Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 77961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“New recruit?” a burly biker in a dark red T-shirt asks.
Diesel flips him off. “Fuck off, Zero. She’s just visiting.”
The biker grins, not bothered by Diesel’s grumpiness. “Gotta start somewhere. We could use some new pussy now that Lace is leaving. What’dya think, sexy? The pay is shit but the benefits are out of this world.”
“What does he mean?” I whisper to Diesel.
“Later.” He turns his blue eyes on Zero. “Not every woman who walks in those doors is here for sex.”
My cheeks flare pink. Considering how last night went, I’m not totally sure that’s true, but I’m not going to argue.
“Not with that attitude they aren’t,” Zero scoffs. “I’ll see if Angel’s around. Maybe she wants to play.”
Bull turns his head and spots us. “Hey! ‘Bout time you dragged your ass in here.”
Diesel takes my hand and leads towards the bar where the others are. “Ignore Zero. He doesn’t mean anything by it. It’s rare to see women around the clubhouse during the day that aren’t sluts or someone’s old lady.”
“Charming.” I wrinkle my nose. “I bet all the girls love being called old and sluts.”
Shrapnel's laugh is dry. “Some of them do. It’s a badge of honor in the club. Gives them status. Means we like and trust them enough to give them a place. It’s tradition. Don’t judge what you don’t understand.”
“Tradition is what people say when they don’t have a strong enough argument.” I wince. Maybe keeping that to myself might’ve been the better choice.
“You’re not wrong,” Bull says with a snort. “But it’s not your fight. They know what they’re signing up for and don’t need you to defend them. I dare you to spend any time with the women around here and tell me they can’t speak up for themselves. My ma’s old man rides with the Misfits up north and they call their club girls ‘patch bunnies’ instead of sluts.”
“That’s a lot cuter.”
Shrapnel shakes his head. “Look around. We aren’t weekend warriors. Anyone looking for cute would last twenty minutes.”
“And women can’t be members?” I ask.
“Nah.” Diesel holds up his hand when he sees me open my mouth. “And before you get going, I know you’ve probably got feelings about that, but it is the way it is. There are clubs that have women in their ranks, but they’re usually smaller and less… rough.”
“Don’t forget the Devil’s Crones.” A new biker walks behind the bar. He’s tall, with his head mostly shaved, showing off a red dragon tattoo that snakes its way around his scalp and down his neck. “Those bitches’ll take your balls off if they heard you talking like they’re nice.” The way he says it sounds almost approving.
“Okay, okay. What does all this make me? A slut?” I can’t help the slight disapproval I put on the word.
“You’re just a guest, angel,” Bull answers. “You’re with us.”
Hearing him say that I’m with them makes me feel a little warm and fuzzy inside, which seems wrong after this conversation, but it’s been rare for me to feel like I really belonged anywhere. This might be just for now, but I can imagine being part of their little team. A secret mile high club just for us that I can remember even when they have long forgotten me.
“And now that it's all cleared up, do you assholes want something to drink or can I go see if Jewel’s awake yet?” Chef growls. “She was out with Emily and Shelby last night, and I swear to fucking God, any time you get three or more old ladies together they’re as bad as any of the men.”
“Anything with caffeine?” I can’t remember the last time I didn’t have coffee when I woke up.
He looks at me like I just insulted his bar, him, and his long line of bartending ancestors, but he opens a fridge under the bar and pulls out a slim silver energy drink. He slams it down on the counter, then pauses. “You need a glass, princess?”
“N—no. I’m good,” I assure him.
I throw a curious glance towards Shrapnel, who shrugs. “Just the way he is. Don’t know why Jewel puts up with him. She’s too sweet for the old bastard.”
“My giant cock,” Chef deadpans without looking up from scrolling on his phone.
I hide my smile by taking a sip. In a way, the back and forth reminds me of my years at boarding school. We didn’t always like each other, but living so close together creates a community that’s closer to family than just friends. I didn’t know I would miss it until my father pulled me out to come live with him. Bull, Shrapnel and Diesel would take bullets for each other if they had to, even if they grumble about little stuff.
Two bikers rush into the common room. One shirtless, his long blond hair tied back and his matching beard knotted into little braids. The other one is one of the twins that was watching the door at the Eagles' Roost. Both of them look ready to tear someone’s head off.