favor of allowing Marky-Mark-the-cursed to prospect, say aye.” We vote unanimously, and it’s quickly settled. “You remember how Whiskey showed you the ropes when you came around?” I question Wrench. He’s starting to come back around, his high already wearing off. He must be having anxiety like a motherfucker. Plague’s blunts will keep you toasted for hours if you’re calm, but this dumbass is burning through it like he’s immune or something.
“Yeah, he was cool with me, even though I was green. Everyone else treated me like shit.” He shakes his head and the brothers laugh. It wasn’t him specifically. All the prospects have to go through a rough time to earn our loyalty and respect. We each did it, too, so it’s fair.
“Right. Well, it’s now your responsibility to do the same for him. Show him the ropes, but also keep in mind that he’s Alice’s security. He can shoot the shit and do grunt work when he’s not busy keeping my woman safe.”
“I can do that, no problem.”
“I’m counting on it. You have any questions, you hit up Blow. That new fucking prospect needs to keep his distance with me until I’m certain he doesn’t have a thing for my ol’ lady.”
“I’ll make sure he stays in line and let him know what’s expected of him,” Wrench confirms.
I nod. “And that shit he pulled before I left, standing up to me in the bar? You may want to clue him in, that sort of bullshit will get his ass beat. I admire him being loyal to my woman and all, but when it comes to joining the club, that loyalty has to shift to me and the Royal Bastards.”
He nods, and I check around the table for anything else. No one speaks up, so I call an end to church.
Now that the business side is taken care of, I need to speak to Alice. The sooner we can figure everything out, the better. I can’t wait to see her gorgeous flesh wrapped in my colors, letting the whole world know she’s mine. My ol’ lady.
Chapter 16
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will not be shaken.
- Psalm 62:6
“You sure did get lucky hooking the Prez,” Cindy says dreamily, sounding a bit more from the East Coast than Texas. She stares at the wall with their mugshots, making heart eyes at all of the Royal Bastards members. I can’t help but smile. It’s ridiculous that we’re looking at their mugshots and fantasizing about the guys. I’ve only got one particular brother on my mind, but still, never in a million years did I think I’d ever be doing this at some point in my life.
“You think I’ve hooked him?” I ask, turning to look at her. She blows kisses at each photo, making me giggle. She may be a sweetbutt around here, a term I’m not fond of, but she doesn’t act like some of the slutty girls did that I’ve met before. They were always so vicious, like female vipers with boobs. Cindy’s more of a sweetheart than a sweetbutt, in my opinion.
She flashes me a wide smile. “Oh, girl, you definitely did. That man has it bad for you. He’s never asked me to sneak out with him in the past to help him meet up with another woman. Once he told me about you, I knew you had to be someone real special. Prez is a decent man. He may be rough around the edges and all, but he takes care of everyone here. Gotta have a big heart to take on so much responsibility, if you ask me.”
I grin, concurring with her. “I completely agree with you, Cindy. I also wanted to thank you. You’ve been nice to me from the moment I got here. You could’ve been rude, but you chose to make me feel welcome instead.”
“I don’t think you realize what it means to be with the prez, doll. What he says is the law around here, and he’s treating you like his woman. It may not mean much to you, but ‘round here, that’s a huge deal. Take that new seat he got put on his motorcycle for example. He did that so you’d have a place and be comfortable. In this world, it’s like him buying a ring for you and showing the entire club.”
My mouth pops open with a gasp. “You can’t be serious.”
She beams, enjoying the attention. “Oh, I am, and apparently Prez is too.”
I