“Yes, we can pick which tattoo we want and put the date on it.” Evie explained. “Some, like me, just have the date tatted.”
“I see.” Beth took another sip of her beer, aware of the conversation at the table.
“Does everyone have the same date?” Winter wanted to know why Bliss was hiding her tattoo from her and she was determined to find out before she left.
“No.” Evie spoke cautiously now beginning to suspect the trap that was waiting.
Viper stiffened in surprise at the turn of the conservation. He turned to look at Winter and saw the intention in her expression.
“What determines the date that goes on the tattoo?”
“It’s the date we become a member of The Last Riders.” Evie explained slowly.
“I see. How do the women become members?” Winter asked knowing instinctively that the information was going to hurt.
Evie looked around the table, willing someone to jump in and take over the conservation. Thankfully Viper did, with a grim look.
“Ask what you want to know, Winter.”
“I just did. What’s the big secret?”
“No secret, it’s just club business. Only the members or potential members need to know, but I will tell you. The women become members by fucking or causing six of the eight members to have an orgasm.”
Winter’s hands tightened on the beer bottle, disgusted that she could ever care about the man staring coldly back at her.
“Well, doesn’t that make it nice for the male members. How do they become members? By fucking a certain number of women? What is it, a hundred?” She said snidely.
“No, the recruit that wants to become a member and join us must pick four of the original members.”
“Male members to fuck?” Winter asked in surprise. The angry glares from the men around the table answered her question.
“No, they pick four of the eight members to beat the hell out of them, then if they fight well and aren’t hurt too bad, they become members.”
Winter didn’t know which was worse. The ones she was pretty sure were the original members, she wouldn’t want to take on, one on one, much less four of them.
“You guy’s have a thing for numbers, don’t you?” Winter said sarcastically.
“We have to know that a man we are making our brother can handle himself and have our back. Going on beer runs and dumb shit like that won’t be of any help to us when another club wants our cut.”
Winter could kind of see his point of view on that scenario.
“Well your club has worked out all the details. So the women get the tattoo after she fucks her sixth original member?” Winter still didn’t understand what Bliss’s tattoo had to do with her.
“Basically, yes.” Viper’s firm voice held no apology.
“I can see by the women’s tattoo’s they are very proud of their accomplishment.” The women at the table stiffened. Evie was the first to speak.
“We don’t deserve that attitude. You might think that is a large number of men to sleep with but we happen to think we are very selective. I have girlfriends who aren’t in The Last Rider’s that go out to party every weekend, that fuck a couple of different guys a month, knowing shit about them. I know everything about these men, who I might add, have lugged your ass around for the last month and been nothing but polite to you.
“I agree. I apologize for any affront I may have caused. All of you have been more than kind to me and I shouldn’t repay your kindness by being a bitch.” The women relaxed at the table but Winter could tell they were still angry and so were the men.
“I don’t see your tattoo Bliss? May I see it?” Bliss stiffened in her seat looking at Viper.
“Show her.” Viper ordered.
Bliss reached out and pulled her top back leaving the curve of her breast bare, giving a clear view of the tattoo. It was very pretty. Winter swallowed the nausea rising in her stomach as she saw the date. It was the day she had been attacked, surrounded by a daisy chain of four flowers.
“Who gave you the last vote you needed?” Winter sat staring at the striking tattoo, with images of her attack replaying through her mind.
“I did.” Viper admitted.
Beth knew that the daisy chain had significance and it was only when the word chain came to mind a second time that the realization hit her.
Winter forced herself with an iron will to remain calm and not let anyone see the hurt screaming through her body. She fought herself to stay seated and finish her beer. Those at the table wanted to leave but it was like a train wreck everyone was waiting to happen. Winter wasn’t going to let them see how devastated she was but she couldn’t leave, letting Viper get away with his games.
“Now I understand why you said what you did to Bliss today, Rider.” Everyone looked at the two members who sat in confusion, not understanding yet what she was referring to, but Winter was about to remind them. “I heard you tell Bliss that you guys could get back to normal after I leave like Viper told you. If that is any example,” she pointed to Bliss’ tattoo. “I bet you can hardly wait until I am gone. Viper told you two weeks; I am not going to cramp your style. I am leaving tonight, my bags are packed and my ride should be here any minute. I would like to thank each of you for your help this last month.” Winter said proudly.
Turning to Viper, who stared at her impassively, except for the burning fury in his eyes.
“You put yourself out for nothing. They said that you were still playing me, hoping Vincent would tell me something about the baby. You were way off base. Sorry, I couldn’t have been more help. But at least this time you didn’t have to waste two years of your life.”
“I see that Rider and Bliss were a fountain of information for you.” Both of them sat still as statues. Bliss had fear on her face.
“They didn’t know I was even there. I was in the hallway and they were in the hot tub.”
“But they were discussing my business?”
Winter shut up. She hadn’t wanted to get Bliss in trouble. She didn’t know Rider well but he had always been helpful and kind to her. She was beginning to regret her plan, especially now that she was afraid she had gotten Bliss in trouble. She had made friends with the woman and she hadn’t wanted to hurt Winter. Bliss had covered herself for the last month, something she was proud of, just to spare her feelings.
“Bliss and Rider didn’t do anything wrong, I was the one eavesdropping.”
Viper ignored her defense of the members. “So who did you call to come get you this time?” He huffed.
“The Sheriff.” Winter knew she had made a terrible mistake when Viper motioned to Shade, who immediately stood, pulling his phone out of his pocket before going indoors.
“He will still come.” Winter said bravely. This had gone so wrong. She was supposed to have made everyone angry enough to throw her out.
“Will he?” Viper mocked her.
“It doesn’t matter, I’ll just call someone else. I can take care of myself, I don’t need to stay here anymore.”
“So you feel fully recovered?” Why did she feel like it was a trick question? Winter thought frantically.
Definitely not liking the look in his eyes, Winter clutched her cane and began walking backwards away from Viper. She didn’t know where she was going. She just knew Viper was in front of her and Shade was inside the house. The only option left was to put a little space between them until Viper calmed down. He was furious with her. That night in the Pink slipper, he didn’t lose his temper fighting with the other motorcycle club members ganging up on him. Viper had handled them with calm control. Winter wished she could see a little of that control now.
“I see.” Beth took another sip of her beer, aware of the conversation at the table.
“Does everyone have the same date?” Winter wanted to know why Bliss was hiding her tattoo from her and she was determined to find out before she left.
“No.” Evie spoke cautiously now beginning to suspect the trap that was waiting.
Viper stiffened in surprise at the turn of the conservation. He turned to look at Winter and saw the intention in her expression.
“What determines the date that goes on the tattoo?”
“It’s the date we become a member of The Last Riders.” Evie explained slowly.
“I see. How do the women become members?” Winter asked knowing instinctively that the information was going to hurt.
Evie looked around the table, willing someone to jump in and take over the conservation. Thankfully Viper did, with a grim look.
“Ask what you want to know, Winter.”
“I just did. What’s the big secret?”
“No secret, it’s just club business. Only the members or potential members need to know, but I will tell you. The women become members by fucking or causing six of the eight members to have an orgasm.”
Winter’s hands tightened on the beer bottle, disgusted that she could ever care about the man staring coldly back at her.
“Well, doesn’t that make it nice for the male members. How do they become members? By fucking a certain number of women? What is it, a hundred?” She said snidely.
“No, the recruit that wants to become a member and join us must pick four of the original members.”
“Male members to fuck?” Winter asked in surprise. The angry glares from the men around the table answered her question.
“No, they pick four of the eight members to beat the hell out of them, then if they fight well and aren’t hurt too bad, they become members.”
Winter didn’t know which was worse. The ones she was pretty sure were the original members, she wouldn’t want to take on, one on one, much less four of them.
“You guy’s have a thing for numbers, don’t you?” Winter said sarcastically.
“We have to know that a man we are making our brother can handle himself and have our back. Going on beer runs and dumb shit like that won’t be of any help to us when another club wants our cut.”
Winter could kind of see his point of view on that scenario.
“Well your club has worked out all the details. So the women get the tattoo after she fucks her sixth original member?” Winter still didn’t understand what Bliss’s tattoo had to do with her.
“Basically, yes.” Viper’s firm voice held no apology.
“I can see by the women’s tattoo’s they are very proud of their accomplishment.” The women at the table stiffened. Evie was the first to speak.
“We don’t deserve that attitude. You might think that is a large number of men to sleep with but we happen to think we are very selective. I have girlfriends who aren’t in The Last Rider’s that go out to party every weekend, that fuck a couple of different guys a month, knowing shit about them. I know everything about these men, who I might add, have lugged your ass around for the last month and been nothing but polite to you.
“I agree. I apologize for any affront I may have caused. All of you have been more than kind to me and I shouldn’t repay your kindness by being a bitch.” The women relaxed at the table but Winter could tell they were still angry and so were the men.
“I don’t see your tattoo Bliss? May I see it?” Bliss stiffened in her seat looking at Viper.
“Show her.” Viper ordered.
Bliss reached out and pulled her top back leaving the curve of her breast bare, giving a clear view of the tattoo. It was very pretty. Winter swallowed the nausea rising in her stomach as she saw the date. It was the day she had been attacked, surrounded by a daisy chain of four flowers.
“Who gave you the last vote you needed?” Winter sat staring at the striking tattoo, with images of her attack replaying through her mind.
“I did.” Viper admitted.
Beth knew that the daisy chain had significance and it was only when the word chain came to mind a second time that the realization hit her.
Winter forced herself with an iron will to remain calm and not let anyone see the hurt screaming through her body. She fought herself to stay seated and finish her beer. Those at the table wanted to leave but it was like a train wreck everyone was waiting to happen. Winter wasn’t going to let them see how devastated she was but she couldn’t leave, letting Viper get away with his games.
“Now I understand why you said what you did to Bliss today, Rider.” Everyone looked at the two members who sat in confusion, not understanding yet what she was referring to, but Winter was about to remind them. “I heard you tell Bliss that you guys could get back to normal after I leave like Viper told you. If that is any example,” she pointed to Bliss’ tattoo. “I bet you can hardly wait until I am gone. Viper told you two weeks; I am not going to cramp your style. I am leaving tonight, my bags are packed and my ride should be here any minute. I would like to thank each of you for your help this last month.” Winter said proudly.
Turning to Viper, who stared at her impassively, except for the burning fury in his eyes.
“You put yourself out for nothing. They said that you were still playing me, hoping Vincent would tell me something about the baby. You were way off base. Sorry, I couldn’t have been more help. But at least this time you didn’t have to waste two years of your life.”
“I see that Rider and Bliss were a fountain of information for you.” Both of them sat still as statues. Bliss had fear on her face.
“They didn’t know I was even there. I was in the hallway and they were in the hot tub.”
“But they were discussing my business?”
Winter shut up. She hadn’t wanted to get Bliss in trouble. She didn’t know Rider well but he had always been helpful and kind to her. She was beginning to regret her plan, especially now that she was afraid she had gotten Bliss in trouble. She had made friends with the woman and she hadn’t wanted to hurt Winter. Bliss had covered herself for the last month, something she was proud of, just to spare her feelings.
“Bliss and Rider didn’t do anything wrong, I was the one eavesdropping.”
Viper ignored her defense of the members. “So who did you call to come get you this time?” He huffed.
“The Sheriff.” Winter knew she had made a terrible mistake when Viper motioned to Shade, who immediately stood, pulling his phone out of his pocket before going indoors.
“He will still come.” Winter said bravely. This had gone so wrong. She was supposed to have made everyone angry enough to throw her out.
“Will he?” Viper mocked her.
“It doesn’t matter, I’ll just call someone else. I can take care of myself, I don’t need to stay here anymore.”
“So you feel fully recovered?” Why did she feel like it was a trick question? Winter thought frantically.
Definitely not liking the look in his eyes, Winter clutched her cane and began walking backwards away from Viper. She didn’t know where she was going. She just knew Viper was in front of her and Shade was inside the house. The only option left was to put a little space between them until Viper calmed down. He was furious with her. That night in the Pink slipper, he didn’t lose his temper fighting with the other motorcycle club members ganging up on him. Viper had handled them with calm control. Winter wished she could see a little of that control now.
