"Claimed?"
“We belong to a brother. It's like being married in the biker culture." Kayla holds up her wrist, showing a small tattoo. "This is Fury's mark. It means I'm his. Only his. No one else touches me."
"It's more than that, Sarah interjects. “As ol’ ladies, we're also respected and protected by the club."
I process this. "And cut sluts?"
"Available to any brother who wants them," Sarah says bluntly. "No emotional attachment. No commitment. Just…sex."
The concept is so foreign I can't fully wrap my mind around it.
"Don't worry," Rowan adds quickly. "You're not considered a cut slut. You're under Zeus's protection?—”
"Under his protection?" I interrupt. "What does that mean?"
Another exchange of looks.
"It means you're safe," Sarah says finally. "No one will touch you. No one will hurt you. Zeus claimed responsibility for you, and that's…um...something."
My stomach twists. "I don't understand."
"It's a lot to take in at once, but you’ll catch on,” Kayla promises.
"Now," Rowan claps her hands together, "there's a party happening out there, and we've got stuff planned all weekend. We're hosting a visiting club, and everyone's celebrating." She looks down at my duffel. "We need to find you a room so you can dump that off and have some fun with us."
“Do we even have any rooms?" Kayla asks Rowan.
"Oh, crap," Rowan says. "We're packed in like sardines this weekend. I don’t think there are any vacant rooms in the clubhouse."
My stomach drops. "Oh. I can—I'll figure something?—"
"Put her stuff in my room," a gruff voice announces, and we all turn to see Zeus's large presence filling the doorframe. "She'll room with me."
There’s a long moment of silence.
Then the girls share looks again—they seem to do that a lot.
"Oh, for fuck's sake,” he growls, “I’m not gonna molest the girl."
That seems to allow the others to release a breath.
"It'll be the safest place for you right now," Sarah assures me quickly.
Safe. That word again. As if being in the personal space of a man who keeps mean-mugging me and looks like he could break me in half like a twig is somehow safe.
"I don't—" I start.
"It's decided," Rowan says firmly.
Kayla stands, pulling me with her. "Come on, we'll show you where it is, and then we'll get to partying."
Chapter 4
Zeus
I can't take my eyes off her.
She’s in the center of the room with Rowan, Sarah, and Kayla. They’re all smiling, laughing, and dancing. I watch as her head tips back. Strands of hair have fallen loose from her ponytail, and she’s…lovely.