3. Naomi #2
There was one thing she was curious and worried about—a reminder of a conversation she overheard from her father once when he didn’t realize she was on the other side of the door.
“Does the club have club girls? The ones the men share?” She swallowed hard and added, “Is that what you guys all do? Or do the men expect that any woman who isn’t in a relationship to be part of that?”
Neither of them seemed startled at her question.
“The club does have club girls, but they’re only here for parties or during certain hours of the night, when the kids aren’t at the clubhouse.
And no one is expected or forced to do anything, Naomi, I promise,” Royal added.
“The women who come here for that do it willingly, and they get protection from the club when needed. It’s a trade-off, but one they understand.
In the beginning, we had some issues with the girls going after the taken men, but that’s been straightened out, so now they only sleep with single men.
All of us Old Ladies, we never worry about our men when they’re around. They’re fiercely loyal.”
“But that’s not to say that if another club comes here, all the men are like that,” Glitch warned.
“If another club is here, the club girls can spend their time with them as well, and that might mean that those men are being unfaithful to their Old Ladies. We say nothing and leave it to their business. As for you, you never have to worry about that. You are off-limits unless you give the okay to someone you want to be with. We have a strict rule here. Consent is not assumed. It must be given and be very clear. And if you don’t want to be around when anything like that is happening, you can stay here or hang out with us, and we’ll make sure you’re good. ”
“A-are there any other clubs plan-planning on coming?” If any of them were associates of the cartel, she would have to tell them and leave. She couldn’t risk it.
“Right now, the only clubs that have full access to come and go as they please are the Devil’s Predators and the Devil’s Soldiers,” Royal answered.
“The Predators, for obvious reasons, and the Devil’s Soldiers when they want to do a run up this way.
They’ve never come here in the time I’ve been here, but we’ve gone there.
“You’ll like them, though. They’re a lot like us, but not as rough around the edges.
They have lots of women and kids in their group.
Anyone else, they need to request to come onto the grounds, and if it’s someone who shouldn’t be here, all you need to do is say, and we’ll make sure to come up with an excuse why they can’t. ”
“No one has to change their lives for me here,” she protested.
“No, but we want you to feel comfortable and safe here,” Glitch assured her. “For now, nothing is planned, and honestly, nothing will be until we know what the cartel is doing, which is where Code and I come in. We’ll monitor channels, and if we have questions, would you be willing to talk to us?”
Naomi nodded. It was the least she could do, considering the circumstances.
“Good.”
“Do you think you’ll be all right here tonight, or would you like someone to stay with you?” Royal asked.
Naomi quickly shook her head. “No, thank you. I just need to get some sleep. Are there any places I should avoid while I’m here?”
“Their Church room when they’re in Church is off-limits, but otherwise, most places are fine,” Royal said, with a smile. “Why don’t I come back in the morning around nine, and I can take you on a tour? And if you’re feeling up to it, I’ll introduce you to the other women.”
“We don’t want you to feel overwhelmed, but I think knowing you have multiple people you can talk to might help,” Glitch added.
Naomi found herself nodding, even as her mind screamed for her to decline, wanting to stay hidden, not walking around where anyone could see her. Doing that for six months was out of the question though. Maybe if she saw this place in the light of day, she’d feel better.
“Good. The place is stocked with fresh groceries and everything, but if you need anything, just let us know.” Royal stood.
“And if we missed anything for Asher, please let us know. We’re happy to get you whatever you need.
Good night.” She touched her shoulder as she walked by and headed out the door.
Glitch stood too but didn’t immediately follow Royal out. Instead, she looked at Naomi with a knowing expression. “It’s a lot, right?”
Naomi nodded, her thoughts in turmoil as she tried to make sense of everything.
“I put my number in that phone Taz gave you. So if you need anything, just text me and let me know, even if it’s just to ask a question.
I know it doesn’t feel like it now, Naomi, but you and Asher are safe.
You have people in your corner, and when this is over, we’ll keep making sure you stay safe.
It’s hard, but for tonight, sleep as much as you can. ”
“I’m terrified that I’m going to go to sleep and wake up and someone is going to be trying to get to us,” Naomi whispered, throat thick with emotion, worried they would try to take Asher.
“My team isn’t leaving until tomorrow, so they’re running point on your protection tonight.
Taz will be on the roof with Warg, ready to take anyone who shouldn’t be here.
The others will take turns patrolling, along with the Dragons’ men.
Not to mention, Karissa will probably be part of that detail too.
Would you feel safer if she were inside here on watch? ”
Would she? She didn’t know Karissa, but the quick introduction seemed to show she was capable.
Karissa couldn’t do that every night, though; she would have to learn to stand on her own.
“Can I have a gun?” Naomi asked. She wasn’t allowed to have one while she was with the cartel, but her father had shown her how to use and handle one, and she never forgot it.
Glitch regarded her for a moment before she reached under her cut and pulled one out, handing it over. “You’re smart, Naomi, so I know you can handle this without being stupid about it.”
It was a confident statement, and it eased something in her chest as she took the gun and checked that it was loaded and the safety was on. Glitch gave her a look of approval.
“Everything will be fine, but you’ll sleep better. Now, I’m going to talk to my man, who is probably pissed I didn’t give him a heads-up about all this. But I do love when we make up.” She gave a wicked grin.
Naomi let out a weak chuckle. “Then it sounds like you’ll have a good night.”
“With a man who knows how to use his fingers, damn right I will. Now, get some sleep, and I’ll see you tomorrow.” She left, shutting the door behind her.
Studying the gun, Naomi took a deep breath. She was safe. Asher was safe. It was their first night of freedom, and even as exhausted as she was, she knew she wouldn’t get much sleep.
She locked the door, double-checked all the windows, and sank into bed with her son, the gun in the nightstand drawer, left open just in case. Her mind was whirling with plans for her escape, mapping out the apartment and the grounds she had seen. She wasn’t leaving anything to chance.
She woulddn’t dare.
It was going to be a long night.