Lady & The Biker (Royal Bastards MC: Charleston, WV 2)

Clutching her hand, I bring her knuckles to my lips. It’s the first time I’m introducing her to the club as my Old Lady. Not sure how the news will be received but I have high hopes my brothers will be happy for me. I swing the door open and all eyes land on us.

The bar is eerily quiet. Murder scowls at me from his seat at his table. Judging by the dirty look he’s shooting my way Alexa has filled him in. “Ya’ll remember Wylla Mae. If you haven’t heard yet, allow me to introduce you to my Old Lady.”

Crawl jumps up clapping his hands together. “Fuck yeah. I won the bet.”

“Bet?” Wylla Mae whispers and I shrug.

Pam moves out from behind the bar and hands a tip jar full of money off to Crawl. “Welcome to the family.” She winks at us and the music starts back up.

One by one my brothers congratulate me. “Another one bites the dust,” Viking says, slapping me on the back. “You’re a lucky motherfucker.” His gaze lingers on my wife in a way I don’t like.

“You can look, asshole, but never forget you can’t touch.”

He chuckles and winks at Wylla Mae before returning to his game of pool.

“I need a beer then we’ll talk to Murder.”

“Whatever you want. I’m in no hurry to talk to him.”

“I get that, baby.” And I do. Murder was always around but he was never really there. I lace my fingers with hers once more and tug her along to the bar. “Beer for me. Soda for her.” I nod to Pam.

“Coming right up.”

Chapter 21

Wylla Mae

“So how long has this been a thing?” Pam, the woman with dark curly hair motions between East and me as she slides our drinks to us.

“None of your fucking business, but to put your mind at ease never touched her till she was legal.” East takes a swig from his beer and I shoot her an uneasy smile. I remember Pam. She came when I started my period at East’s house, and she said some not so nice things about our relationship back then. I had always liked her but that day I hated her.

“Calm down, I wasn’t insinuating shit. Only curious.”

“Curiosity killed the cat,” I tell her, and my man gives my thigh a squeeze in warning. I know Pam is a bad ass who takes no shit. She’s a biker bitch, but I need to show her I’m not taking any shit either.

“Don’t let her upset you,” he says.

“All right. I respect that. Don’t worry, East. Your Old Lady is letting me know to back the fuck up off her man. I like that. Known you since you were a runt, Wylla Mae. Always knew you’d be part of the family. I could see the strings tethering the two of you together years ago. I admit, I was worried, but East proved he’s a standup guy. I like that. So, what I’m saying is even though you ain’t asking for it, ya’ll have my blessing.”

“Thank you, Pam.”

She nods and moves down the bar to sling more drinks.

“You straight?” East tugs on my hair and I turn into him.

Honestly, I’m far from great and expected some push back when East announced I’m his Old Lady. I’m not worried about that. I’m nervous about the conversation that’s going to happen soon. “Depends on what he has to say.” I shift my gaze to the other side of the room.

Murder is sitting alone drinking straight from a bottle of Jack Daniels. Staring at him, anger courses through every cell in my body. This man was supposed to be my father. All the times he came to our house and not once did he ever say to me, “By the way, kid, I’m your father.” He had so many opportunities to come clean with me and yet never did.

I want an answer. I need to know why I wasn’t good enough. Why didn’t he want to be my dad? Why didn’t he want me? Was it because of my mom or was he a deadbeat father?

“He has his reasons. Up to him if he wants to share that with you. But none of his shit has anything to do with you. Baby, you’re everything pure. Man’s a fool to miss out on you. You ready to go over there or will you need more time?”

“No time like the present to get this over with.”

East grips the back of my neck and leans in close to my ear. “Don’t be nervous. I’m here. Always got your back.” I bob my head up and down and give him a kiss. A fast peck on the lips. I know he has my back. He always has. He’s the one person who has never let me down. If he ever does, I don’t know what I’ll do. That’s my greatest fear. Losing Easton Reed. Him and my sperm donor share a look and then East is grabbing my hand and leading me through the bar. Here we go. I glance around the clubhouse, taking in familiar faces and new ones. I’m looking anywhere but at Murder.

“Heard we have a lot to talk about,” his gruff voice cuts through the noise. “Let’s take this discussion to my office. Got eyes and ears out here.” Murder pushes his chair back, towering over me. The man is an intimidating brute, but I can see why my mother felt attracted to him. He has strength, confidence, and handsome looks. He’s the kind of man who’d make you quake in your boots if you met him alone. However, I’ve known this man my whole life. Thought he was a friend to my mother when in reality she was his side piece. His dirty secret.