Chapter 13
“You sure about this?” Pops asked as I watched Jelai strut in my direction.
It was her first time at the clubhouse, but since she was already familiar with a few members, she fit in naturally.
Pops was keeping his distance and watching more than anything.
I knew he was waiting for me to formally introduce her as my gal, my ol’ lady, before he truly welcomed her in.
That would happen this evening when I was sure Jelai was ready to hold that title.
Being with me while she had my attention was one thing, but when the war was no longer an issue and our lives returned to normal, things would change.
The club would have a high priority in my life—not above her, but it would require a lot of my time.
We spent our weekends riding out, and we had bike nights once or twice a month.
Every quarter we had a charity or fundraiser event, and every year, we had a gala and festival that were both large productions.
With Pops being the president, I’d have a lot of responsibility helping him out.
I’d planned to talk to her about it when we got back to the clubhouse after our ride, and if she was sure she was down for this lifestyle, I’d claim her publicly and let her do the same to me.
“Yeah,” I answered simply. “I can’t be without her no more, Pops. I know that’s selfish, but we both know what’s at risk.”
Sighing, he squeezed my shoulder and patted my back. “Aight. You know I got you no matter what, and after you claim her, I got her too.”
She made her way over to us shyly, waving at Pops as I held my hand out for her. She curled against me perfectly as I wrapped my arm around her waist.
“Pops, this is Jelai. I think it’s past time the two of you officially meet.”
“Hi,” she spoke softly with a smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Pops took her hand into his and kissed it. “You as well. All these years, I’ve wondered about the woman who turned my son’s world upside down. It’s a pleasure to meet you, baby girl.”
She grinned bashfully as she looked at me.
Not wanting to wait any longer, I pulled my vest off and wrapped it around her shoulders.
I didn’t have my official leather jacket with my patch yet, but giving her my prospect attire made it clear to every member and hangaround outside that she was mine, and I was hers.
Jelai looked down at The Wilted Roses emblem on the vest. It was red, green, and gray against the black vest. Wilted roses were inside the circled words, and our slogan was underneath.
From Bloom to Bone.
That slogan was starting to have a deeper meaning now.
“Welcome to the family, baby girl,” Pops said, pulling her in for a hug as Sonny and Cole looked on, oohing and awing like some damn kids.
We all laughed before I helped her climb onto my bike.
It was time to ride.
“Damn,” I muttered, watching Jelai’s ass shake as she twerked in front of me. Lowering myself to her ear, I told her, “Tonight, I wanna watch you do that on my dick.”
Biting down on her bottom lip, she wrapped her arm around me and held me close. “It would be my pleasure.”
My hand slithered around her waist, dick growing as she made her cheeks clap against me. Palming her pussy, I moaned against her ear.
“You ready to go now?” I checked, making her laugh.
We’d been back at the clubhouse for about two hours now, which was long enough for me to show her around, introduce her to the members that hadn’t joined us when we were riding out, and feed her before we started drinking.
Tonight was the first time I’d ever had a reason to be on the dancefloor, and having her grind against me had me wanting to take her upstairs to one of the bedrooms.
“No! I’m actually having a lot of fun, baby. Can we stay a little longer . . . please?”
“You know I can’t resist you,” I said, feeling someone’s fingers swirl around my back.
My grip around Jelai tightened as I turned to see who was touching me. Instantly, I grew irritated at the sight of ol’ girl from a while back. I couldn’t remember her name, but it was something that started with a T.
“Don’t fuckin’ touch me,” I ordered through gritted teeth over the music.
“Come on, baby. I was just trying to see when it was going to be my turn.”
When she tried to wrap her arms around me, I pushed them down. “You gon’ act like you don’t see me dancing with my gal? This my ol’ lady. Have some fucking respect.”
Her eyes rolled as she gave me a dismissive wave. “Boy, fuck you. I’ve had dick bigger and better. You’re probably too young to even know what to do with it anyway.”
“You willing to get your ass beat for trying to find out?” Jelai asked, stepping in front of me.
Groaning, I tried to pull her back behind me. Other members may have liked their women fighting over them, but I didn’t play that shit. I wanted Jelai soft for me at all times.
“Is there a problem here?” Pops asked.
“Get this bitch the fuck outta here before I beat her ass,” Jelai warned, trying to make her way to whoever her name was.
“You got a problem with my daughter and son, you got a problem with me,” Pops made clear.
“Please, Prez. He ain’t even a member yet.”
“Prospect or not, he’s still my son. What part of that are you not understanding?” With one snap of his fingers, three of our female members had surrounded T.
“Problem, Prez?” Whitney asked.
“Get this hangaround outta here, and make sure she doesn’t come back.”
“Prez, please!” T yelled as Whitney dragged her out by her hair. When she fell on her face, I shook my head and tried not to laugh. Shit was embarrassing, and it didn’t even have to come down to this.
“You good?” Pops asked Jelai, gripping her shoulder.
“I’m good. I wish he would’ve let me beat her ass, but all is well.”
“What I tell you about that shit?” I questioned, pulling her into me.
“I’m sorry, baby. I forgot. I’ll do better. Promise.”
“Mhm,” I muttered, not believing her ass one bit.
I watched as Jelai walked over to the bar and stood next to Sonny, who flagged Chloe down so she could get another drink.
Pops chuckled and shook his head. “Watch her. She gon’ be wild like ya mama was.”
“I’m already knowing,” I grumbled, massaging my temple.
Her ass had given me a headache that damn fast. Last night, I ended up having to pay Mesha’s ass off to keep her from pressing charges on Jelai.
True, Jelai acted in self-defense, but still.
I didn’t even want her to have to experience going downtown to be questioned, let alone potentially arrested for assault.
When we made it home, I had her ass pleading for mercy as I demolished her pussy.
I needed her to understand regardless of the situation or the person that I would always protect her.
I thought we’d come to that agreement last night, but apparently, it was going to take a little more time for her to accept that.
I didn’t just want to protect her physically and keep her from fighting, but I also wanted to protect her heart, mind, body, and soul.
She was mine, my love, my rib, my responsibility.
However long it took for her to accept that for what it truly meant, I’d give her that.
“She fits you,” Pops said, wearing a smug grin. “I know I wanted you to stay away from her, but I can’t lie. You look happy with her. Congratulations on finally getting ya gal, Son.”
“’Preciate you, Pops.”
We shook hands before I made my way over to the bar.
Jelai’s ass had gotten a round of shots for us all, so I locked eyes with Pops and called for him and Cole to join us.
After we knocked the shots back, Jelai wanted to go back out on the dancefloor.
I let her do her thang as I sat at the bar and talked shit with the guys, keeping my eyes on her at every turn.
I trusted a few members of the club but not all, and since I was still a prospect, I didn’t need no one bothering her trying to get a rise out of me.