Chapter 7
Mad Dog
“Are you sure this is going to work?”
Pops and Rider both look at me like I’m an idiot. And maybe I am for getting caught up with their plans but fuck it, it’s Valentine’s coming up and our girls deserve a treat, even if it makes the men uncomfortable for a moment or two.
“Of course this is going to work. We lay low, let them sweat it out. They’ll either come up with something on their own, or they’ll be so desperate by the time we resurface they’ll say yes to our idea.” Rider shrugs.
“Besides, it’s not like they can’t find us if they actually used their fucking brains and eyes. Shit, they just need to step outside the clubhouse and actually look for us,” Pops says as he reclines in one of the ridiculously comfortable chairs in the kids’ clubhouse.
It’s so plush here, which is good because the kids are running a tight operation.
So far they’ve managed to sign all the brothers up for their “Valentine’s special.
” Savage kicked it all off when he asked the kids to help him, and he was on to something.
He’s provided them with photos of his and Nat’s relationship over the years, and I have to admit, they’re a fucking cute couple.
How the hell he managed to get her to agree to be his Ol Lady while he was part of the Death Riders, I have no idea.
“So we just stick to the plan. The kids have everything ready, we just need to make sure everything is in place.”
We all nod in agreement, and my gaze darts to Pops before moving to Rider.
“So, kid, what’s up with the visits to the retirement home?” Pops asks subtly, which is a shock because I didn't think the man could do subtle.
“Oh, just visiting a friend is all,” Rider shrugs, easy smile in place.
“Oh yeah? What kind of friend?”
“Oh, no one you know.” Pops narrows his gaze at Rider, who narrows his back. “If you want to ask me something old man, just ask me,” Rider challenges.
“No, no, just thought it was a little odd that you’ve started disappearing and all. Just happened to drive past one day and see the DRMC SUV outside Happy Glades Retirement Village.”
“Drive past, and not follow?” Rider raises a brow. I give no indication that we were following him. He knows what nosy fuckers we all are.
“Why would we do that?” Pops asks in a fake innocent voice. That man hasn't been innocent a day in his life.
Rider points a finger in Pops’ direction, his gaze narrowed before he swings it in my direction.
“What can I say, we’re old, and like cruising around town.”
“What are you hiding, kid? Is it that pretty girl that turned up to take me away at Lovely’s patch party?” Pops asks nonchalantly, not missing the flare in Rider’s eyes before he hides his emotions, body relaxing in true Rider style.
“What pretty girl?”
Pops’ slow grin knows that he has Rider by the short and curlies and you know what?
Rider can keep his secrets. If he has his eye on a woman sooner or later she’ll turn up here, and he’ll need our help.
For now we’ll let him think he has one on us, but when Pops’ eyes meet mine we both know the score. Another one bites the dust.
Blanche
“Today is the day!” Mira claps excitedly beside me and I can’t help the smile that grows on my face.
I may be the grump of the Girl Gang, or some might say, the “bitchy one” but I can’t fault Mira’s sheer joy when it comes to just about everything.
Including what is guaranteed to be some weird Chewy type of Galentine’s.
I’m not even holding out hope that this will go down peacefully and without mention of Rhodie’s ass.
Or us getting into some type of trouble with the men, but then when have Chewy’s ideas ever gone down well with the men?
“Are we ready ladies?” Ana turns to ask us, fist poised to knock.
I meet the eyes of the rest of the Girl Gangers, including Joy who looks equal parts excited and terrified. I notice Jazz give her hand a small squeeze while Vi has her elbow looped through Joy’s, offering comfort.
“It’s gonna be weird, isn't it?” Kaia asks. She’s a little more like Ana, Nat and myself. A little tougher and slightly more pragmatic. And murdery. Mustn't forget that.
“Undoubtedly,” Remy answers before brightening, “but it’ll be fun weird!”
“If you say so,” Sasha mutters under his breath. Since we all found out his plan to woo Roman a little we’ve officially forced him into the fold. So Galentine’s is now a full-fledged party.
“Let’s do this,” Ana mutters, knocking twice.
We stand back and wait for Chewy to answer, but when the door swings open we aren’t met with a mass of curls and a gator. Nope. We are met with tanned oily abs for days, low slung jeans topped off with the mask from Scream.
“Uuumm,” we all take a step back, gazing at the cabin to make sure we’re at the right one.
“”Welcome to Galentine’s!” Chewy sing songs, waving jazz hands around the half naked man’s torso.
“Oh, we are so screwed.” Nat mutters, eyes never leaving the Adonis belt this man is equipped with.
“In a good way?” Joy squeaks.
“Hopefully.” Mira grins, following Chewy and the strange man inside.
We all follow behind and I have to admit, Chewy has outdone herself.
The house looks like the playboy mansion threw up in it, with pink feathers and balloons on almost every surface.
She’s playing Spice Girls on the sound system, there is the Barbie movie playing on the big screen TV and all the food on her unusually shaped charcuterie boards are either boob shaped or dick shaped.
“Holy shit,” Kaia whispers under her breath.
“Yeah, she really went all out,” Remy agrees.
“Well, I’m starved and I’m childless for the next few hours, so let's make this count,” I announce, heading straight for the tray of mini hotdogs.
Don’t judge me. Finishing Tess’s leftovers has given me a taste for tiny food.
“That’s a good point. We’re childless, the men are elsewhere, we have good food, a half naked man and each other.” Vi says, heading straight for the cheese board.
Chewy sniggers, and then full out grins when Sasha moves toward the fruit tray. I know I should ask what that’s about, but at this point I’m getting my hot dog on so I’m not too worried.
“Chewy, where did you find him?” Remy asks, tipping her head toward the oily man, who seems content to stand in the corner, filling our glasses with bubbly wine. “And why is he wearing a mask?”
“Masked men are hot right now.” Chewy answers, completely ignoring where she got him from.
And I know why. Five more masked hotties emerge from the hall and I choke on my hotdog. Beating my chest to dislodge the meat a large warm hand lands on my back, gently rubbing while a deep voice asks if I’m OK. No, I’m not OK, and neither is my underwear.
“Oh snickerdoodle, we are so screwed,” Mira whispers before shoving an olive into her mouth as she stares at the abs on display.
“Ladies, these are our practitioners for the afternoon!” Chewy does her Vanna White thing again.
“They will be pandering to our every need, including the facial and massage station that I have set up. And no need to form an orderly line, I have more men where they came from!” As if on cue more men emerge from down her hallway, like a clown car.
“OK, first off, where the hell are you getting these men from? Second, where are they hiding? And third, does Rhodie know about this?” I ask, listing my questions off on my fingers.
“I found them on Craigslist, but don’t worry, I have personally vetted them. Second, I have a very spacious home now due to renovations, and third, nope.”
Nat cackles and slaps her thigh. “I love when this shit happens. Savage gets all butthurt and then spends the evening showing me he appreciates me.”
“You’re welcome.” Chewy answers in her flat tone.
“Oh, you also need to eat up, there is a surprise at the bottom.” She says mysteriously before swanning into the open plan living room and disappearing behind a folding screen.
“Robes are back here with your names on them, so feel free to strip off and partake in the pampering.”
She returns fully dressed, but in a tight Joker onesie and I try not to laugh at Joy and Sasha’s confused expression.
“She doesn’t like being touched by strangers,” Lovely whispers to them. Understanding dawns on their faces and they smile softly at Chewy.
“Let’s get this party started!” Mira yells with a fist pump and I down another mini hotdog. I mean, what’s the worst that can happen?