“Reds?”
“She’s talking about beer.”Bishop twisted the top off his bottle and took a pull before turning to Winter.“Pretty sure no reds, how do you feel about ambers?”
“Tolerable.”
“Have you had a Kiltlifter yet?”
“Never heard of it.”
“It’s local.A Scottish ale, kind of like an amber mixed with a red.”
She pursed her lips and pulled them to one side as she considered it.“All right, I’ll take it.”
“Coming right up.”Billy finished pouring the shot and slid it across the bar in front of Winter then turned and pulled the bottle from the cooler and set it and a bottle opener on the bar.Bishop took the bottle before Winter had a chance, and used the ring on his left hand to pry the lid off before setting it back in front of her and tossing the lid into the trash can behind the bar.
Winter picked up the shot first, downing it like a pro, except for a slight shake of her head before she set the glass aside and picked up the beer.
“You said something about meeting someone and then a tour.”
“Sure thing, let’s get started.”He led her across the common room then down a short hall to the room Bulldog had claimed for his office.He knocked on the open door and Bulldog looked up.
“Come in.”Bulldog leaned back in his chair, his eyes skimming down Winter’s body, taking her in.Bishop didn’t miss when his president’s gaze lingered on his hand on Winter’s hip, then continued down, before going back to her face.“I take it you’re Winter?”
“That would be me.”She stood with her head up and met Bulldog’s gaze.
A spurt of pride shot through Bishop.She was perfect.She knew the way things worked in their world and while he knew she was afraid, he could feel the fine trembling of her body, though she didn’t let it show.
“Come in and have a seat.”Bulldog nodded to the chairs in front of his desk.“Bishop filled me in on what’s going on.I want you to know you’re welcome here.Do you have a cut or t-shirt from the Angels?”
Bishop frowned.Why would she need that?She was here, not with the Angels.
“Yeah, I’ve got my patchling cut.It’s in my closet at my place.”She reached into the little bag she wore slung across her body and pulled out her phone.“Should I text Viper and have him add that to the list of things to get for me?”
“Patchling?”Bishop couldn’t help but ask.He’d been around the Sons for several years but had never heard the term.
Winter lifted one shoulder and let it fall.“That’s what Dad called me.I mean, I knew I could never be a patched member but I never felt left out either.”
“I’ll take care of it, but go ahead and give me your phone.I’ll give it to our tech guy and see if he can figure out how this guy is tracking you,” Bulldog said holding one hand out.Winter looked at the hand, then her phone before handing it over.“I’d appreciate it if once you get your things, you would wear the cut any time you’re not in your room, not just here.You need to wear it all the time, even out and about in town.I want you marked that you’re protected.Got me?”
Winter nodded, though she didn’t look pleased about it.Bishop didn’t like it either.He hated the idea of another club’s colors on her back.He wanted her cut to say Sons of Sin and his name.She was his, or at least she would be.He just had to convince her.
“Go get her settled in.I’ve got a few things I need to do but I’ll need to coordinate a few things with you later,” Bulldog addressed the last to Bishop, dismissing them both.
“Come on, Spitfire, let me show you our room.”He guided her to the stairs and to the third floor where the officers’ rooms were, wondering if she would catch the hint about where she would be sleeping.
When they reached the third floor he led her to his door, opened it, followed her inside, and closed the door.They stood in a small seating area, where he had a couch on one wall and a recliner in the corner, both angled to see the TV mounted on the far wall.
“Bedroom’s in there, it’s not much but it’s got fresh sheets this morning.There’s a bathroom through there as well.Let me know if you want or need anything and I’ll make sure you get it.”
He watched as she looked around the room, then wandered into the bedroom and looked around.When she came back, she stared at him for a moment, her hands on her hips.
“Who am I rooming with?And why can’t I have a room of my own?”The look of outrage on her face was new.Few people were willing to go head-to-head with him.Even his brothers.Bishop couldn’t remember the last time a woman stood up to him, much less confronted him about anything.He had a hard time not grinning like a fool because he liked her fire.He liked that she wasn’t afraid of him.
“Me.And because I can’t be sure you’re safe if you’re somewhere else.”
Her shoulder slumped.
“I hate this.I guess I’ll take the couch.Is it at least halfway comfortable?”
