Chapter 9
“Girl, your ass looks hot in those shorts!” Ruby screeches when she sees me.
I feel my cheeks pinken, and I do a little twirl to give her the full effect.
Seeing her eyes widen and her jaw drop is the icing on the cake for me.
“Holy shit! That prospect isn’t going to know what hit him tonight when he sees you. ”
“It really looks good?” I ask, my hands fidgeting with the frayed edges of the halter top that stops right above my belly button, showing off the little piercing that I know drives my man a little wild.
“You look hot, Win.” Ruby nods her head, her hands coming to my waist to spin me this way and that.
With every movement, the leather of the shorts catches the light, and the fringes of the top flare out, exposing more of my skin.
“I wish I could pull this color off,” she says longingly about the bright pink hue.
“You look gorgeous in everything,” I remind her, cocking my eyebrow.
“Eh.” She shrugs her shoulders. “I’m pale with freckles and bright red hair. I could wear pink, but it does nothing for me.”
“Well, you look amazing in the dress you have on now.” I motion my hand over her deep, violet dress. The length is modest. It's the plunging neckline and the barely-there back that make it only decent for a party at the clubhouse.
“Thanks, girl.” She hugs me tightly, then smacks my ass before heading to the door. “I gotta get out there. Viper promised me a dance, and you know if Lila gets to him first, I won’t see him again.”
“Go get your man.” I wink at her, and she crosses her fingers like she’s wishing hard for it. Of all of the guys, Ruby has feelings for Viper. She is waiting for him to settle down and make her his old lady, while a few of the other girls try to do everything in their power to turn his head.
This is my least favorite part of club life.
I learned really quickly once Finn became a prospect that, as an unclaimed woman, I was swimming with sharks.
To the other girls, he was another eligible brother, fresh meat.
They didn’t care about our shared history or that we were in a relationship.
It was only my second full day here when I was approached by Micah, one of the club girls, and told that I needed to watch my back.
She has plans to be an old lady, and she planned to fuck any man she thought might give her that, Finn included.
The next day, I was approached by Lottie, one of the old ladies, and someone I had thought I had made friends with at the family BBQ.
Her message was clear as well. Until I wore a property patch and was an old lady, I was nothing more than a club whore, and if I touched any of the married men, I would find myself out on the street.
Lottie also didn’t care that I was with Finn and devoted to him.
I assured her I didn’t want any of the other members.
I’m in love with Finn. I’ll never forget the way her eyes went blank, and her lips stopped their angry curl, only for her to say, “Once you’re one of the whores, the guys won’t take you seriously to marry you. ”
Her words stung, and they didn’t make sense.
Finn and I had talked about what the prez said to him regarding me.
I had a job to do with the other girls, but once my cleaning, cooking, or other tasks were done, I was free to go if I pleased.
I wasn’t the only girl who went to school part-time or worked a part-time job.
I was, however, the only one who was looking at a career in medicine.
All my spare time was spent in class or studying.
The material was difficult, and the classes moved at a rigorous pace.
I was determined, though. I had always excelled in school.
So getting my first-ever C- in biology this week, which was essentially failing the class since I have to retake it next semester, was difficult.
I cried the whole way home. I know I have to tell Finn still, but I don’t want him to blame himself.
I’ll do better next semester. I’m giving myself this break to let loose, spend time with Finn when he’s around, and then I’ll buckle down next semester.
Despite what some of the club girls have alluded to, nothing sinister or unethical is required of me.
None of the girls are required to have sex with any of the members.
But since most of them are single and there are single brothers in the club, it often leads to hook-ups and situationships.
At first, I felt out of my element and reached out to Angel.
The only advice my bestie could give me was to talk to Finn.
She was very removed from this life, and even though she tried to understand and give advice, it often felt like we were living in two different worlds.
When I eventually did voice my concern about the matter to Finn, he reassured me that everything was fine.
He told me not to listen to any of the women who made me uncomfortable.
We promised each other to communicate and talk through our worries.
We’re solid, and I know my man loves me as much as I love him.
Which is why I’m decked out tonight, wearing a brand-new outfit that makes me feel like I fit in more at a party night.
Most of the time at parties, which happen every weekend, I dress pretty casually in jeans and a cute shirt.
Tonight I wanted to make things more memorable.
It's been a year since we found ourselves in Braham and dedicated ourselves to the Rebels of the Undead. I’m determined to show Finn I am thriving and fitting in.
I also want to make a good impression for Finn since a neighboring club, one we have a new alliance with, is visiting this weekend.
Even as a prospect, his image is important.
Impressing and getting along with the Devil Riders Syndicate is a requirement of all members of this MC, including the girls and wives.
I fix my hair one more time before slipping out of the door of Ruby’s room and walking toward the common area.
The lighting is already dim, and music is blasting, but I can still hear the men laughing and shrieks of delight from the women present.
The air is thick with the smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke, giving an almost hazy vibe.
My eyes eat up the room until I find Finn.
He’s at the pool table with Bullet, Cleaver, and two other members of the other MC.
As if sensing my gaze on him, he stills, his back straightening, and his eyes roam over the room searching for me.
Once he finds me, his eyes widen, and his jaw drops.
That is exactly the reaction I was going for.
With a newfound confidence, I walk over to him, closing the space between us. Butterflies dance in my stomach when I’m fully in front of him. He keeps looking me up and down, and there is nothing but heat in his eyes.
“Fuck, I’m a lucky bastard,” he mutters under his breath, his declaration making me smile.
“You’re not so bad yourself, Prospect,” I lean in, whispering in his ear. He groans before taking a drink from his beer, his free hand coming to rest around my waist.
“Can you wait for me to finish up this game?” he asks. Our eyes meet, and my grin turns cheeky.
“Only if you promise to twirl me on the dance floor.”
Finn’s lips tilt up in a knowing grin while he sighs sarcastically. “You drive a hard bargain, baby.”
He pinches the skin right below my ass cheek, playfully causing me to jump, and we’re both laughing while I find a chair to sit in so he can finish up the game.
My gaze wanders around the room, taking in the party tonight.
I would say this is probably one of the rowdier parties the club has ever hosted, judging from the way anything seems to go right now.
There are men helping themselves over the bar, which is usually only Lottie’s domain.
A scuffle almost breaks out between a brother and a member of the Devils, and it looks like it involves Scarlet or Cali.
There’s even an orgy happening out in the open.
I’m not exactly a prude after living in an MC clubhouse for a year.
I’ve accidentally walked into a room with people fucking in it, and I’ve definitely seen the aftermath of a party in the morning where some people couldn’t make it to a private room and passed out right after.
Public sex isn’t necessarily frowned upon, but the guys and the women usually know to keep it hidden, especially when Jocelyn, the president's wife, is around.
And she is in attendance tonight. I glance over to the corner of the room that leads to the kitchen and find Jocelyn in a heated discussion with Prez.
I flinch at the severe look in her eyes while she points at his chest. The poor man appears to be floundering, his eyes wide with confusion, while his arms move around when he talks.
Her gaze snaps to mine, sensing my stare, and I quickly avert my eyes.
I respect Jocelyn, but she also scares me, and I do not want to be on her bad side.
Whatever is happening between her and her husband does not concern me.
A loud belching noise pulls my attention back to the pool table just in time to see Finn cover his disgust at the Devils member in question. Our eyes lock over the table, and we silently laugh together.
“Since when did club whores become so clingy? Prospect, is your dick made of diamonds or some shit?” The man laughs at his own joke while he points his finger between Finn and me.
My boyfriend's body goes taut, and I see Bullet reach out his hand, reminding him to play it cool.
I choose to let his hurtful words roll off me, not wanting to cause any trouble, and fake a smile and small giggle, like what he said is funny.
“But seriously, darlin, if you’re that hard up for dick tonight, you can walk that sweet ass over here right now and blow me.
I’ll even put in a good word to your prez for you,” he continues, bringing his beer bottle to his lips and draining it.
I cringe at the heated look in his eyes that roam all over my body.
Finn steps forward with his cue stick and easily sinks a ball into the pocket. “She’s not a club whore, Jonsey. She’s my girl.”
The man, Jonsey, looks between Finn and me before laughing and hitting his hand on his knees. “Oh my god, darlin. I’m so sorry. You must be very sexually frustrated if you’re putting up with Prospect dick. Come find me if you need a real man to fuck you like a good little slut.”
“Okay,” Bullet chuckles, his hand gripping the back of Finn’s neck. “How about you two love birds go grab a drink and cool off?”
Bullet pushes Finn toward me, and I immediately grab Finn’s hand.
Without glancing back, Finn drags me behind him toward the bar, both of us ignoring the leering and laughter coming from the area we were just occupying.
My skin feels heated, and my cheeks are burning from embarrassment.
Finn’s back is rigid, his shoulders tense, and his hand has mine in a death grip.
I don’t want to cause him any more problems, so I keep my lips sealed and try to push back the tears that are threatening to spill after having been treated that way.
At least the Rebels know about my relationship with Finn, and while we aren’t official in the eyes of club law, they are respectful enough not to treat me like a piece of ass that Finn is keeping around for fun.
I may not have an official title of wife or old lady, but they know I’m committed to Finn and treat me nicely enough.
We reach the bar and Lottie’s eyes run over me and then Finn.
“I’ll just give you two a minute.”
I nod at her. “Thanks, Lottie.” She walks away, giving us space. “Finn–”
“Don’t talk, “he growls while slamming his hands on top of the bar so hard the sound makes me jump. His jaw is locked so tightly I can see the muscles under his skin jump and flex. His fingers curl on top of the bar until his knuckles turn white.
“I’m sorry,” I mutter and step back from him. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Finn this angry.
He shakes his head, his longer hair on top of his head swaying slightly. “It's not you. I’m never mad at you, Daisy.”
“Then why—”
“Because he was an asshole to you. He said horrible things, basically insinuating that you make a living on your back for the club,” he cuts in.
Finn sighs and runs his hands through his hair.
“I couldn’t even defend you because we have to act nice with them.
This alliance is new. The treaty is fragile at best, but fuck, he was a prick.
I wanted to hit him, and I couldn’t defend you. ”
My arms move to wrap around his waist, holding him tightly.
I prop my chin on his shoulder, my eyes taking in the man I love more than anything.
“He was a dick. I’m sorry you were put in that position, but I get why you were unable to react.
I’m glad you didn’t. I know what's at stake for you. I also know that if it were different and I was in danger or being threatened, you would have reacted differently. His words didn’t hurt me. I was more worried about you.”
For the first time since we walked up to the bar, Finn looks at me. His eyes soften, and his body loses some of the tension he was carrying. “I don’t deserve you, Win. I’m so sorry.”
I shake my head, lifting up on my tiptoes to press my lips to his cheek. Finn moves at the same time, turning toward me, so I end up in his arms instead. “I love you. You have nothing to be sorry about.”
Finn exhales and holds me tighter. “I was angry. I raised my voice. It won’t happen again.”
“It's okay,” I reassure him, wrapping my arms around his neck. Finn’s hands glide over my sides and down my back, coming to rest where the edge of my leather shorts plays peek-a-boo with my ass cheeks. He groans, cupping the skin in his hands.
“You really are killing me in this outfit tonight, Daisy.”
My smile could not get any bigger as I hold him tighter, making sure he feels every inch of my body pressed against his. “It’s what I’m wearing underneath that you should be more excited about, Prospect.”
Finn pulls back with a sharp intake of air. Our eyes connect, and I can feel the heat and possessiveness in their depths. “What are you wearing, Winnie?”
I lean forward, deliberately brushing my lips across his, barely a kiss, and whisper, “Absolutely nothing.”
His hands tighten on my backside before he lifts me up against his body. My legs wrap around his waist easily. “Fuck this party,” he mutters before carrying me across the room, heading toward his room, and I’ve never been more excited to escape from an event.