Page 78 of Property of Player

“Fuck that.” Sleaze swats at a mosquito. “You think I wanted this fucking job? Player said don’t take no for an answer, so one way or another she’s getting her ass on the back of that fucking bike.”

“Chill out, man.”

“Fuck you.”

“Bite me.”

I walk to my room, wishing I had my phone and cursing the fact that Mom doesn’t have a house phone anymore. Maybe while I’m throwing things in a bag, Sleaze and Billy Jack will slug it out on the front lawn.

I fling a small duffel on the bed and start gathering jeans and a few shirts. I pause at my underwear drawer and pick some of my cuter lacy bras and panties, thinking about seeing Player again. I can’t imagine why he’s having these two goons bring me, but I can’t wait to be in his arms again.

I hesitate, glancing toward my nightstand. Moving toward it, I carefully take out Player’s gun and put it back in my purse. If I’m lucky, maybe I can return it to his dresser without him ever knowing I took it.

After changing into some nice lingerie, a pair of jeans, and a cute shirt, I shove my makeup bag and pain pills in my purse, then head outside, locking the house.

I stand uncertainly, staring at the two men.

Sleaze flings a cigarette butt into the yard and reaches for my bag. He tosses it to Billy Jack. “Strap it on your bike. I’ve got her.”

“Why do you get her, and I get the bag?” Billy Jack grouses.

“Yeah, maybe I’d rather ride with Billy Jack,” I say, because the thought of clinging to Sleaze is not appealing.

“Player says you come with me, so that’s what’s fucking happening. Understand?” Sleaze snaps, grabbing my arm.

His big hand closes over the burn hidden under my sleeve, and I cry out.

He instantly releases me. “What the fuck now?”

My eyes flood with searing pain.

“You okay, Miss?” Billy Jack asks, stepping closer.

I nod, tears spilling down my cheek as I cradle my arm. “I hurt myself. It’s still tender.”

“Sorry,” Sleaze grumbles. “You okay to ride?”

“Yes,” I whisper.

“You sure? Can you hold on?” he asks.

“Yes. Let’s just go.”

“Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you,” Sleaze says. “We’ll take it real slow and easy on the ride.”

For the first time, I realize there may be some decency buried beneath his hard outer shell. That, or he’s just eager to please his VP and earn his patch, and hurting me won’t win him any points.

“Thanks,” I whisper and head toward the driveway.

Sleaze is gentle when he straps a helmet on my head, his eyes meeting mine briefly as he buckles it under my chin. “Sorry if we got off on a bad foot.”

I just nod, and we climb onto the bike.

He pulls out with Billy Jack right next to us, and good to his word, Sleaze takes it slow on the ride back.

When we pull up, I spot Cici’s car parked outside the clubhouse, but there’s only one other bike parked in the lot, and it's not Player’s.

Sleaze and Billy Jack pull next to Cici’s car and shut their bikes down.