Chapter 23
Aubrielle:
I spent most of the day enjoying Shadow’s company after our morning session in the bedroom.
Then, before we headed to Eden for the night, we made dinner together.
We stopped at the clubhouse before leaving to see who was there and tell them we’d see them tomorrow.
We planned to hang out with whoever was there before I went to work tomorrow night.
As expected, the clubhouse was full. We did our thing and were told that some would see us at Eden.
I was used to their presence, so I didn’t think anything of it.
At first, I felt weird that the men saw me strip, but they never made anything out of it.
There had never been snide or suggestive remarks even before we got together. To them, it was just my job.
As usual, I rode with Shadow to the strip club. The weather was incredible, June weather. I loved any chance I got to ride, feel the wind in my face, and taste the freedom it gave me.
We arrived around eight thirty. Even though it was considered early, the first dancer went on at nine o'clock, and the lot was three-quarters full.
We went to the back reserved parking area.
Shadow input the code that unlocked the rear door, allowing us to enter without walking past the crowds.
The sound of background music, the rumble of voices, laughter, and the clinking of glasses and plates as basic food was served filled the hallway.
“You wanna go to the main floor, hang in the dressing room, or chill in Mayhem’s office, if he’s not using it?” my man asked.
I thought for a few moments, then answered him. “Let me go lock up my bag in my locker, and then I’d love to see who’s working and maybe have a chat or a drink. See who came from the clubhouse.”
We’d gone back to our house for about half an hour after being in the clubhouse. There were other bikes parked behind the strip club. I wanted to see who was here from the compound and watch who came in before the dancing started.
“Then that’s what we’ll do,” Shadow stated, holding out his crooked arm for me to take.
I loved it when he acted like a gentleman by offering his arm for me to hold, opening doors, pulling out chairs, and other things. I doubted many people would expect a biker to have manners. From what I’d seen, Meredith and Barrett had taught their son well.
The noise grew louder as we approached the main floor.
The tables were mostly full. Scanning the room, I saw the staff alongside the people here for a good time.
And in their usual spot along the wall, partially in the shadows, sat not two, but three booths of Punishers.
As I took them in, I realized it was the entire club, minus children and prospects. I glanced over at Shadow.
“Did you know they were all coming here?”
“No, no one mentioned it, but I’m glad. Let’s go over and claim our spots,” he replied.
Shadow moved us through the tables, past staff, who acknowledged us, and we acknowledged them back.
Customers stared at us. Some recognized me even in plain clothes.
They whispered to each other. Some gave me suggestive looks, which I ignored.
I was okay giving a cordial smile or head nod, but I didn’t stop to chat.
When the Punishers spotted us, shouts rang out. Hands were raised in the air, and smiles were tossed our way. I laughed as I waved back to them. By the time we reached the middle booth, a spot had been created for us.
“What is everyone doing here?” I asked the booth occupants in general, then glanced to either side of us, to include the other Punishers.
“We thought it was time to have another full night out at Eden. It’s been too long since we’ve all been here. I’ve been dying to see what’s new in your dance repertoire,” Cheyenne remarked.
“I’m honored. If I’d known, I would’ve told you that I have a new one I plan to roll out in a week or so,” I replied.
“Hey, that gives us an excuse to come back.” Astrid shrugged.
“As long as you behave yourself tonight, you can return,” Mayhem told his old lady.
“You should know by now not to issue challenges,” Astrid told him, batting her eyelashes and giving him a wicked smile.
Mayhem groaned. “I swear, Fury. If you don’t behave tonight, I’m gonna have to punish you.”
Astrid, crowed in delight, clapped her hands and shouted, “Yes! About time you offered.”
Her words caused all of us to laugh, even Mayhem. The gleam in his eyes told the story. He said what he did to get this exact reaction. He wanted to punish her. It made me wonder what they did behind closed doors. Whatever it was, they both thrived on and loved it.
“Maybe I should punish you one day and see if you react that way. You look intrigued, Ellie,” Shadow whispered into my ear. A shiver of sexual awareness ran through me.
I turned to see his smirk. I placed a passing kiss on his lips, then moved to his ear.
“Punish away,” I whispered.
A growl burst out of him, then I was jerked into him, where he kissed me until my head spun. When it ended, the catcalls from the club made me blush, but I winked at them.
The conversation was lively. We even had those surrounding us: staff and customers, smiling. Not long afterward, I hated to excuse myself to get ready for my first dance. We promised we’d be back once I was finished.
???
Both dances were done. Usually, we’d head home after the second one, but tonight, we rejoined the others.
Everyone wanted to make the most of the night, especially those with kids who had sitters.
No one was drinking much, not with them riding.
At one point, I laughed so hard my sides hurt, and I almost peed myself. That’s when I nudged Shadow.
“Honey, I need to go to the bathroom.”
He slid out. As I gained my footing, Astrid spoke up. “Me too. Wait for me.”
When she stood, she patted Shadow’s arm. “I’ll be her bodyguard. No one is touching her with me there. If they do, I’ll break heads,” she told him.
Shadow hesitated for only a second or two, then nodded. “If you have trouble, call me,” he said before kissing me and allowing me to go with Astrid.
True to her word, Astrid scanned the crowd like a hawk seeking prey. In the bathroom after we finished our business, I teased her about it.
“You’re taking this bodyguard role to heart.”
“Hey, I don’t want Shadow pissed at me. Our bikers can be so overprotective, but it’s not always a bad thing.”
“It’s not, but I have to get used to it. Suffice it to say, no one in my family was ever that way about me,” I admitted ruefully as we stood washing our hands.
“Your family is a bunch of fuckheads. I was lucky, I had great parents, but I was born when Dad was fifty, and Mom was forty-five, so I lost them almost ten years ago. Too bad we can’t all choose our blood families, but that’s why God made heart families.”
I agreed with her. Opening the bathroom door, we both stepped out into the hallway, still talking. The lighting wasn’t horribly dim back here. But it took a moment for our eyes to adjust to the dimmer lighting.
“We need to finish plans for the Fourth of July,” I said. It was just under two weeks away.
Astrid opened her mouth to answer, but another voice cut her off.
“You thought you could fucking hide from us! Did you forget we know where you work, Aubrielle?” a cold male voice snapped.
Dread filled me as I turned my head to find my dad and two brothers standing there. They had their arms crossed and were scowling. Dad’s eyes flicked to Astrid.
“You can leave, sweetheart,” he said curtly.
“I’m not your sweetheart. I’m staying right where I am,” she informed him coolly.
Their momentary surprise changed to anger. Rome stepped closer to say his piece.
“I suggest that if you know what’s good for you, you leave, bitch. And don’t go running to security.”
I watched Astrid run her eyes up and down Rome, then sniff. There wasn’t an ounce of fear in her expression.
“What’re you supposed to be? The clown sidekick?
And calling me bitch won’t make me run off crying.
Let me give you a warning. This club belongs to the Iron Punishers’ MC.
And in case you’re stupid, we’re wearing property cuts, meaning our old men are Punishers.
You touch a hair on either of us, they’ll tear your fucking heads off and shove them up your asses.
That’s if there’s anything left when I finish,” Astrid sneered.
When she mentioned we were old ladies, I turned myself far enough to give them a glimpse of the back of my property cut, without losing them in my peripheral vision.
I’d shifted myself into a wider stance, with one leg behind me.
Astrid had done the same, though I doubted my family had recognized it. They thought women were weak.
“I’ll show you a clown, whore,” Rome snarled.
He took another step toward us. Dad reached out an arm to block him. Rome cast him a puzzled glance.
“Stay. Aubrielle, we need to talk. I don’t know what silliness you’re wearing, but there’s no way an MC cares about a couple of whores. They have plenty of those and can get more. You’re overvaluing yourself,” Dad said with a snort.
“You disobeyed us,” Rome added.
“I’m an adult. I don’t need to obey you. I’m not one of your damn dogs,” I snapped.
Dad’s eyes narrowed on me. His expression promised punishment. Rome sneered, and Jace stood there, appearing unsure. He wasn’t as bad as Dad and Rome, but he wasn't an angel either. Clearly, our attitude and the mention of the Iron Punishers had rattled him. Maybe he wasn’t as stupid as I thought.
“You’re coming with us. And your mouthy friend can come along for the ride.” Rome leered as he ran his gaze up and down Astrid, allowing his lust to show. The disgusting ass even cupped his crotch. I wanted to puke.