The Skulls(11)

Tate wrapped her arms around Angel.

“I don’t know what to say.”

Angel looked over at Steven to see him pressing on a load of buttons on his cell phone.

The sound of the door opening, followed by some giggling and screaming, made Tate pause in her tracks. Angel glanced over to see what all the fuss was about.

“We’ve got to go,” Steven said, helping them with their bags.

“Shit, it’s the Lions,” Tate said, muttering under her breath.

“Who are the Lions?” Angel asked. She saw the women and men in leather jackets sporting the Lion emblem.

“They’re The Skulls’ biggest problem, and we’re in neutral ground. The cities are not claimed.” Tate made to go to the changing room.

“We’re paying for it with you in the dress, Tate.”

“I need to get changed.”

“I’ve got orders from Tiny to get you back to the club. We’re paying for you in it.”

Tate didn’t look afraid as they passed the other crews path. All of them stopped with Steven standing in front of them.

A dark haired man stopped to look at Tate. His gaze wandered up and down her body. The heat coming from his eyes couldn’t be mistaken as anything other than predatory.

“Tate, it’s lovely to see you again.”

“Murphy, what brings you here?”

Angel stayed quiet, watching the interaction.

“Shopping,” Murphy said.

“For the skanks of the Lions. I see that. It mustn’t cost you too much. From the looks of them you don’t really need to keep them in clothing.”

“Tate,” Angel said, grabbing her new friend’s arm.

“Not right now, I’ve got this.” Tate didn’t turn her attention away from the man in front of her.

“You’re not going to let her speak to us like that?” one of the woman said.

Angel didn’t know who spoke, but Murphy and Tate kept glaring at each other.

“She’s Tiny’s girl. Tate says what she wants and does what she wants,” Murphy said, seconds later.

“Exactly, and what Tate wants is to get out of here. Lions give everything a bad press.”

Angel followed Tate and Steven to the checkout counter. She glanced behind her to see Murphy watching Tate.

None of them said a word while Tate got the women to scan the dress while it was still on her body.

Once they were out of the store, Tate refused to go home. Angel stood waiting while Tate ranted over the cell with her father.

Angel kept looking at Steven, whose attention drifted between Tate and the designer shop they’d come from.

“Do you know what happened in there?” Angel asked.

“I don’t know, and I don’t make it my business to know. The Lions are a threat, and my only job is to keep you two safe.”

Angel nodded not wanting to press him for any more details.

Tate returned several seconds later. “I won. We can shop for a few more hours.”

Neither of them waited for Steven. Tate took the lead and moved toward the next shop. Together they picked out a dress and headed toward the dressing room.

“What was that about, Tate?” Angel asked. Her curiosity was getting the better of her.

“What was what?”

“You know, between you and that Murphy guy?” Angel tugged Lash’s shirt over her head and waited for the other woman to speak. Tate let out a sigh, which she heard between the changing room.

“Murphy is an ass who joined the Lions because he thought The Skulls were too hard. He’s a backstabbing asshole who can’t be trusted.”

She heard the pain in Tate’s voice.

“Did you and he have a thing?”

Silence met her answer. Angel finished changing into the tight black dress and cringed when she looked in the mirror. She looked like an overweight whale.

“He was the only one who dared to have anything to do with me. He’s older than I am, but there was a time when I thought he was sweet. Murphy taught me not to let go so easily. I’m not looking for a boyfriend or a husband, Angel. I’m just looking for a man to help ease the loneliness.” The curtain opened, and Tate stood in a full blue gown. “I know we’ve never been close and I’m a few years older than you, but in time we’ll get to know each other. I do want to be your friend and share everything with you. For now, I don’t want to talk about it anymore, okay?”

“Okay.”

Angel smiled, distracting the other woman. “I think I look like a whale. What do you think?” She gave a little twirl in the hope of breaking any tension.

“You don’t look like a whale, and Lash is going to get a hard-on when he looks at you. You’re such a beautiful woman.”