“We’re here,sweetheart.”
Hand in hand, Bear walked with me into the bar where two kind-faced women and five men in cuts were sitting onbarstools.
Bear beamed as he introduced me to everyone. “Scarlett, this is Crickett, Raine, Ryder, Holt, Red, Jesse, andTrent.”
As each one’s name was said, they nodded or raised theirhand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all. Bear said some of you might have known mydaddy.”
Bear cleared his throat. “Ladies and gents, we are in the presence of MC royalty at its finest. Scarlett is Gunner’sdaughter.”
Red nearly choked on the wad he was chewing on. “Did I just hear that correctly? Your last name is reallyMorgan?”
“Yes sir—well, my maiden name isanyway.”
The older of the two women, who had been introduced as Crickett, grabbed my hand, pulling me away from Bear. “Honey, take a seat. You look like you need to relax a bit. You’ve been through hell, haven’tyou?”
Bear kissed my cheek. “Crickett and Raine will take good care of you while I fill these guys in on what is happening down south. I won’t be long, and I’ll just be on the other side of that door.” He pointed to a closed wooden door that saidEmployees Onlyin big blocklettering.
Raine took the seat next to me. She had the most adorable little pregnant belly. Crickett made her way behind the other side of the bar and asked, “Want a beer or something,sweetheart?”
“Mom, you know I can’t drink in my condition.” Raine giggled as she rubbed her babybump.
Crickett threw a coaster at her. “Scarlett, what’ll itbe?”
“Just a waterplease.”
She poured three glasses of ice water and two shots of bourbon. “Trust me, after the day you’ve probably had, you need at least one of these. I sure as hell know I’m going to need at least one to hear thestory.”
Raine put her hand on my shoulder. “You don’t have to tell us anything if you don’t want to. Those men will keep their lips sealed. Ryder doesn’t tell me a damn thing that has to do with other members’ oldladies.”
“Bear said I was his old lady?” I grabbed the shot, throwing it backquickly.
Crickett followed my lead before asking, “Are younot?”
I fiddled with the straw in my water cup. “I don’t really know if I can be. I’m still married to a man that tried to killme.”
In unison, both Raine and Crickett gasped, and before I knew what was happening, I was telling them the entire story, even describing the fireball of clothing I dumped out the apartmentwindow.
“You really said her cunt was a gaping hallway?” Raine’s jaw was still on thefloor.
I shrugged. “Something likethat.”
Crickett poured us two more shots. She clanked her glass to mine. “Good for you, sweetie! More women need to stand up for themselves like youdid.”
* * *
Bearand I spent the next few days pretending like we were on some sort of vacation. Raine and I even went shopping for all new clothes and makeup. It was nice to pretend like nothing was wrong for awhile.
Crickett let us stay with her, and we had family dinner every night. It was nice to be part of a real familyagain.
Sunday night rolled around and I realized it my brother’s usual call time. “Bear, can I borrow your cell?” I asked as I lay wrapped in his arms on Crickett’s couch. She had just left to do the closing paperwork for thebar.
“Of course, darlin’.” He handed it tome.
I stared down at the screen. “I’m going to call Iraq. That’s okay,right?”
He kissed my cheek. “Call Mars for all Icare.”