“A nursing home?” I ask, incredulous.
Deek grins at me as he shoulders what looks like a bag of painting supplies. “Just wait, Elizabeth. We’re about to show you arealgood time.”
Confused, I smile at him before we walk through the front doors, and immediately I’m struck by the energy shift. The staff greet the brothers and Ro like old friends, and there’s genuine warmth in their voices. But it’s the elderly residents who really steal the show. Their faces light up the moment they spot the leather-clad men filing through the lobby.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” chimes a voice that’s a mix of sweet yet taunting. I turn to see a tiny woman in a floral housecoat practically bouncing toward us. She can’t be more than five feet tall, but she moves with the energy of someone half her age.
“Hey, Queenie! Still shrinking, I see?” Nitro says, and his entire demeanor transforms. The tough VP becomes gentle, almost boyish, as he bends down to embrace the woman.
“Oh, shush, don’t you sass me, young man,” she scolds, but she’s beaming. “You’re late! I told Ethel you’d be here by two, and it’s already two-fifteen. She’s been pacing like a caged cougar. You know how she gets… I swear the woman is hornier than an ox!”
They all laugh as I widen my eyes in shock.
“Yeah, we all know Ethel’s waiting to see Deek,” Ro calls out, and I spin to see Deek grinning like a madman.
“What can I say? The ladies love them some Deek?” He chuckles, gripping his club cut like he’s all that.
The guys all groan as Nitro turns back to Queenie, shaking his head. “Sorry for being late, Queenie. I wanted to make sure our guest of honor could come,” Nitro says, gesturing to me.
The woman’s sharp eyes land on me, and I feel like I’m being appraised by a jeweler. “Well, well. And who might this pretty little thing be? You didn’t tell me you had a lady friend, dear?”
Nitro snorts out a laugh, and I quickly fix her misconception. “Elizabeth Hale,” I say, extending my hand. “Not his lady friend… I’m writing a story about the club.”
She tilts her head in understanding. “Oh, a journalist? About time someone told the truth about these boys, not the piffle your kind usually bullshits about,” Queenie says, taking my hand in both of hers. Her grip is surprisingly strong. “I’m Queenie, Nitro is my grandson, and these men are angels, every last one of them. Don’t you let anyone tell you any different.”
“Hey, what about me, Queenie?” Ro calls out, waving what looks like a guitar case through the air.
Queenie snorts out a laugh. “Oh, sweetheart, everyone knows you are not even close to an angel.”
The entire room bursts into laughter as Ro smiles wide, doing a little curtsey, and I glance around at the so-called ‘angels’ in question, who are tattooed, bearded, intimidating as hell, and have to suppress a smile.
“All right, Queenie, where do you want us?” Ghost asks, pulling a toothpick from his mouth.
“Main room, as usual. Everyone’s already gathered. They’ve been asking about you all week.” She turns to me. “The club comes every month, Elizabeth, rain or shine. Been doing it for… oh, what is it now, Nitro? Three years?”
“Four,” he corrects gently.
“Four years,” she repeats with satisfaction. “Never missed a month.”
I smile up at Nitro, and he shrugs as we make our way through the facility. I’m struck by how the atmosphere changes. Residents who moments before looked tired or withdrawn suddenly perk up. Old men straighten in their wheelchairs, women primp their hair, and everyone seems to buzz with anticipation.
The main room has been set up like a small concert hall, with chairs arranged in rows facing what appears to be a makeshift stage area. The brothers disperse throughout the room, greeting residents by name, asking about grandchildren, medication changes, and doctor visits.
Deek is almost attacked by someone I assume is Ethel, as she clings to him for dear life. But the way he talks to her, embraces her like she is his most favorite person on earth, surprises me. The usual cocky jokester is putting all his attention on Ethel, making her feel wanted and needed, exactly what she deserves at this time in her life.
He hands her the bag of painting supplies that he was carrying, and anyone would think all the Christmases and birthdays have come at once.
It’s entirely surreal.
Deek leads her to her seat, and she takes it, looking over all her new supplies, and then he walks to the back row, taking a seat. Smiling, I walk over and take a seat next to him, who’s smirking like he knows the world’s best secret.
He grins at me, and I shake my head. “That was really nice of you, Deek.”
He chuckles. “Don’t tell anyone I’m nice. I have a rep to uphold as a practical joker and general idiot of the club, you understand?”
Smiling wide, I rest my hand on his arm. “Your secret is safe with me.” I glance back to the front of the room, seeing Nitro and Ro setting up for something, but I still have no freaking clue as to what. “What exactly is about to happen here?” I ask.
“Oh, you just wait,” he says, settling back in his chair. “This is gonna blow your freaking mind.”
