“Did you know Dad’s literally wearing his right now?”
“Well, you better go put that on then,” Cash said.
“Good idea.” I shoved the empty packing material at his chest with a nod and rushed to the powder room off the stairs.
I changed faster than I ever had, then found a brush in a drawer to fix my hair. Once I was satisfied I didn’t look like a warthog, I headed back to Cash in the foyer.
“You look fuckin’ adorable, Turtle.”
He pulled me into his arms and kissed me.
“Thank you, honey, I love it.” I gave him a squeeze. “I can’t believe you did this.Whendid you do it?”
“Started planning when you ordered your dad’s. I ordered it the day after you ordered his. I was pissed this one took twice as long to get here.”
“Yeah, that’s not cool.” I wrinkled my nose. “Come on, let’s go show him.”
We headed into the great room where everyone was congregating and I heard Dad say, “Jesus Fuckin’ Christ,” then he bust out laughing.
“Holy shit!” Grayson said. “I’m gonna need one of those.”
My sisters also decided they needed one which Cash promised to order pronto.
“I’m too sweet,” Mom said. “I’ll pass.”
Dad just laughed harder. “Okay, baby, let the delusion continue.”
She flipped him off and poured another glass of wine and Dad pulled her in for an R-rated kiss.
The rest of the party was a blast, filled with most of the club. The officers and their wives and kids, along with a few of the members and families. It was a full house, and I loved every second.
* * *
Hatch
We pulled into the Zoo’s main parking lot to find Warlock and his officers waiting by their bikes. We parked beside them and were barely off our bikes before Warlock came over to greet us personally.
“Hatch, it’s been way too fucking long, my man. You look good.”
“Thanks,” was all I could manage. Here I was about ready to paint my face for battle, and Warlock is acting like we’re old war buddies. Which I suppose isn’t too far from the truth, but still.
“These your guys, huh?” Warlock asked.
“This is Booker, my VP, Flea, Sergeant at Arms, and Mack—”
“Is one big motherfucker,” Warlock said with a smile.
“Yeah,” I said.
“Nice to meet you boys. I’m sure some of you know Trunk, Slammer, and Vega.”
“We’re acquainted,” Mack grunted out.
“Good, good,” Warlock said, turning back to me. “I’m sure I don’t have to ask you if you came heavy?”
“I know the rules,” I replied. “You and your crew unarmed?”
Warlock grinned, opening his cut and showing he was weapon free. “As if you’d have to ask. Let’s head inside and take a seat and we can talk a little business. I have a proposal that I know will be beneficial to both our clubs.”
