“It was ten years ago, he was twenty-two. He was in Iraq when it happened. He doesn’t talk about it much, but his dad was his best friend, aside from me of course.” She winks.
My heart drops. I look over at Sean. We were the same age when we lost a parent we loved, and he wasn’t even here when it happened, so he didn’t get to say a proper goodbye.
“I’m sorry you lost him,” I offer Shelly, feeling like I already know her. This is not what I expected to walk into when I got off Sean’s bike. I feel at ease, not out of place at all, and I have to keep reminding myself that this is only my first time being here.
She smiles at me. “I have Sean. I’ve always had Sean. He’s my protector. He has been since he was a boy.” She looks pointedly at me. “You’ll never find anyone more loyal.”
“I second that,” Maria adds. I turn to her.
“What about you? Are you someone’s … ol’ lady?” It sounds weird, but it seems natural to them.
Maria laughs. “I’m no one’soldanything sweetheart, but I’m with Chad,” she says. “Sometimes.” She winks, pointing to the man Sean is talking to. He looks to be about forty-five. He’s much shorter than Sean and has a big burly blond beard.
“He isn’t from this charter, but he rides in a few times a month. He’s here for a few days,” Maria adds.
“And thank God, because this one gets cranky when she doesn’t get laid,” Shelly comments, hiking her thumb at Maria.
I laugh as Maria swats at Shelly, then gives in with a smirk. “It’s true, I do.”
“What do you mean ‘charter’? How many of these clubs are—?” I’m cut off by the sound of chairs scraping against the concrete floor. The men at the table next to us where Sean is sitting all stand simultaneously.
I look over my shoulder toward the door to see the reason they’ve stood, and quiver a little bit in my sandals.
The man who approaches their table is just as big as Sean; his hair is long, dark and unkempt, and he’s inked everywhere, just like Sean. He’s built like a tank with violent gray eyes and a wide jaw. He’s got that gladiator look too, and he wears the samekind of dog tags around his neck. And on his cut is the one word that confirms what I already know:President.This is Wolfe.
“Stand, honey,” Shelly whispers. I do what she says.
“Prez,” Sean says in greeting, hugging him. They clap each other hard on the back and the president hugs Chad too. The mysterious Wolfe and Sean are almost the same size and I can tell they share a deep bond. Sean is intimidating on his own—I’ve only just started to get used to his size and the presence he has—but these two men together?
Terrifying. No wonder no one messes with this club.
“This is Layla,” Sean says, turning to face me, introducing me to Wolfe.
“Wolfe,” he says in a deep voice with a smooth-as-silk timbre, extending his large, tattooed hand to me with a nod.
“Are you all just gigantic?” I blurt out, then gasp and clear my throat. “Shit, um … sorry, nice to meet you,” I offer.
Wolfe chuckles darkly and nods in return.
“Same to you. Ax’s been talking about you.” He smirks and side-eyes Sean.
“Chapel, real quick.” Wolfe nods at Sean. “We have some stuff to go over. It can’t wait.”
Sean pats him on the shoulder, as Wolfe turns to look back at me with his deep gray eyes.
“Make yourself at home here, Layla. Whatever we have is yours. Shel will take care of you and we’re gonna get some barbecue going soon, so stick around, meet the other guys, yeah? Just don’t let this one show you the ropes or you’ll be dancing barefoot and topless before midnight.” Wolfe points to Maria, who scoffs. “Bite your tongue, kid.” Then she winks at me. “And it would be before eleven, just for the record.”
I laugh as Sean squeezes my hand.
“Fuck, you smell so fuckin’ good,” he rasps in my ear, sending goosebumps down my neck before he backs up. “Stay. I’ll beback soon. We can eat if you want before I take you home.” The moment he utters the wordstay, another round of nerves fizzles up my spine. I’ve already hit my limit today; I don’t know if I can take much more of him. I’m running out of reasons not to just give in to him entirely.
It dawns on me that maybe that was his plan all along.
You’ll be begging me.
“Don’t be too long, she’s already got a crowd watching her,” Maria comments.
“My ma will fuck up anyone if they even think about touching her,” Sean says over his shoulder.
