Page 69 of Property of Player

Still, I haven’t given up on the idea of looking for a weapon in Player’s room at the clubhouse. If Randall returns before Player does, I may need it.

I swear to myself, I’ll never let Randall hurt me like he did last night.

Climbing from bed, I force myself to eat something and take another pain pill. I carefully dress and grab my purse and keys. I know I probably shouldn’t drive on these pills, but I have no choice.

Half an hour later, I pull up at the Kings of Anarchy clubhouse.

Glancing at the car parked next to me, I realize it’s Cici’s. She’s sitting behind the wheel, crying.

Frowning, I get out, walk to the driver’s window, and tap on the glass.

She rolls it down, brushing the tears from her cheek.

“Sweetie, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“No.” She shakes her head. “I’m not okay.”

“What is it?”

“Guys are so stupid.” Her voice trembles.

The image of her and Drae together at her graduation party flashes before my eyes. “Is this about Drae?”

Her eyes get big, and then she looks away. “Why would you say that?”

“Honey, I saw you with him the other night.”

“You did?”

“Yeah. And you’re right. Guys are stupid.”

She huffs a laugh and chokes on her tears, then her eyes drop to my bandage. “What happened to your arm?”

I think about lying, but maybe she needs to hear the truth. I pull back the corner of the bandage and reveal my burn. It’s covered in ointment, but it still looks awful. I know I’ll carry the scar for life.

“Oh my God. Are you okay?”

“I will be.”

“What happened?”

“It’s a long story. Are you sure you want to hear it?”

“Yes.”

“Can I sit with you?”

She nods.

I climb into the passenger seat and look up to see security cameras on the side of the building. I wonder if the prospects are even monitoring them. Maybe they’re in there sleeping off a night of partying in the empty clubhouse.

Glancing at Cici, I know she’s not as naïve as Player wants to believe she is, but she is young. I waffle on how much to tell her, but maybe I can be a warning to her.

“Cici, promise me you’ll be careful with the kind of man you hook up with. I’m living proof that hooking up with the wrong kind is dangerous.”

“What happened to you?”

“I met this really bad guy a few years ago. I broke up with him and came here. He followed me. He’s one of those guys who doesn’t take no for an answer. He thinks he gets to decide when we break up, like I don’t have a say in the matter.”