through the door and I heard the loud music, saw the flickering stage lights and beautiful women, my smile vanished as my mouth fell open with surprise. I’d hoped none of the ol’ ladies noticed my startled reaction, but no such luck. Marlowe started to giggle as she leaned over to me and said, “It’s a lot to take in, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, a little.”
“This your first time at the club?”
“Actually, this is the first time I’ve ever been to any strip club.”
“I was the same way. Girl, I can still remember my first time.” Delilah laughed as she said, “All the boobs had me feeling a little insecure, but now, it doesn’t bother me like it used to. We’ve all gotten to know most of the girls, and they’re all really sweet.”
We made our way through the crowd and over to the table where the guys were sitting. As soon as he spotted us, Roman got up and grabbed me a chair, placing it right next to him. Once I was seated, he asked, “You girls have a good time at dinner?”
“Yeah. It was really nice. They’re super sweet and kind of filled me in on their side of the club stuff.” I glanced around at all the scantily dressed waitresses as I said, “They didn’t tell me much about this place, though. Just that Marlowe bartends here a few days a week.”
Delilah leaned across the table as she teased, “I tried to tell her that she’d get used to all the boobs, but I’m not sure she believed me.”
After a round of laughter, Remington leaned over to me and said, “Alcohol helps a lot. After a shot of tequila or two, you won’t even notice all the boobs and perfect asses anymore.”
“Makes sense.” I leaned over to Roman and whispered, “I’m going to need a shot. Maybe two.”
“You got it.”
When he motioned over to the waitress, Delilah announced, “I’m going to need one, too.”
“Me, too,” Remington chimed in.
It was good to know I wasn’t the only one who needed a little desensitizing. After Roman ordered our drinks, Menace looked over to Country and said, “Hey, why don’t you tell the guys about your little run-in with Viper?”
“Thought you weren’t gonna tell anybody about that shit?”
“I’m not.” Menace smirked as he pushed, “You are.”
“I’m too fucking traumatized to talk about it.” Country ran his hand over his face. “After what I saw, I may never be right again.”
Rafe gave him a puzzled look as he asked, “What the fuck are you talkin’ about?”
“I saw Viper’s...you know....”
“Nah, not sure that I do.”
“His one-eyed snake.” Country’s face grew pale as he leaned in and whispered, “He stepped out of his room at the clubhouse, and for whatever reason, he was naked as the day is long. I was just minding my own fucking business and going to get some fuckin’ coffee when I got an eye full.”
“Wait! You’re saying you saw his goods?” Marlowe asked, sounding intrigued. “His long John? His penetrator?”
Remington was next to chime in. “His shlong? His...ah....man meat?”
“Ooohh...his wooly mammoth?” Delilah teased. “His looo-ve muscle!”
I might’ve thrown in my own commentary, but I was laughing too hard to even speak. I could only sit there and listen as they continued throwing out different nicknames for their president’s manhood. When they finally got stumped and couldn’t come up with any more, Marlowe turned to him and said, “Well, you still haven’t told us why it was so traumatizing.”
“’Cause the damn thing looked like a fucking tallboy...policeman’s flashlight from the 1980’s...damn near a five-dollar foot long.” He shook his head and grumbled, “I’m telling ya, I think we should’ve called him King Cobra instead of Viper.”
“I think we got the picture, brother,” Rafe chuckled. “Thanks for sharing. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to look at Prez the same again.”
“I know I won’t,” Country mumbled. “That shit scarred me for life.”
Another round of laughter ensued, but quickly died down when Danny approached the table. I hadn’t seen him since the night I’d picked Corry up from the clubhouse. He’d seemed like such a friendly, easygoing guy at the time, but as he sat down at the table, he looked like he’d seen better days. There were faint bruises under his eyes, much like the light bruise I still had from where Marc had punched me—only my concealer had worked wonders to hide mine. Country gave him a pat on the shoulder as he asked, “How you making it, brother?”
“I thought