Riot(49)

“That’s Merry. She lives with her grandson. She’s really sweet, but there’s something strange about her grandson.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. I used to talk to her when I was outside mowing the lawn, but she doesn’t come out as much anymore. I think she’s been ill.” Grace had just sat Bear down and begun playing with him when Daisy came into the room, licking her friend in greeting.

“Food, woman, now.”

“All right.” Grace gave in, going to the kitchen. “I thought Snake and Raft were going to come inside and eat before they left.”

“I told them they could leave for the safety of your dog. Besides, I’m hungry enough to eat it all myself. I haven’t eaten since last night.”

Grace set a huge bowl of chili and a plate of sandwiches down in front of him. He managed to make a large dent in the amount of food before he sat back in his chair, finally content.

They did the dishes together before going to the bedroom. As Ice closed the door and turned around, he saw Grace standing in the middle of the room with her arms crossed in front of her chest.

“Would you mind telling me why those young men were outside watching my house?”

“Not really, but I guess I won’t be getting any tonight if I don’t.”#p#分页标题#e#

Ice took off his shirt then unbuckled his jeans before sitting down on the side of the bed to take his boots off.

“I have a news flash for you: you weren’t going to get any tonight anyway. I’m indisposed tonight.”

“Indisposed? What the fuck does that mean?” He stood up to face her. “If you’re mad at me, then be mad. I don’t dig chicks who use sex as a punishment.”

Her lips thinned in anger. Perhaps he should have been more considerate, finding out first if she wasn’t feeling well or still upset about the little shit, but he was fucking tired and aggravated after searching for her dog. He had even gotten here in less than three hours because he had been worried about her, and he had a ticket to prove it in his saddlebag.

“I didn’t think of using it as a punishment, but now I am. I’m not able to have sex tonight.” Her face turned bright red.

“You on the rag?”

“I loathe that term, but yes, it’s my time of the month.”

“Baby, that doesn’t have to stop us.” He laughed, relieved. He thought for a second she might actually be sick. He finished undressing only to hear the bathroom door slam shut. Ice gave a wicked grin he was happy she couldn’t see. He wasn’t smiling twenty minutes later when she still hadn’t come out.

He was getting back out of bed when she came out of the bathroom. She had changed into a two-piece pajama set which was pink with too much material.

Ice watched as she turned off the bedroom light without a word and climbed into bed. Expecting her to give him the cold shoulder, he was taken aback to see her sitting up and staring at him.

“I’m ready to listen to your explanation about Snake and Raft.”

Ice gritted his teeth, wishing for once she would do what he expected her to. He pushed his pillow up against the headboard then sat back and reached over to turn the table lamp on.

“If we’re going to talk, we’re going to do it with the light on, not in the dark.”

“Fine,” she snapped. “Well?”

“Check the attitude, Grace.” He stared at her coldly until her face lost the stubborn expression. “I placed my men here to make sure you’re safe. If you run into any trouble, I’m over a three-hour ride away. If your car breaks down or someone gives you a hard time, one of my men will be here to deal with it when I’m not.”

“I can handle any situation on my own. If my car breaks down, I do have several friends from the college I could call for a ride. If anyone gives me a hard time, I can call the police. What I don’t need is your protection.”

“Like you didn’t need us tonight? If not for us, you would still be out looking for Bear.”

“Maybe, but I would have eventually caught him. Even if I didn’t, I could have handled it.”

“You don’t have to anymore.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means you’re my old lady now, and I handle shit like that for you.”

“Your old lady?” From her furious expression, he didn’t think she was getting what he was saying.

“Yeah, old lady, my woman. You know, girlfriend,” he explained.

“Oh, my God.” She ran her hands through her hair. “I’m a biker’s old lady.”

Ice laughed at her. “Yeah. When I refer to you as my old lady, my men know you’re important to me.”