Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“Yes,” Jackal and Lash say together.
Stiff nods. “Of course.”
“Good. Now, Dakota.”
I nearly leap out of my skin when he calls my name, and I was even paying attention.
“Being an old lady ain’t easy. I’m not gonna mince words. We do dangerous things, and dangerous things happen to us. Each day one of your men goes out, he might not come back. It’s not a threat, but it’s a fact of life. Your men will do anything for you and each other, and they’re gonna expect the same right back.”
I nod, not sure what to say. “Yes, I do.”
Hellfire’s lips quirk for a moment, like he finds it funny, just as Savage comes up to him with a black bundle and hands it over. Hellfire in turn passes it to Jackal, who holds it up so it unfolds on its own.
A leather jacket, just like the ones I’ve seen Jessica, Paige and Willow wear. And sure enough, across the back, it says “Property of” in letters curved over the top of the Outlaw Sons MC logo, and underneath, curved along the bottom, it says, “Stiff, Lash and Jackal.” Jackal holds it so I can put it on.
Hellfire continues, sounding more formal now, “By wearing this, Dakota, you represent the Outlaw Sons MC, and you represent your men. You're expected to give both them and the club your full loyalty, always. By claiming you as their old lady, they'll be responsible for you as long as you bear their patches. Understand?”
“Yes.”
He nods. “Good. Boys, as long as she wears that jacket, you’re responsible for her safety, physical and emotional. You’re gonna respect her, and you’re gonna love her. You’re gonna make her think that there is no better place in the world than right here, with you three. Clear?”
“Clear,” the three of them say at the same time. They’re responding to Hellfire, but they’re looking at me, and their names on my back.
“Savage, the other one,” Hellfire declares. Now what?
Savage comes out with another black bundle, which is passed to Lash. When he unfolds it, it’s much smaller than mine, and on the back there’s the Outlaw Sons MC logo, with the club name as the top rocker, and on the bottom, one just like mine, that reads, “Stiff, Lash and Jackal.” When he flips it there’s a patch on the left side with Logan’s name on it.
“That says Logan!” He might not read lots yet, but he recognizes his own name.
“Here. Now you’re one of the motorcycle men too.” Lash holds it so that Logan can slip his arms into the sleeves. It’s a little bit big, but it won’t be for long the way he’s growing. I’m already dreading trying to get him out of it for bedtime. He’s not going to want to take it off before he’s nineteen and looking to move out.
As soon as it’s on, he runs to me. “Mommy, Mommy, do you see?”
“I sure do, Lo.” I pick him up and squeeze him close, and then Lash, Stiff and Jackal are around us, squeezing both of us close. By the time they ease back, I’m pretty sure Hellfire is already halfway to the Burnout.
Me, I’m happy right where I am.
With my three big bikers and my one little one.