Page 79 of King
“I’m sorry to leave you here on your own, but I’ve had a splitting headache all afternoon, and this music is making it even worse.”
I gave her a hug and assured her that I understood and hoped she felt better soon. Not long after they left, I excused myself to make a much-needed visit to the ladies’ room.
A few minutes later, the restroom door swung open as I was washing my hands. I tried not to groan out loud when Star strolled in and drawled, “Wow, I’m surprised you’re still here, now that King knows you’re nothin’ but a cut-slut.”
My eyebrows rose high enough to hit my hairline as I turned to gape at her.
“Excuse me? I’m a what?” I deliberately kept my voice even and my tone polite, trying to avoid a screaming match with this bitch. I’d like to believe I had too much class for that.
“You heard me. Cut. Slut.” Star grinned triumphantly as she emphasized the words. “Trust me, he won’t think your ass is anythin’ special, now that he knows you’ve been with one of his brothers.”
I brushed past her, refusing to engage with her bullshit. I swung the door open and stepped out to find Dante leaning against the wall opposite the door. He smiled and pushed away from the wall as the door closed behind me.
“Hey, sugar, Sinner wanted us to join the poker game, if you’re up for it?”
“I’ve never played before, but I’m happy to try. First though, what is acut slut, exactly?”
His gaze shot to mine in surprise. “A what?”
I cocked my head as I pretended to think. “Well, I think that’s what she said. Hold on, let me check.”
I pushed open the door to find Star inspecting her makeup in the mirror.
“You did say I was acut slut, right?” I asked innocently, and she swung her head around in surprise. Dante moved me aside as he barged into the room. Star paled and took a step back, as he loomed over her.
“What the fuck did you say to Ella?”
“I…I don’t know what you’re talking about. I didn’t say anything to her.”
“Don’t fuckin’ lie to me, Star. What the fuck did you say?”
At that point, Star began to cry, wailing that it wasn’t fair that Dante wouldn’t let her ride on his bike, yet my “fat ass” had gotten to ride with both him and Bull.
“You have thirty minutes to get your shit and get out,” Dante ordered. “Trick will escort you off the grounds, and he will be checking your belongings to make sure it’s all actually yours.”
He turned and reached for me, shaking her off as she grabbed for his arm.
“King, please, I’m sorry, I –“
He rounded on her again, and she shrank back against the wall.
“I fuckin’ warned you that you were on your last strike. You know the rules. You’re banned from the compound, Star. Now, since you’ve been with us for years with no real problems until here lately, I won’t object if Ace and Bodhi want to keep you on to work at Fallen Angels, but you’re not to set foot on the compound again. And just to be clear, if you start any shit whileyou’re working there, you’ll be fired and banned from all club businesses and property. You got me?”
She straightened her spine and nodded, then glared daggers at me as she ran from the room.
I knew I should probably feel bad for her, but I just couldn’t find it in me to give a flying fuck. She was a troublemaking bitch who clearly wanted Dante for herself, but more importantly, she had apparently broken several of the club rules. Even as a newbie, I knew that the club rules were sacrosanct.
Dante spent the next five minutes trying to apologize, until I finally kissed him in the middle of the ladies’ room just to shut him up.
“You don’t need to apologize for her. Here’s a news flash for you…she’s not the first bitch I’ve encountered in my life, and she definitely won’t be the last. I’m just glad I won’t have to see her labia anymore.”
Dante busted out laughing at that comment, and I propped my hands on my hips and scolded him. “It’s disgusting, Dante. I mean, thosebunniesare running around getting their coochie cooties everywhere. At least make them put on some fucking panties that cover the important bits, for God’s sake.”
He was still chuckling as he led me back out into the common room to join Pop at the poker table. I was pleased to see that Ace was no longer there. According to Bull, he’d taken Misty up to his room, which made my skin crawl to think about.
It didn’t take long to realize that I was a lousy poker player. Luckily, Dante had spotted me the cash to join the game, so it was actually his ten dollars that I lost.
“Don’t feel bad, sugar. You just don’t have a poker face, so you can’t bluff worth shit. We can all tell exactly what you’re thinking.” Dante explained as he started shuffling the cards in preparation to deal the next hand.
