Page 20 of Property of Legend

“You really think she knows what she’s walkin’ into, hiring outlaws?”Oaks asks.

Royal exhales slow.“She grew up on racehorses and champagne.She ain’t built for MC blood and war.Things could get ugly fast.”

Then I hear it.A voice that doesn’t know when to shut the hell up.Critter, one of the greener prospects, shootin’ his mouth off like he ain’t got two brain cells to rub together.

“All I’m sayin’ is, she walks around here like she’s untouchable, wearin’ that tight-ass shit and actin’ like her daddy owns the county.Girl like that’s beggin’ to be bent over somethin’.Hell, I’d pay good money to see her takin’ it against that railing, screamin’ in that stuck-up voice of hers.”

My boots hit the porch like thunder.

They all spin.

Royal lifts his eyes slow.Oaks doesn’t even blink, just downs his beer like it’s the last he’ll ever have.

My hand shakes, not from fear, but from how fuckin’ hard I’m holdin’ in the storm.Next thing I know, Critter’s on the ground, blood gushin’ from his nose, and my fist still clenched from where I dropped him.I’m on top of him before he can breathe, grabbin’ the front of his cut and draggin’ his scrawny ass up by the collar.

“You think that’s funny?”I snarl.“You think talkin’ like that about Sophie fuckin’ Montgomery is gonna make your balls drop?”

“I didn’t mean nothin’, just talkin’ shit.”

Wrong answer.

“You so damn horny, you gotta talk about a woman like that?”I hiss in his face.“You like runnin’ your mouth about someone under my fuckin’ protection?”

His lip’s busted now, teeth red, eyes wide like he’s just realized I ain’t bluffin’.

“She’s not just some piece of ass walkin’ around the club,” I growl, shaking him.“If I ever hear you, or anyone of y’all speak her name like that again, you won’t be wearin’ your cuts.You’ll be wearin’ a fuckin’ toe tag… You read me, boy?”

Critter nods fast, blood trickling from his nose, lips movin’ but no words makin’ it out.

Oaks lets out a low whistle.“Damn, Prez.Remind me never to talk shit ‘bout your girl.”

I glare at him.

“She ain’t my girl,” I mutter.“She’s under my protection,” I say, blowing out steam.“Our protection.And if I hear one more of you sons of bitches talk about Sophie like she’s some kinda clubhouse treat, I’ll make damn sure you can’t piss without cryin’ for your momma.”

“Legend…” Royal starts, hands raised.

“Save it,” I growl.“I don’t care what y’all meant.I care what I heard.She’s off-limits.End of fuckin’ discussion.”

Silence.

I leave them with their tongues bitten, bloody.

Moonlight spills across the porch like a spotlight when she steps out.Sophie.Arms wrapped around herself, chin lifted but eyes tight.Vulnerable, yeah, but tryin’ like hell not to show it.

“You alright?”I ask, voice comin’ out rougher than I want it to.

She turns her head slowly.“More trouble?”

“Always,” I say, stepping closer, until we’re so close I can feel the heat rollin’ off her.“But you’re not facin’ it alone.”

Her brow arches, lips twitchin’ with something like disbelief.“You make promises like you’re handin’ out candy, Legend.”

“Nah, darlin’.I make promises like a man who don’t break ‘em.”

“Why?”she asks.

I raise my hand and brush a thumb over her cheek.“Because you’re mine.Always have been.Always will be.”

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