Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 35194 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35194 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
As always, she got a surprised look on her face. This time, however, she smiled afterward. “It’s good to see you, too, Calista. Are you settling in?”
“I am. Though, I worry there’s not enough of me to go around. I’m still getting used to being with Ringo but I need to get to know my… uh, that is, Dom.” I wasn’t ashamed to call him my dad, but I wasn’t sure he wanted me referring to him that way around the rest of the club. I was still trying to wade through everything, but so far, any fears I had about these people not accepting me had been completely unfounded.
“My daughter has been feelin’ her way through.” Dom gave me a chastising look. Yeah. I got it. Since the first time I’d called him dad, he’d corrected me every time I’d used his name. I should have known, but I was still unsure. “Thank you for helping make her feel welcome, Gina.” Dom gave the other woman a warm, kind smile which Gina returned.
“She’s very sweet.” Her gaze darted to mine. “I hope we can be friends.”
“We are already,” I said hastily. “Everyone’s been so nice. I appreciate you guys taking me in. I hope we can do some things together soon, Gina.”
“I know of some real fun we can have.” Dom grinned at me.
My eyes got wide, and I shook my head. “Oh now. Last time you said that you had me out in the woods for survival training. It’s fucking hot.”
He lifted his chin, an expression of hurt on his face even as his eyes danced in merriment. He loved teasing me and I loved giving him shit. “Taught you how to start a fire with damp wood, didn’t I?”
“Yes. I also lost about a gallon of water in the form of sweat. Thanks, Dad. But no thanks.”
Dom grumbled, but it got Gina to giggle. Dom grinned at me and winked at Gina before wandering off. Ringo grinned and nodded, indicating I should spend time with the women. He backed off, but much like Falcon, he hovered off in the distance. I noticed the men of the other women doing the same thing. In fact, it felt like they’d formed a loose circle around us. Like a circle of protection.
“Shouldn’t we invite the other women?” I gave Lemon a questioning look. She shrugged. “We could. But, since this is your first gathering with all of us, I thought it might be better if we saved that for another time. You know. After you come in soaked in the blood of your enemies like I told you.”
I blinked. “Oh. You were serious.” I glanced at Venus who just shrugged and grinned. Gina ducked her head, but I could see her smile. “Well. Shit.” That got her to chuckle a little.
Lemon chuckled along, her laughter ringing clear and bold, a stark contrast to Gina’s more subdued mirth. “It’s a rite of passage around here,” she said teasingly, clinking her glass against mine. “But don’t worry, we’ll ease you into it. No bloodshed required in your first week.”
The menu consisted of burgers, dogs, and pulled pork. There was potato salad, baked beans, and, of course, deviled eggs. Because what was a cookout without deviled eggs and pulled pork BBQ? I made a pig out of myself (no pun intended) and ate some of everything. Dessert consisted of some kind of s’mores treat cooked on the grill. Looked like a hollowed-out marshmallow with chocolate chip cookie dough in the middle, then put on the grill until the marshmallows were brown and crispy. Chocolate was drizzled over it and served with graham crackers. And it was delicious!
I was just finishing my last bite when there was a commotion coming from the back of the property. Two men on motorcycles circled around the main gathering and rode straight to Rocket. Lemon’s gaze was fixed on the trio as she continued the conversation going on around us.
I glanced up at Ringo. His posture suggested something was wrong. He stood there, his hand on the side arm at his hip. Not everyone went around the compound armed, but Ringo was the club enforcer. He and Dom were always armed.
“I’ll be back,” Lemon said, wiping her mouth and standing.
The women all made eye contact with their men much like I did with Ringo and Dom. I didn’t miss how the circle of protection tightened around us as the men moved closer.
“What’s happening?” My gaze moved to the other women, all of whom looked equally puzzled as me.
“Not sure.” Evelyn found Knox’s gaze. The other man nodded to her, then gave a shrill whistle. Immediately, all the kids and younger adults in the area ran to the table.
Anesya, Evelyn’s daughter, was the first there, followed closely by Euphemia. The girls were close to the same age and were fast friends. I never saw one without the other. Luke, Anesya’s brother, was next. He responded more slowly and was looking around him as he made sure Anesya and Effie got to the table with the women. The second they were, he veered off and went to Knox.