Bed of Roses by Harley McRide Page A

women at the bar. Tonto didn’t need to ask what was up with him. He knew, because he had the same damn problem. They didn’t need to voice what was on their mind, the two had been close for so long that words weren’t necessary.
    Rose seemed to be getting along good with the girls, which was a shock. Raven was known for the hard bitch she was, and the woman didn’t take to anyone. Hell, it had taken Chelsea three years for her to walk into a room without flying at her both fists blazing, and another two after that for her to speak to her. Now the two were best friends but back then, you wouldn’t have ever guessed it. Rose was still dressed in her uniform from the diner, and yet she was the sexiest girl in the whole damn place. Her long hair had been freed from its tight bun, framing her face. She looked younger than her age and hotter than hell.
    Half an hour later, the girls made a bathroom trip. Both of his Prospects were on their toes, following behind at a safe distance but still close enough should anyone decide to sign their death warrant. When they came back out, a guy approached. He was ready to bolt, but gave the two Prospects a chance to do their job. Prospect Joe and Prospect Nic both moved in, addressing the guy. Rose stepped to the front of the group and said something that had his two men backing away.
    “What the fuck?” Sandman growled, already in motion to go address the situation.
    Tonto held out his hand. “Wait.” They watched as the fucker led her onto the dance floor.
    “Wait for what? Those two fuckers are going to turn in their cut and get the fuck out of here. They’re out,” he growled.
    “For what? She obviously wanted to dance. They are still keeping an eye on her, and on the girls. Rose isn’t one of ours, bro.”
    He thought about it and hated he was right. She wasn’t an ol’ lady…hell she wasn’t even a rat. She had no affiliation with the club other than being an employee at their businesses.
    “So? Fuck that. I don’t like it.”
    Tonto let out a deep breath. “Neither do I. So…what do you purpose? We still don’t know much about her.”
    “Then we find out. Get her in the Pits.” Sandman wasn’t big on expressing shit. Hell, he wasn’t big on emotions period. Even when he was interrogating rival gangs or ‘cleaning house’, which meant killing and disposing of the bodies, he remained calm. He didn’t get mad. He got even. It almost was as if he had some sort of switch he flipped off the night when his parents were slaughtered, leaving him all alone.
    “Call Rumble. It has to go to vote.” He slumped back in his chair, emptying his fourth glass of scotch.
    Sandman didn’t waste time. He flipped out his phone, punched a few buttons, and shoved it back in his pocket. “Done. Tomorrow at noon.”
    Tonto nodded, still not peeling his eyes off the pussy fuck who kept easing his hands lower and lower toward Rose’s ass. When they finally landed on their target, he got up and stormed in their direction.
    Rose knew the guy she was dancing with was more than a little drunk, but his hands wouldn’t stay put. She fought her temper, hoping to raise some kind of reaction out of Tonto and Sandman. Justin, as he had repeatedly introduced himself and spoke in the third person enough she wanted to stab her eardrums out, yanked her closer against him and went in full force for a kiss. She tried to wiggle out of his grip but the more she fought, the more he seemed encouraged and got handsy. He tugged at her shirt with one hand, reached down with the other, and grabbed her crotch all while shoving his mouth sloppily against hers. Finally she had enough and brought one knee up between his legs with all her force. She braced herself and readied with her fist cocked back, but he flew away from her and landed a few feet away. Rose was stunned, not sure how she had managed to do such damage without ever punching him when two huge arms came around her waist and lifted her off the