by Vera Quinn
“He is okay with it. I do business with Brown. We could talk about pay later, but I know it is a concern of yours, so how does five hundred a week sound? I’ll adjust it so that is your take home after taxes. You’ll get a one- bedroom apartment with all utilities paid and insurance. You can adjust your hours with each semester at school. Lil can let you know what she needs done each day. Can you cook?”
I hope that is not a deal breaker because I can cook what Grammy and I were used to eating, but we were on a tight budget. Sometimes grilled cheese and tomato soup was a luxury, but even if we only had noodles, we ate.
“I can cook some things, but I am eager to learn. We never had a lot of fancy food. I can make homemade soup, lasagna, beans, and plenty of mac and cheese.” Captain and Lil both look happy.
“We like mac and cheese. I’m sure you’ll catch on fast. The rest we can iron out later. You need to get settled. We had them put your things in the spare room.” I must tell him one more thing.
“Sir, the pay is a little more than I expected since I am getting a place to live also. Anytime you need to lower it, it’ll be fine. I want you to get your money’s worth.” Cap looks at his feet and then back to me.
“Darlin’, you’ll earn it and you are worth that and more.” Cap thinks I am worth something. For some reason that brings tears to my eyes.
“Katie, follow me and you can rest until I get us something to eat. With all the excitement we forgot to stop. I’ll get a brunch figured up.” I think I just want a nap. We leave the men behind and go up the stairs to the bedrooms. I never expected a room so big and extravagant. This one room seems bigger than my whole apartment. Over by what I guess is the closet door is three boxes and a trash bag of my things. My clothes are on the bed. I see it has its own bathroom.
“Are you sure you want me to stay in here? It is very nice and so big.” Lil is looking at my clothes on the bed.
“Yes, this room looks out over the back yard and our pond. It’s very early in the morning and late in the afternoon. I’ll ask Con where they put your other clothes.” She is taking my clothes and hanging them in the closet.
“It looks like this is all of them, except for the ones I had in drawers.” I go and look in one of the boxes and then another and there they are. “It looks like everything is here.”
“This all your things? Okay. I will hang the rest of these up. You make yourself comfortable and when I finish I will get us some brunch.” Lil finishes and looks back at me. “Well, that’s done. I’ll send one of the men after you when brunch is ready. Rest.” Then she leaves me. I lay on the bed and give in to my tiredness. All this just has my head on spin and I need sleep.
Chapter Eight
Shine
Lil is coming down the stairs with a not so happy look on her face. In fact, it is a pissed look, as in, no one better mess with her look. She comes right up in between Cap and me and says in a hushed voice. “That girl does not have a pot to piss in. She has less clothes than Sylvia does.” Sylvia is Lil’s Pomeranian. Lil dresses her up for every holiday. “Jethro, we are buying her some clothes and I won’t take no for an answer. Women need clothes. She only has three pair of shoes and one of them is a pair of rubber boots. Christmas is two weeks away and we are spoiling her. She needs it and that’s my last word on it.” Lil is on a mission.
“Lil, you need to calm down. Christmas is the perfect time to buy her things and I figured out a hell of a long time ago women need clothes by our credit card bills.” Lil has always been a little spoiled by Cap, but her shopping sprees are legendary. She bought a diamond dog collar for Sylvia and Cap hit the roof.
“I couldn’t believe when we went to her apartment and that was all she had. I thought we would be there a few hours packing and cleaning, but we were out of there in one hour. Her apartment was small and very clean. She only had a daybed to sit and sleep on. She had three glasses, two plates, and two bowls in her kitchen cabinet. The only food she had was noodles, peanut butter, and cheese and mac. The girl lives with the bare minimum.” Con is concerned, you can see it on his face. “Do you want us to go get her truck from the impound if they have released it?”
“Yes. She will want her things out of it. No need to let the wrecking yard have it.” Cap is right on that.
“Lil, I am going to let you have my credit card, so you can get Katie whatever she needs. Con is the furniture in the apartment?” He’s nodding his head yes.
“Yeah, but all there was is the daybed, a table she had beside her bed, a dresser, and a microwave. She didn’t even have a chair. You saw what was there.” That is not going to do. My girl deserves more.
“Shine, we have plenty of furniture in storage from when I redid all our guest rooms last spring. I think I even still have a sofa, recliner, and a kitchen nook set.” Lil never throws anything out. This time it will come in handy. “We are going to make sure she has a real family Christmas. We need to get a real tree cut and make sure we do the whole nine yards this year. I don’t want her apartment done too soon. That way she can’t hide away from us. She thinks she can’t fit in here already, so I don’t want to give her a place to hide. We’ll get all the brothers involved.”
“Lil, you know the boys aren’t going to turn down tasty food. You also know that means bringing her to the club.” Cap is just warning Lil, but I can tell by the look on her face that is not going over too well.
“Jethro, I am telling you and Shine that I will take care of any bitch that tries to mess with Katie. She is going to be family and they better be warned. I will cut a bitch real fast.” Lil is serious.
“That’s my little hellcat. Calm down, Lil. Shine will take care of it.” Cap likes Lil’s feisty side, but it scares the hell out of me. I know she would cut a bitch or anyone else who goes after her loved ones and Katie is definitely that now.
“I am going to the club tonight and square that away, but I will be back. I want to be here in case Katie needs something.” Cap nods his head yes. Lil smiles and Con is laughing.
“She’s already got you whipped and she’s not even officially yours yet. She’s going to be carrying your balls around in her purse.” Con is just jealous. I know he wants more, just like I do.
“Laugh it up Con, but when I have her sweetness around me every day I will be sure to remember you are still alone.” Con gets a serious look on his face.
“That was okay for you up until yesterday. You get one look at an innocent and you are a goner. I agree she needs help and a family will go a long way in helping, but to give up your freedom for her is taking it a little too far. Now we are standing around talking about it like some little school girls. What the hell?” I see this is going to take a little while for Con to get used to.
“Nothing’s changing Con, we are just adding another person to our family and now you won’t have any competition for the women’s attention at the club.” That put a smile on his face.
“I never had any competition anyway. We can get that tree after we eat. I spotted the perfect one a few days ago when I was out back chopping wood for Lil. There’s two, so we can get one for the club, too.” Con is better now. He’s not real close to any of the other brothers. Him and Zig Zag are about the same age, but Con has never trusted easily. He’s a good brother, but more like a lone wolf. Besides me and Cap, he’s close to no one.
“I warmed some soup, it’s on the stove and some sandwiches, they’re on the table. I am taking a tray up to Katie. Eat and then get busy on the trees, please. We can decorate everything tomorrow if they are trimmed and put up. Monday if Katie is up to it, I will take her shopping.” Lil reaches up on her toes and gives Cap a kiss and then she is gone.
“Shine, are you sure about Katie? You know all women get that bossy thing going on after you’re together a while.” Cap is saying, but he has a smile on his face and he never takes his eyes off Lil until she is out of sight.
“Yes, I’m sure, and you know you would not change a damn thing even if you could. You
love every damn minute of it.” I know I am right.
“You’re damn straight with that.” Cap is a damn lucky man. “Let’s eat and then I want the two of you over to the clubhouse to check and make sure it is still running smooth. Shine take care of your situation with the club girls. The sooner the better. Con, get the prospects to clean out a place for the tree and anyone not busy I want on the apartment. That way Monday we can get back to club business.” We make our way to the table to eat. Lil is coming back down the stairs empty handed.
“She’s asleep and I didn’t have the heart to wake her up, so I left the tray. I’m going to eat with you boys and then I am going to dig Christmas decorations out. I might even start on Christmas candy and cookies.” Lil always cooks when she is happy.
Chapter Nine
Katie
I had the most peaceful sleep I have had in too long. I open my eyes and I take in my new surroundings. I see a tray sitting on the night stand and my stomach growls and lets me know I need to feed it. I sit on the side of the bed and let my eyes focus properly.
I pick the sandwich up and take a bite and it is delicious. It doesn’t take me long to finish it and the bowl of soup, which was cold, but I have tasted worse than cold soup. I get up and go to look out the window. Lil was right, it is a beautiful view of the backyard.
I see it is dusk outside. I have slept the entire day away. I never sleep this long. Even at night I usually wake up many times. I have to say this bed is way more comfortable than the daybed I am used to. I need to get down stairs and make sure there isn’t anything for me to help with. I stand to go, but I hear a soft knock at the door and I go and open it. Con is standing there. I have to say it is a surprise to me. He hasn’t said much to me since the morning I woke up in the hospital. I step back and open the door wider, so he can get in and then he shuts the door and faces me.
“Look, I understand this is all new to you and you’re not sure about us. I get that. It hasn’t been that long ago I was in your shoes. Not knowing who you should trust or if you should run. If you’ll just give us a chance, you’ll have a family who will always be there for you. Shine wants you as his. You don’t understand that right now, but you will. Just understand that when he says forever, he means it. Don’t hurt him. If you can’t give him your all, then tell him that up front. Don’t string him along. He looks like a big ass, but you could easily hurt him. Try not to. He’s my best friend.” He doesn’t wait for a response. He turns and leaves me alone.
Shine was serious about me being his. I don’t know how I feel about that. I would never purposely hurt anyone, ever. I’ve never been in a relationship, but the more I think about it, the more I like the idea. I want to get to know him better. He is very sexy, and well, I’m just me. I don’t know how he could want me, but it is like I am drawn to him. I can do this.
I have wanted a big family and now I have my chance. I want to belong. I have made my mind up. As far as Shine is concerned, I will let nature take its course. If it is meant to be it will happen. One of Grammy’s rules in life, if it is meant to be it will happen. No time like the present.
I pick the tray up and make my way downstairs. The house is quiet. I decide to go down the back way, figuring that must go to the kitchen and I am right. I clean off the tray and rinse the dishes out and put them in the dishwasher. I clean the sink out of dishes, too. Then I start the dishwasher. I put the tray on the end of the cabinet out of the way. I see a door to the right and open it and that is the wash room, so I close it back. I go to the next door and it swings in to see a dining room. Very nice.
I go back and find the door into the hall which leads me to the family room. There I see Lil going through boxes of decorations and the hugest Christmas tree I have ever seen is in the corner. How did they get that monster into this room? I haven’t had a Christmas tree since I was eight years old and Grammy explained there was no Santa Claus and we could afford no Christmas presents, but we could celebrate the true meaning of Christmas our way. So that year and every year after we spent helping to feed homeless people and attending a church service. We received our meal for helping, so that helped Grammy out. It brought her happiness, and me, too. When Lil sees me gawking at the tree she smiles.
“They out did themselves this year. Con found this one and another one even bigger out in the woods behind the house. Do you like it?” She is such a kind lady.
“It is beautiful.” She’s got boxes on top of boxes to go through.
“Did you have a fake tree or real growing up? We can get one of those too if you like them better. This house is big enough for two trees.” Lil is waiting for my answer, but I don’t want to sound pathetic.
“The only trees I remember were real.” I try not to give too much away.
“You don’t have a tree every year? Oh, you’re not against Christmas, are you? I mean the whole tree and present thing? I don’t ever think of things like that. Some religions don’t do things the way we do.” Lil is trying to be sensitive.
“No, it’s not that. I haven’t had a tree since I was eight. We couldn’t afford the whole gifts and things, so we helped others out like us. I think it is an effective way to celebrate. Plus, we went to a service. We had everything we needed.” I want her to know I was ok with it and now I like to carry on the tradition. “Now I like it that way.”
“I’m sure we can find a way for you to keep doing that around here. We have a huge dinner at the clubhouse, but we will find you a service and I know there is a place we can all help at together.” I see that she understands and that makes me feel better. “Tomorrow we are going to trim this monstrosity and then go to the clubhouse and trim that one, so I hope you are up to it by then.”
“I will try to help, but I know nothing about it.” Lil is so warm and easy to be around.
“Nothing to it, sweetie. The guys will put on the lights and garland, and then we put on the bulbs and other decorations. We also have the house, yard, and clubhouse to decorate.” That’s a lot of decorating. “Then we have candy and cookies to make and gifts to buy and wrap. Three days before Christmas I’ll start on the club dinner. We have a meal with the club on Christmas eve, and then Christmas day I fix something totally different and smaller for home and anyone who doesn’t go to their family for the day.” It sounds wonderful. I’m nervous about the club, though.
“I’m a little nervous about going to the club. I know nothing about motorcycle clubs.” I know I can be honest with Lil.
“All the brothers are like any other men. They may be a little gruffer around the edges, but they have hearts of gold. Just don’t tell them that. They like to keep it well hidden. You’ll meet all of them tomorrow when we decorate the club if you feel up to it. I must warn you the club girls are not going to be happy that Shine has taken a liking to you. Be warned. They are alley cats and will do whatever they can to stop it. I have had to fight many a club girl over my man. I’ll be there with you, but do not let them intimidate you, because if you do, they will walk all over you.” I don’t even know these women.
“Why? I don’t even know them. Shine wants me, he says. I am really drawn to him, but we haven’t even talked. Do you think he means it? I feel something towards him, but I am not sure what. I’ve never even dated before. I was too busy working.” I have decided to see where this can go. I don’t want anyone interfering with it.
“All the sluts in the clubhouse want is for someone to claim them. Their number one goal is to be an old lady. No matter if the man is married or not. The higher up in the rankings they are, the better. Cap is President and that means every bitch wants him. After him is Shine and Con because they know one of them will be the next President. They are like our sons and are being groomed for the position. One will be President and the other VP. So, the bitches flock to them, as if they need that. They have no problems getting female company. Anyway, I was just warning you. I’ll be with you and there will be no worries.” Now I am worried. Why am I so worried? It’s like
I have a knot in my stomach and I feel anxious.
“Where is Shine? I’d like to talk to him.” Lil looks at me.
“He’ll be back in a little while. He went to have a little conversation with the girls so there will be no complications. You have feelings towards Shine, don’t you? It’s written all over your face. That is wonderful. I thought it was all one sided, but you and Shine are going to be the cutest couple. Not that Shine will want to hear that.” Lil is genuinely happy for us. He’ll be here when he gets here.
“Can I do anything to help?” She looks buried in Christmas decorations.
“Come on over and help me separate these decorations. Plastic goes to clubhouse and glass stays here. They’re too rough at the clubhouse for glass.” I go over and sit on the floor next to her and we sort through more boxes than I own, and this is just Christmas decorations. It’s going to take a little getting used to.
Chapter Ten
Shine
As soon as I walk in the clubhouse, DaVine is on me. A few more steps and Dizzy has joined her. Con is not helping, following behind us and making whipping sounds. I finally get to the bar and shake the women off. I climb on top of the bar. I want everyone to hear this. I whistle loudly to get everyone’s attention.
“I want everyone to hear this and understand it. I am claiming Katie Walton. She is staying with Lil and Cap and she will be around soon. She is mine. I am hers. That means I am no longer interested or need any other female. If any of you bitches harass or confront her, I will be sure it is the last time. She will be wearing my patch as soon as she adapts. Anyone has a problem with it, talk to me.” I hop off the bar and wait for the flood of questions, but I didn’t expect DaVine’s reaction.
“What do you mean your claiming someone? I’ve been sucking your cock for two years. If anyone is getting your patch, it is me. I will not be disrespected like that, so you better think again.” DaVine has moved over close to me and is trying to rub on me. “Could you really give me up just like that?” She is being whiney, and she is biting on her bottom lip like it is sexy. It looks ridiculous.