CHAPTER TWO
Fucking hell. Why on earth is Inga here?
In the four or five years I’ve known her, she’s never once come to the clubhouse. I prefer to keep the dancers separate from the MC. Otherwise, lines get blurred, and shit gets complicated.
Like this kind of complicated.
Hope unwraps her legs from me and slides down to the floor. I steady her with an arm around her waist.
Now, Inga is most certainly not the only girl in this room I’ve fucked. Without even turning my head, I can count at least three others. But Inga is the only one Hope knows for a fact I’ve fucked, making for one hell of an awkward situation. I don’t want her uncomfortable in my clubhouse. I shoot a glare at Zero and Dex. I expect the “what the fuck” is coming through loud and clear in my expression.
“Uh, Inga knew it was your birthday, heard there was a party, and asked if she could follow Dex up,” Z gets out before I clock him.
Inga pops a hand on her hip and settles into one of her favorite poses. “Hey, Big Poppa, it’s been a minute.”
I really hate her fucking nickname for me. She leans in to give me a kiss, but I hold my hand up. Her wounded expression might bother me except I’m so furious, I can’t find a single fuck to give. Her eyes shift to Hope and widen in shock.
“Hey, Hope.” She swings her gaze back to me, and I can already see the questions forming. “Hope and I just ran into each other not that long—”
“I know. She told me.” Actually, because of that run-in, Hope and I had a heart-to-heart that cemented our relationship. Lucky for Inga, the memory of that conversation lessens my fury at her surprise appearance.
She pops her hand back on her hip, and this time my eyes are drawn to her almost non-existent outfit. The only way to describe the black leather and gold shiny stuff is a sort of biker-meets-school-girl-hooker costume.
“Why didn’t you tell me you guys were together?” Inga asks Hope.
“It’s recent. And none of your business,” I answer. Hope still hasn’t moved or said a word.
Not at all ruffled, Inga continues as if this falls right into line with her plans. “Well, this here is my friend Peach. She’s touring with me, and we wanted to do a special show just for you as a birthday present. Dex said you guys got a private room here.”
Like fuck am I going in there alone with her and “Peach.”
She leans in closer. “Peach and I just did a film together, and I brought you an advance copy.” She reaches into her smart-car-sized purse and pulls out a thick DVD case with a topless Inga on it. Fantastic. Could this night go to shit any faster? Wrath walks up and snatches the movie out of my hand, finally making himself useful.
“Fuckin awesome. We’ll toss this in the player out here. Thanks, Inga.”
She looks put out but recovers quickly.
“So, where’s the private room?”
Z points down the hall. “It’s probably full. I’ll go clear it out.”
“Uh, where’s Murphy?” I glance around for my ginger Road Captain. I spot Wrath by the television. “Wrath? Get back here.”
Wrath and Murphy lumber up.
“Inga’s gonna do a private show.”
She frowns at the addition of the other guys. “It’s a big room, Ing.”
“Peach too,” Inga says.
“You know no one here is paying either of you, right?” I remind her.
She laughs, “Poppa, I didn’t come here for money.”
I wish you hadn’t come at all.
“Cookie,” Murphy yells, and she comes running.
Wrath picks Trinny up and tosses her over his shoulder before heading down the hall. She playfully slaps his ass, and I wish those two would just get it over with.
People head down the hall, thank fuck, because I am planning to escape upstairs with Hope.
When we’re finally not surrounded by ears and eyes, I pick her up and set her on the bar. “Baby doll, I’m so sorry. I had no idea that was going to happen.” There’s no reason to pretend I don’t know why this is awkward.
She runs a hand over my cheek looking so damn sad, I want to wrap my hands around Z’s neck and squeeze really hard. “You can go. I’ll, uh, wait upstairs.”
“Fuck, no.”
She hangs her head. “Do you want me to go home?”
Christ.
“Baby. No. I want to go upstairs with you. Fuck, why don’t we just leave and go to your house?”
She smiles at me like she doesn’t quite believe me.
“Rock! Show’s about to start,” Wrath shouts.
Fuck me.
“Come on, Hope. Hurry.” Trinny yells.
Hope turns and sees Trinity waving at her to join them. Wrath’s doing some ridiculous bump and grind dance behind Trinity that I will make fun of him for until the day he fucking dies. Hope giggles and hops off the bar. She holds out her hand to me.
“Let’s go, birthday boy.”
Z must have realized the error of his ways because his ass is firmly planted in the chair Inga clearly reserved for me. Swan sits in his lap, giggling and whispering in his ear. Inga’s frustrated, but she knows better than to mess with Z. Wrath and Trinity are sitting in the middle of the plush bench that runs against the wall. Dex and Cookie are spread out a little farther down from them. Murphy is perched on the bench on the other side of the room. I pull Hope into a corner spot and position her on my lap so I can watch her face. At the first sign of unease across her pretty features, we are gone.
The opening notes of “Rock You All Night Long” come over the speakers, and I groan. Some time ago, the girls at the club decided that should be my theme song, and not a night went by when at least one of them would throw it on. The song brings up a lot of old memories. Not unpleasant ones, but not what I want to think about anymore. Honestly, this is awkward as fuck. That part of my life needs to stay in my rearview so I can move forward with my girl. Instead, the two worlds are colliding violently tonight. Burying my face in Hope’s neck, I let her sweet scent relax me. Realizing she’s breathing heavy, I lift my head. She’s watching the girls intently, lips parted.
Well, fuck me. My girl’s into this.
Okay, then.
“You all right?” I ask.
“Never seen anything like this,” she answers without taking her eyes off the girls.
That’s fine. I’ve seen enough porn star flesh to last a lifetime. But Hope? This is a brand new vision, and I want to sear it into my memory to take with me when I’m on long rides without her.
I can’t take my eyes off her.
The expression that flickers over her face fascinates me. The corner we’re in is pretty dark, so I pull her back against my chest and shift my legs so that hers fall open. Holding both her hands in one of mine, I press them between her breasts. I work my other hand between her legs. Rubbing the seam of her jeans. Feeling the heat pouring from her center. Her breath hitches, and she squirms in my grasp. My lips find the pulse point at her neck where I nip and suck at her sensitive skin until she’s trembling.
“Rock,” she gasps.
At her tone, I glance up and realize a half-dressed Inga is headed our way. Removing my hand from between Hope’s legs, I mutter a curse. Inga—she devil that she is—pulls Hope out of my lap and into the middle of the floor. The guys hoot and encourage this insanity.
I’m going to kill every one of them.
Inga and Peach are all over my girl. Hope is being a good sport, trying to dance along with the two pros. Damn, if she isn’t sexy as fuck doing it too. Of course, Inga encourages Hope to take her top off.
Oh, fuck, no.
Trinity jumps into the fray, distracting Inga with her wild dance moves. Damn, I love that girl. Wrath yells “take it off” to Hope or Trinny, I’m not sure. Trinity flips him off and starts giving Dex a lap dance.
That’s my cue to get my woman. Because…nope. Not happening. What’s under Hope’s clothes belongs to me alone, and if she’s giving anyone a lap dance tonight—it’s me. Pulling a page from Wrath’s caveman handbook, I toss Hope over my shoulder and head into the hallway. She’s giggling and thankfully not at all pissed. The volume in the room detonates after the door closes behind us.
God only knows how far Inga will go. I’ve never seen her amped up like this.
Upstairs. Please, can I just get my woman upstairs?
No. Of course not.
Teller stops me at the foot of the stairs. So fucking close.
“Prez, can I have a word?”
“Yeah, of course.” I motion him to a corner of the room where the least amount of debauchery is going on. Hope takes the detour in stride. Once again she’s on my lap. This time she’s more engaged with the crowd around her. She nods and smiles at people when they stop over to say hello. I know how shy she is, so I appreciate the effort she’s making.
Teller is laying out some personal shit. I feel for the kid. He’s only been a full-patched member for a little over seven years, but he stepped up to be treasurer when I needed him to and he’s a hard worker. Unfortunately, none of that work gets reported to the government.
“I gotta get custody of Heidi. She’s going to end up killing our grandmother. Just two more years ‘til she’s eighteen. My lawyer says I gotta show I have a steady job. Something on the books.”
“Okay. I’d put you on at CB, but I don’t think working at a strip club is going to help you get custody of your sixteen-year-old sister.”
He snorts.
“My bike shop is official. I could set up payroll or something for that.” Not to be a dick, but that’s a lot of extra hassle I don’t feel like dealing with.
Voices get louder from down the hall—sounds like the party in the champagne room is winding down. Glancing up, I spot Trinity fuming and call her over. “Where’s Wrath?”
She practically snarls, “Trying to fuck Inga or Peach.”
I lift an eyebrow, and she shrugs. I’m not surprised Wrath would go after a girl he knew I’d been involved with, but that he would do it in front of Trinity tonight does surprise me. A flash of his blond hair catches my attention. Fucker’s trying to sneak upstairs with Peach.
My voice easily carries over the crowd. “Wrath! Get over here.”
He turns and gives me a face full of pissed off, but strides over. He glances at Trinity, and she ignores him.
“What’s doin’, prez?”
“I need you to do a brother a solid. Can you put Teller on the books at the gym?”
He glances at Teller. “Yeah, of course. I’ll find something. Full time?”
“Yeah, club will cover it.”
“No prob. You didn’t have to call me over now to do it.”
I’m glad he’s going to help out. But I’m still pissed at the way he’s treated Trinny tonight—time for a lesson.
“I also need you to bring some stuff down to CB. Got a call from them earlier.”
His jaw drops. Trinny ducks to the side and stuffs down a giggle.
“Fuck, prez. You serious? Send a prospect.”
I arch a brow.
“Fine. Fuck.” He shoves his fingers through his hair and tries to locate Peach, who has disappeared into the crowd. I nudge Hope.
“Baby doll, give me a minute, okay?”
“Of course.” She scoots off my lap, but before I get up, she swoops in and plants a kiss on my cheek.
“Stay here,” I instruct Hope.
I glance at Trinity. “Will you sit with her?” As our longtime club girl, I want Trinity to give Hope some info.
“Of course.” She immediately drops next to Hope, and the two of them start chatting.
Satisfied Hope will be okay, I pull Wrath to the door.
“Why you giving me bitch work, Rock? Fuck, man, Peach is a fucking porn star. I wanna hit that.” While he’s whining about Peach, his eyes are focused behind me where Hope and Trinity are.
Tilting my head into his line of vision, I give it to him straight. “Then don’t be making a play for Trinity and two seconds later someone else right in front of her. We fucking talked about this. God damn.”
He pulls his stare to me and smirks. “Think she’s up for a three-way?”
I shake my head. This asshole never quits.
Suddenly he’s all business. “Be serious, prez. You need me to go down to CB or not?”
I’ve made my point. No reason to make him drive down there and back for nothing. “No. Just tone it down.”
“I like Hope,” he says out of nowhere.
“Like I give two fucks.”
“No, seriously. I gave her shit before, and for a second I thought she was going to cry and you were going to murder me, but then she just dished it right back.”
I laugh, although I do kinda want to throat punch him for trying to upset my girl on purpose. Before I get the chance, Z’s at my back.
“Yo. Dex wants to nail Inga. You cool with that?”
“Why are you asking?”
Z shrugs. “I may partake as well.”
Christ.
“She’s fair game. We haven’t been a thing for a year and a half.”
“Fuck—why didn’t you say so sooner?”
“Am I required to update you on where I park my dick now?”
Z gags. Wrath laughs.
Z straightens up and throws Dex a thumbs up. “Hey, I’m sorry Dex and I brought them up. I didn’t realize Hope would be here. This asshole said it would be okay.” He jerks his thumb at Wrath.
“Surprise, surprise,” I grumble.
“What?” Wrath has the nerve to make a “who me” face. Maybe the girls fall for that shit. I don’t.
“Go meet me in the conference room.”
“Now?”
I ignore him and turn to Z. “Take a run at Peach. Just remember, they’re both employees at the dance club. Treat them with respect, even if they don’t treat themselves with any.”
The corner of Z’s mouth lifts in a smile. “Yeah. I got you.”
Wrath glares at me while Z flips him off and flees. “Not cool, prez.”
I grab him by the back of the neck and aim him in the direction of our war room. “Stop acting like a little bitch. It’s my birthday. Come have a drink with someone older and wiser.”
I slip my keys out of my pocket and open the door, closing it quietly behind us.
“What up?”
“I wanna show you something.”
“Should I be scared?”
Wrath scared of anything is hilarious. “Don’t be a dick.”
Unlocking my personal cabinet, I pull out the bottle of Scotch Hope gave me and show it to Wrath.
“No shit. Where’d you get that?”
“Birthday present from Hope.”
He whistles. “Nice present.”
I set out two glasses.
“You’re going to open it now?”
“What better time?”
Wrath’s hard stare drills into me, and he shakes his head. “I can’t believe you brought her here. It’s like corrupting fucking Cinderella or something.”
My laughter is forced because, while it’s an accurate description of the night, I’m not happy about it. I pour the Scotch and hand him one of the glasses. After swirling the caramel-colored liquid around for a bit, he holds up the glass. “May you live to be a hundred years with one extra year to repent.”
“Ha. I’ll repent nothing.” We clink and tip our glasses back.
“Fuck, that’s good.”
“Smooth and spicy,” I agree.
“So, this thing with her is serious?”
His question annoys me for some reason, and it takes me a second to consider how I want to answer. “I feel like we’ve already had this conversation before, brother.”
As usual, nothing fazes him. “Someone like her might be better off as a citizen wife,” he suggests.
Wrath is brave for even mentioning such a thing. The idea of keeping Hope away from such a big part of my life leaves me cold. “Too late now.”
“You tell her everything?”
“No.”
“You gonna?”
I turn this over in my mind before answering. Everything? What’s everything?
How we earn? I’m pretty sure she already suspects.
That I’ve fucked around a lot? I think that’s been made more than obvious tonight.
That I preemptively killed two cold-blooded bastards to keep her safe?
I’ll keep that one to myself for now.
“Eventually. As a lawyer for the club, she can’t spill anything anyway. What we tell her is confidential. She becomes my wife, it will be like double protection.”
Wrath nods, looking relieved. Has that been his problem all along?
“Wife. Wow. Okay. Ol’ lady status isn’t enough?” he asks with an eyebrow lift. When I shake my head, he continues. “You got it bad for this broad, don’t ya?”
Unlike some of my brothers, I’m not afraid to express my feelings for the woman I care about. “She’s not a broad. And yes.”
“No disrespect intended. I like that she can hang. Trin seems to like her too.”
“Good. They can be helpful to each other.”
Wrath nods, so I guess I don’t need to spell it out for him for a change.
I pick up the bottle of Scotch and our glasses. “Go park your ass on the couch and make sure Trinny isn’t scaring Hope away.”
“You doing okay with all this?” Trinity asks as soon as the guys are out of earshot. Well, except for Teller, who is so furiously texting someone, I doubt he hears anything we say.
“Yeah.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t know what the guys were thinking bringing Inga here.” She stops and gives me a level stare. “I’ve never slept with Rock, if you’re wondering.”
That’s a huge relief.
“I can only imagine what you’ve heard.” She flings her hand toward the open room.
“What’s your role here?” I’m honestly curious.
“Well, club took me in about eight years ago. I have a room here. Club pays my expenses. I kind of take care of the place, clean up after these pigs. And I make myself available to the guys on an as-needed basis.”
I’m not really sure what to say to that. “Why?”
She shrugs and thankfully doesn’t seem offended. “I dunno. I grew up around MCs, so I guess I just feel safer around one.”
“Safe?” I’m not sure if “safe” is the word I would use for hanging around a bunch of guys who could snap me like a twig.
“Have you seen these guys?” She gestures toward Wrath, who is heading our way with a determined expression. “Wrath is a dick, sure, but he’d never let anyone hurt me.”
“I wouldn’t let anyone mess with you either, mama,” Teller remarks without looking away from his phone.
Trinity giggles and punches his arm. The corner of his mouth twitches, and he winks.
Lowering my voice, now that I know Teller is more alert than I thought, I ask her. “Why aren’t you a member? They don’t allow women to be members, do they?”
She hesitates. “I don’t know if any have ever asked. These types of clubs don’t usually have women members.”
“What type is that?” I’m so confused with all their specific, odd rules I don’t understand.
“Outlaw, outlaw, outlaw…” Teller chants for no discernible reason.
“Giddy-up, brother!” Wrath shouts as he approaches, giving Teller a fist bump. Oh, goody—more grief from the big, blond Viking to look forward to.
Trinity continues educating me. “Look. I grew up around bikers. My dad was in a nasty MC. Got shanked in prison when I was ten, but before that he owned a tattoo shop where all the guys would hang. I saw lots of shit growing up. From what I understand, LOKI was in rough shape when Rock took over. But he and Wrecking Ball,” she says, jerking her thumb at Wrath, who blows her a kiss, “and Z whipped the club into shape. Rock’s a good guy. He takes care of everyone. He’s responsible for the family. Women aren’t disrespected here. Rock doesn’t allow it. You know, besides the normal antics of the male pig.”
For some reason, Wrath takes those words as a cue to squeeze in between Trinity and Teller. Hauling Trinity into his lap, he grins from ear to ear like she just paid him a compliment.
“Ugh, get offa me, you beast.” She slaps at his hands, but he wraps himself around her tighter, resting his chin on the crown of her head as if he has no idea what her problem is.
Curious about her story, I ask. “How did you find these guys?”
Trinny waves her hand in the air, then settles it against Wrath’s arms encircling her waist. “Club girls know how to find bikers.”
“Fuck yeah, baby,” Wrath says in a low, rumbling tone that even makes my tummy flutter. As I watch, he takes her ear lobe between his teeth, flicking his tongue back and forth. Her eyes flutter shut for a second and then she elbows him in the chest until he lets go.
She continues as if I hadn’t witnessed the intimate moment between them. “But honestly, I was tending bar downtown with this girl.” She turns to Wrath. “You remember Stormy?”
“Yup. Poser skank.”
She tilts her head as if his assessment is accurate. “She kept telling me about LOKI, and having known bikers since I was a kid, I found her story a little hard to believe.”
Wrath pulls his head back, looking indignant. “Cause she made us sound like a bunch of pussies?”
“No.” Trinity clarifies. “That you weren’t a bunch of pigs. Although she was wrong on you.”
“Oink.”
“Exactly.”
“So where is she now?” I ask.
Wrath shifts his long legs, rolling Trinity in his lap. She wriggles, trying to keep upright, causing Wrath to moan. “Watch it, woman.”
“She was not about this life,” Teller answers my question after shooting a glare at Trinity and Wrath.
“What? Riding motorcycles?” As usual, I’m having trouble following their jargonized language.
The way the three of them share a look, I know I’ve just made an ass out of myself. Why, I have no idea, since everyone keeps insisting it’s just a “club.”
“Thug life,” Teller remarks.
I smile because I think it’s a joke. “You’re not thugs. Well, you probably are,” I say pointing at Wrath.
“I definitely am,” he says, meeting my stare.
“Anyway,” Teller continues, smoothing over the awkward moment. “Stormy-girl found herself a nice citizen husband.”
My blank stare is enough that I don’t have to voice the “what the heck is that” on the tip of my tongue.
Both Wrath and Teller focus their stony glares on me, but Wrath is the one who delivers the lecture. “She was one of those good girl types lookin’ to take a walk on the wild side. You know, spice up her dull, sheltered life? Attaching herself to outlaws made her feel special,” Wrath says. It’s similar to the speech he gave me earlier. Shame—I’d just started to think he might not be a complete asshat.
Trinity seems alarmed by how intense this conversation suddenly turned. “That’s not entirely true. She got tired of being passed around. No one was gonna claim her back then, and she really wanted to get married and start a family.”
Wrath sneers. “No one was claiming club ass. Back then.”
A flash of anger lights up her face, but she doesn’t respond. Instead, she leans forward and lowers her voice. “From what I hear, Rock hasn’t been with any of the club girls in like a year or something.” She straightens up.
I already know this because Rock admitted it to me the afternoon we had our heart-to-heart in his garage. But it still feels good to have confirmation from an inside source.
“All the girls gossip about the guys,” she says with a snicker.
Teller chuckles. “Boys compare notes too.”
Gross.
Wrath’s jaw and his hold on Trinity tightens.
“Anyway, I just wanted you to know. Me and Rock. Never.” She makes a slashing motion with her hand.
Wrath’s gaze shoots toward the ceiling.
She continues. “He’s more like a big brother or father figure—”
“Fuck, Trinny. I am not old enough to be your dad.” Rock’s back. A smile breaks over my face. I’m so happy to see him. The education I’ve been getting, while interesting, doesn’t have a lot to do with our relationship.
Trinity flushes eight shades of red. “Sorry. You know what I mean.”
The party seems to be winding down out here, but there’s still a lot of noise going on around us. The music has been lowered, and sex noises can pretty much be heard from every direction. Rock traces his finger over my cheek.
“You okay, doll?”
I nod, enjoying his touch.
Someone comes over, taps his shoulder, and they turn away to talk.
Wrath clears his throat. “Uh…Hope, I’m sorry about Inga coming here tonight. I gave the okay for it. I didn’t think Rock would actually bring you to a club party.”
Trinity must be as shocked as I am. She twists in his grasp and presses the back of her hand against his forehead. “You feeling okay, Wyatt?”
For a second, the hard lines of his face settle into something softer before he shakes off her hand.
“What? I’m not a total dickhead. I know it’s not cool to bring the piece around an ol’ lady. Or former piece, as the case may be.”
“I have the feeling if I try to decipher that, I’m going to be offended.” I’m only half joking.
Trinity lets out a huge laugh, and Wrath opens his mouth. “Well, you’re his ol’ lady apparently—”
“No. Just stop. Stop talking. Trinity giggles, while covering his mouth with her hand.
“Always good advice, brother.” Teller says, looking up from his phone finally. “So, Hope. Rock says you’re a lawyer and you do family court work?” Teller asks.
Oh no. I feel it coming. Please don’t.
“You heard what I told Rock earlier. I’m trying to get custody—”
“Uh, I was. I haven’t practiced law in a while.”
Wrath frowns. “Why?”
“Well, um—”
“Because of that thing with Rock?” Wrath prods.
I flush at the reminder of that awful day, remembering that Wrath had been there to witness my humiliation. “No. My husband died last year, and except for helping Winter out, I haven’t gone back to work since.” I can’t bear to tell these people I hardly know that it took me almost ten months to crawl out of bed after Clay’s death.
“Oh, shit, Hope. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know,” Trinity whispers.
Wrath’s chin is now resting on Trinity’s shoulder, but his eyes are focused on me. “I’m sorry, Hope. I forgot.”
“That’s okay.” I wonder how much of my story Wrath knows. How much do these guys share with each other? And did I just receive another apology from Wrath?
“Sorry, Hope,” Teller apologizes. “I just hate the guy that got assigned to me.”
Now my curiosity is piqued. “What county?”
“Johnson.”
“Oh yeah, they have a small pool of lawyers on the list out there. Who did you get?”
“Lenny Kozak.”
It’s unprofessional, I know, but my nose wrinkles before I can stop it.
Understanding lights up Teller’s eyes. “You’ve worked with him?”
“Yeah. He’s smart but lazy. I hear he used to be a great lawyer, but he does the bare minimum these days. Keep after him.”
“I’m back, baby doll,” Rock says in a voice that makes me melt. He hands me a glass of water. I take a deep sip, realizing I’m parched. We shift places, and I’m in his lap again. I never thought I’d enjoy sitting in someone’s lap, like a teenager. But here I am loving every second. Rock’s playing with my hair, and I find the movement soothing. Teller’s still watching me with bright eyes.
“Did you talk to her?” Rock asks.
“Yeah. She’s not working now.”
I turn to face Rock, and he arches a brow at me. “You took care of that thing for Winter.” One well-muscled shoulder lifts, momentarily distracting me. “Figured you were going back and I’d get you your first new client.”
I’m not comfortable discussing my career path in front of an audience. “I’m supposed to go meet with Adam this week about maybe taking over my office again.”
His jaw ticks at the mention of my friend’s name. Interesting, since he’s met Adam.
“Baby doll, that is not an office. It’s a closet,” he jokes.
I do a little teeth grinding of my own. I’m so pissed he just embarrassed me in front of his friends. As he takes in my reaction, his body tenses underneath me. What does he think I’m going to do—blow up here in front of everyone?
A big, burly red-headed guy walks over and drops next to Teller. “Fuuck, I’m tired.” He yawns like a bear.
“Hope, have you met Murphy?” Teller asks.
“Not really.”
Murphy sits up and leans over. Since there’s three people in our way, he waves at me. “Hi, first lady,” he says with a chuckle.
That makes Rock laugh too.
“First Lady—I like it.” And he’s swishing my hair off my shoulders, tracing my neck with his fingers, once again chasing my anger away. Dammit. I shiver from his touch.
Another girl I haven’t met but I’ve caught glimpses of all night joins us. She’s one of the girls who brought out the cake and gave me the stink eye the whole time she was doing it.
“Geez, why don’t you just piss on his leg, girl. Damn. You been in his lap all night. We get it.”
As far as greetings go, that’s pretty rude.
“Uh, hi. I’m Hope.” I don’t bother trying to shake her hand—she might stab me.
“Uh, hi. I’m Cookie. I’m you two years ago,” she says in a mocking tone.
It takes me a minute to decode that. So she’s telling me she’s another one of Rock’s fuck buddies? Awesome. Girls have been coming up to me all night with fake smiles and hellos while insinuating they’ve fucked Rock at one time or another. Cookie is the only who’s had the balls to be such a nasty bitch about it.
With the exception of Trinity, from now on I’m going to assume Rock has stuck his dick in anyone with a vagina who sets foot in this den of sin.
Wrath snorts. “Hardly.”
“Cookie,” Rock warns. “You’re being rude to my woman.”
She takes a step back, the whites of her eyes showing. Apparently the “my woman” thing hits home. But not for long.
“Well, she ain’t gotta be so uppity. Bragging about being a lawyer and shit. I saw her leave the champagne room before. Thinks she’s too good to hang with us?”
See, now that is hilarious to me, because I am pretty sure I have never once bragged about being a lawyer in my life. One, because the reality of being a lawyer sucks. Two, for this very reason here. People have unpredictable, asshole-y reactions to hearing that information.
“Are you fucking stupid?” Trinity snarls. “Rock carried his woman outta there. We all saw it. Bitch, go sit down,” she finishes with a flick of her wrist.
Why thank you, Trinity.
Wrath’s forehead is pressed against Trinity’s back, but his entire body vibrates with laughter. Asshat.
“You ain’t got nothing to say?” she challenges me. When I don’t respond, she continues. “See? Uppity.”
“Maybe she’s freaked out that you’re acting like a psycho-bitch?” Teller offers helpfully.
True, but not helpful, Teller.
Rock is oddly still.
“Cookie, simmer the fuck down,” he grits out.
But maybe Cookie is stupid, because she ignores Rock and takes one more jab. “Fuck you too, Trinity. You wanna suck up to this uppity cunt, go ahead, but don’t forget you’re a whore like the rest of us.”
I’ve never been called a cunt before. At least not to my face. And I’m furious she just called Trinity a whore, when as far as I can tell she’s the only one here who doesn’t act like a whore.
Apparently that’s the last straw for Rock. He shifts me to the couch and towers over Cookie. “You’re done.”
Her face transforms from rage to disbelief as it sinks in that she may have made a mistake…or ten.
“Rock. I been with the club almost five years. You really gonna pick her over me?”
“Cookie, you were warned multiple times.” He reaches back and flicks his hand. “Wrath.”
“On it.” He pats Trinity’s ass, and she slides off his lap onto the couch, clearly unwilling to get too close to Cookie.
“Let’s go.” He wraps a meaty hand around her toothpick-sized arm. It finally sinks in that the guys mean business.
She starts sobbing. “I’m sorry, Rock.”
Now she’s sorry.
“You’re banned, Cookie. You can see if one of the other charters will take you in, but you ever show your face back here, I’ll end you.” Rock lays it all out to her with deadly calm as Wrath tugs her to the door.
“Well, that was…” I have no words.
Trinity snorts. “You know how I was telling you about other clubs?”
Teller leans over. “She pulled that shit in another MC, disrespecting an ol’ lady, she’d be getting a beatdown or digging her own grave. Not getting a ride home.”