Page 22 of Rebel

Cade nodded, shooting one last apologetic look at Rio before retreating.I watched him go, making a mental note to talk to him later.The kid needed to learn boundaries if he was going to survive here.

I turned back to Rio, studying her.She was still coiled tight, ready to spring.“You good?”

She exhaled slowly through her nose.“Fine.”Her eyes followed Cade as he moved behind the bar.“Who is he?”

“Cade.Prospect,” I explained.“Means he’s trying to earn his way into the club.Does all the shit jobs, follows orders, proves his loyalty.”

“Like a pledge at a fraternity?”Rio asked.

“Something like that, but with higher stakes.”I took another pull from my beer.“He’s young.Enthusiastic.Doesn’t always think before he acts.”

Rio’s posture gradually relaxed, though her eyes remained alert.“So what happens if he fucks up?Gets kicked out?”

Josie snorted.“Depends on the fuck-up.Could be anything from cleaning toilets with a toothbrush to… well, worse.”

“The club takes loyalty seriously,” Jordan added.“Breaking that trust isn’t something you come back from easily.”

Or at all, but I left that part unsaid.

Rio seemed to consider this, her gaze drifting back to me.Something had shifted in her expression -- a flash of hesitation, contemplation.“Earlier, you said we could take things at my pace, if I agreed to be yours.What’s the catch?”

I felt the weight of Jordan and Josie’s attention, knew they were curious about my answer too.This wasn’t my normal play.I generally kept to myself, focused on club business.Couldn’t remember a time I’d ever kept a woman around.

“No catch,” I said.“You’d have your own space.You can keep sleeping in the spare room until we’ve had time to get to know each other better.I won’t make a move until you tell me you’re ready.”

“And in return?”Rio pressed, skepticism etched in every line of her face.

I shrugged.“You don’t cause problems for the club, don’t betray anyone here.That’s it.”

“Bullshit.”Her voice was flat.“Men don’t offer something for nothing.”

“Then I guess I’m not most men.”I set my empty bottle on the table.“Look, I’ve got no interest in pushing myself on you, if that’s what you’re worried about.You’d be under my protection, which means you’re off-limits to everyone in the club.”

Rio’s eyes narrowed.“Under your protection?What does that mean exactly?Does it have to do with that property cut you mentioned earlier?”

I could feel Jordan and Josie watching this exchange with interest.They knew what I was offering -- what it meant in our world.

“Yeah, it’s about that.It means you’d be considered mine,” I said bluntly.“Not as property, but as someone I’m responsible for.No one would fuck with you without answering to me.”

A tense silence stretched between us.Rio’s jaw worked as she processed my words.

“And if I walk away?Decide this isn’t for me?”she finally asked.

“Then you walk,” I said simply.“Door’s always open.Like I said, I’d have your back until your issue is settled.The club just wouldn’t be standing by us.”

Josie leaned forward, voice low.“It’s a good offer, Rio.Better than most get.Rebel doesn’t take in strays.”

Rio shot her a sharp look.“I’m not a stray.”

“No,” I agreed.“You’re not.You’re a fighter who’s been on her own too long.That’s different.It’s up to you to decide if you need us.Need me.”

The silence returned, filled with the background noise of the clubhouse.The clink of glasses.Someone cranked up the music a notch.

“Why?”Rio asked finally, the single word loaded with suspicion.

I considered my answer carefully.The truth was, I wasn’t entirely sure myself.Something about her had gotten under my skin from the moment I saw her.The way she moved -- efficient, deadly, but with a control that spoke of training.The hollow look in her eyes that I recognized all too well.The way she held herself apart, always ready to run or fight.

“Because we recognize our own,” I said finally.“And because sometimes the universe puts people in your path for a reason.”

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