I scratched the back of my neck and then sighed. “Oh hell, I don’t know how to ask this without coming right out and saying it. Are they—the Blue Angels—do they skirt legalities to make money?”
Though the restaurant was buzzing with the hum of conversation, the table of women was quiet.
Finally, Mia cleared her throat. “What did Slash tell you?”
“Well, nothing,” I admitted. “But he bought me a car like it was nothing. Then he gave me a credit card with my name on it. When I asked him how he could afford the car he brushed it off, saying that he’s been a Nomad for years and that he hasn’t had to pay for things like a mortgage or normal living expenses. But even I’m not that naive. There’s more to it than that, isn’t there?”
“Yes,” Mia said slowly. “There’s more to it than that.”
“We don’t usually have these types of conversations so out in the open,” Joni said.
“We don’t have to get into specifics,” Darcy added.
“Not that we even know specifics,” Mia said.
“You don’t?” I asked in surprise.
They shook their heads.
“It’s a kind of a don’t-ask-don’t-tell policy,” Joni said. “Some of us know more than others, purely by necessity, but keeping us in the dark is a way of protecting us.”
“Protecting you?” I asked in confusion. “From what?”
“The authorities,” Darcy admitted. “If they were to come calling and wanted to ask us questions, we can genuinely say we don’t know what our men are up to. There are laws that protect husbands and wives, but if we don’t know, we can’t give up information even by accident. There’s simply nothing to tell. It’s best for everyone all around.”
“And it doesn’t bother you?” I inquired. “That you don’t know?”
“Linden, you take this one,” Joni said.
“It wasn’t easy when I first got involved with Boxer,” Linden said slowly. “But I’m a good judge of character, and more importantly, I believe in judging by actions. Boxer has confided some things to me, things that sometimes I wish I didn’t know, but I can tell you this: they’re good men despite how they earn a living.”
“We give back to the community,” Darcy said. “We volunteer, we organize events.”
“We opened a free clinic using a trust fund we control, but everyone knows it’s under the protection of the Blue Angels,” Linden said. “ByweI mean me.”
My eyes widened. “Seriously?”
She nodded.
How did a doctor with a trust fund get wrapped up with a motorcycle club? My curiosity was on a rampage.
“Is that all that’s on your mind?” Allison asked gently.
The quiet blonde was astute.
“I’m not sure I have the right to ask,” I admitted.
“You’re having Slash’s baby, but you guys haven’t made anything official, right?” Joni asked. “I mean, living together is a step in that direction.”
“Yeah, and when I think too hard about that I wonder what the hell I’m doing and how I was able to let him convince me to move in with him.”
“Honey,” Darcy drawled. “I’ve seen the way that man looks at you. Pretty sure he didn’t have to do that much convincing.”
I sighed. “Instead of playing hard to get, I played ridiculously easy to get.”
“What was it you wanted to ask?” Linden inquired.
“Oh, right.” Mia turned to look at me and waited.