Page 67 of Guarding Glenda

She murmured against my chest. “I know. But I couldn’t keep it. I damn sure couldn’t wear it anymore. I just wanted to get rid of everything that was his.”

“I get it. But that’s a serious fucking offense, baby.” I sighed. “But I’ll kill Hammer before he touches you.”

She trembled in my arms. “I’m sorry. I didn’t even think about that until he said something. But as soon as he spoke, I knew. Is he gonna banish me?”

Squeezing her tighter, I said, “Let me talk to him. In private. Stay out of sight for a few, okay?”

She nodded, so I cupped her face and lifted it so I could see her hazel eyes. “I’ll work it out, alright?”

“Alright. I’ll go to the laundry.”

I kissed her deeply, trying to reassure her and set her at ease. After I watched her walk down the other hall, I went back into the bar and waved for Hammer to follow me down the back hall to the office.

Allie, Pinkie, and Linny made their way out the door, probably to find Glenda. If looks could kill, Hammer and Rogers would be dead after the looks they shot at them. I was glad she had them, too. She needed all the support she could get.

Once we made it to his office, Hammer slammed the door and didn’t sit. “She set the patch on fire, Leigh. Do you know what would happen if a brother did that shit?”

“She’s not a brother, though,” I told him. “And don’t act like you didn’t have a hand in all this shit. She wasn’t defiling the club, she was getting rid of his shit.”

“I can’t just let that go, Leigh. Don’t act like this isn’t a problem.”

“Who all even knows, besides the two of you?”

Rogers said, “That’s not important.”

“Yeah it is because if it's just you, we can squash this quietly.”

Hammer said, “Someone found it, what was left of it. And I ain’t saying who, because I won’t have you retaliate. She made a huge mistake, Leigh. If this was anyone else, you wouldn’t even blink at dealing with this. You’re letting her cloud your judgement.”

“Fuck you.” I stepped closer to him. “I’d take down a brother no problem for disrespecting our colors, but she’s a woman. You have some sick power trip. And you’re mistaken if you think you’re gonna touch her.”

“You’re already on thin ice–”

“He paid his debt, Hammer. And he’s right,” Rogers said. “She’s a bunny, a former Old Lady, but a bunny nonetheless. We’re not in the business of harming women, and we don’t need to start.”

Hammer’s chest expanded with a deep breath. “She can’t st–”

Rogers grabbed Hammer’s arm this time. “Before you finish that sentence, think about it. They all know what happened now. She stayed loyal to the club even when we didn’t earn it from her. She fucked up. But there are other ways to settle this, and if you kick her out, you’ll lose all the good ones, including Allie.”

Hammer jerked his arm away. “I’m sick of the circus we got going on right now. If we don’t have order, we’re no better than those Scorpions. And I’m sick of my authority being questioned.”

“How much?” I asked. “You wanna fine her? How much? Someone needs a flogging? I’ll take another. But we owe it to her to let her stay. You owe it to me, too.”

Hammer walked over and threw a punch, connecting to my cheek. I took it. But I corrected myself and stared at him, unsure if he would do it again.

“That’s for your bullshit,” Hammer said, pointing in my face. “I want two bands by the end of next week, and you get scout work this week… every night.”

“Yes, sir,” I gritted out.

“You’re fucking welcome!” he shouted.

“Thank you, Prez.”

“Now get to work. You’ve been away from the shop long enough. And don’t be late tonight.”

I nodded at Rogers before I left. He helped reign him in, so I owed him. Luckily, he decided against another flogging. I’d take it, but I wasn’t excited about it.

Hopefully I could find her to tell her bye before the bruise formed on my face. She already felt guilty about the flogging I took. I didn’t want her to worry about this, too.