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“I don’t know your situation, but I get the feeling wherever you came from wasn’t great.”
I roll my eyes, unsurprised when he laughs.
“The Iron Thorns are good people. You don’t have to worry about us.”
This time I scoff. “You’re a club that commits crimes just like the rest of them.”
His expression darkens momentarily, and then he prattles on about what sets his club apart. They don’t run drugs. They don’t hurt women. They actually fight that sort of stuff.
“We have legitimate businesses, too.”
I quietly take it all in, wondering if I could use any of it against the club. But then I remember the cops are probably in their pocket, just like back in Death Springs.
“Judge must see something special in you,” he tells me.
I don’t react, even though his words bring me a little pleasure.
“He’s never acted this way over a woman.” He must really be trying to connect with me, because he keeps going. “There’s a party tonight. One of our members got out on parole.”
At that, I meet his gaze, and he grins. He must read the curiosity in my expression.
“Would you like to go?”
“Do I have a choice?” I snark.
He laughs. “I see why he likes you. But, yeah, you have a choice.”
Hours later, I’m dressed in a red number that a girl named Cherry brought me. I hear the music before we reach the top of the stairs.
Tank escorts me to the party, and the second I arrive, I make a beeline for Cherry.
Her eyes brighten when she sees me. She’s nothing like Misty. She’s quiet and sweet, and I get the feeling she’ll have some of the answers I need.
Cherry pulls me in for a tight hug. “You look gorgeous, girl.” She pulls back to take me in. Then her eyes drift to the side, and her grin widens. “Don’t look now, but the Prez can’t take his eyes off you.”
My eyes widen, and I start to turn toward him, but Cherry stops me.
“Take my word for it.”
I can feel his gaze burning into me, but I choose to ignore it. Instead, I focus on my questions. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.” She returns to filling the chip bowls. “Anything.”
I nibble on my lower lip, then say, “Tank said a few things today that got me thinking.”
“Oh? He’s such a sweetheart. What did he say?”
“I know this is a one-percenter club, which means they live outside the law.”
She nods, her expression wary.
“I know they all go by nicknames. But I’ve heard some terminology here that’s different from what I heard at the other club.”
Cherry’s eyes sharpen. I can see the curiosity in her stare, but she doesn’t pry.
I don’t tell her that I was taken to be a bride. Instead, I gesture toward some of the girls dancing to the music. “Those patches that say property…”
Understanding lights her face. “Oh. It doesn’t mean what you think it does. It’s a sign of ownership.”
