Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 40524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
Chapter Two
Mars
“What the fuck is goin’ on with Hammer’s old lady?” I leaned against the bar with my finger curled around the neck of a bottle of Bud Light. “She’s right-handed and hasn’t used her right arm to do anything while she’s been here. Almost looks like her shoulder’s dislocated. Look at the set of her shoulders.”
“Really, Mars? The woman’s a knockout and you’re paying attention to how much she uses her dominant arm?” Rage shook his head and chuckled before taking a pull from his own beer. For some reason, the man had been pushing me toward this girl since the second she walked into the compound. Despite her belonging to another man. Which wasn’t like Rage. Or anyone in Iron Tzars. Poaching on another man’s territory wasn’t something we ever did. That being said, he was right. The woman was a fuckin’ knockout. Long, chocolate brown hair laying down her back in springy waves, creamy skin. She had a waif-like build and looked like she needed a good cheeseburger, but I definitely saw her appeal. “Besides, how do you know she’s right-handed?”
I shrugged. “When she reaches for something, she tries to use her right arm, then stops and uses her left.” I watched as she crossed the common room. Her smile looked forced to me, and there was a set to her jaw and a stiffness in her gait that made me think she was in pain. But that couldn’t be right. “Are you sure they’re married? I mean, she ain’t wearin’ a property patch. She’s supposed to be Claw’s daughter. As the daughter of Grim Road’s vice president, I’d have thought her daddy’d insist she wear her man’s patch.” A property patch was as much for protection for the woman as it was to prevent anyone from hitting on her. I couldn’t imagine Claw would allow her to not wear her vest with the club colors on it and the rockers telling anyone who saw her who she belonged to. Not only was she Hammer’s, but she belonged to Grim Road MC.
“Maybe she ain’t his woman. Maybe they’re just fuckin’.” That came from Breaker. He was an easy-going member of the Tzars, but also one of the deadliest. He’d just earned his patch and we all knew he’d make a great addition. He’d had my back more times than I cared to think about.
“You honestly think Claw, badass that he’s supposed to be, is gonna let his baby girl be a club slut or even a steady lay to one of his patched members? He’d kick the kid’s ass and ask forgiveness from his daughter after the fact. Besides, she might be legal, but the girl’s still in high school. I’m surprised he let her go this far away from Grim at all, let alone without the protection of her man’s property patch.”
I studied Scarlet intently as she spoke briefly with Winter. Roman’s old lady had pulled her aside and was chatting with her. Scarlet looked like she wanted to be anywhere but where she was. Lemon and Apple had mostly stayed by her side the whole time she’d been here, but she seemed way too uncomfortable with the whole scene. I knew Grim Road was different and preferred not to cross family with club like some did. Hell, the Tzars hadn’t either until a bunch of the members and officers had acquired old ladies who were determined to take their roles seriously and help their men in any way they could. But she still shouldn’t look this uncomfortable. Not if she’d been raised anywhere near that MC. Scarlet kept glancing at the door like she expected trouble, which was one more thing odd about her.
Rage grunted. “Point taken. Which raises more than a few questions.”
“And makes me wonder what the fuck is goin’ on.” That last comment had been more musing to myself than anything else. Again, Rage grunted, his eyes narrowing at the girl in question. Apparently, he had a few musings himself.
As if Scarlet had summoned him, Hammer walked in from where he’d no doubt been pestering Sting and Brick. Hammer had aspirations of joining Iron Tzars, though he’d yet to give anyone a good reason why, or at least none that Sting or Brick cared to share with anyone. In fact, I wasn’t even sure Hammer knew Sting was aware of his ties with Grim Road until he’d spoken with Roman earlier today. It was why he and Scarlet had been invited over tonight, so Hammer could meet with our president and vice president. Sting and Brick would have Wylde thoroughly vet Hammer, as well as discuss it with Rocket and Claw, the president and vice president of Grim Road. He may or may not have told Hammer that, but it was standard practice. Which might have something to do with Hammer’s bad mood.