Rebel (Royal Bastards MC: Sacramento Book 4), page 10
I couldn’t say the same for Barracuda or Monk, but I knew I didn’t have a leg to stand on when it came to them.
“Thank you,” Rebel muttered.
I was thankful it was Saturday morning, and I didn’t need to roll out of bed to go to work. Plus, Rebel didn’t have any plans for the day, either.
“And I’m sure Mitzy and Memphis liked you, too.”
I sighed and twirled a strand of hair around my fingers. “I bet Mitzy and Morgan would get along great, too.”
“She seems like she could hold her own with Mitzy,” Rebel agreed.
“What is Raelyn like?”
“Pru,” Rebel groaned. “Do we really need to talk about what the girls are like?”
I didn’t mean to bore him, but I realized last night that if I was going to be with Rebel, I was going to become friends with the other ol’ ladies. “Do you think I could have like a girl’s night? Invite Morgan, too?”
Rebel rolled out of bed.
“Where are you going?” I demanded. I rolled onto my stomach and stuffed my pillow under my cheek. I watched Rebel walk into the bathroom and turn on the shower.
“I’m taking a shower,” he called.
Oh. I guess we weren’t going to talk about a possible girl’s night.
“You coming in with me?”
“Only if you tell me that having a girl’s night is a good idea.”
Rebel sighed heavily. “Fucking hell, Pru. It’s a good idea. The only problem you’re going to have is you’re going to have to have a couple of guys there.”
I lifted my head and frowned. “What do you mean?”
Rebel walked back into the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed. “I mean, you can hang out with the girls, but you can’t do it alone. At least, not right now.”
“Does this have to do with the fact that you couldn’t leave me here alone last night?”
Rebel brushed my hair back from my face. “Yes.”
“And does it have to do with Tank?” I liked hanging out with Mitzy and Memphis last night, but they also gave me a little insight into what had happened with Tank.
Rebel sighed. “Yes.”
“So I can have a girl’s night, but you have to be there?”
“Yes.”
I pursed my lips and sighed. “Fine.”
Rebel chuckled and shook his head. “You’re a bit of a nut, babe.”
I leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his lips. “But you like it.”
Rebel wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me into his arms.
I squealed loudly and wrapped my arms around his waist. “What are you doing?”
He stalked into the bathroom and threw the shower curtain back. “Taking a shower.” He set me in the shower and pulled the curtain closed behind him.
“I didn’t know I needed one, too,” I laughed.
Rebel pressed me against the wall. “I guess I like having you with me.” He kissed my lips and smiled. “Everywhere.”
I wasn’t going to argue with that.
As long as Rebel wanted me, I would be there.
*
Chapter Twenty-Two
Rebel
The stranger…
“I thought you said you had a lead on Menace.”
Barracuda shook his head. “I thought I did, but it came up empty.”
I sat back in my chair and sighed. It had been a week since our visit with Paul, and things seemed to be back to normal with the club. Prudence and I were doing pretty damn good, too.
Life was finally looking up, except for the thing with Menace.
This was some fucking bullshit.
Menace was, once again, gone.
“How the fuck does this guy just disappear without a trace?” Jet demanded. “His name should be fucking Houdini.”
“We’ll find him,” Monk replied. “He’s eventually going to mess up. We just need to be ready when it happens.”
How were you supposed to be ready when you didn’t even know what you were ready for?
Menace could strike again at any moment, and I didn’t feel like we were ready for it. Sure, none of the girls were allowed to be anywhere without two guys with them, but I couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy knowing that Menace had been able to take down Tank with ease.
Tank had been the biggest of us, and he was dead.
If Menace was sending a message by taking out Tank, we got it loud and clear. He was a force not to be reckoned with.
“Has Leo heard from Menace?” Six-gun asked.
Barracuda shook his head. “Not since before Tank was murdered.”
“Fucking Menace is ghosting Leo Banachi?” Mace whistled low. “That dude must have balls the size of Australia.”
“Australia?” Jet laughed.
“Hey, Australia is fucking big,” Mace scoffed defensively.
“I would have gone with Texas,” Monk shrugged.
Barracuda held up his hand. “Let’s stop right here before you fuckers go completely off the rails. Everyone keeps their eyes open and stay on your toes. Menace is going to strike again, but this time, we are going to be ready for him.” He grabbed the gavel in the middle of the table and slammed it down. “Stay aware and stay alive.”
Barracuda and Monk left the table right away, but I stayed back.
“How’s living with the same chick every night?” Jet asked.
“Better than sleeping alone every night like you do.”
Jet flipped me off. “I like variety.”
Playboy scoffed. “Variety? Does that mean use your left hand sometimes when you’re beating your meat?”
“The stranger!” Mace called. “That shit works, man. Totally feels like someone else is jerking it.”
I closed my eyes and sighed. “And you were trying to give me shit for having an ol’ lady?”
Mace and Jet could try and pretend that they loved living the bachelor life, but as soon as they got a little taste of someone like Pru, they were going to be goners. Except they were going to have to find women who were going to put up with their bullshit.
I pulled out my phone and sent a text to Pru that I was done at the clubhouse and should be home when she got out of school. We were settling nicely into routine, and I had never been happier.
This morning, I had stayed at the house when she went to work, and Jinx was keeping an eye on her.
“You get the security system installed?” Mace asked.
I nodded and tapped my fingers on the table. “Got it all hooked up today.” I held up my phone. “I can look at the cameras no matter where I am from the app on my phone.”
It had cost a pretty penny, but it helped me breathe easier.
“Raelyn wants to know if there is anything she can bring to the girl’s night at your place.” Playboy smiled. “And by the way, I am so fucking happy you are doing that shit at your place and not the clubhouse.”
I shrugged. “Tell her to text, Pru. I have nothing to do with that shit. I’m just going to be there to make sure they are safe.”
“I don’t know if anyone is safe if those four are together in the same room,” Mace chuckled.
My phone buzzed. I’ll be a little late. I have some tests I need to get graded. Start dinner?
“Look at him smiling at his fucking phone,” Jet laughed. “Man, you are fucking pussy whipped.”
I ignored the jealous dumbasses and tapped out a reply. Sounds good. I’ll have dinner ready when you get home. Be careful driving home.
She sent back a few X’s and O’s and a winking smiley face.
“I’m heading out, dumbasses. Have fun with your left hands tonight.” I bumped my fist against Playboy’s and headed out of church.
They could give me all the shit they wanted to, but that wouldn’t change anything with me and Pru.
Hell, nothing was going to come between us.
Life was looking up, and not a damn thing was going to change that.
*
Chapter Twenty-Three
Prudence
Dress-up…
“You done?”
I shook my head and smiled. “I need about ten more minutes, Jinx.” I could easily take these tests home with me to grade, but I didn’t want to. It was easier to just do it at school, and then, I didn’t need to haul them back and forth.
“I’m gonna grab a quick smoke, then.” Jinx pulled out a cigarette and popped it in the corner of his mouth.
“Jinx,” I scolded. “This is a school!” I dealt with enough defiant students every day. I didn’t need to add a smoking Jinx to the mix.
He waved his hand at me. “Yeah, but it’s not like I’m a student. You gonna expel me, teach?”
I rolled my eyes and pointed to the door. “Go smoke that outside, and then, I’ll be ready to go.”
Jinx grumbled under his breath and headed out the door. “Ten minutes,” he called.
As if I was the who needed to be reminded. I managed to breeze through three more tests, and I was on the last one when I heard Jinx walk back in.
“That must have been some good cigarette,” I called. I raised my head, and my heart about beat out of my chest when Paul was standing in front of my desk.
I looked around frantically, hoping Jinx was right behind him, or that this was a dream.
No such luck.
“Hello, Prudence,” Paul drawled. “It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other.”
It hadn’t been long enough. “Um, hi, Paul.” I darted my gaze to the door, hopeful to see Jinx walk in. “I didn’t know you were still here.”
The day after Rebel and the guys had a talk with Paul, word spread that Paul had stepped down from being the gym teacher.
I had asked Rebel if that had anything to do with him, but he said no. I knew he was lying, but at the time, it just seemed better to just not know exactly what happened with Paul.
“I stopped in to grab the last of my things and thought I would come by to see you.”
I cleared my throat and pasted a smile on my face. “That was nice of you.”
And now, he could get the hell out of here. Talk about horrible timing for Jinx to need a cigarette.
Paul planted his hands on my desk and leaned toward me. “I thought it was nice, too.”
The creepy level of Paul had been turned up all the way to ten. “Uh, I think Jinx is just outside if you want to hand around to say hi,” I suggested. Hint, hint, get the hell out of here, Paul!
If Paul left right now, I wouldn’t tell Jinx about what happened, and I could get back to grading my papers.
I wasn’t that lucky.
Paul turned on his heel and headed to the door. He closed it, and I knew he wasn’t going to simply leave. I snatched my phone off the desk, and Rebel’s text from earlier was still on my screen. I typed four letters and quickly set my phone back down before Paul turned back to me.
“I met your friend outside. We both agreed that he needed to take a nap.” Paul’s words hit me like a Mack truck.
Jinx wasn’t going to help me.
Hell, I didn’t even know if Rebel was going to be able to save me. I had only been able to send him one word, and he was at my house. I was going to have to save myself or pray for a miracle.
Paul slowly sauntered toward my desk with a sick smile on his lips. “I always thought you and I would make a good couple, Prudence. That was why I kept asking you out. I knew that if I could just get you on a date, you would see it, too.”
I nodded my head stiffly. “I just wasn’t looking to date,” I reasoned.
He tipped his head to the side. “You aren’t wanting to date?” he asked. “Then why is that disgusting biker at your house every day? Day and night.” He blinked rapidly. “Night and day.” I could see the crazy taking him over. “He’s always there.”
“No, he’s not,” I scoffed. “Rebel and I aren’t a thing.”
“You fuck him in your bed. You fuck him in the kitchen.” His eye twitched. “You suck his dick in the shower.”
“Ho…How d-d-do you know that?” I stammered.
Paul smiled wide. “I like to watch you, Prudence. I like to know what you’re doing and when you’re doing it. I’ve always thought you’re so beautiful when you’re sleeping.” His head tilted to the side. “At first, I was mad when you fucked him, but now, I just imagine it’s me.”
My stomach rolled knowing that every time Rebel and I were together, Paul had been watching. “Uh...that can…” I licked my lips and tried to figure out what to say. “How were you able to see me?”
The more Paul talked, the more likely it was that I could figure a way out of here or someone would find me. Hopefully, before Paul went crazier.
“There’s lots of places to sneak in and hide. Old houses are amazing like that.” He licked his lips and stepped toward me.
I jumped and pushed my chair back.
“Are you afraid of me, Prudence?” he asked. He ran his tongue over his teeth and laughed. “You shouldn’t be afraid of me. All I want to do is play with you.”
Oh, my God. I had to get out of here. Obviously, something inside of Paul had snapped after Rebel had talked to him. I should have known that he was on the edge of insane when he had broken into my house to steal my underwear. Though hindsight was always twenty, twenty. If any of us would have known Paul would do this, Rebel never would have talked to him.
“What do you want to play?”
Paul smiled. “I have a few games in mind.” He took another step toward me. “I always like to play dress up.”
Dress up.
Holy shit.
“Um, we can do that. Though, I don’t have any clothes to change into,” I pointed out. “I could maybe put my coat on?”
Paul shook his head. “I have an idea.” He jumped toward me and grabbed my arm before I could move. “I brought my bag.”
“B-b-bag?”
He pulled me close and pressed his nose to my cheek, inhaling deeply and twisting my arm. “I’ve got something special for you. I’ve been dying to see you wear it.”
I had to play along with him. Something had snapped inside his head and if I didn’t do what he wanted, I might end up dead sooner rather than later. “Is it a hat?” I asked.
Paul let out a peel of laughter. “It’s not a hat, Jennifer.”
I tipped my head to the side. “My name isn’t Jennifer, Paul.”
His face sobered. “I didn’t call you Jennifer,” he growled.
He had. I heard it clear as day.
“Jennifers don’t like to play with me. You’re going to play with me, so you’re not Jennifer,” he thundered.
I nodded and tried not cry. “You’re right, Paul. I’m Prudence.”
Jesus. What poor woman named Jennifer refused to play with Paul? If I didn’t handle him carefully, he would add Prudence to the name of women who wouldn’t play with him.
“Do you think I should get dressed in my new clothes?”
Paul shook his head, and I watched an evil settle over him. “I get to be the one to dress you.”
“O-o-o-okay. That sounds like a good idea.” Awful. Terrible. Horrible. That was a horrible idea. The thought of Paul touching me made my skin crawl and bile climb up my throat.
Paul ripped me out of my chair and over to a black duffle bag by the door. “It’s in there.”
“Uh, do you want me to open the bag?” I was close to the door, and it wasn’t locked. All I had to do was get out of Paul’s grasp and get the door open. I just needed two seconds, and I could be out of here.
Paul yanked me close and pressed his nose against my cheek again. He inhaled deep, almost like he was trying to drink me in. “I’m not letting you go, Prudence. Ever.”
His words sent a shiver down my back, and I knew they weren’t an empty threat.
Paul was going to hold on to me until he physically couldn’t. He crouched down and pulled me along with him. Stepping on the corner of the bag, he managed to yank open the large zipper on top. He pulled out a ball of white fabric and put it at my feet. “I saw this seven months ago and knew that it was meant for you.” He smoothed out the fabric, and my heart thundered in my chest when I realized it was a wedding dress. “You’re going to be a beautiful bride, Prudence.”
Words every woman wanted to hear, just not from a psycho. “T-t-thank you.”
He stood suddenly and yanked me along with him. “The shoes you are wearing are going to have to be your wedding shoes.” He shook his head and laughed. “It won’t really matter anyway. The dress will cover your feet.”
I nodded my head. “Uh, I think you are right.”
Paul twisted my arm and a sharp pain shot through me. “I am right,” he shouted. “I don’t need you to tell me that I’m right. You’re the woman.”
I didn’t exactly know what that outburst meant. I was the woman, but did he think because I was the woman that my say didn’t matter? I should have taken that psych class back in college. It would have helped me immensely right now.
I glanced at the clock and wondered if Rebel had even gotten my text message. I had sent it over ten minutes ago. He should have been here by now.
Paul bent down and grabbed the duffle bag. He pulled out a long butcher knife, and things rocketed up a notch. Now the psycho had a weapon. A very sharp and dangerous weapon.
“Uh, is that to cut the wedding cake?” I asked.
Paul tilted his head and smiled like a deranged clown. “That’s a good idea, Prudence. If only Jennifer would have had such good ideas.”
Who in the hell was Jennifer?
Paul turned me around until my back was to him, and then I felt the cold steel of the knife against my skin. “Don’t move, Prudence, or you’re going to hurt yourself,” he warned.
Oh, my God. He yanked the knife up and cut a long slit up the back of my shirt. The cold air washed over my skin, and my shirt fell down my arms. The only thing that was keeping it on was the sleeves.
Paul swung me around to face him, but before he could get his hand back on me, the door exploded and fell backward. I scrambled away from Paul and managed to get underneath a desk.
“You son of a bitch!”
