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“OK, well in that case, the diner sounds pretty good.”
Pops gives me a wink and that settles whatever feelings I had just a moment ago.
“Good, because I’m sure if we butter up the owner she may let us close it to the public that day.” Ana gives Kaia big puppy dog eyes, Jazz joining in.
Kaia rolls her eyes, “Give me the date and I’ll make sure not to let any normies walk through that door. The last thing I need is civilians walking into that.”
“Into what?” Vi says, “A medieval gator themed baby shower complete with dildos and axe decorations? I have no idea how to mix chemicals or true crime into that. Jazz, you’re the art teacher.” She spins to look at her sister who glares at her.
“I’m an art therapist. And no amount of therapy can combine chemicals and true crime into a baby shower.”
A wisp of a thought comes to me, “We could do some really vibrant fruit teas or something,” I mutter to myself, thinking through logistics and recipes.
“That’s right!” Joy claps, beaming at me. “Willa makes potions!”
“Potions?” Mira asks, head tilted. “Actually, I have just realized that I have no idea what you do for work.”
The women all bob their heads in agreement, Pops’ shrewd gaze on me. “They’re right, girl. We were all holed up at that weird ass prepper farm and I don’t think we ever covered what you do for work.”
Yeah. There’s a reason for that. I shouldn’t have been there in the first place. But those men broke into Joy’s and there was no way I was letting that sweet woman and her baby be hurt by those motherfuckers. Next thing I know I’m on the back of Mad Dog’s bike hauling ass to the DRMC clubhouse and things spiralled from there.
“Willa owns the little apothecary and massage shop in town.” Joy beams. The pride in her face makes my chest and belly fizz a little.
“Wild Remedy?” Jazz asks, eyes wide.
“Ah yeah, that's the one,” I reply, a little uncomfortable because the women are all smiling at me like great white sharks.
“Fox and Nitro bought me a balm from there, it’s so good on my sore muscles and joints. Oh, oh, I think I have a massage voucher for there too!” Jazz says, almost vibrating.
“That’s why they looked so familiar,” I say, snapping my fingers. I remember them coming in. I mean, who the hell wouldn't? They’re good looking men and I thought it odd they were shopping for the same woman. Now? It makes so much sense.
“Well, whaddya know, huh?” Pops asks, and my gaze narrows on his. He looks the type to be scheming.
“OK, OK, this is awesome.” Lovely says, clapping her hands, “Willa, do you think you could make some fun sort of things for Chewy’s baby shower? We’ll pay you, of course.”
“No way, I don’t charge friends.” The words slip out of my mouth before I even know what I’m saying and it shocks me to my core.
Friends. Huh. They just slipped past my defenses without me noticing. Seems like the damned DRMC are a lot more dangerous than I thought.
Chapter 4
Mad Dog
“Church!” Marx’s loud as hell foghorn voice wakes me with a jolt.
“No need to shout. Holy shit, Son,” I grumble at his back as he stomps away from me. Noisy little shit. He gets it from his mother.
“Dunno how you think you can woo Willa if all you do is snore in your recliner all day,” he sasses and I kinda miss when he was younger and scared of me.
“Yeah, yeah,” I grouse. “I was thinking. Planning.”
He spins to look at me. “I thought she just wanted to be friends?”
My brows pull low. “How do you know that?”
Marx takes a breath, hooking his hands on his hips. “Jazz told Fox and Nitro who told Gus who told Jules but then Jules didn’t give him any feedback so then he told Tank and Judge who already knew because their women told them and then Rider was feeling left out so they told Rider who told Rhodie who told me. Or maybe I told Rhodie.” He frowns. “It got a little muddled in the middle there. Shit, this MC loves to gossip,” he says, gazing out the window.
“Well, it’s not gossip if it’s true. And before you ask, yes, we are friends and I respect both her and her decision.” He narrows his gaze at me a little, and I shrug. “She’s a good woman and there ain't nothing wrong with being friends. Especially if she’s hanging around the women.”
