don’t have the time or inclination to explain certain things. But I will warn you one time: don’t ever call us a gang.” She gasps and continues to look around as if she’s expecting a murderer to jump out and get her.
I rub the back of my neck. “I’m fucking tired. Is this a problem?”
Her eyes dart back to mine and her vulnerability is pouring out of them. And for some reason, I hate that.
I don’t want to feel her fear. She wants a hero, someone to protect her. That’s not me.
Opening my door, I growl, “I guess I figured you’d be fine going anywhere since you seem to think your calling in life is to take your clothes off for men.”
It’s a shit thing to say and frankly beneath me. I don’t ever trade insults to make a person feel bad—I don’t need to.
Her eyes widen and the fear is replaced by anger, so there’s that.
“I… wow. You’re an asshole.” She swings Luscious’s door open and I reach to grab her. But she’s fucking quick.
“I have absolutely no idea why I ever thought you were a… a good guy. You are without a doubt a monster,” she shouts as she reaches for one of her garbage bags.
Fuck, she pushes my buttons. “Darlin’, if you thought I was a good guy…” I laugh. “You can’t be that blonde.”
I get out and ignore the screen door opening and the comments coming from the porch.
“Don’t call me darlin’. I hate it.” She tosses one bag on the gravel in a dramatic fashion. Then like a true wild child standing on the edge, she grabs frantically for her suitcase.
“I’d rather take poison than spend one second with you. How dare you call me a… blonde.” She tugs on the large bag, which seems stuck, and blows her hair out of her face. “I can’t believe all those women in your club think you’re so hot,” she continues to shout. “My God, you are truly the most—”
And I’m done.
“Not. One. More. Word. Antoinette.” I can’t remember a time I let a woman get to me. Hell, I can’t remember a time I allowed a man to make me this angry.
I’d put a bullet in her head if she had a cock instead of a cunt.
“Everything okay over here?” Blade’s voice prompts us both to turn. Antoinette lets out a scream, her hand going to her chest.
“Oh God, you scared me.” And I want to strangle her. Blade scares her? And she thinks I’m a good guy? Eve stands behind him, not even trying to hide her glee at witnessing this.
Fucking fantastic.
My eyes scan the porch. About five of my brothers are watching me like it’s movie night, and that includes Dewey who holds baby Nicole in his arms.
Blade’s green eyes shift toward me twinkling with amusement. I’m clenching my jaw so hard it twitches.
He turns to look at Antoinette as if he’s figured it all out. I almost snort, Good luck.
Taking a breath, I say, “Antoinette, this is our president, Blade, and his wife Eve.”
She inches her way backward until her back hits my chest. This should make me furious and I should push her away. Instead, I slip an arm around her, pulling her tight to me.
“Holy Fuucck,” Eve says excitedly as she skips around Blade’s arm to walk over to Antoinette, her hand held out.
“You’ve no idea how happy I am to meet you.” She beams, literally beams as she shakes Antoinette’s hand and turns toward me, smiling.
“Stop, Eve,” I say. She laughs as she walks back to Blade who wraps his arm around her.
“So, you’re Cookie,” Blade announces. I cock my head at him because I want to punch my best friend and it’s not to knock some sense into him.
“Yes.” She nods. “No, I mean, I’m Candy—”
“For fuck’s sake, her name is Antoinette.” I grab her hand, maneuvering us around them.
“So nice to meet you,” Eve chimes in from behind us.
“Um… yes,” is all Antoinette gets out before I shove her up the porch steps.
“Prospect. One of you, bring her stuff up to my room,” I say, slamming the porch door in their surprised faces.
Figures, I’m not lucky enough to find the downstairs empty. It’s scattered with brothers drinking in the game room along with Fosters and Rip playing pool. The snap of the balls makes Antoinette jump. Her hand is cold in my warm one. I look down at her wide-eyed stare.
“This is it, baby. Welcome to the Disciples.”