Chapter 5
Wizard
“ W ould you like a drink?”
“No thanks. I’m driving.”
“We have several non-alcoholic choices. Coke, iced tea, a few flavors of lemonade, and water. Maybe a few more. I lost count. The ladies sure know how to put on a spread.”
“The wives and girlfriends do all the cooking?”
“We men pitch in when they let us. Smoke made the chili, and the prospects are manning the girls. The dolls pitch in too.”
“Should we have brought a dish to share, and who are the dolls?”
“You’re guests. You absolutely did not have to bring a dish. The dolls are what other clubs call bunnies or sweet butts.”
I watch as she processes the information.
“Bunnies are women that sleep with any biker?”
“Only patched members of the club or visiting club. And always by choice. No member may demand sex from an unwilling participant. We’re big on consent.”
“That’s good. Will they be showing up in skimpy clothes?”
I look around and spot Deedee. I put an arm around Charlie’s shoulder and point her in Deedee’s direction.
“That’s Deedee. She’s one of our dolls.”
She’s dressed in jean shorts and a black tank that says ‘Voodoo Doll’ on it. The shorts are short but cover her ass cheeks. “None of our women would dress skimpy in front of the kids. When the kids go to bed and it's adult only, then they can show as much skin as they care to.”
“Appropriate. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Were you worried?”
“Three young, impressionable women. One of which was already tripping over her tongue the moment she laid eyes on you.”
I feel warmth spread across my cheeks.
“I’m sure she’d feel the same if it were any of my brothers. None of their mugs are too ugly.”
“That’s right,” Demon says, walking up to us with a big smile on his face.
“Charlie, can I get you a drink or something to eat? Seems this ugly fucker is slacking,” Demon says, slapping my shoulder.
I growl at him.
“Did you just growl at him?” Charlie asks with a smile.
“Fucker needs to get gone. I’ll take care of you.”
“I’ve been taking care of myself for some years now. I’m going to see if Ma or Pops need anything. Excuse me.”
As soon as she walks away, I slug Demon in the arm.
“Asshole.”
“What? I just came to talk to the hot girl. Why didn’t you tell us Charlie is a girl? Not to mention she’s hot as fuck.”
“And she’s off limits.”
“Who says?”
“I do, fucker. She’s not the one-night stand type. Plus, she has three daughters to think about.”
I hurry after her, finding her at a table with her mother, grandfather and Hollywood. The latter just set a cold mug of beer and plate of ribs in front of Charlie’s grandfather. I sit across from Charlie by her mom.
“Can I get you anything, Mrs. Perillo?” I ask Regina.
Charlie shoots me a look when I use her mom’s last name. I give her a wink and a smile before she can say anything. Regina speaks up.
“Why don’t you escort me and Charlie through the line, young man?”
“I’d be honored.”
I stand and offer Mrs. Perillo my arm. She takes it. I do the same for Charlie, who surprises me by taking it.
“We’ll be right back, Hollywood,” I say.
“Take your time. Pops and I are having a great talk.”
I nod to him and escort the ladies to the food tables. We have several laden down with a variety of prepared food. Stormy has it all in covered dishes. Some heated. Others on ice to keep it chilled. Thanks to her, we also have a professional-grade kitchen.
“This all looks and smells delicious. Did you cater it?” Regina asks.
“Ma, Wizard told me the club made all the food. Mostly the ladies. Smoke made the chili.”
“I’ll have some of that,” Regina says with a smile.
I grab a tray, and an empty bowl filling it with rich smelling chili. Smoke’s chili is the best. Man could win awards.
“What do you like in your chili, Mrs. Perillo?”
“Call me Gina or Ma. No more of that Mrs. Perillo stuff. I like onions, cheddar cheese, sour cream and corn chips or crackers on the side.”
I give her a mock bow. “Your wish is my command, Gina.”
I grab a second tray for Charlie. I carry the trays down the line as the women grab a variety of things to eat. Gina tries a variety of foods while Charlie sticks to veggies and some roasted chicken.
“Nothing fried or fatty?” I ask her quietly.
She smiles at me. “Ma loves to cook. We have a big Italian meal most nights. I save most of my calories and carb intake for dinner. It’s that or do two extra hours of cardio and I don’t have time for that.”
Charlie’s girls surprise me by showing up in the food line before we can talk more.
“We’re starved,” Teagan says as she joins us in line.