Page 7 of Babe's Bounty

She shrugs. “I don’t know, maybe.”

CHAPTER FOUR: MIN

I’m uncertain why I feel protective of Humphrey. He was stupid. However, I felt sorry for the little girl. She deserves better. I can’t help think that he could be better for her if only he straightens out his life. I guess seeing him display her photo even while on the run says his thoughts are on her. That she’s important to him, not someone he wants to forget or ignore.

“Before we get to Chicago, I have to warn you about what to expect,” Babe says, drawing my attention back to him.

“What do you mean?”

“The Chicago Chapter isn’t like the San Diego Chapter. The President, Chrome, is not like Dante. He’s old school, more like Dale than Dante.”

“Dale, as in Dante’s father?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, so what are trying to say? Is the Chicago club involved in human trafficking like Dale was?”

“You know about that?” Babe asks, his eyes widening.

“I was at Dante’s wedding, remember? I also spent time with Maia. She told me what happened to her.”

“Chrome and his club aren’t involved in human trafficking. They never were. Dante and Chaos checked.”

“So, what do you have to warn me about?”

“Like I said, they’re old school. Old school regarding women and their place.”

When I raise an eyebrow at him, he rushes on. “You know how the Old Ladies hang out in the clubhouse? None of the Old Ladies in Chicago do. The only women who hang around the clubhouse are Kutte Bunnies. Their Kutte Bunnies aren’t like ours either.”

“Just spit it out, Babe. Are you saying they have sex out in the open?”

“Yeah.”

“Just the single guys or the married ones, too?”

“None of the guys are married, but yeah, some have Old Ladies. They have sex with the Kutte Bunnies, too. Like I said, they’re old school.”

“I’m going to stay in a hotel,” I tell him.

“You can’t. They already offered a room for us.”

“One room?”

“Yeah, well, I think it’s better if we stay in the same room. I can’t protect you if you’re in a different room.”

“Protect me from what?”

“The Chicago clubhouse is a popular hangout for several clubs. If the guys get drunk, they may decide you’re fair game.”

“Then they’ll lose members.”

“Yeah, that’s the thing. Chrome and his men won’t take kindly to you beating up their guys. No disrespecting the members or other members of other clubs.”

“But they can disrespect me?” I’m trying to maintain my temper, but I’m close to unloading on Babe even though this isn’t his doing. “Then it’s better for everyone if I stay in a hotel. I’m not putting up with that shit, Babe. If any of those guys touches me without my consent, I’ll take them down.”

“Yeah, that’s what I was afraid you’d say. Look, can we compromise here?”

I narrow my eyes without responding. I’m waiting to see what he comes up with first.

---