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As she ripped open a box, the woman came around to the main area. “Is this your first biker party?”

Carrie shifted uncomfortably. No, but did she want to admit that to a stranger? Obviously, this lady had been around these men for a long time if she was trusted in their space like this, but Carrie wasn’t getting safe vibes from her.

“Vanessa,” Bushie called. “Give her a break.”

Vanessa, the woman who seemed to think she was in charge, glared at him before turning her ire onto Carrie. Her gaze swept her up and down. “Who are you, anyway?”

Carrie wasn’t an idiot. She understood there was a pecking order among the women who hung around the Royal Bastards. Kid had insinuated that by being his old lady, Carrie would be of some sort of high rank. She’d watched enough Sons of Anarchy to get that there were girls who fucked the bikers and ones who were their girlfriends. Only three ladies bustled about to get the clubhouse ready.

Kelsey—an old lady.

Carrie—an old lady.

So that meant Vanessa had to be an old lady. However, that didn’t necessarily mean she could be trusted.

“What’s the problem?” Kelsey demanded as she came out of the kitchen area before Carrie could answer. Vanessa swiveled around and narrowed her eyes.

Relief whooshed over Carrie, though guilt replaced it. As the old lady to the president of this chapter of the Royal Bastards, Kelsey was essentially queen. There had never been a role that fit her more than this one. Carrie shouldn’t be so thrilled to have Vanessa’s ire shift from her to her best friend, but in this battle, Kelsey would win handily. Carrie wasn’t so sure she was up for that yet.

Kelsey’s gaze flicked between Vanessa and Carrie as she approached them. Immediately, she took her position beside Carrie.

Vanessa rolled her eyes. “Great. Two bitches who think they know shit.”

Kelsey’s eyes widened. “Excuse me?”

“Listen.” Vanessa waved a hand between the two of them. “I’m sure you believe you’re all badass and important because you’re on the back of Kevlar’s bike, but let me set you straight. I run this house. They control the club, the business, and bikes, but me? I’m in charge of this building.”

“For now,” Kelsey challenged.

“For always,” Vanessa asserted. “I’ve known those boys since they were in diapers.”

Somehow, Carrie found herself watching a power struggle. Two old ladies entered the ring. Only one could leave. Well, not really, but either way. What was completely clear was these two were jockeying for position. Would it be the president’s old lady or this bitch who ran the show?

Carrie’s money was on Kelsey. She might be new to hanging out with bikers, but she could hold her own. What she didn’t know, she could figure out. Vanessa would be wise to sit her ass down and act as a guide rather than the head bitch in charge.

“Then why don’t you have one of these?” Kelsey asked as she patted the jean vest Kevlar had given her. On the front lapel it read “Kitten.” The back had a large patch that said “Property of Kevlar.” This was her don’t-fuck-with-me attire she donned whenever she went out with Kevlar.

It worked.

Carrie turned her attention to Vanessa and noted the woman wasn’t rocking a similar piece of clothing. Had she worn one, it would’ve gone splendidly with the black plastic bustier she sported to shove her fake tits up to her chin. If she possessed such an important piece of clothing, where was it?

Vanessa scoffed. “Been there. Done that. I don’t need it to know my place.”

“Do you?” Bushie countered from behind them.

Vanessa whirled around to stare as Kelsey and Carrie focused on him. Had they all forgotten he was there?

“Fuck off, prospect. This has nothing to do with you,” Vanessa snapped.

As Carrie and Kelsey snickered, Vanessa turned to glare at them too. Her right eye twitched, and her hands balled into fists.

Was she about to fight them?

“Alright, ten minutes to party time!” Kevlar announced as he entered the room with the rest of the men behind him. “Tonight we celebrate not only the opening of our clubhouse, but we welcome our newest brother in Royal Bastards fashion!” Kevlar looped his arm around Lionel and dragged him in for a side hug. “Allow me to introduce Pooter!”

Carrie couldn’t help but smile as she saw Kid standing beside Kevlar, scanning the room. When their eyes met, he grinned widely and started toward her.

“One last thing before we open the doors,” Kid hollered. As he got closer, Carrie noticed he kept his hands behind his back like he hid something. “My old lady looks cold.”