The blonde ran her fake nails down Cruz’s arm, and damn if part of me wanted to tear her fucking arm off. But I kept myself in check, taking another swig of my almost empty beer; I watched the scene unfold in front of me. I should have known that Cruz would have an ol’ lady. “Who’s this?” her way too high pitched voice questioned.
He addressed me and not her. “Princess, this is Mel, Cooper’s mom.” I eyed him, waiting for the other part of the introduction, but it never came.
“Harlow,” I said, nodding. “I got shit to do.” Looking at Casey, I chin nodded to the door, but she shook her head.
“I’m not going out there,” she said, taking a shot of Jack.
“Why?”
“I’m just not. Go on. I’ll be fine.” She nodded to the door. I pulled myself away from their happy little family, needing some air. Grabbing another beer and leaving Casey in the bar, I headed out to the courtyard. The guys made a separate space right off the clubhouse that was protected all the way around by tall, elaborate gates. In the center was a huge fire pit that was roaring to life.
Pops and Ma were sitting around it, along with many of the brothers. As I scanned the area, G.T. was leaning up against the fence talking to some brunette who looked like a club momma judging from her nonexistent clothes. That was another reason why I hated lockdowns, having the whores and ol’ ladies in one area was always a bad idea. One slip and chaos could erupt sending everything spiraling into oblivion.
Making my way to Ma, I asked her “You feeling okay?” and sat down next to her.
“Yeah. I’m good. Nothing, a few drinks, can’t fix,” Ma said, smiling. She’s always been so damn strong. I envied her. I never said that I wanted to be her when I grew up, for the mere fact that I didn’t allow myself to get close enough to one of the brothers to become an ol’ lady. But I learned from her strength and the way she held herself and took that to heart.
“You know who this was?” I asked, knowing that my Pops was going to interject, but I had to keep trying.
As if on cue, “It’s club business, Princess, let it go.” It was Pops’ way of giving me a direct order without me flying off the handle. I loved that he knew me so well.
“Pops, why didn’t you tell me that Cruz has an ol’ lady?” No offense, but the brothers knew me and knew that I didn’t mess around with them. To have not one of them tell me that Cruz had an ol’ lady pissed me off considering most of them were there in the ringside seat for the kiss.
“He doesn’t. And it’s not my business to tell,” Pops stated firmly. I knew he wouldn’t ever tell another brothers business when it came to women, but I had hoped being his daughter it’d be different. Once again, I was wrong.
“I just met her, Pops. Mel and Cooper,” I said, gazing into the fire, pulling from the bottle in my hand, trying to tap down emotions I had no right to have.
“That’s just his kid’s mom. She’s been trying to get back with him for years. He doesn’t want her. She’s a whore.” I didn’t respond. There was no use. I knew what I saw, and she was staking a claim on him. Fine. Whatever. Time to get over it.
“So, how’s it feel to be out, girl?” Dagger’s voice came from behind me. Dagger has been my uncle, which I use the term loosely because he’s always trying to fuck me, for as long as I could remember. He got his name because; I hear; he’s very good with his knife. Not that I’ve ever seen him in action. A light beard and mustache lined his face, falling down to his chest. His hair was tucked under his stocking cap with the Ravage MC skull with flames symbol on the front. He sat next to me, and I turned to face him.
“Like coming home,” I answered honestly.
“Well, we’re glad to have our Princess back in the fold. We missed your smart little ass around here.”
I rolled my eyes. Some loved my mouth, while others still didn’t get me. “Hey, someone’s gotta keep you boys in line.”
“We’re damn glad you’re back to do it, girl.” Dagger wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me tight into him. Resting my head on his shoulder, I smelled the familiar smell of leather and smoke making being home real. Closing my eyes, I let the warmth of the fire and Dagger flush through my body.
Dagger was known as a ladies’ man. His ol’ lady, Flash and him, have some sort of arrangement, or so it’s been said. All I knew for sure was I’ve seen Dagger with many club mommas in and out of this place, and Flash never bats an eyelash. Flash was a huge flirt with all the guys, but I have no idea if she hits any of it. It’s really not my business.
“What the fuck?” Cruz’s growl had my eyes popping open, but I didn’t move out of Dagger’s arms. I had no need to. In one arm, he was carrying Cooper, and not too far behind him was his woman.
“Problem?” I asked, faking boredom with the question.
“Why the fuck are you curled up with my brother?” his voice turned dangerously angry, sending pin-pricks up the back of my neck. I didn’t know him, but from being in the ring with him and the concern shone in his eyes after he hit me, I didn’t think he’d ever physically hurt me.
I couldn’t take it. “He’s welcoming me home.” Yeah. I was egging him on, sue me.
Cruz stalked closer, handing off Cooper to Pops. I watched closely, staying still. I could hear Dagger’s slight chuckle, but he didn’t say a word. “You think I’m fucking kidding when I tell you all she’s my girl?” His question was directed at Dagger, and not me.
“I’m not your girl,” I clipped, but my words were ignored.
“I’m just providing our girl with a little comfort.” Dagger was baiting him; that much was clear, but why? For shits and giggles?
“If she needs comfort, I’ll fucking provide it. Get off of her.” My anger was growing, but I tapped it down. Dagger released his arm as I sat back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest, pushing my breasts up higher in my shirt.
Cruz grabbed my arms roughly and pulled me up to him, so our bodies were flush against each other. He slammed his lips down on mine, and my body gave in. Gasping, I pulled away. “I’m not doing this. Especially in front of your ol’ lady and your kid.” I tore myself out of his grasp and walked towards the clubhouse.
Cruz didn’t let me get far. Wrapping his arms around my waist, he pulled me flush to his body and I tried to pull away. He leaned to my ear. “You think that whore over there is my ol’ lady? Fuck no. She’s Cooper’s mother. That’s as far as it goes.”
“I will not be someone’s piece of ass. Not Ever.”
“No, you definitely won’t, but you will be under me tonight.” His arrogance was annoying as shit, but the authority he gave off was making my panties wet. I needed space. His presence was just too much.
“Fuck no. Dream on.” Fighting to get out of his grasp, I was at a disadvantage with all the alcohol coursing through my veins.
“Honey, what’s going on?” Mel stood before us. I looked into her eyes, and I wanted to claw them out. I hated her just for breathing. Shit.
“Don’t fucking ‘honey’ me. Get the fuck back in the club.” She took a step back and walked towards the door.
“Wait!” I yelled as she turned, facing me, her eyes laced with ice. “You his ol’ lady?” I wanted to hear it from her mouth.
She paused for a moment as I waited for the words to come across her lips. Her face looked pained to say them, “No. I’m not.”
“But you want to be,” I said, not missing a beat.
“I am the mother of his child,” she clipped, putting her hand on her hip.
“And that don’t mean shit,” came from Cruz’s hard body behind me.
I turned in Cruz’s arms facing him. “Look, I’m not big on all this drama. That’s why I stay clear of the brothers.” I gave him a soft peck on the lips. “Bye,” I pulled out of his arms and flew back to the clubhouse.