9. Dax #3
We stood there a moment in silence, watching the two men grappling each other on the ground. It didn’t look like either one of them was trying anymore, goofing off, but I wasn’t gonna call them on it.
What we needed more than physical training was a way for us all to grow as a unit. The Saints knew how to work well together, but now, with Wes and Cam, their groove was thrown off.
“Wanna spar?” Tilly asked. “I’m pretty proficient in kickboxing if you want to do some work with pads.”
“Think you can aim low enough if I’m the one holding the pads?” I challenged.
She just looked down at me. “Think you can jump high enough to reach the ones I’m using?”
“Guess there's only one way to find out,” I said, heading over to the large metal storage cabinet that held all the supplies.
Tilly and I switched off until we were both dripping in sweat and barely able to hold up the pads.
While it took me a bit to get back in the rhythm, once my body was on board, I was full steam ahead.
Tilly was a great partner, and it was nice not to worry about her holding back for fear of hurting me like the guys would have done.
Nah, the two of us had an understanding, no one else in the real world was gonna be pulling their punches.
“Alright, everyone, I think we should call it,” Picasso announced to the room. “Let’s head back, shower, eat something, and work on the tasks we planned last night.”
Seeing Picasso stepping up and taking a more leadership role was sexy as fuck.
I’d known he had it in him, but he was so worried about stepping on Eagle’s toes he held back too much.
Now having no choice but to lead, it was good to see him own it.
I fell in step beside him as we walked through the main clubhouse area.
Guys were sitting along the bar drinking, others played darts or pool, and some had their hands full with a sweet butt in their lap.
Most nodded respectfully to us as we made our way through until one man stepped into our path.
This dude was big like a mountain that had legs and arms. His head was shaved and shined in the overhead lights.
His cut was weathered, telling me he’d been part of the crew for a long time.
The patch on his chest told me his name BigFoot, which made perfect sense to me.
“Sup?” I asked, leaning my head back to look up at him.
“You’re Two Tricks, right?” BigFoot asked, his deep voice booming out of his chest.
I nodded. “Something I can do for you?”
He reached out his hand as if he wanted to shake mine.
Knowing if I didn’t extend my hand, it’d be a major insult, and I had a whole room of bikers looking at me.
I decided it was best to play nice since I knew I hadn’t done anything to upset someone—that I knew of.
Placing my hand in his, he gently closed his fingers, then jerked my hand up and down in a way that had my body getting pulled forward at the strength of it.
“Whoa, easy there, BigFoot,” Picasso warned, grabbing my shoulders to steady me. “She might be a badass, but she is still tiny.”
“Just wanted to thank her for saving our asses the other day. Not many people I know would jump out of a helicopter and take out a machine gun for people that aren’t their own,” he explained as he released my hand. “Pinky had you all wrong, Little Queen.”
I flashed him a smile. “Is that my road name now? Have I earned my cut here among you Phantom Saints?”
BigFoot stood to his full height, shoulders, back, and bellowed, “Quiet.”
The whole clubhouse fell silent instantly, and I was impressed. He’d even managed to get the background music to stop that had been thumping in the speakers.
“I know I’m not part of the leadership, but I was chosen to petition them so we make you an official member of the Phantom Saints.
You’ve spilled blood protecting us, sent your own men to our aid, and took down the enemy without hesitation,” BigFoot said to Picasso.
“We know some of the old timers have their thoughts about women in the crew, but we know this one is more than capable of living our lifestyle. Fuck, she rules the goddamn West Coast from what I can tell.”
Picasso’s face was expressionless as he listened to what BigFoot had to say. “Your petition has been heard, and we will vote on it during Church. Give Eagle a few more days to recover, and we will send out the call.”
BigFoot nodded and looked back at me. “Little Queen, I know you already have the leadership behind you, but no matter if you get sworn in or not, you have our respect.”
His words warmed my dark little heart in a way even I didn’t understand.
I’d never wanted to be part of an MC. Hell, I fucking hated them for a long time.
However, this group of men and women were quickly becoming as important to me as my own Empire.
Goddamn, these men are slowly turning me into a big softy.
“Thanks, BigFoot. I really appreciate it,” I said and patted the man’s arm as I headed out, standing tall in front of all these men.