My mind is rushing with everything that just happened. In the course of the last few days; my mom is gone, and Bowie decided to move me from Nina’s. Then there is the fact that Bowie claimed me, which I still don’t really understand what that actually means. To top it all, I’ve met the devil incarnate. Of course, I’m going to stay away from him.
When I don’t respond right away, Bowie reaches down and wraps his hands around my arms. His fingers tighten, causing a slight sting. “I mean it, Shay. If you see him, go the other way. Do not talk to him, don’t talk to anyone else about him, just stay the fuck away from that bastard.”
Fear fills me as I give him the words he needs. “I promise.”
My Property
Bowie
I lead Shay into the clubhouse, anger causing my hands to shake. How fuckin’ dare that bastard make that play? There’s no doubt in my mind he was trying to force me to claim her publicly. Well, fuck him. I plan on doing it anyway, so might as well get the shit done.
We step through the door, and I feel Shay move closer to me. Her side is plastered to mine; it’s like she is trying to disappear. Not fuckin’ likely, when every set of eyes in the house are on her. The music is so loud that I can barely hear myself think and the smell of stale beer assaults my nose.
I slam the door as Rollo comes rushing towards us. “We got a problem.”
I lift my chin to him but give him a slight shake of my head, letting him know now is not the time. I move to the side of the room, pulling her behind me, and jerk the cord from the radio out of the wall. Immediately, the room goes quiet.
I wait until all eyes are on me, before I push Shay in front of my body. She tries to pull away, but I tighten my grip and lean down to whisper in her ear. “Don’t move.”
My voice has her shaking; her fear is so strong that I swear I can taste it, but this shit has to be done. Putting my hand under her chin and lifting her eyes to the crowd. I run my other hand up to cup her breast, making sure the boys get my point, as I start to talk. “Take a good look, brothers. This here is mine. If I even hear of one of you laying a finger on her, I will fuckin’ kill you.”
A few hoots and hollers fill the room, but I ignore them. I look around, just to be sure everyone understands. “I claim her as my property. She’s my Old Lady. Stay the fuck away from her.”
With that, I lower my hand from her face and place it on her arm. I pull her along as I make my way to my room. As soon as I step inside, I slam the door. Looking down at her, I lay out the rules. “Never fight me in front of those boys, and I mean fuckin’ ever. If you don’t like what I do, tell me when we’re alone. Throw all the sass you want behind closed doors, but never show anything but complete respect in front of them.”
Her face is hard. Instead of the tears I expected to see, her eyes are burning with anger. “So, I can say whatever I want right now?”
Her voice comes out in a hiss, as she crosses her arms. Every inch of her is vibrating with fury, and she looks hot as hell. I nod, trying not to crack a smile. “Yeah, any fuckin’ thing you want.”
She lifts a hand, point a finger at my chest. “Next time you decide to treat me like a piece of meat, give me a little warning. Tell me you’re about to parade me in front of a bunch of bikers and let them look their fill. Don’t scare the hell out of me like that.”
“Is that all?” I ask, still working to keep my laughter in check.
She moves forward, her finger now poking me. “I’ll treat you with respect, but you are going to do the same for me. I’ll play your little lap dog in front of your friends, but you better not do something like that to me ever again. If you do, I’ll be out of here and back at Nina’s before you can even blink an eye.”
The humor of the moment dies a fast death, and I reach down and grab her. Walking her back to the bed, I push her down and climb over her. As I cage her body below mine, I start to speak. “Never fuckin’ threaten me again. You’re not going to Nina’s or any damn where else. You’re mine, and you better never forget it.”
The anger in her eyes is replaced with fear as she says, “I don’t think I can do this. I lived too long being controlled by a man. I can’t go through it again.”
I know she’s about to break, too much has been thrown at her; I gentle my voice. “I don’t want to control you, Shay. I just want to protect you. I had to do that shit out there. If not, every boy in the club would have been after you.”
“I don’t want any of them though.”
I lean down, placing my forehead against hers. “They wouldn’t give you the chance to say no.”