Jalisa Chapter 5 #2
The guys were all muttering about how good it smelled and talking about how starved they were. Not wanting to have a chaotic mess, I yelled loudly to be heard over them.
“For those who would like to eat, line up over there, get your plate and silverware, and then you can move this way to get your food. Be good, and I’ll give you a hearty portion. Act like animals, and you’ll get crumbs,” I called out.
It was a threat I made at home all the time. They were eyeing me to determine if I was kidding with them. Dylan set them straight.
“Guys, she means it. At home, one of the guys thought of testing her. We all ate like kings, and he was given a bone with no meat on it to chew on. She said if he acted like an animal, she’d feed him like one.”
This revelation about my character caused some to settle and others to give me what I would call contemplative looks. Rage was smiling, and Wrath was studying me, but I couldn’t determine his thoughts. His expression was blank.
The process ran smoothly, with everyone in line, and they were all served speedily.
After ensuring everyone else was served, I plated up a small portion and joined them at the tables in the common room.
I was startled to see them not eating. I realized why.
They were waiting for me to be seated. They weren’t total animals, after all.
Once I was, Wrath nodded to them, and they dug in.
The scrape of forks on the plates, groans, and happy murmurs filled the room.
Then, the compliments began. I tried to wave them away.
I enjoyed cooking and baking. I was lucky that one of the old ladies taught me how to do it when I was a kid.
My mom hadn’t stuck around. She left when I was two.
The old ladies helped raise me to be versed in ladylike things, but Dad made sure I was just as tough and trained as any biker.
He bragged all the time that I was as good as any prospect.
I’d respond by telling him and the others to amend the bylaws to allow women to become members.
They hadn’t done it yet. I wasn’t holding my breath.
Some of the guys got up to get seconds. Before they could, Wrath whistled, and they froze. He glanced at me.
“Do you want more, Jalisa? You didn’t get much.”
I looked down at my plate. I had more than I usually would. “I had plenty. As long as you’re not total pigs, there should be enough for you all to have more. I thought I’d have to slaughter a damn pig to have enough sausage for you guys. Put more sausage on the grocery list.”
They laughed, and after Wrath gave them a chin lift, they went to the kitchen. I was done, so I stood. I leaned toward Wrath.
“Do you want more? I’ll get it before it disappears,” I offered.
He seemed surprised at my offer. “You don’t need to wait on me, but thanks.”
“It might be the only time I do, so you should take advantage,” I warned him, smirking.
He hesitated for a moment, then smiled. “Yes, please, and thank you. This is delicious.”
“Thank you. I’ll be right back.”
I waded into the kitchen. The men moved back and gestured for me to go first. I put more on Wrath’s plate, then put my dirty one in the dishwasher. I rejoined him. As I slid his plate in front of him, he commented again on my cooking.
“You do cook great. Your mom must’ve taught you.”
I shook my head. “Nope. My mom ran off when I was two. She hated the life and my dad. She predicted before she went that he’d be dead soon or in prison, and I’d be in a foster home.
Dad told her to fuck off, and he’d make sure I was raised right.
I was fortunate to have some old ladies in the club who taught me things like baking, cooking, etc.
Dad was great, but those weren’t his forte. ”
“My mom finally left when I was seven. Dad and I went on a father-son trip. I got sick, and we came home early. We caught her in bed with a townie. When she tried to say she was taking me with her, which was only to hurt Rage, he threatened her. That was the last time I saw her,” he shared.
“I guess we both had shit moms and good dads. Mine might not be conventional, but he’s a wonderful dad,” I added.
“Rage sure isn’t what anyone would call normal, but I guess he did okay,” Wrath said loud enough that Rage could hear him.
“Whoa there. I’m an okay dad? I’m a fantastic dad. Look at all the things I taught you. You’re the president of this club because I helped to raise you right and not to be a pussy. Every kid should have a dad like me or a granddad,” Rage protested.
“I mean, sure, if you want to be a mental case all your life, then yeah. You’re a great one,” Wrath teased.
I sat there listening as they badgered each other and threw around insults until they couldn’t maintain their mirth and broke out, chuckling. Everyone was listening and grinning. Eventually, breakfast was over.
“Alright, it’s time to get our asses to work. Put your stuff in the dishwasher and clean up the rest,” Wrath ordered.
“I’d appreciate you rinsing and putting your dishes and stuff in the dishwashers, but leave the items on the stove. I’ll take care of them. It’ll give me something to do,” I insisted.
“Are you sure?” Wrath asked.
“Positive. I assume I’ll stay here today, and Dylan or Keno will be here while the rest of you are at work?”
He followed me to the kitchen with his plate. “They will be here. I’m staying here and working from my office in the clubhouse. If you need anything, you can find me there.”
“I hope you’re not doing that because of me. I can behave and stay here. You don’t need to babysit me.” I sounded slightly indignant.
“I’m not. It’s not unusual for me to do my paperwork and office tasks for our pub here rather than there.
Chains will be there to watch over things.
If he needs me, he’ll call. Others might wander in and out, so don’t be surprised.
Betty is here if you want to visit with her.
I don’t believe she’s going anywhere today. Let me ask.”
He’d loaded his dirty plate while we talked. He turned away, so I grabbed his arm. A zing of something shot up my arm, but I didn’t let go because it wasn’t unpleasant. The way his eyes widened a bit, I thought he felt it, too. He didn’t pull away.
“No need to ask. I’ll do it if I see her. If you’re okay with me doing more in your kitchen, I’d love to mess around and see what else I come up with. Unfortunately, I can’t work, so I have to find something to keep me busy, or I’ll go nuts.”
“I didn’t even think of that. How has your being here affected your work? Is your boss okay with it? What kind of work do you do?”
I gave him a pathetic look. “My boss is fine with it. She knows what I’m doing, and I work from home anyway. Of course, she can be somewhat of a taskmaster, so lollygagging around won’t make her happy. I’m a graphic designer.”
I waited for him to say more so I could continue playing with him, but Dylan ruined it.
“Pres, don’t let her fool you. Her boss is herself.
And she is a bitch when it comes to completing shit on time.
She can’t work because I forgot to grab her laptop yesterday when I cleared her stuff from the apartment.
I promised that when I got a chance, I’d pop over and get it.
She slid it under the bed. Why the hell would I look there? ” he grumbled.
“You had me going there. I’ll remember that. If the only thing keeping you from working is that, I’ll grab it,” Wrath said.
Instantly, I felt horrible for teasing him and having him offer to do it. The president didn’t need to get my laptop.
“No, there’s no need for you to do that. You have important work to do. I can wait until Dylan and Keno are finished with their duties. It won’t kill me. I’ll bake or something to pass the time. It’s fine.”
Dylan agreed with me, but Wrath didn’t. He shook his head. “No, you won’t. I know what it’s like to have things to do and you can’t. I’ll grab it before I start on anything. Nothing I have on my list is urgent. It won’t take long.”
Dylan and I kept protesting, but Wrath didn’t change his mind. When I realized that, I switched topics. “If you go, which I don’t want you to, you can’t go alone.”
“I’ll go with him. I’ve got nothing on my agenda,” Rage chimed in, walking up to us with Betty.
In moments, it seemed, the two of them were saying goodbye and leaving. The others had all called out their goodbyes and left for work as I argued with Wrath. That left me, Betty, Keno, and Dylan in the clubhouse. The prospects excused themselves to get to their work. I glanced over at Betty.
“I didn’t want him to do that, stubborn man,” I muttered.
She smiled. “Honey, you don’t know the half of it.
He’s a lot like his daddy, and that man can drive a saint to drink.
But he’s one of the most protective and loving men I’ve ever met.
I wish we’d found each other years ago. There’s no use getting into anything, so let’s have more coffee and get to know each other. ”
I loved the idea, so I twined my arm around hers, and we went to get coffee. I looked forward to discovering more about Betty and these Pagans, especially their intriguing president.