Saving Dallas (Saving Dallas 1)

“Everybody whole?” Luke asked, his eyes finding mine-giving me a once over-and then walking up to Maddie. Luke put his hands on either side of her face, moving her head as if to look her over. “You good?” he asked her.

“Yeah. I’m good.” Luke let her go and she glared at me, spitting blood onto the floor. Why was she so pissed at me? I just saved her ass.

“We’re out, bill me,” Luke announced to the bartender, but made it loud enough for everyone to hear. No one dared to utter a word until we were outside.

All the women seemed to know their place and what not to say. Apparently when Luke was in a pissy mood everyone knew to stay out of his path. Red shot me a wink and a smirk, and although the other women tried to hide it from the men, I could see satisfaction and approval on their faces.

Luke had hardly looked at me since the scene unfolded, but when I went to put on my helmet, he grabbed it from my hands and stared at me. I could see the concern behind the fury in his eyes.

“You ok babe?” he whispered. Scared that I would say the wrong thing, I just nodded my head. He shot me a look of warning and I quickly remembered his rule.

“Yes, I am ok.” My lips parted and my breath quickened at the thought of a lovely punishment fuck. How did he do this to me? He was obviously on to what I was thinking, because that damn smirk was on his face. It relaxed me a little. At least he wasn’t mad. He put my helmet on then kissed my swollen, bruised knuckles and I clambered on the bike behind him. I noted that everyone else was seated on their bikes and ready to go, but no one cranked their motorcycle until Luke did. We pulled out onto the highway and I wrapped my arms around Luke. We were going fast, like really fast, and the motorcycles behind and beside us were only inches away. I looked to my right and Luci B was watching me intently. She gave me a reassuring smile and I waved at her; only realizing how stupid it looked after I did it. Riding so close to everyone made me nervous. I looked in Luke’s rearview mirror and could see the pack behind us. The synchronization was amazing. When one moved they all moved.

By the time we got to Luke’s, I was afraid I would need a drink. I followed Luke and the others into the clubhouse. The window that had been broken was now repaired. Luke led me to the bar and swiftly kissed my cheek before going behind it and pouring us a drink. It was a shot of some kind of liquor, but my nerves were strung so tight that I didn’t question it as I through it back and let the burn soothe me. Luke gave me a wink, walked around the bar, and then unlocked the door to the room with the large table. The guys, without even having to be told, walked in behind him; the last one closing the door. I noticed one of the PROSPECTS stood guard outside of it and the others fell in behind the bar, making drinks and busying themselves. “Why are they not in there?” I asked Red who had taken a seat next to me.

“Only patch members sit at the table and they have not reached that phase yet. They have to prospect a minimum of one year before they are even considered for a cut.” Wow. A whole year and even then they may not make it.

“Why do they do that?” I asked, turning in my chair to look at her.

She laughed lightly. “Ask them.” I had a sense that this was some sort of test or challenge.

“Can I do that?”

“What? Ask them a question?” There was a mischievous glint in her eyes and I knew that unless I found out myself, I would never know.

“Excuse me,” I said to the PROSPECT standing behind the bar. He looked to be in his mid-twenties and had an attractive face with big green eyes that were framed in dark eye lashes.

“Yes ma’am?”

“Why would you want to prospect a year for a club, when you’re not even sure you will get in?”

His answer came almost immediately, as if it was as natural as breathing. “For the brotherhood, ma’am.”

I looked at him expectantly, hoping he would elaborate. When he didn’t I decided to push further. “What does that mean exactly?” He had my full attention. I was expecting him to say something about getting women or how bad-ass his cut would look if and when he got it, but he surprised me.

“Ma’am, in the real world there is no such thing as loyalty. I have been betrayed by my friends and even my own family, but with this club, I never have to second guess my potential brothers. I’m willing to take a year of my life to work hard and prove my loyalty to the club, so that one day, hopefully, I will have the honor of wearing a Devil’s Renegades patch that will ensure a lifelong brotherhood with some of the most honest, honorable and respectable people I have ever met. Don’t you think that’s worth it, ma’am?”