Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
“No. I believe you. Like I said, I knew they weren’t aware. I didn’t trust them not to rat me out or, worse, laugh or tell me it didn’t matter. I think that would have broken me.”
“If you want to get out of here, I can talk to Brick at Iron Tzars for you. It’s a long way from home, but the Iron Tzars are a good club.”
“No. I’m really OK here. More than anything, I think I’m embarrassed. Over all of it.”
She paused for a moment, looking down at her hands before finally meeting my gaze again. “I just… I don’t know. It’s like I’ve been living in this constant state of fear and it’s hard to shake it off.”
I nodded, understanding her struggle. “It’s hard. I know. Just remember I’ve got your back. You need something, you call me. Anytime. Day or night.” I smiled before standing. “Besides. Us girls gotta stick together. There’s entirely too much testosterone in this fuckin’ place.”
That got a genuine laugh from Gina, and I almost sighed in relief. I wasn’t a typical girl with my emotions. Being careful didn’t come easy to me. If I had a problem, I faced it head on. My sisters, Apple and Danica, were kind of the same way, just more subtle about it. I was more like a steamroller. So not what Gina needed.
“Good.” I grinned at her. “You have my number. Use it.”
“Thanks, Lemon.” Gina stood, leaned over and hugged me tightly before letting go and wiping her nose again. “I’m not sure I’d have made it through this without your help.”
I waved her off. “It’s the least I can do after everything you endured at the hands of the club. Keep your chin up. And remember, no one here is gonna hurt you. They do and they answer to me, and by extension, Rocket. And let me tell you, that man wouldn’t hesitate to kill a motherfucker if he ever hurt you.”
That seemed to be what she needed to hear. Gina’s shoulders relaxed and she smiled. “I appreciate you taking my side. I think the guys are more than half afraid of you.”
“Nah. They’re afraid of Rocket if they retaliate when I attack. Puts me in a really good position overall. I know how to take advantage of that shit to get what I want.”
“What do you want here, Lemon?” She cocked her head, genuinely curious.
“I want this place to be a fuckin’ family instead of a bunch of people coexisting in this compound. Right now it’s like an apartment building of introverts. I want them to support each other in everything they do. It’ll make the club stronger for it.”
“Good luck. I hope you succeed. Outside of Hammer, I really don’t think the guys here are bad. I just have no idea what to do with any of them now. I don’t know how to not… remember.”
Crap. That fuckin’ sucked. “Yeah. I get it.” I cleared my throat. “You’re a strong woman, Gina. Hold your head up.”
She smiled again, but it looked a little sad. “I will.”
Fuck my life. Normally I’d say she wasn’t my problem, but she was most definitely my problem. As vice president of this club, and a woman, I had to look out for the women here. Me. Not Rocket or any of the other men. Me. More because I was a woman in a man’s domain than because of my position in the club.
As I left Gina with a wave and climbed on my own bike, I had to wonder if I’d bitten off more than I could chew. A nurturer I was not. I knew I’d learn to become one if I had to, though. Because of Scarlet and all she’d gone through. She was my best friend and she’d suffered horribly. Same as this girl. I’d figure it out for Scarlet and Gina. And just maybe along the way, I’d truly believe I was worthy to be VP to Grim Road.
Chapter Four
Lemon
It was truly gratifying watching man after man take a turn on that fucking pink Harley. Their disgruntled but resigned expressions did my heart good. I’d caught them more than once standing around it with a can or three of spray paint, each daring the other to start on it. Then they’d see me leaning against the door to the garage and scatter. Just like naughty schoolboys caught smoking in the boys’ room. (Love the song, by the way. Bit old, but… classic.)
Today, they just washed it down, parked it outside -- probably hoping someone would steal it -- and shuffled away. I grinned. Honestly, pink wasn’t my thing, but the bike had grown on me. Who ever heard of a pink Harley? I heard the guys talk. Apparently the words “pink” and “Harley” should never have been uttered in the same sentence. Who knew? Just made me embrace the monstrosity all the more.