but she shook her head.
“I’m not going out there,” she said, taking a shot of Jack.
“Why?”
“I’m just not. Go on. I’ll be fine.” She nodded to the door. I pulled myself away from their happy little family, needing some air. Grabbing another beer and leaving Casey in the bar, I headed out to the courtyard. The guys made a separate space right off the clubhouse that was protected all the way around by tall, elaborate gates. In the center was a huge fire pit that was roaring to life.
Pops and Ma were sitting around it, along with many of the brothers. As I scanned the area, G.T. was leaning up against the fence talking to some brunette who looked like a club momma judging from her nonexistent clothes. That was another reason why I hated lockdowns, having the whores and ol’ ladies in one area was always a bad idea. One slip and chaos could erupt sending everything spiraling into oblivion.
Making my way to Ma, I asked her “You feeling okay?” and sat down next to her.
“Yeah. I’m good. Nothing, a few drinks, can’t fix,” Ma said, smiling. She’s always been so damn strong. I envied her. I never said that I wanted to be her when I grew up, for the mere fact that I didn’t allow myself to get close enough to one of the brothers to become an ol’ lady. But I learned from her strength and the way she held herself and took that to heart.
“You know who this was?” I asked, knowing that my Pops was going to interject, but I had to keep trying.
As if on cue, “It’s club business, Princess, let it go.” It was Pops’ way of giving me a direct order without me flying off the handle. I loved that he knew me so well.
“Pops, why didn’t you tell me that Cruz has an ol’ lady?” No offense, but the brothers knew me and knew that I didn’t mess around with them. To have not one of them tell me that Cruz had an ol’ lady pissed me off considering most of them were there in the ringside seat for the kiss.
“He doesn’t. And it’s not my business to tell,” Pops stated firmly. I knew he wouldn’t ever tell another brothers business when it came to women, but I had hoped being his daughter it’d be different. Once again, I was wrong.
“I just met her, Pops. Mel and Cooper,” I said, gazing into the fire, pulling from the bottle in my hand, trying to tap down emotions I had no right to have.
“That’s just his kid’s mom. She’s been trying to get back with him for years. He doesn’t want her. She’s a whore.” I didn’t respond. There was no use. I knew what I saw, and she was staking a claim on him. Fine. Whatever. Time to get over it.
“So, how’s it feel to be out, girl?” Dagger’s voice came from behind me. Dagger has been my uncle, which I use the term loosely because he’s always trying to fuck me, for as long as I could remember. He got his name because; I hear; he’s very good with his knife. Not that I’ve ever seen him in action. A light beard and mustache lined his face, falling down to his chest. His hair was tucked under his stocking cap with the Ravage MC skull with flames symbol on the front. He sat next to me, and I turned to face him.
“Like coming home,” I answered honestly.
“Well, we’re glad to have our Princess back in the fold. We missed your smart little ass around here.”
I rolled my eyes. Some loved my mouth, while others still didn’t get me. “Hey, someone’s gotta keep you boys in line.”
“We’re damn glad you’re back to do it, girl.” Dagger wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me tight into him. Resting my head on his shoulder, I smelled the familiar smell of leather and smoke making being home real. Closing my eyes, I let the warmth of the fire and Dagger flush through my body.
Dagger was known as a ladies’ man. His ol’ lady, Flash and him, have some sort of arrangement, or so it’s been said. All I knew for sure was I’ve seen Dagger with many club mommas in and out of this place, and Flash never bats
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