all-clear, they have become insatiable since she gave them the green light to fuck her bare.
The club accepted Reign into the fold. Even the club bunnies came around and grudgingly offered her their loyalty and respect. I think most people are still in awe over a five-foot-one woman who can manhandle Bates better than any of the rest of us.
It hasn’t been all smooth sailing, though. Tate remains distant, only calling to let us know there had been another murder. Same MO as before, same note. Those were dark days for Reign, as she struggled to deal with the guilt of living, knowing other girls were not so lucky.
I park my bike and climb off, grabbing the food I had picked up from Bea’s and head toward the garage to find Reign. We have another club visiting tonight so the chance of finding a quiet moment alone with her will be slim. I figured I could bring her some burger and some dick, which will have to tide us over until later.
“Yo, Axel,” I yell, spotting the VP bent over the hood of a truck. “Where’s Reign?” I ask after I fail to spot her.
“She had a migraine. You know what she’s like, she tried to soldier on, but when she started puking, Kermit sent her to bed.”
“Fuck,” I toss him the burger, knowing she won’t be able to stomach it now.
“Lunch is on me.”
I turn and walk out, jogging over to the clubhouse and up to her room. I don’t knock. I use my key to unlock the door and push it open quietly. All the blinds are drawn, leaving the room in darkness, and the AC is set at an almost frigid temperature.
Reign’s lying in the fetal position in the center of the bed looking tiny in nothing more than one of my T-shirts. I walk over, slip off my boots and my cut before climbing up beside her. She rolls toward me and moans, burrowing into me as I wrap my arm around her.
“Anything I can do?” I whisper.
“No. I’m waiting for the painkillers to kick in, then hopefully I’ll sleep it off. I don’t think I’ll be up for the party later. I’m sorry,” she whispers back, sounding miserable.
“Hush now, it’s not your fault. Close your eyes and rest. I’ve got you.”
We lie in the dark in silence, me listening to the steady rhythm of her heartbeat until she eventually relaxes completely and drifts off to sleep.
Once I know she’s in a deep sleep, I gently roll her away and pull myself free. I climb off the bed and lift the cover over her legs before slipping my boots and cut back on. With one final look, I unlock the door and head out to find Priest and Bates.
I find them both out back watching the prospects set up a fire pit. People are already drinking, Priest included from the look of the beer in his hand. Some of the brothers look to have clocked off earlier in preparation for tonight’s festivities, but then that’s Carnage for you. The boys need no excuse to party.
“Hey, you’re back early,” Bates states when he sees me. The MC owns a chain of clubs and bars, but it’s not often any of the three of us are needed there. Once a month, though, one of us checks in with each place to make sure shit is running smoothly. Today had been my turn, and the first time I made the rounds since getting out.
“Yeah, it must be a full moon or something, but there was nothing significant to deal with at any of them. A couple of strippers got booted from Foxy’s for being high and offering under the table services, but everything else was fine.” I shrug.
Bates snorts. “That makes a change.” He’s not wrong. Usually, if something can go wrong, it will.
“Well, I thought I’d surprise Reign with lunch, but she’s not feeling well so—”
“What’s wrong with her?” Bates interrupts me. I guess he didn’t realize Kermit sent her back early.
“She’s upstairs trying to sleep off a migraine. Kermit kicked her out when she started puking. It goes without saying she won’t be coming down tonight.”
“Fuck.” Bates moves to step past me, but I stop him.
“Just let her sleep, man, it’s the only thing that will really work.”
He grunts but stays put.
“It’s just as well. Since Tammy found out she’s pregnant, she’s done nothing but puke, according to Trick, so she hasn’t finished with Reign’s property patch