club. She’s going to be royally pissed when she finds out what’s going on.”

“Shit. You better get that apartment with the quickness.”

“Trust me. First thing on the morning of the twenty-first, I’m signing that lease. I’m taking all my stuff with me, too. Furniture or not, I’m moving into that bitch right away.”

“I hear you. How’d you get past a credit check, though?”

“My dad’s lawyer took care of it.”

“Oh. Cool.”

Razor’s redhead approaches us with a smile and an outstretched hand. “Hi. I’m Cassidy.”

“Raven. And this is Chrissy.”

“Nice to meet you. I thought I’d introduce myself because you two seem like the only friendly women here.”

“Tell me about it. Are you Razor’s old lady?”

“Old lady? I don’t think so. We just started seeing each other.”

“Oh…okay.”

“So…you’re with Gage?”

Fuck. Chrissy watches me, waiting to hear what I’ll say. Cassidy raises her brows. There’s something about her I can’t quite put my finger on, something not right.

“Yeah.”

She looks a little surprised, but she recovers and turns to Chrissy expectantly.

“Ron. He’s still a prospect.”

“Cool.”

“Let’s go. I think they’re ready.” Chrissy grabs my hand and pulls me away. “No confío en ella,” she whispers.

I don’t trust this chick, either. I pay for our snacks but on our way back to the guys, Chrissy freezes and tightens her grip on my hand. She looks petrified.

“What?” I follow her gaze and see a couple getting out of a car at one of the pumps. “You know them?”

“That’s Joel.”

“Your ex? Is that the trick he cheated on you with?”

“That’s her.”

“Are you kidding me? She looks like a thumb.” She cracks a smile and turns a grateful look my way. I swear I don’t understand men. They’ll have diamonds and go out looking for rhinestones. “Please, tell me she at least has a good personality.”

“She’s a total bitch.”

Joel spots us and throws his arm around the girl. As they approach, a smirk forms on his lips. Bastard. I won’t get to my phone fast enough to play the song, so I start singing T.I’s “No Mediocre”. Chrissy bursts out laughing then raps Iggy Azalea’s verse. Bastard loses the smirk and Bitch sneers. Whatever. We’re jamming. Ron walks up and snakes his hand around Chrissy’s waist. Perfect timing. Joel drops his head and passes by without a word. Once they’re out of sight, Chrissy throws her arms around me.

“Thanks, Ray. I needed that.”

“Trust me. It was my pleasure.”

“What was that about?” Gage asks as he approaches.

I slip my hand into his, lacing our fingers. Suddenly, I don’t care about anything.

“Cheating ex. You even think about it, I’ll Lorena Bobbitt your ass.”

He smiles then throws me over his shoulder. I let out a yelp as he smacks me on the ass.

“So possessive. I like it.”

Possessive…but dead serious.

CHAPTER 12

***Gage***

“What kind of bike is this?” Raven asks.

“Street Glide.”

“It’s different from the others I’ve seen. How many do you have?”

She’s sitting on the back of my bike, trailing her fingers across the saddle. I can’t help but think how perfect she looks sitting there.

“About a dozen.”

“All Harleys?”

“No. I got a few sport bikes – Kawasaki, Ducati, Suzuki.”

“Yeah, that’s all French to me.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll teach you everything I know.”

“I wanna learn how to ride.”

“Slide down. I’ll show you the basics.”

She squeals excitedly and scoots down, placing her hands on the handle bars. I explain the gauges and show her how to start it. I glance up and Lonnie is staring at us with a scowl. Razor told me about their little conversation, so I know she’s pissed. Raven touches my arm to get my attention.

“Gage?”

“Gimme a sec. I’m gonna go talk to your sister.”

Lonnie’s expression changes as I approach. She bites her lip and stares up at me hopefully. I pull her aside to get a little privacy.

“I know you’re wondering what’s going on, so it’s best to just be straight with you. I like your sister.”

“What do you mean you like her?”

“I want her.”

“But…she’s just a child!”

“She’ll be eighteen in a few days. I’m not looking for your blessing or for you to be okay with it. I just need you to know it’s happening.”

“Are you claiming her?”

Her bottom lip trembles and tears well in her eyes. Shit.

“Look…don’t blame her. For a long time, she blew me off because she knew you were into me. I pursued her.”

“You said you didn’t want an old lady.”

“I didn’t.”

“But now you do. I waited…I waited all this time for you…”

Waited? What the fuck? “What do you mean?”

“When I got here…you were the first. I thought…the others I did because I thought that’s what you wanted. You were supposed to come back for me.”

What the fuck is she talking about? I didn’t ask or force her to become a Hound. And if she thought I was going to claim her, why would I want her to fuck the whole town? She’s already crying, though, so I really can’t say that to her.

“I’m sorry if I said or did anything to lead you on, but you need to stop. Even if it wasn’t Raven, it would be someone else. Not you.”

“Gage…please…”

“I’m sorry, Lonnie.”

I walk away and signal the guys to get moving. Raven looks up at me with a worried frown when I get back to her.

“Everything okay?” She asks.

“Yeah. We’re good.”

“You sure? She’s not going to kill me in my sleep, is she?”

“You think she’d hurt you?”

“I’m just kidding.” She smiles, but it doesn’t hide her concern. She’s worried about this causing trouble between her and Lonnie. “I’m with you every night anyways.”

“True,” I agree.

We leave the gas station behind and ride for another hour before we arrive at the venue. The blood pumps faster through my veins. This is my kind of scene. Bikes and bikers as far as the eye can see. Before Raven, I would have added in the bitches, but I can’t seem to see anyone but her these days. Ron and Chrissy walk over to us and I watch the two girls together. It’s strange. They’ve only known each other for a few months, but they seem more like sisters than Raven and Lonnie do. But then I notice something else. Shit.

“Girls, listen. You’re not wearing cuts, so don’t stray far. Stick to one of the brothers at all times.”

“Cuts?” Raven asks.

I point to Marlowe and Renae who are standing together a few feet away. They’re Crow and Motor’s old ladies, so they’re wearing their patches. Raven and Chrissy just nod and turn back to each other. I don’t need any trouble. No cuts mean they’re not claimed and to other MCs, that makes them fair game.

“Waben!”

She turns around and her face lights up when she sees little Mikey running toward her.

“Come here, jit!”

She picks him up and spins him around. He laughs and when they stop spinning, he wraps his arms around her neck. I watch the two girls play with him until Ellen draws my attention.

“She’s great with him,” she says.

“He likes her.”

“She’ll be a good mother.”

I raise a brow at her. “If that’s some kind of hint, don’t even bother. You know where I stand on that matter.”

“Mmhmm…we’ll see.”

Aunt Nita walks up on my left. “She’s pretty, I’ll give you that.”

Pretty? She’s fucking beautiful. Raven walks over with a gorgeous smile and a seemingly love-struck Mikey.

“Hey, Ellen.”

They kiss each other’s cheeks and Mikey grins at me.

“Hi, Unca.”

“Hey, Mikey. I see you found your friend.”

“Yes! I like Waben.”

“Awww. I like you, too, Mikey.”

She turns to Nita with a big smile. “Hi, Miss Nita. Good to see you.”

“You, too, my dear. Based on what my nephew here has told me, you can call me Aunt Nita.”

Raven’s eyes widen and her smile gets bigger. “Really?” She asks.

“Of course, sweetheart.”

“Okay. Aunt Nita.” She giggles.

I listen to the four women talk, about nothing really, and the world around me disappears. The three women in my life getting along…it’s a great sight.

***Raven***

Oh. My. God. I love Aunt Nita! She has absolutely no filter. If you don’t like what she says, too bad for you. I want to be just like her when I grow up. Not only that, but she basically accepted me into her family. She has no idea how much that means to me since I have no family of my own. At this point, Lonnie doesn’t count.

I spend most of the day with the women, but Gage and Ron stick close by. I’ve seen more bikes than I have in my entire life and heard more classic rock than I care to. It’s been fun, though. We’ve eaten a ton of junk and taken a million pictures with bikes.

On our way out, members from some other MCs converge on the Dealers, so Chrissy and I get separated from them. They’re all shaking hands, talking, and laughing, so we amuse ourselves. The DJ plays Maroon 5’s “Animals” and we start to dance. A few men gather around us, watching with undisguised interest as we move and glide our fingers over each other’s bodies. Two of them approach us, their expressions looking like they’ve taken the words of the song’s chorus literally. They’re both wearing cuts bearing the name Black Snakes.

“Hey, baby. Who you here with?” The older one says. He smiles, exposing his many gold teeth.

“The Death Dealers,” I answer.

They both look behind them and then the younger one looks us over, licking his lips.

“You owned?” Lip Licker asks.

Owned? What the fuck is he talking about? “Um…no.”

Their smiles get wider.

“What do you say we all go somewhere and party?” Lip Licker jerks his head to the left.

“No, thanks. We’re good,” Chrissy says, linking her hand with mine.

“We can make you a whole lot better,” Gold Teeth says.

“She said we’re good. Back off,” I seethe.

They lose the smiles and step toward us menacingly. Then I hear the booming voice of God.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

No, not God, but a savior all the same. My knight in shining leather – Gage.

Gold Teeth looks him up and down and sneers. The crowd disperses until we’re left with Dealers on one side and Snakes on the other. Gage stands in front, commander of his army. Dr. E and Razor are at his sides, and Ron looks like he’s barely holding himself back.

“Two o’ yours, huh?” Gold Teeth takes the lead on his side.

“Yes, they’re mine and off-limits.”

“They ain’t wearing cuts.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“Matters to us. What’s to stop us from taking what we want?”

Gage’s jaw twitches. These guys don’t know who they’re messing with. I grip Chrissy’s hand tightly.

“I’ll put a bullet in your brain so fast you’d be dead before you even tried to touch ‘em.”

Tensions rise and everyone’s trigger finger seems to be itching. The Snakes’ president steps forward and places a hand on Goldie’s shoulder.

“Cool it, Ram.”

Ram/Goldie sniggers at Gage and takes a reluctant step back. His president approaches Gage.

“It’s all good, Hunter. Just a misunderstanding. The Dealers and the Snakes are good.”

Gage jerks his head at us then shakes the other president’s hand. We move to his side and he places his arms around our shoulders. That sends a pretty clear message, and all the Snakes stand down.

“See you around, Ace,” Gage says to the Snakes’ president.

When we get back to the bikes, he stares down at us sternly.

“How could two little girls cause such big trouble? That could have turned out very differently.”

“They’re too hot for their own good,” Ron chimes in as he sidles up next to Chrissy. He drags her away and leaves me with Reaper.

“They started it. We were just minding our own business.”

“I know. We need to find a way to let the world know you’re mine.”

“Any ideas?”

“A few.”

He reaches into the neck of his hoodie and pulls his necklace with the “12 Gage” pendant from around his neck. He places it around mine, fingering the pendant where it rests between my breasts.

“That’s a start,” he says.

I beam up at him, knowing this is big for him. He’s backing up his words with actions. Soon, everyone will know I’m his. All I need now is my very own cut. I know it’s going to take a while for him to get there, but at least he’s moving in that direction.

“Let’s go. I need to get you alone.”

“I second that, Miss Alvarez.”

We stop at the same gas station on the way home and then we all go straight to the clubhouse. Chopper is on the grill and there are some women busy setting up for the guys’ return. Right away, Chopper comes over to me and wraps me up in a bear hug. I return his embrace, giggling as he squeezes tighter.

“How you doin’, lil darlin’?”

“Great. It’s good to see you.”

He looks between me and Gage with a big grin. “Looks like I’ll be seein’ a lot of you around here.”

“You keep making those burgers and you will.”

He kisses my cheek and pats his son on the back. “I’m fittin’ to do that right now. You two run along. I’ll send someone over with some grub for you.”

“Thanks, Chopper.”

Gage takes me to his room and I push him down on the bed and straddle his hips. “I had fun today.”

“See? And you didn’t want to come with me.”

I pull down the zipper on his hoodie and slide my hands under his black T-shirt. His stomach muscles jump and he grabs my hips.

“Oh, I want to come with you. You won’t let me.”

He flips over and stretches out on top of me, a smirk on his sexy lips.

“Just a few more days, babe. Then I’m going to chain you to my bed for a week.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yep. You’ll get food and bathroom breaks, of course, but trust I will be inside that pussy every other minute of the day.”

I quiver beneath him, sinking my nails into his back as he kisses my neck. “You’re so crude.”

“Yeah…but I believe we already established that you love my dirty mouth.”

“I love what your dirty mouth does to my body.”

“Just wait, baby doll. There are so many things I’m going to do to you with my mouth.”

He sucks at the base of my neck, swirling his tongue on my skin. That’s definitely leaving a mark. His hand travels down my body and grips my thigh, raising it up so he settles between my legs. I throw my head back, giving him better access to my neck.

“Gage…”

“I love the way you say my name.”

“Gage, Gage, Gage.”

He chuckles and covers my lips with his. I moan into his mouth and wrap my arms around his neck.

“I love kissing you, too. Sweetest lips I ever tasted.”

“And I bet you’ve tasted a lot.”

He stares down at me with furrowed brows. “Actually, before you, I hadn’t kissed anyone in a long time.”

This is interesting. “How come?”

“I’m surrounded by easy women. I can cover my dick, not my mouth. The Hounds…I pretty much know where their mouths have been.”

“That first night, you didn’t know where mine had been.”

“True…but I had a feeling about you. I couldn’t let you get away.”

“Now I feel special.”

“You should. You are.”

Now I really do feel special. I bask in the adoration in his eyes and pull him down to me. He kisses me softly then climbs off the bed.

“We should get back out there,” he says.

“You go ahead. I’ll be out in a minute.”

“Okay.”

I use the bathroom and wash my hands and face. My hair is a mess. Doesn’t this man own a comb or brush? I finally find a brush tucked away under the sink and run it through my hair. I trail my fingers over the red spot on my neck with a smile. I can’t wait to see my breasts covered with his hickeys. I pull his chain from under my wife beater and smile giddily at my reflection. I’m his. I belong to him. Never in a million years would I have thought I would happily refer to myself as a man’s property. But I am. He owns me. It’s scary to feel this way, to feel so strongly about a man who isn’t interested in love. Yes, he may have changed his mind about the relationship aspect, but what about the rest? What kind of relationship will we have without love? I don’t know, but I want him. We’ll see where it goes from here.

I leave the room, close the door, and freeze as I see Lonnie waiting for me. She scowls, clenching her fists at her side. I watch her and wait, my resting bitch face firmly in place.

“I should kick your ass for what you’ve done,” she snarls.

“I haven’t done anything. It’s not my fault you’re a slut.”

“Says the slut leaving his bedroom.”

“I’m still a virgin. Unlike you, I don’t need to spread my legs to keep a man’s attention.”

“Bitch!”

She steps toward me, but I don’t budge. I’m done taking her shit. “Go ahead. What do you think Gage will do when I tell him? When he sees the bruises?”

She pauses, uncertainty blanketing her features.

“You saw Mr. Glenn, right?” Her eyes widen in realization and she steps back. “We’ve never really gotten along, but I didn’t know you hated me that much. He was going to rape me, and you set it up.” At least she has the decency to look away in shame. “If Gage hadn’t been there that night…”

I shake my head and take a step in her direction. Her eyes drop to my chest and Gage’s pendant and she takes another step back in shock. “In a few days, Daddy’s lawyer will be here with the papers for me to sign. After that, we’ll be nothing but strangers. I no longer have a sister.” I push past her, but her next words stop me.

“I never did.”

I turn around slowly, my emotions flittering between hurt and anger. The look on her face tells me she’s serious. These are not fighting words. This is how she feels, how she’s always felt.

“What have I ever done to you, Lonnie? Why do you hate me so much?”

“I don’t know why Papa was so in love with your gringa puta of a mother. All she did was spit you out and run back to her bougie parents.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“Before you, I was Papa’s princess. Then you came along, and I didn’t matter anymore.”

“That’s not true.”

“How would you know?” She asks, folding her arms under her breasts. “You were too busy being Daddy’s little girl to notice how he treated me.”

That does it. She can bash me all she likes, but there’s no way I’m going to let her talk shit about Daddy. To say she was a problem child would be putting it mildly. Before she left there was a rumor going around that she was hooking on 8th Street. Now I see it could have totally been true. At some point, Daddy just gave up when he realized he couldn’t reach her.

“That’s a fucking lie. Daddy loved us both. You’re the one who was a constant bitch, who did nothing but disappoint him at every turn. If he treated you differently, you have no one to blame but yourself.”

“I blame you!” She shouts. “You always take everything away from me.”

“What have I taken from you?”

“Even in death, Papa chose you, leaving you almost everything. Now, you come here and you steal Gage from me.”

“You’re delusional. Gage was never yours.”

Her eyes begin to tear up and I almost feel sorry for her. Almost. I can’t believe all her hatred toward me is based on jealousy.

“It was only a matter of time before he realized how much I love him.”

“How was he going to do that when you’ve been fucking everything with two legs?”

She blinks away the tears and moves closer, getting in my face.

“Gage is a man. A man with the appetite of a hundred men. A little girl like you won’t know what to do with him. He’ll realize that soon enough and send you back to the playground where you belong.”

“And you think he’s going to come running to you? Even if that happens, he’ll never want you. Get that through your thick skull. Grow up and get a clue while you’re at it. I may be younger, but you’re the one behaving like an errant child. I’m only going to say this once – stay away from me.”

I spin on my heels and leave the clubhouse, searching the crowd for Gage. Allah has set up his equipment outside and is in his element. I spot Gage sitting on a table next to Dr. E, but there’s some half-naked, blonde trick standing between his legs. She’s pushing her tits in his face and running her fingers down his chest. Fuck that. I need to set some boundaries here. This shit is not happening in my presence. Gage smirks at me as he watches my approach. He wants to see how I’ll handle it. I tap the bitch on her shoulder and she turns to me, her smile fading.