Page 86 of Tico

I grip both her hips as I pull her closer. “Yeah, Vicious. I didn’t show you before since we were on lockdown and needed to stay in the clubhouse. It’s the white one with black shutters on clubhouse grounds. It was my parent’s but after he passed away,Mamá(Mom) wanted to get a house in the country between Sheboygan Falls and Kiel so she wouldn’t have a long drive to visit either of us. She sold the house to me when she moved, though I still keep a room for her there for when she visits. Besides me, Taco’s so far the only other one that has a house, but there’s room for others to build if they eventually want to.”

Ember opens and closes her mouth a few times and then she leans into me, kissing me. Pulling back, I tap her hip, wanting to get her out of this depressing trailer.

“Come on, Vicious, let’s head to Forest Creek.”

Four and a half hours later, we pull into the Steel Archangels gate in front of the caravan transporting the women, children, and some of Weber’s team. The Prospect sees us and pulls out his phone, notifying Thor that we’ve arrived. We had planned to go straight to the shelter just a bit further down the street, but Mae and Mary, the founders of the shelter, thought a more intimate setting might be better. Plus, it would slowly introduce the women and children to the club members. After supper, they’ll head over to the shelter which, conveniently, is on land the club also owns.

The gate opens and the Prospect waves us in. I park off to the side and help Ember off. The clubhouse door opens and Levi, Thor, Dragon, Mae and Mary step out to greet us. As the others start getting out of the vans, I step forward, shaking hands with Thor.

“Thank you for helping us out, Thor. With you guys already knowing about Oasis, I was hoping your guys’ shelter would have room for everyone.” I turn, pulling Ember close to me. “Ember, this is Thor, the President of the Steel Archangels. Forest Creek is the mother chapter of the club.”

Ember shakes his hand and I gesture towards Levi.

“This is Levi, Thor’s Ol’ Lady and the second Enforcer for the club. She’s also Dragon’s Ol’ Lady, the club’s Lead Enforcer. Mae and Mary, Timber and Patch’s Ol’ Ladies respectively, are the founders of the shelter. Everyone, this is Ember, my Ol’ Lady.”

Levi shakes her hand, winking at her. “Welcome to the Old Lady’s club, Ember.”

Mae and Mary step forward towards the women and children. While I’d seen this happen before when we helped rescue a group of women a few years ago, somehow, these two women have a way of putting people instantly at ease. Tension visibly starts to bleed out of the women and children as they approach.

“Welcome everyone,” Mae starts off. “I’d like to start with telling you all that you are in a safe place. No one will ever hurt you here, but I know that can sometimes take a while to believe after you’ve been through a lengthy traumatic period, and that’s okay.”

Mary gestures towards the clubhouse and the backyard where fire pits are already lit up. “We thought maybe a smaller, more intimate gathering tonight would help you get to know us better and might help you feel more comfortable. While the men in the club will be around tonight, it is mainly just so that we can do introductions and so that you can start to learn their faces as they do trade off with helping with security at the shelter. After introductions, they’ll step back and mainly be in the background. We have several women and children here in the clubhouse. Some are Old Ladies; others are sisters of club members; some came to the club for protection and work here; and others are club bunnies, but I would like to clarify that last one. They are willing club bunnies. They are treated with respect and nothing like what you saw with the Chrome Vipers.”

Mae nods but then sobers. “Now as with everything, there’s always a chance that something could happen. If it does, don’thesitate to find one of us and let us know immediately. We’ll take care of it to make sure that you’re always safe.”

“I know Tico’s medic looked you all over before you left, but if something comes up tonight, my Old Man, Patch can help you. He is an ER nurse and works part time at the shelter. We do have a doctor on call 24/7 at the shelter as well.”

Ember squeezes my hand and steps forward. “I’d also like to add that if any of you get overwhelmed tonight and don’t feel confident yet to talk to someone new, come to me and I’ll make sure you’re taken care of.” She pauses as she gestures to me, Daemon, Taco, and Ricky. “We’re staying here at the clubhouse for a couple of days so that you have some familiar faces around while you settle in. So, if you need me, day or night, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll also leave my number with the club and with the shelter, so you’ll be able to get ahold of me after we head back home.”

Levi steps forward, resting a hand on Ember’s shoulder. “That goes for me too, even though I’m a new face. Regardless of the time of day, if you need help, please reach out to us. We want you to feel safe here. We want you to be comfortable.” She pauses as she looks at each of them and then smiles. “Now, how about we go in and get you guys some food? You all must be hungry after everything you’ve been through, and not just from today.”

Chapter 40

Ember

Isitatatable sipping a beer I probably shouldn’t have because of my injuries but after the last few days, I fucking need a beer.

Someone pulls out a chair next to me, and I look over to see Levi sitting down. She’s twirling a pen in her fingers, a trait I’ve noticed about her and while I want to ask about it, I won’t.

“They held up better than I thought they would,” she says quietly and I nod as we both watch the group of women andkids leave for the night with Mae, Mary, and a few of the Steel Archangels members as they head over to the shelter.

“I was worried a few of them would want to bail right away because I know what they’ve been through. But I think it helps that all of the guys here have been extremely respectful and are going out of their way to make them as comfortable as possible,” I reply.

I look around their clubhouse grounds, wondering if this is what our clubhouse will end up looking like someday. There are probably a dozen houses not too far away. There’s a pool, a massive grilling area, several tables scattered around, and there are quite a few firepits as well. There’s even a playground where Levi is watching her twin toddlers playing along with the other children.

“You guys have a pretty nice setup here,” I tell her and she hums as she looks around.

“It started off with just a few houses, the firepits, and a smaller grill area, but as the club grew, more and more of us ended up building houses and expanding things. Because of an attack years ago before I came here, the club requires everyone to live either in the clubhouse or in a house on clubhouse property. It’s easier to protect everyone if we’re in one place.”

I frown as I look back over at the rows of houses. “What about if another attack happens though? Won’t those in the houses be cut off from everyone else?”

Levi shakes her head. “No. When we expanded shortly after I came here, we built underground tunnels under each house that led to a central safe room underground and from there we can also get to the clubhouse. We got the idea from another Old Lady in our Junction Creek chapter, Lark. She’s with my brother, Reaper, the President of that chapter.” She pauses as the corner of her lips twitch. “And by brother, I mean found family. I have no biological siblings, but my found family is huge.”

I nod, deciding to mention that idea to Tico for our clubhouse.

“I get that. I only have a younger sister, Pyper, but we both consider Daemon our brother and his aunt and uncle, our aunt and uncle.”

Someone calls her name and she holds up a hand before leaning in close. “Tomorrow, come see me after breakfast. There are a few little care packages that I want to send back with you.”