“I don’t know her that well,” I say and instantly regret it when the roar gets loud again.
“See, he’s got nothing!” Chain says.
“I say we all take a piece of her,” Hoss counters.
“Make her a bunny!” I don’t catch who says that.
Iron Jack slams his hands on the table, rattling the glasses. “Shut the fuck up. That girl looked terrified. You will eat her for lunch. Prospect, go see her. Make sure she understands whathappens if she’s a bunny.” He shakes his head. “I don’t want her abused by you overeager fuckers.”
“Maybe the cherry has some friends,” Hoss says. “I liked that short one.”
Jesus Christ. They don’t give one shit about Marietta herself.
“I’ll talk to her,” I tell Iron Jack.
“Don’t scare her off,” Chain says. He turns to Iron Jack. “How do we know he ain’t going to pop her little cork before this matter is settled?”
Iron Jack watches me. “The girl’s cherry is under the protection of this club. Do you understand?” He drags his gaze from me to look around the table. “That goes for every member of this club. If anybody mishandles that girl, they have to answer to me. I have no problem burying you in the marsh.”
There’s a general grumble, but it’s understood.
“And furthermore, I want someone watching her until she decides what she’s going to do. I’m not having the Rebels or Lucifer’s Kin snatching her right out from under us.”
“I volunteer,” Chain says.
Iron Jack shakes his head. “Not a chance. Prospect, you’re on duty when the bar is closed. Two-Shit, you and Fancy take the other hours. And Prospect, explain things. Get an answer. Report back.”
“Will do.” I hold back a sigh. This girl is way more trouble than she ever was when she danced on my bar.
CHAPTER 5
MARIETTA
Throughout the night, I swear I hear motorcycles in my dreams.
I wake up Monday morning feeling irritable and nervous, like the bikers are circling and the Wild Hair is coming for me.
When I arrive on campus, Jenna and Symphony are waiting on the grass in the quad.
“You look like you’ve been on a bender,” Jenna says. She wraps a sweater more tightly around her. “And it got cold.”
I sink onto the blanket they’ve spread out, wishing I’d worn a heavier coat. This isn’t normal for Miami, even if it is October. “I kept waking up, thinking I heard motorcycles outside my apartment.”
“Serves you right, getting in all that trouble Saturday night,” Jenna says. “Do you think it’s blown over?”
“I don’t think so,” Symphony says. “Diesel said that Merrick was a real bear at the bar last night, growling at everyone.”
I feel terrible. “I’m so sorry. I made you miss opening night. And now Merrick’s mad.” Tears tug at the edges of my eyes. “I’m never going to the Leaky Skull again. I get too crazy there.”
Symphony puts an arm around me. “Marietta, you’re behind the curve, that’s all. We’ll find you a proper boyfriend, and you’llbe all right. I think it’s hard to be twenty-six and feel like you’re missing out.”
“The romance novels don’t help,” Jenna says.
“Hey!” I say. “Don’t yuck my yum.”
Jenna tugs on a frayed string on the blanket. “I’m just saying, it’s putting ideas in your head. Like cozying up to motorcycle clubs and saying you’ll be a bike bunny.”
“Club bunny,” I correct her. “And you thought it was funny when I wrote the words on the sign in the bar.”
