Page 7 of Ripper's Property
“Yeah, I know you’re motivated,” he grumbles, still not happy about our arrangement, but deep down, I think he knows exactly how his daughter feels about me. “But you need to wait until me and the guys get back. We’re not fucking up this job.”
Yeah, I know. He doesn’t have to tell me. We’re getting Montoya this time. Taking him out once and for all.
“And don’t forget, Rip. Hands off my daughter until I find out whether she wants you as her man. This is her choice, not yours. I’m still debating on whether I should take a blade to your throat, but I would never hurt my girl. I will say this, though. If you ever do something to cause her pain, then it’s all bets off.”
I know it is. And it’s a damn good thing she didn’t share what I did tonight, because it did hurt her.
“You have my word, King.”
I’ll never do anything to hurt her again.
5
Rory
Ifinish glossing my lips and strut out of my room, eager to see the look on Ripper’s face when he finds out his little toy is getting the boot.
“Morning, princess!” Skeeter greets me, pulling me in for a hug.
“Good morning.”
“You want some breakfast, babe?”
“Nah, I’m just gonna grab some coffee.” I’m not really hungry this morning. My stomach is still twisted up from last night. My nerves are taking up all the empty space.
“I’ll get it for you. Two sugars and vanilla creamer?”
I nod. That’s exactly how I like it. My guys take such good care of me. In spite of me hating being locked in this place, I do love my wardens. All of them are kind and loving. And dangerously good-looking. Skeeter is no exception. He’s one of the youngest brothers, having just been patched in last year.He’s twenty-two, closest in age to me out of all of them, but he’s as big as all the rest. A beast in height and strength. Painted like a dark angel from neck to fingertips. I’m sure his tattoos go below the belt too, but I dare not ask.
Shiloh would know. She’s his favorite sweetbutt. His regular in this place, and I know she’s hoping to be more. Honestly, out of all of them, she’s my favorite. She’s the only one who I think is old lady material. The rest are just a bunch of sluts who solely rely on their pussies and tits to get them what they want in life. Intelligence and kindness don’t exactly factor into their personalities. And their respect for me is about as low as Cherry’s.
“I’m sorry for what I said, Ripper.” My feet come up short as I enter the kitchen and see Cherry trying to snuggle up to the man who was such an asshole last night. “It won’t happen again. Please, let me make it up to you.”
I almost turn and walk out but stop when I see him grip her wrists and remove them from his body. The look on his face has me swallowing hard. I’ve never seen him so angry. Now, I’m curious as to what she did to set him off.
“You don’t get another chance, Cherry. No one disrespects my girl. She’s the queen in this club and you seem to have forgotten that fact.”He doesn’t seem pissed at all having to let her go. In fact, he’s pissed at her.“You’re out, and if anyone else ever thinks of disrespecting my girl again…” He glares at the other sweetbutts who are all looking like frightened deer caught in the beaming lights of a hunter’s truck. “You won’t just be kicked out on the street; you’ll be going out with one less limb. Understood?”
They all nod and his glare lands right back on Cherry. “Now, as for you, you’re going to give my girl an apology and then you’re going to go pack your shit and drive as far away from here as you can because if you ever cross my path again, it will be yourlast day breathing. Now, go over there and apologize to Rory for being such a jealous cunt.”
Her head drops to the ground, and she turns, slowly coming towards me. If she hadn’t been so rude all these months, I’d feel bad for his brutal treatment and the embarrassment she must be feeling, but she came into the club, into my home, and acted like I was dirt. Beneath dirt. And then she fucked the man I’m in love with, so fuck her. She deserves to be tossed out. But I am surprised that Ripper’s so eager to see her go. I thought there’d be a twinge of irritation that his toy was being taken away.
“I’m sorry, Rory.”
Cherry’s head lifts from her twisting hands, and the look in her eyes has my stomach tightening. There is pure hatred in their depths. It’s such a contradiction to her soft voice and shaking frame. It’s all a show. For Ripper and the guys. She’s trying to appear meek, to appear like she’s truly remorseful, but she doesn’t actually regret the way she treated me. She just wants to get out the door alive and with all her assets intact, but deep down, she truly hates me. Even more so since I’m the reason she’s being kicked out.
I’m not bothered though. The feeling is completely mutual.
“I’m sorry for the way I treated you.” She keeps up her little act. “Ripper was right. I am jealous. Everyone adores you so much and I’ve never had that in my life. Things were rough for me growing up, and I’m sorry if I took that out on you.” She turns toward Rip. “Please don’t hate me, Ripper. I have feelings for you and wanted you to look at me the same way you look at her.”
I look toward the man she’s pleading with, but his face is still locked tight, glare still frigid. He’s smart. He’s always been able to read through the bullshit, which is something I appreciate about him despite my anger.
“You’re delusional if you ever thought you held a candle to my girl. Never gave you reason to be jealous because there was never anything between us. You knew where I stood from the get-go. Told you it was just about sex, so you should never have assumed otherwise. And after the way you treated Rory, none of us would ever want you as an old lady or otherwise.”
I mirror Cherry’s shock over what he just said. I’d always assumed he had feelings for her.
“Guess you coming to my room every night had me believing there was more going on between us,” she states, sounding stronger. “All those nights you wrapped your arms around me and fell asleep. I clearly misread the situation.”
She cuts her eyes to me, and I know she’s trying to hurt me. It’s as if she’s aware I have feelings for him, but I’m not going to give her what she wants. I’m going to tuck the pain down and wait until I’m in private to let it loose and destroy my heart. Right now, it’s time to put her in her place.
