If I knew how to fight, I’d be doing it by now. I just don’t know where to fucking start. I don’t want to put any more burden on my brothers. Going to doctors’ appointments and rehab and all that shit is a drain on their time and a drag on their lives. I’ve already been enough of a burden as is. I’m no longer working and earning my keep. And they keep puttin’ money in my account even though I didn’t do a goddamn thing to deserve it.
“You’re a good man, Rip. Appreciate what you and the others have done for me. I don’t tell you thanks often enough.” Don’t show it in my actions either, and that shit’s gotta stop. “I’ll try, brother. For you and the others, I’ll try to get my shit together.”
He walks over and gives me a pat on the shoulder. “You ain’t got to do anything for us. We’ll love you no matter what. And just so you know, that girl loves you too.”
I don’t think she does. Haven’t seen that look in her eyes. Trepidation, nervousness, and lust. And yesterday, I filled her eyes up with disappointment and rejection. I’m a sorry sack of shit. Even I’m sick of wallowing in my own damn tears. I gotta make a fucking change.
12
Madison
“Idon’t understand you, Madison.” My mother huffs as she clicks her fancy heels into the kitchen. I knew this was coming. Last night, my parents had to be on their best behavior, but today, the gloves are off. “Jeffrey is an incredible catch. Personally, I think he’s foolish to like you, but he does. And if you had an ounce of smarts in that brain of yours, you’d cling to that boy and the life he can offer you. Because your father and I are not going to support you forever.”
They aren’t supporting me now. Other than giving me a bed to sleep in, but that’s about to change. I’ve already started looking for a place. And this last week, I transferred everything over into my name. My phone, my car insurance, and all my accounts. So, they aren’t supporting me at all.
“Tell her, Steven,” my mom says as my dad walks into the room. “Tell her she’s being a fool for not giving Jeffrey another chance.”
“Your mother is right.” He narrows his beady eyes on me. “And I don’t appreciate how rude you were to him last night. Your behavior was embarrassing. Atrocious.”
My behavior? Jeffrey’s drunk ass asked me if I wanted to sneak into the back of the men’s locker room and fuck him, so I told him to fuck off. I thinkhewas the one who was rude.
“Had I agreed to sneak into the men’s room and have sex with him, you would’ve been more embarrassed. When are you two going to realize he’s a jerk?”
Both of them look taken aback. Like I just told them their golden child was snorting cocaine. Which Jeff does on occasion. But they’d probably still think he was perfect anyway.
“And when are you going to realize that those thugs you’re working for are a bad influence on you?”
“Those thugs gave me a job and are paying me two hundred thousand dollars a year.”
My father’s eyes flare. I hadn’t told him how much I was making because I knew he’d assume the worst. That it’s drug money they’re paying me with. He doesn’t think the Savage Knights earn their money legally. But as far as everything I’ve seen with their businesses, it’s all on the up-and-up. If they are doing something illegal, they don’t share it with me.
“You need to quit that job right now, young lady. You’re getting paid with blood money, and they’ll take you down with them.”
“It’s not blood money. And I’m not quitting. They run a construction company and an auto shop. They aren’t bad men.”
“God, how did you get to be so naïve? I thought you were smarter than this, but apparently, you’re as dumb as those roughnecks. Let me spell it out for you, young lady. If you don’t quit that job, you can pack your bags and leave. I will not have a club whore living under my roof.”
Are you serious? My dad just called me a whore. How is it that I’m even related to these people? They’re so arrogant. Arrogant and ignorant. They think because they have money and clout, they’re the end all be all. But they’re close-minded and awful.
All my life, I’ve been a good daughter and done everything they’ve asked of me. But this… This I won’t do. I’m not walking away from the people who care about me or the job that I love. And I’d never walk away from my heart. Even in his darkest times, Skully is a million times better than the man before me. I’m done. I don’t want anything from them ever again.
“I’m not quitting,” I state. “I’d rather be a club whore than an arrogant asshole who looks down on everyone. I’ll go pack my bags and see myself out. And don’t worry, Dad, you’ll never hear from me again. And, Mom? If you like Jeff so much, you should just fuck him yourself. He’s your type.”
I turn and storm out of the kitchen, calling Shayna on the way to my room. I really hope Ripper’s offer still stands. Otherwise, I’ll be moving into a hotel until I find a place.
13
Skully
“We need all eyes and ears on deck, brothers,” Ripper states. “We’re going to get him this time. He’s not going to slip through our fingers again.”
Everyone seconds that notion with hardened grunts and angry growls and then church is over. It’s only half past noon and it’s already been a shit day. We just found out that Montoya is back on our turf and planning an attack to get to our Rory, and while the guys are all gearing up to defend our own and take the fucker out, I’m stuck in this chair unable to do shit to put a stop to the guy. Ripper didn’t even assign me surveillance duty. He doesn’t even trust me to stare at a screen.
After our talk yesterday, I was gearing up to put in the fight and do the work. I even did some research online last night, looking into doctors. I was feeling motivated. Hope was starting to burn in my chest again. But that feeling is waning now, and the weakness is seeping right back in. To top offthe shitty feeling, it’s Sunday. I won’t have a package delivered until tomorrow evening. That’s a long-ass fucking time without a reprieve from the madness in my head.
A loud sound suddenly comes from the room next door. I look to the wall adjoining mine and Rubble’s old room. More sounds come. And then female voices. It’s time to find out what the hell’s going on. No one should be messing around in his room. It’s off-limits to the sweetbutts.
“Home sweet home, doll. Do you think this will work for you?” Ripper’s standing in Rubble’s doorway, talking to someone inside. It sounds like he’s giving Rubble’s room to some sweetbutt. He better think fucking twice because no club pussy is going to take over my brother’s space.
