Live Free (Lords of Mayhem 3)

“She’s not much of a drin—”

“Jack. Someone get me a fucking bottle of Jack,” Evonne called out, waving her hand to catch the attention of the girl behind the bar.

Rocky’s laughter rang out in the room and drifted away as he left.

The bartender scurried over and set a shot glass in front of her. She turned to grab the bottle off the shelf and began to pour.

“No,” Evonne said. The brunette paused and frowned at her. “Just leave the whole bottle. I’ll serve myself.”

Her friends gasped.

“E, I don’t think this is the best way to deal with things,” Joey said.

“You’re eating for two now, right?” Evonne asked.

“Yeah?” Joey crinkled her nose.

“Well, I’m drinking for two. Who I was and who the fuck I’m going to be.” She tossed back her first shot.

“E… Look, I know he broke you down and you’re in a bad spot. But you can’t let him steal it all away,” Juliette whispered.

“I’ve been lying to you, me and everyone else for a long time. I think it’s time I stopped.” Evonne shook her head. “I was so scared of everything after the accident. I don’t talk about it, and you think it’s ‘cause I can’t remember.” Evonne shook her head. “Things like that have a way of coming back to you in bits and pieces ‘til it’s clear as a picture and embedded so deep in your brain it’ll never be erased. I coped by being careful, weighing every decision, going over pros and cons, letting logic rule, because at the end of the day, I’d know I did everything humanly possible to avoid catastrophe.” She stretched her arms out and snorted. “My thinking was obviously flawed, because here we sit.”

“Hey, none of this is your fault,?

? Joey argued.

“Always such a fierce lioness, you’ll make a good mother.” Evonne smiled. “I lost myself, checked out, drifted out of touch with who I am and who I want to be. I’m going to take this opportunity to figure that out. ‘Cause I’m going to have a lot of time on my hands, according to the fighter who just left.”

“Wait, Rocky?” Juliette asked. “Why?” Her face clouded over.

“Because they appointed him as my bodyguard,” Evonne said.

“What!” Joey roared. “No no no, we need to change that. Moose!” Joey said, walking off to catch up with her husband.

“Wait. What’s wrong with him? Is he nuts? Do I need to lock my door and sleep with a knife under my pillow?” Evonne asked. Her heart raced as she dreamt up all the deviant behavior people thought members of an M.C. were capable of.

“No, nothing like that.” Juliette placed a hand on her shoulder. “He’s just—got a way with the ladies.”

“You’re worried because he’s a man whore?” Evonne arched an eyebrow.

“Well, yes mostly. He’s rough around the edges and tends to shy away from women unless he’s getting something out of it.” Juliette sighed.

“Trust me, I’m sure I’m not his type.” Evonne waved her hand, dismissing her friend’s concern.

“You don’t understand. Vagina is that man’s type,” Juliette retorted.

Evonne laughed. “Maybe washing away the stench of Levi would be a good idea.”

“No! See…this is the problem, you’re vulnerable and not thinking straight. He’s—a horny bastard.”

The words sounded wrong coming out of her friend’s mouth and Evonne laughed. “He hasn’t even done anything.”

“Yes, and the way I hear it, when he does? You’ll be out of your panties before you can even make heads or tails of what’s happening.” Juliette shook her head. “I’ve seen it happen. Straitlaced ladies, biker bunnies, they all fall victim and I can’t figure out why. He’s not charming.”

Evonne laughed. “What?”

“I mean…he doesn’t try. He’s not charming them. He has the ability to be charming, but he doesn’t need it. It’s like magnetism or hypnotic suggestion.” Juliette scowled.