Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 79263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
The guys are over by the bar, next to Eagle-eye, as clean-cut as I've ever seen them. Beast has even tried to tame his hair and beard a little, though I don't expect it'll last for long. New jeans, motorcycle boots, black T-shirts under their cuts, I feel we match energy in how we dressed. Eagle-eye is Eagle-eye, dressed mostly as he usually is, though I think he polished up the leather of his cut, at least. It's got a gleam I'm not used to.
A bit to the side, Miriam is watching him with a sweet, indulgent smile. I have a hard time seeing the soft, loving side of a man as intimidating as Eagle-eye, but looking at the two of them, it makes me hope that when I'm older, I'll still see my guys that way. For now, they are my everythings, and I can't imagine seeing them in any other way.
I sidle up next to them, getting into position. Zero pulls me into an embrace, while I look out at the crowd of bikers here to see me join the Harem Brunch Club for real, even if most of the bikers aren't even aware of its existence. He murmurs in my ear, "Sure you didn't want this a little more formal?"
I shake my head. "The only important thing is that I have you guys, and you have me. If we could've just gone off and eloped, I would've done that, but who would I have married first? And would we have to divorce and re-elope every few years just to keep things even?"
Beast rumbles a quiet laugh. "Sounds like a lot of hassle. Besides, Eagle-eye woulda had a fucking fit. He might act like a grump, but he fucking loves these ceremonies."
"Alright folks, shut up and pay attention!" Eagle-eye announces. He smooths his bristly mustache with his fingers. He's put wax in it today, which makes it look extra sharp. "We're gonna start."
The crowd quiets. Zero squeezes me a little harder and Piston rests his hand on my back. The adrenaline hits. I know being declared someone's old lady has no meaning legally. There’s no tax breaks, no insurance benefits, nothing like that. It's in name only, but for us, and within the club, it means everything. It gives me a standing the sluts don't have, and it gives me credence among the members. I'll be recognized anywhere, and if I'm in trouble, there isn't a member who won't risk his life to keep me safe. If not for my sake, then at least for their brothers'. I'm becoming part of the club, even if I'll never be a blooded member. The old adage of, "members have members" holds true, even in a club like the Eagles.
"Once again, a lovely lady has ensnared three of my best men. I still haven't figured out what the fuck she wants with them, but that's not mine to say. She can make her choices, and I'll just pretend that they're not ridiculous." He looks over at the four of us, and for just a fraction of a second, I'm convinced I see the hint of a proud smile on his face. It's gone again in a flash. No one would believe me anyway. "I suppose I should've figured it out as soon as I heard that Natalie had a little sister back in town, so my fault for not paying attention. But you're all here now, and since you've decided to make something out of this mess, I might as well make sure it's done right."
When Natalie got hitched to her guys, they did the ceremony over at Books and Crannies because they hadn’t even bought the building next door to have a whole separate bakery yet. I think Beast is right. Eagle-eye always seems grumpy, but he lives for these moments. All of the members are his boys in a way, and I think he’s proud of what he and they have achieved. Plus he gets to be the center of attention and give a speech. I suspect that if he'd made a different turn in life at some point, he could've done the complete other way and become a priest. Well, that’s never going to happen, but I could at least imagine it.
"Sandra!" his voice snaps like a drill sergeant that has swallowed a pound of gravel. "Joining the Screaming Eagles is a big fucking deal. While you're not a member, as an old lady you will represent the club and everyone in it. There are expectations. There are demands, and sometimes there's lethal fucking danger. You've decided to become a part of our family, which means that you pledge your support to your men, and to your club. If you're serious about this, you gotta remember that both of those come first. We ride on our honor, and we're only as strong as our weakest link. Don't be that link that breaks."