enter, I threw myself into his arms. The Sheriff sighed and took his seat behind his desk. I turned to him, gleeful.
“Thank you so…” I started, but he interrupted me with a wave of his hand.
“Just leave now, please,” he said. I grabbed Cash’s hand and practically ran out of the office, so glad to have Cash back, but also so worried to tell him exactly how it had happened.
***
Once we were in the car and on the road, I didn’t know what to say. Should I just blurt it out? Be tactful? Maybe I just shouldn’t say anything at all?
“I’m not gonna ask what you did for me back there, teacup,” Cash said suddenly, making me jump and pulling me away from my thoughts.
“Wh-what?” I asked, fear clutching at my throat.
“I said, I’m not gonna ask what you did. I don’t care. I’m just grateful. I know lots of ways to get around the law and, well, I’m just saying thanks,” he said, looking at me with that half-smile on. I melted in relief; I was so happy that I wouldn’t need to tell him, that he not only forgave me, but was actually grateful. I put my hand on his thigh.
“Of course, I’d do anything for you,” I said, meaning it with all my heart.
We drove back to the bar and promptly disappeared into the office, what I had come to think of as our love nest. I was tired from all the activity at the prison, and I sat on his lap as he looked through some papers. I still wanted to know more: what was the deal with this club, anyway? What did they do? Why was there always so much money lying around?
I pushed all that out of my head though, and relaxed, leaning back against Cash. I was playing with his vest idly, letting my mind wander, when suddenly I found myself speaking, saying something I’d long felt but been afraid to say.
“Cash, I think I love you.” He’d looked up at me, then back down quickly. He took a long sip of whiskey. My heart fell and I started to get up. He pulled me back.
“Don’t, teacup. It’s not that. I…well, I love you too, see. But it’s not that easy. It’s complicated. You wanna be with me, you gotta be with the whole club. I’m not just talking figuratively. You gotta swear to keep our secrets. You’ll know it all, but you gotta devote yourself to us. Entirely,” Cash said, looking at me with dead seriousness in his eyes. I nodded fervently.
“I will. I swear, I will. I would never hurt you, Cash,” I said, leaning in to kiss him. He pulled his head away.
“Not just that, teacup. You gotta be with the whole club, not just with our secrets. Do you get it?” He asked, eyes averted. I didn’t get it.
“No, I don’t understand, Cash. I mean, I like all the guys…” This was true. I’d spent a lot of time at the bar not just in the backroom. I had fun with the girls, and I had fun with the men. They were always nice to me, joking around, never too crude. I especially liked Tux, who’d followed Brian home, and a few of the older men who seemed fatherly to me.
“If you wanna be my old lady, you gotta prove your loyalty to everyone, teacup. Everyone’s done it. I mean, the girls.” He looked at me again and it finally clicked. I jumped off his lap.
“What? You mean I have to sleep with everyone here?” I cried out, unbelieving. Cash nodded solemnly. I was shocked. “Why would you even want that? Why would you want them touching me, if I’m yours?” Cash’s eyes grew hard and cold at that.
“Because they’re my family. We share everything. We’re not just a club, teacup. We’re brothers. Every time you touch one of them, it’s like you’re touching me. If you don’t get that, then you should leave. Now.” His tone was stern, serious, and I felt my resistance wilting.
“Well…I mean…how does it work? Is it like…one at a time or…or can I get it all done at once? Is it forever? Do I always have to….whenever someone wants….” I had so many
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