“You’re a woman. You can’t do anything to me.”
Smiling, Tate reached down, grabbed his balls and twisted them. It was a move Murphy had showed her and one she remembered. Killer growled, covering her hand with his. She tugged and moved in close to whisper against his ear.
“I’m a woman. I’ve got a delicate nature. I’ve got tits, cunt, and an ass. I’m like a lot of women in a lot of ways, but I’m different.” Looking into his eyes, Tate squeezed. “I’m my father’s daughter, and I don’t say shit I don’t mean.” She let him go and watched him fall to the floor. “Be warned, I will hurt you if you hurt my friend. You want to fuck around with people, use the sweet-butts. They don’t expect anything better. Kelsey expects better, and she likes you. Make sure you give me a reason to like you.”
She walked away without a backwards glance. Tate hoped her message got across to him. If not, the guy was in for some hard lessons.
Kelsey was only involved in The Skulls because of her. Tate would do everything in her power to protect her new friend. She found Angel working behind the bar with Mikey, one of the original members. Mikey left the bar and pulled her in for a tight hug.
“It’s not been the same without you, honey,” he said.
Hugging him back, Tate looked at Angel. The other woman had tears in her eyes.
“You keep getting shot at, and I’m going to have a heart attack.” He kissed the top of her head.
“I’m not going to get shot. Murphy was there, and he saved me.”
“I don’t like those other boys he’s with. They’re not good.”
“Mikey, you always put the guys through their paces. Everyone knows you hate change.”
“Exactly, so when are you moving back home?” he asked.
“I’m not moving back home.”
“Mikey, over here we need you,” Tiny said, shouting across the room.
Rolling her eyes, Tate moved away going to Angel, giving Mikey some room. Sitting at the counter, she waited for the younger woman to speak.
“I’ve missed you,” Angel said.
“I’ve missed you, too.”
What more was she supposed to say? She felt like a total bitch for leaving the other woman behind.
Angel thrust a hand under Tate’s eyes. “Look, I got married.”
Taking hold of Angel’s hand, Tate admired the ring. “I heard. Congratulations.”
“I’m not going to take it personally. I get that you want some space away from this place, but, Tate, this is your family. They all care about you and worry. Tiny was freaking out with the phone call. I was freaking out. It’s not good.”
Lash entered going straight for Tate. “My girl was worried. You shouldn’t be this hard to deal with, Tate.”
“I know. I’m a bitch. I’m sorry.” She glanced down at the counter, feeling the bile rise in her mouth. “Angel, you deserve better from me.” Looking up, Tate focused on the woman she considered her friend. “I made a lot of mistakes the last couple of weeks. I’ve cut you off, and I shouldn’t have done. Will you forgive me? And I promise I’ll do better.” She looked at Angel, hopeful.
“We’re friends, Tate. I love you and miss you. I’d love for us to hang out again.”
She let out a breath. “Thank you.” Angel’s forgiveness meant so much to her.
“Good. Murphy’s asking for you,” Lash said, kissing the side of Angel’s neck. Dismissed, Tate walked around checking all the rooms. She found him sat in the laundry room. His pants were wrapped around his ankles, and he was cupping his junk.
“Fuck, be careful,” he said, hissing.
“Stop being a fucking baby.” A woman was knelt in front of him.
Tate cleared her throat.
“Tate, tell her she’s being mean, and I did get shot.” He lifted a hand toward her. She went to his side and gasped when she saw the graze on his thigh.
“It’s not a shot. It’s a fucking graze, and you’re being a baby.” The blonde looked at her, nodded, smiled and went back to work.
“Did you settle in okay?” Murphy asked, wincing. “Watch it.”
The blonde kept working.
“I don’t know you,” Tate said.
The other woman looked up. “I’m Sandy.”
“How come you’re fixing him up?”
“I’m the current doctor in the house. I’ve got a week off, and I’m spending my time here.”
Tate nodded. “Is Sandy your club name?”
“No, I get some shit from the guys at work, and I’m a real doctor.”
“What are you doing here then?” Tate asked, surprised to see a doctor in the compound. Sandy was also very pretty, beautiful even. She clearly wasn’t desperate for attention.