Happiness bubbles through me as I walk to the clubhouse, and I can’t help but be grateful for my new family that has made my life infinitely richer.
Pushing open the back door to the club, I walk into a kitchen that is bustling with women, children, chatter, and laughter.
“Hi, loves, what can I do?”
As one, they all turn and smile at me. “Hi Em, I see dad let you out of the house,” Lizzie grins with amusement.
I roll my eyes, pulling out a stool. I sit at the counter. “Your father is overprotective. I was fine, just a bit shaken and scraped up.”
Lizzie grips my chin and turns my face so that she can see my cheek better. “It looks much better than it did. We’re all glad you are okay. We love you, Em. Let us hover a bit.”
My eyes snag and hold Lizzie’s and I soften. My voice softens and I reply, “I love you all too.”
Lizzie blinks, breaking our gaze. I continue, “What can I do to help? I’m about to go stir crazy with boredom.”
“We’re just prepping and marinating stuff for tomorrow,” Jenny says, pushing a bag of potatoes towards me.
“If you can, start on those for the potato salad while we sort the meat then we can move on to the desserts. Everything we’ve chosen can be made the day before so that tomorrow we can all relax and enjoy the party,” Stacey explains.
“Sounds good,” I say and start peeling. It’s a fun day. Later that evening, when the men all appear, we decide to order pizzas and spend the evening at the clubhouse. The atmosphere is relaxed. Depending on their age, the kids are either playing pool with the brothers or watching a movie in the corner of the clubhouse. There’s a distinct family feel in the air.
“It wasn’t always like this.” Stacey murmurs when I mention how nice this is compared to the club my ex had been in.
We’re sitting at a table in the corner of the clubhouse that’s been unofficially designated as the Old Lady’s table. “It wasn’t?”
“No,” Lizzie shakes her head. “Dad started making changes after Mom and Chains died, but the real change was when it came out how Grudge was treating Stacey.”
Turning my head, I take in the embarrassed look on Stacey’s face, and reaching over, I squeeze her hand. I’d heard some of her story, but not all. I wasn’t one to pry. I did know she’d put up with years of eating shit before she found her happiness with Maestro.
“We never had days or evenings like this,” Lizzie continues. “What you’re seeing here is what Maestro implemented. He got rid of the whores and it changed the whole atmosphere. The brothers don’t seem bothered by it and strangely enough are actually pleasant to be around now. The club has become more like a family than it ever was before. I, for one, am all for it. The best thing that ever happened to this club was Stacey bringing the rot to light.”
“I’m not sure it was just me,” Stacey mumbles, taking a sip of her drink.
Seeing that she was uncomfortable, I said. “Well, I, for one, don’t care how it came about. I’m here for it all. Having lived the other way, I can tell this is much better. Now, what have you ladies got planned for Thanksgiving? Do you have a big meal here for everyone?”
That changes the direction of the conversation. Stacey gives me a small, grateful smile. We spend the next bit of the evening planning until our men join us.
Deck sits next to me, wrapping a hand around my thigh. He leans over and whispers, “Can’t wait for tomorrow darlin’. Looking forward to seeing you with my name on your back.”
“Can’t wait to have your name on my back, lover,” I reply with a smile.
Deck’s eyes flare and then narrow. Huskily he says, “How about you and I make our excuses and head on home? I think you need to enjoy your last time as a single lady before you tie yourself to me forever.”
‘Oh, my. This man.’
I can feel my cheeks flush as desire runs through me. I squeeze my thighs. I’d have thought by my age I’d be over this, but it seems all I needed was a reminder of how, when you were with the right man, good it could be.
“Yes, please.”
Deck wastes no time in getting us home, and before I know it, I’m screaming his name. If this was how it was going to be, then sign me up for this forever.
***
Bonfires are burning, beer is flowing, grills are going, and the smell of barbecue wafts through the evening air, making our mouths water. Rock music is playing over the speakers. It’s a happy atmosphere.
Maestro walks over to where the sound system has been set up and turns off the music, whistling to get everyone’s attention before he starts to speak.
“Welcome to the Queens Wraiths, everyone. I know it’s been a while since we’ve had one of these. I’d like to thank you all for coming. It’s been a busy few months…actually make that years, and there’ve been a lot of changes in that time. Not only have we lost loved ones and brothers, we’re also opening a new chapter.” He pauses when everyone starts cheering.
