Page 34 of Tico

I turn toward the closet, trying to hide my blush at the direction my mind went. I slip some jeans on over my shorts and then lace up my boots. Riffling through my shirts, I pause at an unfamiliar feeling. I pull my bottom lip between my teeth, debating whether to pick something flattering or to just grab a comfy shirt.

Then I remember the bunnies.

I’m sure there will be other women at the event and I want to look good for Tico. I snag a dark green fitted shirt with a v-neck that shows a fair amount of cleavage and slip it on. Next, I grab a loose t-shirt and sweatpants that I put into my duffle bag in case I get hurt tonight or just want comfy clothes afterwards. I check the rest of the contents in my bag, making sure they’re all there, then I check the secret compartment I sewed into the side of my bag. It holds my gun; the one Daemon secretly gave me before he left. It’s a black Sig Sauer P226 9mm. My fingers brush over it, and a calm feeling settles over me. I pull it from its compartment and then strap it to my ankle. Then I grab my leather jacket and slip it on.

Walking back into the room, Tico looks up from his phone. His brown eyes heat with desire and my core pulses with need. I can still feel his fingers ghosting over my skin from earlier and I shiver. He sees it and smirks as he pockets his phone.

“Jesse is going with us tonight. He’ll bring your bag so you don’t have to wear it on the bike. Here,” he says as he pulls something out from his cut and hands it to me.

I stare down at the phone in his hand, shocked. My gaze snaps up to him and his face softens.

“Let me do this for you and Pyper.Por favor(Please).”

I hesitate, but then I take it from him, turning the screen on.

“Wire loaded everyone’s phone numbers into it. There’s also a tracker embedded in it in case something happens. You’ll need to set a password to protect it. Wire’s staying here tonight to keep an eye on the cameras and he’s going to be giving Pyper hers in a bit.”

I should be miffed about the tracker, but I’m surprisingly not. Instead, something warms in my chest, knowing that it’s a protective gesture instead of a controlling one. Doing as he asked, I set a password and then lock the screen before tucking it into the inside pocket of my leather jacket.

“Thank you, Diego.”

Tension bleeds out of his shoulders and he leans down, kissing me. A knock on the door has us pulling apart and he moves to answer it.

“Everyone’s ready,” Taco says and Tico nods.

“Bueno(good), let’s move out. Everyone needs to keep their heads on a swivel. We don’t know what those fuckers will do or when they’ll make their move.”

I sling my bag over my shoulders and follow Tico out into the hallway, smiling when I see Pyper coming down the hall. She skips forward, hugging me tight.

“Good luck tonight and be careful.”

I squeeze her a little tighter. “Always, Kiddo. You be careful, too.”

After a moment, I pull away before following Tico downstairs and out into the evening air. Jesse takes my bag and I take Tico’s hand before getting on the back of his bike. The bike roars to life between my legs and my excitement picks up. Tico squeezes my knee and then his hand skates down my leg. Worry spikes in my gut when he feels my ankle holster, but surprisingly, he just pats my leg, almost like he approves.

The gate opens and Tico leads everyone out into the night. The cool air soothes my nerves and I hug Tico harder, loving the feeling of being wrapped around him on the bike.

All too quickly, Tico pulls up to a warehouse. The parking lot is already three-quarters full and I bet it will completely fill up before long. Tico drives around to the back of the warehouse and backs into a parking spot near one of the rear doors before killing the engine. The others follow suit and I take Tico’s hand before dismounting. Heading through the back entrance, Tico leads me through the corridors until we come to a locker room.

“This is the locker room for our fighters,” he says as he pushes the door open.

Inside, six sets of eyes lock on Tico and then all but one slides to me in surprise. I’m kind of surprised that they’re all men. Then I remember Tico saying they didn’t have too many women fighters. Rocket tilts his head towards me in acknowledgement which I return. The gesture has a few of the guys looking puzzled, but Tico clears his throat and they all quiet down.

“I’m sure you guys have heard Ice’s news by now,” he says and then pauses. When they all nod in confirmation, he continues. “My woman, Ember, has offered to fight in Ice’s place. You may recognize her from the circuit if you’ve watched the women’s fights. She used to fight under the moniker Viper, but she’ll be going by Fox from tonight on.”

They break out in murmurs and once again, all but Rocket look at me in disbelief.

“It’s true,” Rocket says as he steps forward and the others look shocked at his confirmation. “I didn’t believe her earlier either, but she proved to me that she’s the real deal. I know you guys aren’t in the club, but as she’s my Prez’s and our boss’s woman, there will be no disrespecting her. If you do, you’ll be answering to me, Tico, and Daemon, who is her brother.” Rocket pauses as he smirks at me. “After she’s already beat your asses black and blue, that is.”

I return his smirk and a few of the guys shift uneasily. Rocket then introduces them to me. Shotgun, Razor, Menace, Titan, and Dante who trains the other four. Apparently, Tico is everyone’s manager, but he only has two trainers under him—Daemon and Dante. That’s why they built their locker rooms the way they did. In the middle are benches for everyone to sit on which makes sense since Tico only has two trainers. They must use this space to touch base before the fights. On opposite walls are coded doors that lead to separate men’s and women’s lockers.

Then Reese steps forward and introduces himself. “Hello everyone. I’m Reese and am Ember’s trainer.”

Titan stares at him in shock, opening and closing his mouth a few times. “Holy shit, you’re the Beast.”

Reese, Daemon, and I share an amused look. I was wondering when someone would recognize him. I don’t think Dad or Uncle Ryan know who he really is, but later Marcus told me he knew who Reese was the moment he walked into his gym six years ago. I suspected as well, but it wasn’t until I’d seen a very specific tattoo on his chest above his heart during our first session that I knew it was really him. I sneak a peek at Tico and find him watching Reese with an almost assessing gaze. I wonder if he’ll try to recruit Reese as a trainer later.

Rocket’s jaw drops in surprise before his gaze starts bouncing between Reese and me repeatedly. “That’s why your technique is so good,” he mumbles as he rubs a hand through his short hair. “You were not only trained by Daemon, aka the Demon, but you were also trained by the Beast.” He shakes his head, baffled as the others look on, slightly confused. Then Rocket walks over to me and extends his hand. “I didn’t apologize earlier, but I’m sorry for not believing you or listening to your critiques. I hope you won’t hold it against me.”