Rain nodded but pushed, unable to stop himself. “What would happen if they knew?”
Shotgun paused. “The last person who was gay in our club? The old president had him raped, cut his cock off, and buried him with it in his mouth.”
Rain froze and stared at Shotgun with horrified eyes. “Were you a part of that?”
“No. And neither were any of the brothers remaining today. We didn’t learn until afterwards, when Zeus bragged about it in church. Just one of many reasons we went to war to reclaim our club.”
Rain shook his head. “And that scarred you.”
“For fuckin’ life.” Shotgun knocked back the last of his whiskey and rose. “See you around.”
Rain watched him leave. Shotgun felt eyes boring into his back, and realised something had changed. He could have given a million reasons for being in this particular mood tonight and hadn’t. Shotgun wanted Rain and knew it. The man had caughthis attention. If Shotgun hadn’t left, Rain might have had an invitation he wasn’t ready to accept.
Shotgun headed for his bike. Nobody was parked around it. His colours and patches were all too clear. Anyone fuckin’ with Hellfire, diced with death. He straddled it and started his hog. As he rode out, he hit the brakes.
Fuck!
He stared at the guy standing in his way.
Rain.
Rain moved towards him, stopped, said, “My hotel,” and walked away.
Shotgun looked down into his hand and saw a keycard with a hotel’s name on it. Rain was confident Shotgun would meet him. Fucking bastard was right; Shotgun would.
2021
“Both of you?” Rowena asked.
“Yes,” Rain replied.
Shotgun sat back and let him do the talking. In the two years since they’d got together, Shotgun learned that Rain was easier at explaining what they wanted. They’d built their relationship first, slowly and over time. They intended to be strong before bringing a third into the mix.
Rowena appeared confused. “You want me to have a committed, dedicated relationship with you both?”
“Isn’t that what we’ve been doing?” Shotgun asked.
“No. We’ve been fucking,” Rowena replied.
Shotgun reared back.
“What?”
“Shotgun, this was fun, but it wasn’t serious. Christ, can you imagine explaining this to my friends? Shit, my family wouldfreak the fuck out. I’m happy to fuck, but a life together, hell no. I don’t want to be labelled,” Rowena said.
Now, Rain pulled away. “You believe this situation is something to be ashamed of?”
“It isn’t normal, honey. Relationships are between two people, not three. My parents would be beside themselves. God, my friends would call me a freak. Nope, we can keep screwing, but nothing else. We’re having fun, why change anything?”
It had been four months. Shotgun had thought they were building something. Clearly not. Shit! To Rowena, they were just fuck buddies. He and Rain had been completely fooled.
“Come on, let’s go back to bed,” Rowena reached out and clasped his thigh.
Shotgun pulled away. “Get dressed, go home,” he said.
Rowena looked between them. “I’m sensing you’re both annoyed.”
“Why would we be angry? We’re freaks, right?” Rain retorted. He moved to the window and stared out.
