Wrath Chapter 16 #3
As she pleaded with me that it would kill her, I chuckled darkly. She was seeing a part of Wrath I’d never known existed. I’d keep my promise, and by morning, Jalisa would be in no doubt of my love and devotion, and the issue of the rules would be figured out, too.
???
It has been four days since Jalisa and I fought about the Bunny Bonfire and rules, which turned into her voicing her insecurity about whether I’d stay faithful.
It had angered me, but once we ran out of energy to have sex anymore, which was well into the next morning, and after three more intense rounds like the first, she admitted she was scared that I would wake up one day and say I didn’t want her anymore.
She used the example of my dad and mom, and then how her mom left Psycho.
She wanted a family but was terrified she’d be left to raise kids alone and miserable.
She wanted a forever partnership, love, and security.
I held her as she cried. I swore on my cut, club, and even my life that I wouldn’t ever leave or hurt her like that.
When she calmed down, we talked about the rules and the bonfire and made a modification to part of it.
Nothing was thrown out. However, using the bonfire would require a club vote, which might entail others doing it, not just her. She was okay with that.
Things had settled into a routine. We were still on alert and preparing for this weekend’s car show.
I hadn’t told her that the bomb scare came from Psycho, even when she and others pondered why Killer hadn’t done anything about her remaining with us.
Crusher’s expression told me he hated not telling anyone, too.
I’d do it after we dealt with Killer and the Black Outlaws.
The guys and I were gathered in church. We had to update on regular business, and then our guests from the other clubs would join us—no use boring them with our business.
We sat in our designated chairs. On my immediate left was Storm, and on my right was Ryder.
Then, after them, it went back and forth between the other officers, and regular members were at the far end. It was the same order we rode in.
I brought the meeting to order using the method Rage implemented when he was president.
Again, his love of pirates and ships came into play.
Plus, my grandpa had been in the Navy. Rage had erected a small ship’s bell on a wooden stand that sat at the head of the table.
The meeting was brought to order by ringing it once, pausing, and then ringing it three times.
That meant come to attention everyone in the sailors’ world. All eyes were on me.
“Alright, you know why we’re here. We’ll review regular report-offs, carry-over items, and new business.
Then we’ll have the others join us. I’ll start.
The pub has found a waiter and a bartender.
So far, both seem to be working out, thank God.
Business has been busy as usual, so no complaints there. ”
After my swift update, it went around the table to those overseeing each business. No one had anything significant. When we got to carry over, Shadow was the one to speak up. He usually stayed quiet unless asked his opinion or if it was something he felt was important.
“I think I found the perfect place for Fury’s tattoo shop.
It’s close to downtown, without being right on the main drag.
It’s in a good area with little crime. There’s a building that’s gone up for sale.
It used to be a beauty shop. They moved to a new location, and I figured the extra plumbing would be a handy addition.
Each ink slinger could have access to water in their individual spaces.
The front area can be easily divided into a main desk and a space for displaying samples on the walls and in books, with seating.
And you can have rooms for other things like piercings. ” This caused an excited murmur.
“What’s the price like?” Chaos asked. As our treasurer, that was always one of his first questions.
“I think it’s good, but I’ve got the information on it, so you can do your thing to be sure. I just looked at it on Monday,” Shadow told him.
Chaos nodded. I looked at Fury. “When would you like to see it, brother? You’re the one who knows if the setup will work or not.”
He considered it and answered, “Can we do it early next week? I don’t want anything to distract me from this weekend. Monday or Tuesday would be good for me.”
“Sounds good. Shadow, since you saw it, you know the people to contact. Help get Fury an appointment with whoever it is. You two work it out while Chaos does the ROI and all that,” I directed.
“Sure thing, Pres,” Shadow said.
“Anyone else have carry-over business?” I asked. All I got were headshakes. “Okay, then it’s onto new business. I’d like to go first and talk about the other night when the bunnies and hang-arounds were here. It’s about the rules and bonfire ideas Jalisa brought up.”
There were side glances. I kept going. “I think asking the women to be tested regularly and show proof of their status is a good idea. God knows no one wants to catch anything. And ensuring they use some form of birth control, even though you use condoms, is smart, too.” There were murmurs of agreement.
“Does anyone disagree with that or the respect aspects of it, and with bunnies helping when we have big events like the car show, for example?” I asked.
Everyone shook their heads no.
“Alright, let me ask you this. Jalisa didn’t mention anything about guys being tested.
It was just that the women should. I know we do it, but we don’t show our results to anyone.
And like the women coming here, who we know aren’t exclusive to us, many of you are with women other than the ones who come to the clubhouse.
Do you have an issue with adhering to the same rule of testing and proof? ”
I almost held my breath as I waited for their answers.
Ryder was the first to speak. “A part of me wants to say no, that I shouldn’t have to.
I’m an adult and should be trusted to protect myself and others.
However, with that said, I see it would help convince the women to comply.
And it’s not harmful to do it on a schedule.
I assume that if one of us forgets, Jalisa will remind us.
She won’t let it go.” He grinned, and the others chuckled.
“It could be that she does, unless you don’t want her to be the one who collects and monitors them. If you prefer one of us, I can do it,” I offered.
“Wrath, you have enough to do without adding that. I say if Lil’ Lunatic wants it, we do it and let her control it,” Forge said.
“You know I can do the tests here if you want. I know how, and I have a contact who will process them at a lab for us. I should’ve been doing that anyway. I can help her get the results together. At least for the club side,” Stitch offered.
It wasn’t long before they agreed. Now, onto the sticky one.
“Last two, claimed men and the Bunny Bonfire. I was as stunned as you when the bonfire was explained. After we went home, Jalisa and I disagreed about it, and the issue of the claimed men. It was intense. However, in the end, we discussed it. Although no one should have to police members or guests to ensure they stay faithful, it’s not the code of this club to cheat on your partner.
Therefore, the women will not be allowed to push for sex or accept requests for it if a claimed individual asks.
” I scanned the table. Every head was nodding, and no one appeared upset with the decision. Okay, one more to go.
“As for the Bunny Bonfire, I’m not totally against it, but the final decision to have someone’s hand or whole body thrust into it would require a discussion and consensus of the voting members before it was done.
And Lunatic wouldn’t have to be the one to do it.
She would do the beatdown. She’s unwilling to move on that. ” I grinned as they laughed.
“But she is flexible on the other. It seems that the Fiends weren’t always there to handle things, and some wild happenings led to her deciding this was necessary there.
The club let her do it, which led to them having very few issues with their bunnies or hang-arounds acting up or causing problems. You know how many they’ve caused in the other clubs, especially when a guy becomes claimed. I’d love to avoid that here.”
“That’s for damn sure. We don’t need that headache,” Storm said. My brothers muttered in agreement. Throughout the whole thing, Dad had stayed quiet. It wasn’t like him. I called him on it.
“Rage, do you have anything to say? You’re quiet. That’s not like you,” I stated.
“Bringing more old ladies into the club will require us to consider many new things over time. You’ve waited a long time, Wrath, to find yours.
And I know a lot of you want the same. I never expected Betty to come into my life, and since she’s been the only one until Jalisa came, she’s stayed relatively quiet, but I can tell you, she’s good with everything Jalisa said.
She agreed that the bonfire might need to be amended and regulated differently, but she could see some cases that warrant that.
“I’ve been quiet because this club will be yours longer than it’ll remain mine.
You need to be comfortable with how it’s run.
However, don’t think you can dictate it all, and your partner or partners will fall in line and do what you want.
It won’t happen, and if you’re too rigid, be prepared for lots of fighting until they leave you.
I’m good with everything you said and the amended bonfire. ”