“Coming right up.” Turning away, she set the beers in front of Moose and Shooter and began to make Juliette’s drink.
“I’ve never seen you around,” Red said, mad-dogging Juliette as she sloppily made her drink.
“This is my old lady, Juliette.”
Red’s eyes went as round as dinner plates and Juliette smirked. Checkmate.
Clearly stunned, Red handed over the drink silently. The malice visible in the depths of her blues told Juliette she’d best watch her back.
“Yo, Red, another round this way.”
“Duty calls.” Red turned to serve the group at the end of the bar.
“Come on, baby girl, I see Prez over there with Boston. I want to introduce you.”
After swirling her drink to mix the alcohol with the soda, she brought the glass to her lips and took a giant gulp. “Okay.” They navigated the dimly lit, smoky room, and her heart sped.
Prez was a giant man who made her want to run screaming in the opposite direction. Burly, bald and rocking scruff, he had stone-colored, old eyes. He was a man who’d seen a lot. Scars lined his neck and forearms.
“Prez, this is my old lady, Juliette.”
“Welcome to the family. I heard a lot about you.” His sandpaper-rough voice caused goose bumps to erupt on her arms.
“Good things, I hope?” she squeaked.
“Oh, yeah. This is my old lady, Boston.”
“Hi, Juliette, nice to meet you.” She held out her hand. The petite brunette with large amber-colored eyes fringed with dark lashes had a striking, oval-shaped face with high cheekbones and dusky pink lips.
“Likewise.” Juliette shook her hand, warmed by the genuine kindness she saw.
“Why don’t you show her around while Shooter and I talk shop?” Tiny asked.
“Come on, Juliette, I’ll introduce you to some of the girls.”
Casting a forlorn look at her giant security blanket, she followed Boston.
“I’m going to take you by the office so we can talk,” Boston called over the noise. Juliette nodded. They made their way down a hallway and slipped into a large office.
“This is Tiny’s office. No one will wander back here.” Boston perched on the edge of the wooden furniture and motioned to the chair in front of her. Juliette sank into it.
“I don’t do this for all the girls, but one look at you and I knew you were clueless about the lifestyle. Not having this talk would be like leaving you to the wolves.”
Juliette winced. “That obvious, huh?”
“It’s not a bad thing. Some of these girls have been wrung out wet and hung to dry. My dad was in a M.C. back home, so I knew about them. Never thought I’d date a biker personally, not after the hell it caused my mother. But then I met Tiny…and the heart wants what the heart wants.” She shrugged.
“Tell me about it,” Juliette whispered.
Boston threw back her head, letting loose a loud, full-bellied laugh. “It got you too, huh?”
“Big-time.”
“Every M.C. has its own quirks, and Lords is no different. A lot of places keep their old ladies completely separate from the club business and only allow them in the building during family days. We have some members who follow that line of thinking. Others like Tiny bring their old ladies along when the mood strikes them. Most important thing to remember is what goes on here stays here. You can’t run your mouth about other people’s business. We can’t have tension in the club. Think of it like the armed forces. At the end of the day all the bullshit gets left at the door and only family, our inner circle, matters.”
“It’s a big deal Shooter brought me tonight?”
“Huge. He’s showing the sweet butts and cycle chasers he’s off the market. I’m not saying they won’t test his resolve, but they won’t do it in front of you. It’s against the rules. Old ladies are high on the totem and they’re cannon fodder.” Her upper lip curled. “Bottom dwellers, most of them. A few are decent.”