When she gets closer, I see that at the top, where a pocket would be, it readsWar Brothers MC. Underneath it saysProperty of Axle, and it sends shivers up my spine.
“What’s this?” I cannot keep the disdain from my voice.
Her brow furrows. “It means that I’m his ol’ lady. It’s a tradition.”
I don’t answer, my eyes narrowing a fraction.
She shakes her head. “I can see your mind spinning. It means that I’m off limits to every other man.”
“I still don’t like it.” Not after everything I’ve been through. I could wear nothing that suggests I’m the property of a man.
“How are you feeling?”
“A little better after sleep, though I think I could sleep for days.”
Her eyes soften and a genuine smile curves on her lips. “That’s good.”
I look around. “I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this.”
MC paraphernalia is plastered everywhere. A flag with their logo hangs on a wall. It’s a skull with two guns behind it, withWar Brothers MCacross the bottom. A motorcycle rests in the corner, and photos of mug shots of the men litter the walls.
Everything is wood and has a masculine style. It has a wooden floor, exposed wooden beams, and wooden furniture, so it has an industrial feel to it. The place is open plan, so I can see what’s going on around me.
“It surprised me when I first came here as well.” She looks at the bar, then at me. “Do you want a drink?”
I give her a clipped nod and follow her over to where Jake is sitting. When we reach Jake, he puts an arm around her waist. “Ava,” he says and tips his beer in greeting.
“Hey, Jake.”
Elena sits on the stool next to Jake and pats the spare chair beside her. I take a seat. “Everyone calls each other by their road names, not by their actual names. So Jake’s road name is Axle.”
“If everyone but you calls him Axle, I’ll call him that too.”
“Fine by me.” She looks at the other guy. “This is Cash. Cash, this is Ava, my sister.”
He is tall, wearing a white shirt with his cut over the top, and has shaved black hair.
“Howdy,” he says with a grin as he finishes wiping a glass.
“Nice to meet you, Cash.”
“What would you two ladies like to drink?”
“Four shots—all tequilas,” I answer, feeling Elena’s eyes on me.
He lets out a low whistle. “Big night?”
“Something like that,” I mumble, craving the numbness.
As he pours the tequila into four shot glasses, Elena gags. “Ewww. I hate tequila.” She peers at me. “Ever since we got drunk off it that time, I haven’t been able to touch it.”
“Wow, that was a long time ago.” I don’t remember the taste, but I know it’s not pleasant.
Cash places two shots in front of each of us.
“Hmm...” Elena looks at the shots like they’re poisonous. “It still haunts me.”
“I’ll have yours, too, if you don’t want them.”
