Making the Cut (Saving Dallas 2)

“We understand why you did what you did. If any of us were in your situation, we would have done the same thing. We didn’t know how things would turn out. We took a vote after you left, and it was unanimous. If you returned to us, and still wanted it, your position in the club would be returned to you.” Worm pulled out a cut and I watched as Luke’s body visibly sagged when he saw it. “LLC, I believe this belongs to you.” He held it out as Luke turned, allowing him to place it on his back. His face became blurry as I cried at the reunion. Hugs were exchanged and words spoken. I couldn’t hear them, but it didn’t matter anymore. My Luke now had the two things he loved, me and his club.

The PROSPECTS had brought Luke’s bike on a trailer, and I was just as excited to see the beautiful, black machine as I had been to see Luke receive his cut. He would ride home today, with his brothers. I didn’t feel lonely or left out. I wasn’t upset that Luke had seemed to forget my presence as he sat on the bike and took a minute to close his eyes and, from what I could guess, thank God for his many blessings. Seeing Luke happy made me happy and if that meant I rode back in his truck alone, then so be it. I thought he would ride off and the other guys would give me orders to drive Luke’s truck to the clubhouse. Instead, Luke found my eyes and crooked his finger at me, motioning me to come to him. Without hesitation, I all but ran to him. I grabbed him around his neck and kissed him hard, ignoring the whistles and shouts of encouragement coming from the club. When I pulled away, we were both breathing hard. We took a moment to just look into each other’s eyes, his blue ones sparkling in the bright sun.

“I have something for you,” he said, stepping off the bike and opening the hard saddle bags. Inside was a bag that he thrust in my hands. “Get changed. You are riding home with me.”

I packed my skirt and blouse, along with my heels in the bag Luke had given me. In the bathroom mirror, I stared at my reflection. Someone had gone all out to ensure that I rode home in style. My black boots with the studded heel covered my calves. The dark, denim skinny jeans I wore fit me like a glove, and the long-sleeved, black, v-neck shirt showed just enough cleavage to turn heads. The one thing that stood out above it all was the black leather jacket that fit me perfectly and made me feel like a real biker chick. It zipped up the front and buttoned at the collar. The leather was thick and smelled new. It was warm, wearing it inside the bathroom, but it would feel perfect in the wind as we rode home. I grabbed my bag and left the bathroom, feeling the appreciative eyes of all the truckers on me. When I crossed the parking lot, the cat-calls began, but I only had eyes for Luke. He held something in his hand as I approached him, and I registered somewhere in my brain that the club fell in step behind me as I walked up to Luke, curious as to what he had. His smile was smug, and I knew he was proud that I was his.

“I’ve waited years for this. There were many times when I believed I would never get the chance to give this to you. You are mine, Dallas, and I want the world to know it.” He held up a leather vest with Property of LLC stitched on a patch on one side, and Dallas on the other. He turned it around and the words Proud Supporter of the Devil’s Renegades covered the back. I turned and allowed Luke to place it on my back, enjoying the way the cool leather felt heavy on me. I stared at my name and the ‘property of’ patch that covered my breasts. I turned to Luke, watching as his eyes swelled with pride at the sight of me wearing his cut. I had made it. I had been through hell and back, but it had all been worth it. In the cool October air, at a truck stop in Louisiana, I had finally become Dallas, Property of Devil’s Renegades President, LLC.

Epilogue

Luke

I looked to my right, my VP, Worm, riding hard beside me. In my rearview mirror, fourteen brothers rode hard behind me. On my bitch seat, sat the love of my life, wearing my cut. I had it all- the wind in my hair, the sun on my back, the support of my brothers, and two slim arms around my waist. I was one lucky motherfucker. The rest of my family waited for us at my home. Red had planned a homecoming party for Dallas and I couldn’t wait to see her face when she walked through the door of my house. As my woman. Wearing my cut. Life was good.