Page 29 of April’s Fool

“This fat, shy bitch can give him exactly what he wants,” I snap, snatching her hair and tossing her back. “Have some respect for yourself.”

“You stupid . . .”

“I wouldn’t call her stupid if I were you,” Mercy snaps.

“She’s smarter than you. It’s one of the reasons Fool picked her,” Kayla adds, the two of them forming a circle around Venus. “You, though, no one wants someone who’s a washed-up skank that throws herself around just to get attention. That’s just pathetic.”

“Sweets,” Fool says, getting my attention. “I think you’ve made yourself known.”

“Nope,” I tell him, shaking my head. “But I will make my point.” Turning back to Venus, I step into her space and hold up my hand. “You see this? It’s my ring Fool gave me. He’s mine. That means I don’t want your nasty cum-bucket self touching him. You do, and I’ll make you regret it.”

“And what are you going to do? Pull my hair? Shove me off him? Please, the moment you turn your back, all I have to do is get on my knees, and he’ll let me suck his cock without complaint,” Venus sneers. “You might have his ring, but you won’t have all of him. You never will. When he tires of you, he’ll toss you to the side for me or one of the others, I can promise you that. We always take care of the guys here and always will.”

Mercy snorts, and Kayla cackles.

“Do you really believe that?” Mercy asks.

“I think she does,” Kayla answers, not Venus.

I close the space between Venus and me. “Let me educate you on a little something-something. You’re at the bottom of the totem pole. These guys don’t give two shits about you except to use you for free pussy. That’s what you give them. You do nothing else unless you’re told. Me, well, I’ve got more respect for myself. I know better than to spread myself for every guy around because I know my worth. You don’t.”

Venus snaps and slaps me. I let her do it just so I can prove my point when I pull back my fist, one that JC and Lo taught me to make, and slam it into her nose. Blood splatters from her nose, and she cries out.

“Do you see anyone rushing toward you?” I demand, keeping my voice calm. “No, they’re not. So, I’m telling you now, Venus,” I spit out her name. “Touch my husband again, and I’ll make sure you get more than a bruised, bloody nose.”

”I think you actually broke it.” Mercy giggles.

“You fuckin’ bitch.”

“That’s enough,” Cannon growls, stepping forward. “She gave you plenty of warning. She did everything right. You fucked up and taunted an ol’ lady, Venus. Keep it up, and you’ll be out on your ass.”

Fool comes up behind me, wraps his arms around my waist, and his mouth comes to my ear. “Hot as shit when you come out of your shell, sweets.”

I blush and tilt my head back to meet his gaze. “It had to be done. I don’t like seeing women touch you.”

“Yeah, I see that.” He grins, taking my hand in his. “You ready to get out of here? I’ve got one more surprise for you.”

“More surprises?” I blink up at him as he lifts my hand to his mouth and kisses my knuckles. “I think you’ve surprised me enough with this party.”

“Trust me, you’ll like this one.” He chuckles, then drops my hand and tugs me against him. “It’ll be worth dealing with all the people here, including Venus.”

“Then lead the way, my husband,” I tell him, curling around his middle.

Chapter 16

APRIL

I didn’t know what to expect from Fool’s latest surprise. When we left the clubhouse, I thought maybe we were heading back to my apartment. Never did I think he’d take me to the middle of nowhere. It’s not a terrible place to be. It’s beautiful out. The stars are shining in the sky, and I can see the Little Dipper shining brightly among the other constellations.

Fool parks right in front of a dimly lit house that looks welcoming. In the darkness, you can’t make out much of the house, except that it’s a two-story, farm-style home.

I have so many questions running through my head as Fool turns off his bike and helps me slip off the back, just as he’d done both times earlier in the day. Once I clear enough space, he joins me and reaches up to remove my helmet, one he bought solely for me, as he told me today. The very one he’d given me to wear the first time he put me on his bike. I never thought to ask him about it until we were leaving for the courthouse this morning. It's sweet and made my insides melt all the more, though I wish he’d wear a helmet as he’s supposed to.

Everything Fool has done to make this day special keeps me falling for him more and more.

“Come on, sweets,” he says, dropping the helmet onto the seat and taking my hand in his.

“Is this your house?” I ask.