“Eat up, babe.” Jill moved the bowl of soup in front of me.
I quietly ate my meal, surrounded by more people than I’d seen in over a year. Overwhelm followed every bite into the empty feeling in my stomach. Half of the men shuffling in looked hungover. The other half were alert and lively as they came and went. No matter their condition, every one of them noticed me tucked into the corner, doing my damnedest tonotbe seen.
I swallowed the last of my sandwich as Sugar and Tina finished explaining what a kitten was and their job. “Job” was a loose term, in my honest opinion. Having sex with the patched members didn’t sound like work to me, after I’d laid my eyes on several. Holy hell, the men in this place were hotter than a volcano erupting.
Every time someone new entered, my heart kicked up a notch, worried it might beher. The lady I’d gotten a glimpse of before I fainted last night. I hadn’t asked about her, nor would I.
At the very least, my mind was preoccupied, so I didn’t drown myself in mourning over losing my baby and my dire situation.
Little did I know I’d feel like a trapped mouse in a house full ofkittens.
Amber and Misty were kittens. Both had brown hair, and that was where the similarities ended.
Amber was petite all around, adorable and young, at only twenty. She had a quiet, innocent voice. I couldn’t help but wonder if she always wanted to be a kitten.
Misty was the newest kitten and twenty-four. Taller than Amber, maybe five seven. Curvy all around and a loud talker. Every time she laughed, her cackle raked down my spine like metal, scraping glass. I wanted to plug my ears. Each time she flicked her gaze at me, I sensed she didn’t like me. Not sure why. I’d only just met her.
“So if being a kitten is their job, do they get paid for it, like prostitutes?” I didn’t want to be rude, but boy was I curious about the ins and outs of being a kitten. I glanced at Amber and Misty. They hadn’t joined our table as if there were clear boundaries between the old ladies and kittens.
“Yes, a little money, but they mostly get protection and privileges within the club. It’s a different arrangement from a pimp and prostitute,” Sugar said. “They have the right to say no. Doing what they do is a choice.”
My muscles coiled when I sawherenter. The blonde from last night cozied up with Boxer. She made a beeline for the table. Crap, she must’ve been his old lady.
I wanted to slide under the table or run downstairs to my room and hide. But no way would I do either. I steeled myself, putting my best face forward.
She sat next to Tina. “Afternoon all.” She covered her mouth and yawned.
“Late night or rather an early morning, huh?” Sugar smirked.
“Girl, I’m exhausted after last night.” Her light green eyes met mine. “Hi, I’m Libby. Snow, right?”
My stomach churned hearing her sweet voice. My word, she was stunning up close. “No, Aspen Crosby.” I extended my hand in front of Tina to shake my ex’s old lady’s hand. I could be civil and friendly, unlike Casso.
She accepted my gesture with a perplexed expression. “Oh, when he talks about you, he refers to you as Snow. It’s even tattooed over his heart.”
I withdrew my hand, feeling the air dissipate from my lungs. Rather than crumple in front of everyone, I acted unaffected. “Huh, strange.” I shrugged. “Please call me Aspen.”
He had my name tattooed on his chest? Whatever for?
Libby’s brow wrinkled. “Sure. I’m sorry. He just—”
“Enough, Libby,” Jill snapped. “She doesn’t need to know what Boxer tells you during sex!”
Gasps came from every direction.
“Jill,” Sugar said in a hushed tone.
“Oh my gosh.” Jill covered her mouth. “I’m so sorry, Asp.”
Forget hiding under a rock. Can the ground swallow me up now?I was utterly mortified, but no chance in hell would I show it.
“Don’t apologize to me.” I nodded toward Zach’s girl. “You owe Boxer’s old lady an apology.” I stood from my chair, completely over all this.
Libby shook her head frantically. “Oh, no. I’m—”
I raised my hand. “It was lovely to meet you.” I looked at the rest of the women. “I’m feeling tired and”—I put my hand on my stomach—“I need to rest.”
“Yes, of course, honey.” Tina stood and gave me a gentle hug. “You find me if you need anything.”