We sit down and start hashing out a plan to find her. I can’t stop thinking about what if she’s attached to their club somehow. But then a little voice in the back of my mind assures me that no outlaw club is gonna let a beautiful woman hang around their club without having sex with any of the brothers. They’re real assholes about things like that.
Chapter 5
Nora
Six weeks is a long time to live with a secret this big. Of course, Lena and Kassy know I went home with Jake. They just don’t know he turned out to be Jinx, Sons of Rage’s sergeant-at-arms. I didn’t tell them because I can’t take the chance of one of them spilling the beans. If word got back to my dad about that, there’s no telling how he would react.
I’m actually pretty terrified of that happening. But I can’t quite bring myself to regret meeting Jake and going home with him that night. For one glorious night, I got to be just Nora, not Nora Rivers, daughter of the infamous leader of an outlaw biker club. That night, I was just another woman bar hopping with friends, who let a tall, dark, and handsome stranger buy her a drink. I made polite conversation, flirted, and had sex for the first time. I was with a man who treated me with respect and gave me wonderful orgasms. And I did it all on my own terms. It had been my choice. After a lifetime of being controlled and smothered, it felt liberating.
So yeah, I flew close to the flames and didn’t get burned. If that’s my only chance to experience something pure and sweet, so be it. I came away with a sore body and a secret and that’s more than I ever thought I’d have. And this is a secret I’ve got to keep, because I don’t want to start a war between the two clubs. The Sons and Hyenas might end up going to war at some point. Hell, they might already be at war for all I know. But Idon’t want their beef with each other to have anything to do with me.
It’s Tuesday when my father ruins my life at the dinner table. My brothers are both there to bear witness to my destruction. We’re most of the way through the meal I cooked when my father clears his throat and leans back in his chair.
I glance up to see him looking at me. I straighten up because I’ve learned that when my father is paying attention to me, it’s never a good thing. Spark goes still because he’s bright enough to know something important is about to happen. Brave keeps eating. He’s watching, but unsure if this exchange is going to be attention-worthy.
“I’ve been thinkin’ about your future, Nora,” my father announces.
I respond politely, “So you’ve decided to let me take that job at the place Lena works at?”
“No. You know I don’t like you hanging around that slut.”
I open my mouth to object, but he pushes on before I can get the words out.
“You’re twenty-two now. You’re not gettin’ any younger. It’s high time you started thinkin’ about settling down and giving me grandsons.”
I’m shocked by his words. “You want me to get married? I’m not even dating anyone.”
“It don’t matter. You can cook, clean, and do as you’re told. You’d make some brother a fine old lady.”
“I don’t want to get married. I want to get a job, earn an income for myself and experience life before I settle down and start popping out babies.”
“You ain’t never supported yourself a day in your life. You live in my house and it’s my money that pays for your clothes and food. Let’s not pretend you’re some kind of independent woman, capable of supporting yourself.”
His words feel like a slap in the face. I’ve been trying to get him to let me get a job since I turned sixteen. He’s always refused, so making out like I’m a burden is rich.
“I want to work for a while before I worry about finding someone to settle down with,” I say in a halting tone. Worry twists in my gut because this man has never listened to what I want a day in my life.
“Forget about working. That’ll be up to your husband to decide.”
I throw my hands out in a gesture of exasperation. “What husband?”
“I’ve picked one of our own for you to marry. He’s a good and loyal brother. He’s been with the club longer than I have.”
I stammer, “You honestly think it’s okay to pick who I marry?”
“Stripe said he would take you as his old lady. He’ll treat you right.”
I just stare at my dad, shaking my head without meaning to. I know who Stripe is. He’s around fifty years old, doesn’t shower very often, and doesn’t believe in brushing histeeth. Between the body odor and bad breath, the stench is unbearable. He’s rude, short-tempered, and arrogant. I’ve seen him backhand a club girl, knocking her on her ass for pouring his beer wrong. They call him Stripe because he has a white streak in his hair. They should have given him the name Skunk, that would have made more sense.
“What in the hell kind of idea is that?” I say before I can stop myself. “Do you even like me? Why would you want me to marry him?”
My father’s face settles into a stubborn expression. “I thought we’d worked past your fuckin’ defiant phase.” His voice is deep and has a dangerous edge that I recognize all too well.
“But—” I start.
“You don’t tell me no. Not ever,” he states firmly. “I’m your father and what I say goes. Stripe might be a harsh man, but he’s solid. He doesn’t put up with bullshit out of women. Do as he says, and you’ll be treated well because you’re my daughter and he respects me.”
“I deserve more than a survival situation,” I state quietly. “What about dating, falling in love, and making a family with a man of my choosing? Isn’t that how it’s done? Women don’t have arranged marriages, not in California in modern times.”
