Chapter 12
Shivana
After settling on a new pair of jeans, a pair of booties, and a basic black t-shirt, we had started to leave until we noticed all the activity and Lacy pulled us back inside. We’d snooped from the window as best we could as all the guys buzzed around the garages like a colony of bees for over an hour.
They’d moved Mama Hen’s SUV over, and seemed to be looking for something on all the vehicles. A good bit of the view was obstructed, but Lacy didn’t think we should be nosy, at least not obviously nosy.
Daisy huffed, releasing the blinds she was peeking through, making a loud pop as they bounced into place. “This sucks. It’s Saturday and it’s a gorgeous day. They didn’t tell us we couldn’t hang out. I say we just go outside.”
“They’re clearly into something. We can stay put,” Lacy said.
“What if we go straight to the clubhouse? We can go grab a drink and watch a movie or something,” I said as I climbed off the couch from where I was peeking through another window.
Daisy grabbed the doorknob. “I guess. But I could use some vitamin D.”
“That’s what she said,” I joked.
Lacy rolled her eyes.
“What, like you weren’t thinking it.”
“Aren’t you a doctor?” she asked as we walked outside and made our way to the clubhouse.
“And? I also have a gutter brain. I think you could use some vitamin D with a capital D. Loosen up, girl.”
Daisy put her hand up, so I smacked it for a high five.
“I get plenty of dick. It’s dick. Can you say dick, Shiv?”
“Dick, dick, dickity, dick,” I joked as I whipped my head with each word.
We all giggled, and I looked up to see Jackal staring. “Geezus he is glorious. I’d like some of that dick, dick, dickity, dick.” His long dark hair was pulled into a low ponytail, exposing a few smaller tattoos on his neck and that fierce jawline. I stared back, determined to get him to break, but he looked away and headed back inside the garage.
With a big sigh, I took longer strides to get to the door so I could get out of the bright sun. I’d gotten some sunglasses while we were out, but left them upstairs. Plus, I was either annoyed, or hot and bothered. The jury was still out on which.
“Hey girls,” Mama Hen called as she walked from the kitchen to the bar area.
I followed Daisy and Lacy and sat at one of the tables. “Hey. What’s going on?” I asked.
She shrugged. “Who knows. You girls need some drinks?”
We all asked for beer, and Mama Hen hustled away.
“She was with us and she was like one of them in the drop of a hat,” I said when she was out of earshot.
Daisy shook her head. “She knows the drill but that doesn’t mean she knows anything. Maybe when Raven was still alive she’d have an inkling, but I don’t think Hawk keeps her in the loop.”
Daisy was more loosey goosey than Lacy when it came to club business, so I took her at her word. Maybe Mama Hen just sensed the issue and knew not to question and do as she was told.
“Here y’all go. Dinner won’t be for a while. You all set?” Mama Hen said as she put our beers on the table.
“We’re good. Do you need any more help?” Lacy asked.
“Nope. You’re a doll, as always. Unwind a little.”
I stood up, grabbing my beer. “It’s so nice outside and I’ve been indoors all day. I think I’ll go sit in the courtyard.”
Mama Hen stopped in her tracks on the way to the kitchen. “It’s so hot outside. Why don’t you girls go to the den where it’s nice and cool.”
Lacy nodded. “Agreed. It’s gross outside.”
I turned to Daisy, hoping for at least one rebel, but she shrugged and said, “I guess I could go for a movie or something.”
“Movie day?” a woman’s voice said so I turned. It was Jeannie. Lacy had stayed with her when she was taking her little break from Eagle. She’d been a good support for her in the aftermath of everything. She didn’t live at the compound, but frequented here. She also worked at the club Lacy danced at briefly. Fake blonde, big brown doe eyes, cute girl. And I thought it was cool she had her own place away from here.
Not many of the girls that hung around did. Only a handful that I’d seen weren’t live-in bunnies. Not that there was anything wrong with that, but I was a firm believer that a girl needed to have her own money and a way to cut bait and run. Which is another reason I needed to be around. Lacy had googly eyes for Eagle, but she wasn’t married yet. Daisy was hitched to Falcon, and it was my understanding that if anything happened to the men at DEMC, the Old Ladies were taken care of. But I would be more comfortable once Lacy and Eagle tied the knot. Who am I? I’ve been avoiding marriage like the plague and I’m hoping my friend gets it done soon.
“It’s too hot to sit outside right now. Grab a beer and meet us in the den,” Lacy said as we made our way toward the hall that led to the common rooms.
We were seated on the oversized couch that you could pass out on. When you sat on it, you sunk down into an abyss of cushy pillows. One thing about men, they purchased for comfort, not looks, and I was not mad about it.
Jeannie walked in and plopped into the recliner. “Just one beer. I gotta be at the club in a bit. What’s up outside?”
“We don’t know, as per usual,” I said before taking a long swig.
“Welcome to the life,” Jeannie said as she held her bottle up. “What are we watching?”
“It’s action. We did romcom last,” Daisy said.
A few more girls filed in and found seats.
“You coming tomorrow?” Lacy asked Jeannie.
She nodded. “Yep. Need to blow off some steam. Was hoping to pick out my prey for tomorrow, but I guess it’ll have to be a surprise,” Jeannie said as she waggled her brows. “Don’t worry, I don’t have eyes for Jackal.”
Everyone looked over and Lacy giggled.
“At this rate, you can have him. I may have to find me a different biker daddy,” I said, not believing that at all, but letting my bitterness seep out.
“Don’t listen to her,” Daisy said. “And the rest of you better steer clear of him, too. They have their stupid rules, well I say we can call dibs, too, and Shiv claims Jackal.”
“Didn’t Sugar try to claim Falcon?” Jeannie asked with a wink.
Lacy chimed in, “Yeah and we all know how that turned out. I’ve known Shiv a long time. I wouldn’t test her.”
“What happened with Sugar?” I didn’t remember this story, but I wanted to hear it.
“Just a little woman to woman, chat. You know,” Daisy said.
“Yeah if that means rocking her shit!” Jeannie said before she broke out into a belly laugh.
“You beat her ass?” I asked in amazement. “See, now why can’t there be some fun shit like that here now? I feel like I missed all the excitement.”
Jeannie’s brow furrowed. “I’m sorry, but weren’t you with Lacy when she was kidnapped?”
“And the one who sewed them all up,” Daisy said as she scrolled through the streaming service. “Don’t worry, we’ll get you some action soon, Shiv,” she said as she patted my leg.
I hoped she was right, because me and my lady bits were getting antsy.