Chapter 14
Tico
My phone vibrates in my pocket and I dig it out to find Wire’s name on the screen. I squeeze Ember’s hip and lean down, kissing the top of her head.
“Gotta take this, Vicious.”
She goes up on her toes and I give her a quick peck and turn, heading towards my office as I answer his call.
“Give me a moment to get to the office.”
Wire stays silent on the line until a few moments later when I close my office door.
“Talk to me.”
“Earlier I put alerts on Drone, Bug, and Scooter’s credit cards. They were just used in Green Bay and tracing the history, I think they’re headed this way.”
“Chingar (Fuck). They probably figured she’d seek out Daemon since they were so close growing up. I’m calling Church. We need to get a few plans in place.”
“You got it, Prez.”
Hanging up, I pull up the club text thread.
Tico: Mandatory Church in thirty.
Heading back into the main room, I make my way straight to Ember. Her face turns worried and for the first time, I find myself struggling with how much to tell her as I wrap my arm around her, pulling her in close.
“I need to head back to the clubhouse for Church, Vicious, and I’d really prefer if you and Pyper were there.”
She pulls back slightly, frowning as she looks up at me. “What aren’t you telling me, Tico?”
I hesitate and then decide she needs to at least know they’re nearby so she can be on the lookout herself. “Wire got a ping off their credit cards, and we think they’re headed this way.”
Her body stiffens in my arms as her face hardens into the mask I haven’t seen since she disarmed Taco earlier this morning. Chingar (Fuck). Was that really only this morning?
“We don’t have phones anymore. Reese destroyed them to keep them from tracking us. Can you message Taco or your Prospect to let her know to pack a bag? If Taco’s still there, that is. I hate to do that to her since she probably already unpacked the little she was able to bring, but…”
Her voice trails off and I know where her mind went. That she hates putting a damper on Pyper’s good mood from getting so many books today and that she’ll have to leave them for now.
I squeeze her hip. “Go get your stuff, Vicious. I’ll call them.”
She nods absently, and already, I can see her fully shifting back into her previous fight or flight mode. While she was aware of her surroundings earlier and knew where the exits were, now it’s tenfold. I hate to see her so on edge, but I’m also relieved that she’s taking this seriously.
Pulling out my phone, I dial Taco.
“Taco, you still with Pyper?”
“Sí (yes). Just got your text. Do we need to change locations?”
“Yeah, we do. Can you ask Pyper to pack a bag for her and Ember? We can send Prospects out to get anything else they need later. Bring her straight to the clubhouse when she’s done. As soon as Ember’s packed up here, we’re heading back.”
“Will do. Does this have to do with who I think it does?”
“Sí (yes), they’re coming.
“Don’t worry, T. I’ll get la hermana de tu mujer (your woman’s sister) there safely.”
“Gracias (Thank you), hermano (brother).”
I hang up just as Ember comes out of the locker room.
“Let’s roll out. Taco will make sure Pyper gets to the clubhouse safely.”
A little tension bleeds out of Ember at my words and I wrap my arm around her shoulders, pulling her into me.
We walk outside and Reese takes her bag from her.
She puts on her leather jacket as I scan the streets, but nothing looks amiss.
Next, she puts on the sunglasses and the helmet as I get on my bike.
I hold out a hand to help her on. Once she’s settled in behind me, I start up my bike and head to the clubhouse, Reese and mis hermanos (my brothers) close behind us.
It isn’t long before we reach the clubhouse and I wish this cloud wasn’t hanging over us because I fucking love having Ember on the back of my bike. I’m looking forward to when we can take a longer ride for some much needed wind therapy.
Ricky, our Prospect, is manning the gate and when he sees us, he opens the gate for us. His eyes widen when he sees Ember on the back of my bike but then he grins and gives me a chin lift.
I back into my parking space in front of the clubhouse and shut off my bike.
I help Ember off and she takes off her jacket, giving it to Reese when he gestures for it.
Judging by the look on his face, he already knows that she’ll want her tattoo visible.
For those of us in the circuit, the tattoo can speak for itself for who she is.
Once everyone is parked and ready, I sling my arm over Ember’s shoulder as we walk up the steps.
She smirks up at me, knowing I’m doing this as a claiming gesture and wraps an arm around my waist, claiming me right back.
Daemon grins as he gets in front of us and reaches the door first. He turns towards Ember, wiggling his eyebrows like a dork but it works because Ember chuckles slightly and her body relaxes a little.
“Showtime, Sis,” Daemon says which has Ember chuckling a bit louder as he opens the door for us. I shake my head at his antics, but he also knew what to do to put Ember at ease, which I’m grateful for.
When we step inside, my gaze scans the room, and nod in satisfaction that the rest of mis hermanos (my brothers) are waiting in the main room for us. Ember stiffens slightly against me and I know she spotted the bunnies.
Not acknowledging the bunnies, I look down at Ember. “Come on, Vicious, let me introduce you to mis hermanos (my brothers) while we wait for Pyper and Taco. Then we’ll have Church.”
For the next few minutes, I introduce her to everyone and notice a few of mis hermanos (my brothers) eyeing the viper tattoo on her arm. I know they want to ask about it, but I also know they’ll hold their questions until Church. Speaking of…
“Hey, Vicious. You said you wanted to change your moniker for tonight and going forward. What’d you want it to be?” I ask her quietly. I know we’re going to have to spill the beans soon on her identity because of the fight, but I’d rather wait to tell mis hermanos (my brothers) in Church.
She grins up at me. “Fox.”
Fox.
I like it.
And a fox is a natural predator of the viper.
Even better.
I grin and lean down, kissing her. We pull apart to cat calls and Ember shakes her head as she leans against me.
Looking up, I spot Sunny glaring daggers at Ember and I narrow my own eyes at her. Ember turns in my arms and I look down at her when she reaches up, wrapping her arms around my neck. She smirks and pulls me down for another kiss.
I pull her closer to me and when she gasps at feeling me hard for her, I deepen the kiss. She moans and fuck, I can’t wait until she gives me the green light cause I’m dying to sink into her. Pulling back, I nip her lip and she whimpers and then she surprises me when she nips me back.
“Vicious little minx,” I mutter as I squeeze her hip.
She smiles back up at me, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
The doors open and I turn, seeing Taco and Jesse escorting Pyper in. Even from here, I can see the slight tremble in Pyper’s form. Daemon’s at her side instantly, pulling her into his arms. Ember shifts to go to her, but I hold her tight for a moment.
“Un momento (one moment), por favor (please). I was waiting to do this when Pyper was here, then you can go to her,” I whisper to her and she nods minutely.
I whistle loudly to get everyone’s attention. Draco turns off the music and every head swivels our way.
“As you’ve already guessed, I’ve claimed Ember as mi mujer, my woman, and you will show her the respect she deserves,” I say, though that last part is mainly for the bunnies, and I pin each of them with my glare.
“Both her and her sister, Pyper, are under my protection. You fuck with them; you fuck with me.”
Daemon steps up beside us with his arm still wrapped around Pyper’s shoulders. “Actually, if you fuck with them, you fuck with both the Prez and me because Ember and Pyper are my sisters.”
Shocked looks come from mis hermanos (my brothers), but a moment later, it’s gone and they all cheer, welcoming the women into the fold.
And just like that, our Royal Bastard family officially just got bigger.
I spot Liam nearby and motion him over. “Show them up to my room and then show them the other empty rooms so Pyper can pick hers. They’ll be staying with us for a while.
” I pause, turning to look down at Ember, then Pyper, and then back to Ember.
“Put your stuff in my room, Vicious. Gotta head into Church. I’ll show you around after I’m done. ”
I dig my keychain out of my pocket and take off the extra key to my room I have on it and give it to Ember.
She blinks up at me in surprise but then beams up at me. “Sounds good, Handsome.”
Leaning down, I give her a quick peck, and then as another claim on Pyper, I kiss the top of her head, much like I do with mi mamá y hermana (my mom and sister).
“Prospects will get you anything you need.”
“Thank you, Tico,” Pyper whispers and Ember wraps an arm around her.
“Anytime, mija (dear one).”
Surprisingly, both of their eyes shimmer at my claim on Pyper and Ember mouths ‘thank you’ to me. I dip my chin in acknowledgement, though, I’ll be having a little talk with her later. She doesn’t need to thank me for things like this.
Turning, I look around the room, noting that mis hermanos (my brothers) have already headed into Church and that Taco is standing at the door waiting for me.
“If you need me for something during Church, tell a Prospect. Both Taco and I have our phones on us but the rest of them turn them in before going into the Chapel. We’ll get you hooked up with a phone in a bit.”
“Will do, Tico. Go do what you need to do. We’ll be fine,” Ember says and with a nod, I follow Taco into the Chapel.