Page 72 of Slashes in the Snow
“I’m not a fan of it myself.” She wipes her wet cheeks against my chest.
“You know what a great cure for crying is?” I ask.
“No, what?”
“More make-up sex.” I tickle her.
“Ky,” she screeches, attempting to fight me off. But I’m too big and powerful for her little frame. She doesn't stand a chance. I roll on top of her, trapping her body beneath me. I smother her with a consuming kiss, pouring out as much affection, heat, and emotion as I can.
“Let’s go to bed.” I flick my tongue against her lips. “I want to show you exactly where my love lies.”
“I think I know.” She widens her legs, touches my mouth, and then my heart.
This woman.
After her, I’ll never be the same.
19
Kira
We’re backat The Lion’s Den.
I’ll admit, I’m not a fan. I stick out like a blinding light. Everyone stares at me. Whispers behind my back or throws daggers in my direction. The women, especially. They don’t like someone like me with someone like Ky. I’m encroaching on their territory. But Ky insisted we needed to get out of the house. We’d been holed up since last night. And he feels his bar is the safest place to be. For him, maybe. I’m beginning to understand why Gerard never mixed his two worlds. This is sorely uncomfortable. I surmise he wanted to spare my mother exactly what I’m experiencing right now. Pure discrimination.
“Another, princess?” the older bartender they call Popeye asks.
“Sure.” I push my empty glass forward. I’ve thrown back two rum and Diet Cokes since we’ve been here, and I don’t foresee myself stopping anytime soon.
Ky is having a pow-wow with a bunch of guys in the corner of the bar. I recognize most of them. Hawk, of course. He’s shoved so far up Ky’s ass, I’m amazed he can breathe. Vet and Breaker, Agent Orange from the first day I was here, and his good friend, Panty Peeker.
The group looks thicker than thieves, and I know they’re definitely as sly as them.
“One, rum and Diet for the pretty lady.” Popeye places the glass in front of me, and I look at it forlornly. “Buck up. A beautiful face like that shouldn’t look so sad. Ky will figure out who’s bothering ya, then it’ll be lights out for him.” He winks with his one good eye.
“I don’t want Ky . . . snuffing anyone’s lights out.” I make that clear. I want to be left alone, but not at the expense of my boyfriend going to jail for murder. “And it’s not just that . . .” I let the sentence linger.
“Oh?”
I lean in a little closer so only Popeye can hear. For some reason, he’s easy to confide in. He may look like a real, live pirate, but he’s sweet as can be. “Everyone hates me.”
He laughs. “Nonsense. You’re just new. And our Prez has taken a liking to you. You’re the second most important person in this bar right now.”
“Me?”
“You’re Slashes ol’ lady, so yeah.”
“I’m not old. I hate that term.” I heard Vet use it when he was talking about Dahlia.
“It’s a term of endearment. Half the women in this bar would kill to be Slash’s ol’ lady.”
I look over my shoulder. There are still plenty of women giving me the stink eye. “I’m aware of that.”
“Just wear his cut with pride, and don’t worry about the rest.” Popeye taps on the bar top.
“I’ll try. What’s a cut?” Ky hasn't explained a damn thing to me. This world is completely new. And confusing. And I’m definitely Alice navigating through Wonderland.
Popeye laughs at my expense some more. “Let me get a drink and then we’ll have a chat.” He hobbles around the back of the bar with his walking stick and one good leg. I peek around the room some more as he gathers his items. I read the neon beer logos on the wall and the outlandish roadhouse wall signs. One says ‘A pair of balls beats everything.’ But it’s the knife that’s stabbed into the wood at the end of the bar which is the most curious.
