Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24615 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24615 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Pointing at the first woman who spoke, he explained, “Dahlia is married to our president, Fox. Her sister, Molly, belongs to our VP, Maverick. And these two are Ice and his wife, Marnie.”
“Nice to meet you all,” I murmured, doing my best to put faces to names so that I would remember them all later. “I’m Alice Payne.”
“What about us? Are you really not gonna introduce us, Deviant?” one of the guys he hadn’t pointed out asked.
“Fine,” he grumbled, pulling me against his side as he jerked his chin toward the other four men in order of their names. “This is Wrecker, Phoenix, Viper, and Stone.”
“Just pee around her and get it over with,” Viper teased.
Wrecker nodded. “It does seem to be an Iron Rogues tradition now that so many of our club brothers have claimed old ladies.”
“I didn’t call you all in so you could gossip like women,” Fox muttered. “We have club business to discuss.”
His wife glared at him. “As if you guys don’t gossip more than we do.”
“She’s got you there,” her sister chirped with a grin. “I know we’re the ones who are called old ladies, but the term applies to you guys even more when it comes to gossiping.”
“Really, baby?” Maverick asked, shaking his head.
Molly quirked a brow. “Yes, really.”
He dipped his head to claim her lips, and didn’t lift his head again for at least a full minute, effectively ending the conversation. “You gonna be okay while I go take care of some club business?”
She nodded. “I always am.”
Grady pressed his finger against my chin, tilting my head back until I met his concerned gaze. “How about you, gorgeous? You sure you’re good to hang out with the old ladies while I’m in my meeting?”
While trying to wrap my head around how easily they all used the term “old ladies” without laughing, I nodded. “Yup, I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
“Don’t worry, Deviant.” Marnie tangled her fingers in mine. “I’ll stick close to her.”
“Thanks.” He flashed her an appreciative smile that made Ice growl.
“See you soon,” Grady promised before following the other men out of the room.
Molly clapped her hands. “Now that it’s just us girls, you have to tell us how you and Deviant met.”
“Yes, and how long you’ve been dating,” Dahlia agreed as Marnie led me over to one of the couches.
After we all got settled, I admitted, “We just met yesterday. This is our first date.”
“And he already brought you to the clubhouse?” Marnie beamed a smile at me. “I see good things for you two.”
As I told them about my new job and Grady’s niece being in my class, it was impossible not to contrast her reaction to seeing Grady and me together versus what Britney had said yesterday. These women were much more welcoming, and I could see myself becoming friends with them if we had the chance to hang out more.
I was just wrapping up my story when an alarm went off on Molly’s phone.
“Sorry, we have to run over to Iron Inkworks,” she apologized.
Dahlia hooked her arm with her sister’s. “Do you guys want to come with us?”
“Um…” my gaze darted toward the door Grady had walked through.
Marnie came to my rescue. “You can hang out with me while you wait. I’m stuck staying here anyway. Hayes would not be happy if I was gone when the meeting is over.”
Molly wagged her brows. “You’re missing a prime opportunity to have him carry you out of the tattoo parlor. Trust me when I say it can lead to amazing things.”
Dahlia rolled her eyes. “You’d be the one to know since your relationship started with Maverick tossing you over his shoulder from Silver Ink and basically kidnapping you.”
“Mom taught us that you can’t kidnap the willing,” Molly joked as they walked away.
When they were out of earshot, I turned to Marnie and whispered, “They weren’t being serious, right?”
“Girl, you have no idea.”
After she finished telling me a couple of stories that blew my mind, another biker walked into the clubhouse, and his gaze zeroed in on me. “You should have friends over to the clubhouse more often if they all look like this.”
Marnie shook her head with a laugh. “You wish she was only here as my friend.”
He flashed me a grin. “Whatever brought you here, it’s my lucky day since none of my club brothers are around and I get to meet you first.”
I was about to correct him when Marnie elbowed me in the side. As I turned to look at her, wondering what she was up to, she introduced me to him. “This is Alice Payne.”
“Payne?” he echoed, his grin widening. “I was right about it being my lucky day. My road name is Pain.”
“Really?” My eyes widened as I wondered what he’d done to earn that nickname. “What a coincidence.”