Seeing no alternative, I left Fee in their company for the moment. When I finally made it to the table I was aiming for, Bull and Match were holding in chuckles.
“What’s so funny?” I asked, trying to keep my face stoic.
“You’re in for a rough night, man. Fiona looks incredible, and now she’s getting inducted into the coven? We gotta check everyone’s room for voodoo dolls. I don’t even want to think about what that group could get up to together,” Bull said, laughter in his voice.
I looked over at the table, and a chill went down my spine. Not because of Bull’s warning, but at how right it felt, seeing Fiona ata table with the Old Ladies. They were chatting and laughing like old friends, and any lingering questions I may have had about where things with Fee were going faded away.
“Look at him. He’s got a dopey-ass smile on. Bash is totally whipped already. This is gonna be so much fun,” Charlie chimed in. I snapped my head back and looked at all of them.
“Why do you keep sayingfunlike that?”
Charlie had put an emphasis on the statement that wasn’t correlating for me. She sighed and looked at Bull, who just gave her his patent look—the one that called you dumb without saying anything at all.
“Turn around and look at Fee,” Charlie demanded. I did as she said.
“See that ass? All that hair? Her wholesome vibe that just screamsbarefoot and pregnant in the kitchen? Yeah, every other Brother here sees that, too, and I bet you’re gonna go full caveman on her at least once before the night is over. You’re used to the women following after you. I think we’re all just waiting to see how you react when the guys start sniffing around her,” Charlie said as Fiona tilted her head back and let out a throaty laugh.
I looked around the room and noticed they were right. Several of the Brothers were eyeing Fiona with interest. None of the club girls held a candle to her, and there was something deeply alluring about Fiona’s looks and mannerisms. She held herself with grace—not snooty, but with an air of effortless poise.
The fact that she didn’t have a cut on meant there was nothing visible to stop them from hitting on her, and that struck me in the gut in a way I had never felt before. It was like the visit to her office; I had the sudden urge to march her around the party until everyone knew she was mine. Bull’s deep laugh burst from behind me, and I gave him the angriest look I could muster.
“Sorry, man. You can try to stare me down, but we all know you’re doing your best not to run over and piss on her leg right now. It’s fucking hysterical,” Bull said, causing Match to join in the laughter at my expense.
“Aw, Bash is jealous! This is adorable,” Charlie gushed, the three of them mocking me like schoolgirls.
“You’re a bunch of assholes. I’m going to the bar. Not getting any of you shit,” I said, stalking away, desperate for a drink. I couldn’t take the idea of another man getting too close to Fiona, putting his hands on her.
It had been close to forty-five minutes since Fee had arrived at the cookout, and the Old Ladies still had Fiona in their grips. As if sensing my unease, Charlie let out a beleaguered sigh before marching over to the table of women. I watched as she greeted the Old Ladies before dragging Fee back toward us. Once she was close to us, I couldn’t help but pull my girl to me, grateful to have her by my side finally.
“You’re so needy, Bash. Fee, you gonna be okay with that?” Charlie asked as I buried my face in Fiona’s hair.
“Yeah, I think I’m okay with that,” she replied in her melodic voice. I pulled back to see her looking at me, a smile spreading across her face, causing her eyes to sparkle.
I couldn’t help the matching smile that crossed my face, seeing her so settled among the people I cared about most. Charlie rolled her eyes and changed the conversation topic to something that wasn’t about me or Fiona.
An hour passed, and the party heated up. The music was blasting, and Brothers and women were packed into the clubhouse and scattered throughout the backyard. Nothing terrible had happened, so when Fiona left for the bathroom, I figured using the one in my room would be more comfortable for her. Over ten minutes had passed, and I was starting to worry. I checked my watch, startled when Trish flounced over to me,latching onto my arm. Before I could shake her loose, she started shouting.
“Bash! That girl! The redhead? She’s crazy. She attacked me upstairs!” I could barely hear her over the sound of the music, but I could tell she was genuinely upset.
“What happened?” I asked, leaning toward her to hear better.
“Fiona! She said terrible things to me!” Trish wailed.
I frowned down at her, having a hard time picturing Fiona starting a fight. I scanned the room until a flash of copper caught my eye. Fiona was at the bar with Edge, the Enforcer from the SC charter. Jealousy licked through me as I saw his arm around her. As if sensing my anger, Fee turned around and locked eyes with me.
Instead of shrinking from my glare, she gave Trish, who was still pressed against me, a pointed look before turning her back to me. I looked down and sighed, knowing our position looked bad, not to mention, I had no idea what bullshit Trish had spewed to Fiona upstairs. I grabbed her by the upper arm and hauled her toward the bar.
“Bash! Ow! You’re hurting me!” she complained.
“Then walk faster,” was my only reply. Reading my mood, most people scurried out of the way until I was behind Edge and Fee.
“Here you go, beautiful,” he said, passing a beer to her. Before Fiona could take it from his hand, I grabbed the bottle and slammed it onto the table next to us, making foam erupt, mirroring the anger pouring out of me perfectly.
“Hands off, Edge. She’s spoken for.” He looked surprised, but then smiled, eager at the chance to fuck with me.
“That so? You with Bash, baby doll?” he asked Fiona.
“For now. Although, I’ve been told I’m just the flavor of the week. My expiration date is just around the corner,” she said casually, but I could see the fire in her eyes. I felt Trish start tostiffen in my grip. I turned to her and pulled her forward, my hand around her arm the only thing keeping her from toppling over in her ridiculously high heels.
