“Next time. Only with a more permanent ink.” I glance down at the top of her breast and the black ink spellingminemarring her skin.
“You’re such a caveman.”
“Angel, you have no fucking idea.”
* * *
We pull up at the clubhouse and wait for the new prospect to let us in.
“I don’t know that one.”
“The prospect?”
She nods as I park.
“Name’s Scooter. He started last week. Got another one starting in a few days. Damned if I can remember his name, though.”
“Makes sense. Con and Pig can only do so much,” she grimaces making me frown.
“You got an issue with the prospects?”
She shakes her head, worried she might have offended me somehow. “I like Con.”
I roll my eyes. “Everyone likes Con. Have you got an issue with Pig?”
“I don’t have an issue with him as such. I don’t know, maybe I’m just more comfortable with Con.”
“Pig makes you feel uncomfortable?” My frown deepens.
“You’re putting words in my mouth.”
I jump out of the truck and stalk around to Citi’s side, pulling the door open more forcefully than necessary. Reaching over her, I unfasten her belt. When she turns to get out, I pin her in place, my face inches from hers.
“I’m serious here, Citi. If Pig has done something to make you feel uncomfortable, I need to know.”
She sighs. “He hasn’t done anything. He’s just… indifferent? I often question why he even wants to be in an MC. He just doesn’t seem all that interested. Anytime he’s around, he’s always on his phone.”
“Like the day you were at the park.”
She nods. “I wasn’t mad that he was mad. That was the first sign of emotion I’d seen from the guy. I was disappointed that I’d made it home on the bus with Star before he even realized we were missing. I won’t lie, I didn’t think about him getting into trouble when I left. I was more pissed about him not paying attention. If someone had snatched me and Star, would he even have noticed? Heck, you arrived at my place after Capone called you before Pig did.”
I lift her out and lower her to her feet before reaching inside for my cut and slipping it on. “I told Havoc I don’t want Pig watching you or on Star duty. I requested Con because I know you prefer him. But I’ll be damned if I can remember if he asked why or if he assumed it was just a preference. Dammit. This is shit I need to be reporting.”
“To be fair, Ambros, you’ve been crazy busy and doing the best you can.”
“It’s not enough. Not if your safety is compromised.”
“But it hasn’t been. I’m fine.”
“Someone came into your home while you slept and took Star from her bed,” I remind her softly. “This person has already proven they’re smart and resourceful. If they wanted to take you from a park in broad daylight, they would. Pig is supposed to be a deterrent. If he’s not doing his job, he’s putting you and Star in danger, and that’s never gonna fly with me. I’m going to talk to Havoc while you have your chat with Tink.”
She closes her eyes and sighs. “I really don’t want him to get in trouble over me. I’m the one who let her temper get the better of her and left. I still don’t know why I did that. I thought I’d had that beaten out of me over the years.”
“Hey.” I cup the back of her head and kiss the space between her eyebrows. “The fact you reacted in anger and not fear is a good thing, at least from where I’m standing. Once upon a time, you were scared of your own shadow, and with good reason. Now, everything you’ve had to choke down can be expressed without the worry of repercussions. Am I happy you left without protection? Not at all. But you know I won’t hurt you as a punishment, no one in the MC will, and that’s what gave you the confidence to do what you did.”
“I think you’re giving me way too much credit.” She chuckles before pulling back. “I just reacted. But I do get what you’re saying. And as much as it galls me to get him in trouble, what if I hadn’t been there? What if he was watching Star? Anything could have happened to her, and if it had, I’d have killed him myself.”
“Of that, I have no doubt.” I wink, taking her hand as I lead her up to the saloon.
