“I don’t know what the f**k you’re talking about.”
“Shall I go and tell Devil about the guy we buried then, or have you forgotten about him?” Curse turned to go to Devil.
Shit, there was no way he was going to let that happen.
“It was Judi’s kill, okay. She called me for help, not f**king Devil.” Ripper let the words tumble out of his mouth.
“Judi? What the f**k was she doing out?” Curse asked, looking angry.
“I don’t know. She wanted to walk and get some air or some shit. I didn’t ask the bitch too many questions. I took care of it.”
“She killed someone, Ripper. Shit like that doesn’t go away.”
“I’m handling it.”
He fisted his hands, and Curse kept staring at him.
“You better. Judi is precious to all of us.”
Ripper kept his mouth shut. If he said anything more Curse would know the truth of his change of feelings toward the woman they considered a Princess.
“Is there anything else you’re not telling me?” Curse asked.
“Nothing. I’ve got everything handled.” Ripper thought about the passion he experienced from Judi’s lips alone. She felt the same way. He had seen the budding of her ni**les at their kiss.
The life she’d led before he turned up didn’t affect him. Judi may have had over one hundred men, but no man ever got into her heart or mind. The fact she’d remained whole throughout her experience was a surprise. Many women would have broken a long time ago. There were strippers at the club who were similar in age but looked years older than Judi’s twenty years.
“If you need anything else, let me know. I’ll do anything for our Princess.”
Nodding, Ripper lit up a cigarette looking for some way to change the conversation away from Judi. “What was wrong with you yesterday at the diner? Mia was taking an order, and you looked like she was begging for your cock.”
Curse took his cigarette from him. “Nothing.”
“Really, nothing. So you weren’t imagining your c**k deep inside her cunt?”
The other man shook his head. “Stick to f**king with women. I’m out of here.” Curse left him alone.
Seconds later he heard the sound of Curse’s bike purring to life. Leaning against the back of the wall of the club Ripper tried to gather his thoughts together.
You should put an end to this shit with Judi. The club is far more important than some bitch.
Taking a deep draw on his cigarette he closed his eyes and rubbed them to try to clear his mind.
She’s not yours to have, to touch, or to f**k.
“I appreciate you staying behind if the shit hits the fan,” Devil said.
Opening his eyes, Ripper saw his leader stood beside him. “No problem. I don’t mind sticking around for the girls.” Staring down at his feet, the torment started to build back up inside him. Judi was off limits to men like him.
“I don’t want to ruin shit. Judi is happier than I’ve ever seen her. Lexie is ill, but life still keeps on going.” Devil lit up a cigarette.
Chancing a glance at his president, Ripper saw the pain in Devil’s eyes.
“You’re not going to lose Lexie.”
“I know. Until you’ve got a woman pregnant, Ripper, don’t say anything more.”
He wished there was something more he could say. At thirty-three years old, Ripper had been through hell, but his loyalty to Devil was absolute.
Your loyalty means shit. You’re going to f**k with Judi.
She deserves better than you.
“I can’t speak from experience of having kids. My dick has always got a rubber on it, but Lexie will not let anything happen to her.”
Devil didn’t say anything.
“She became a stripper for Simon. If a woman who is as reserved as Lexie is at times, still took her clothes off to earn money, she won’t put herself in danger for your kid.”
“I don’t give a f**k about my kid. Do you think I want any brat around me if they’re responsible for killing her?” Devil shouted the words.
The sound of a gasp came from behind him. Lexie stood there, pale, and stared at him.
“Shit, baby, I’m so sorry.” Devil went to Lexie, who turned to walk away. Rubbing at his eyes, Ripper knew he’d f**ked up talking to his boss. Shit, he shouldn’t have said anything, and Lexie shouldn’t have turned up. Leaving the clubhouse, which reminded him a lot of the building in Fort Wills, he rounded the building to see Lexie shouting at Devil. In all fairness, Devil looked ready to pick her up and take her away like some kind of caveman.
“I’ve got morning sickness, Devil. When are you going to get it through your thick f**king skull?” Lexie asked, shouting.
“You were not this way with Elizabeth.”
“Newsflash, jerk, I’m not pregnant with Elizabeth.”
Ripper climbed on his bike leaving them to their argument. Several of the women were laughing. The last thing he saw was Devil shutting her up with his mouth. Yep, that’s the only way to keep a woman silent these days.
He entered town going to the library. The librarian clucked her tongue at him. Chuckling, he looked through the rooms until he found Judi sitting at one computer typing away. For several minutes he stood watching her with his arms folded. She looked distracted reading through each line then checking out some fact in one of the books. Two guys close to her age were chuckling and pointing over at her.
Ripper didn’t like the look on their faces and took the seat beside her. “Hey, Princess,” he said, raising his voice so all could hear.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
Her cheeks went a beautiful shade of red. Leaning forward, he brushed a strand of hair out of his way to watch her. “I thought I’d come and see you. Devil and Lexie were arguing about her morning sickness when I left them at the club. I thought I’d come and see what you’re doing.” Ripper wanted to do so much more than touch.
“I should be getting my course books in the post in the next couple of weeks. When they turn up I’m good to go. I just need to get this assignment done and I can have a few days off.”
Getting to his feet, Ripper smiled down at her. “Then go ahead, write. I’m going to look around.” He was going to threaten the two dipshits with his gun, but she didn’t need to know that.
“Okay.” Her attention was already back on the computer.
Now, he could go and take his anger out on the two men who were pointing at his woman.