Page 24 of Devil's Dilemma

“Skull. I don’t know if I want to know. What if there’s something I don’t think I can accept?” I sit up, looking down at him. “What if I discover something I can’t live with? Would I lose you?”

He pushes himself up, and his hands hold my upper arms, stopping just short of giving me a shake. “Told you before, Mel. It’s you I want. You can’t take the club, then I’ll leave it. I can get another job working security or some shit like that. It’s you and me. For life.” He stares at me, intently. “Sure, I worked hard to get my patch, and I’d love to hold on to it, but now I’ve found you, I don’t want to lose you. I’ll leave if I have to. Do me a favour, Mel. Ask Vi what really goes on. Then we can make our decisions. Do it, for me, babe? Look, I’ve claimed you, okay?”

How can I refuse? The way he’s putting it, I can’t. Every word out of his mouth makes sense. If Vi, the wife of the president, can’t give me the lowdown on what goes on behind the scenes, and what really will be asked of me as an old lady, who else could?

The next afternoon I offer to bake. As normal, bikers start hovering before the muffins are even made. A tray of chocolate chip cookies disappears as soon as it comes out of the oven. When Jeannie finally has enough and chases them out, I get my chance.

“So, what’s it really like to be an old lady?”

The kitchen door opens. In walks a biker I haven’t met, and he’s got a woman with him who he introduces as Stevie. It’s immediately apparent she’s blind and is accompanied by her service dog. She seems to have been here before and knows everyone, as she addresses Violet by name. She hasn’t met me though, so I introduce myself.

“I’m Melissa. I’m with Skull.”

Beef, as it appears his name is, asks whether Skull’s at last claimed me, and Jeannie replies, putting her arm around me, yes. Which seems strange, but I don’t question it. If he has, that wasn’t what he told me, or not that it was official.Maybe he’ll tell me tonight.He might be waiting until I report back I can take whatever happens in the club.

“Melissa likes cooking,” Violet explains. “Especially baking. Get ready to put on some weight when you taste her muffins.”

Max, the newcomer’s dog is introduced. He’s a big Labrador retriever who I fall in love with on sight, though he seems to be injured. Within a few moments there’s an altercation between Bitch—the huge cat who’s put in an appearance to put the canine interloper in his place—and Max. The dog gets a scratch on his nose, and cuddles from Jeannie.

When Beef is satisfied the dog is okay, he leaves Stevie with us, telling her he’s got to talk to the prez.

“So, Melissa. You wanted to know more about the club.” I notice that the blind woman cocks her head toward us as though to hear better. I take it she’s new to all this too.

For the next hour or so, the women let me in on the workings of the Satan’s Devils, and the dreaded term, club business. I come away with the view that yes, the club may very well get involved in some shady stuff, but only occasionally, and only when one of theirs is at risk. Old ladies are never involved, and actively kept away and, or, protected. Such as the protection they’re extending to Stevie right now. Far and away from worrying me, it makes me look more favourably on the club. Who wouldn’t want to align their stars with a group of men who’d do everything they can to keep you safe?

“Max is adorable,” I tell Skull, later that night.

“Did you find anything out?” he asks, tersely.

“That I think the club is amazing. The way they’re rallying around Stevie.” Of course, I don’t know what’s going on, but surmised from all the activity that something was. And that it revolved around her.

“Keep your ear to the ground.”

A strange request from my lover. But I agree.

Soon after I make the decision I’m all in with the club, Stevie goes missing. Beef is distraught, but it appears her handler has taken her somewhere safe, or that’s all us women can surmise. Max, the dog, has been left behind.

It’s a worrying time, but, life, as it does, goes on. I find myself involved more and more in the activities of the old ladies. I’m dragged into cooking when a barbeque is arranged to celebrate the rough ground out back having been transformed into a beautiful yard. I’m even persuaded to drag out a lounger and relax along with Violet and Jay on the newly laid lawn. I don a two piece, well, Vi was very persuasive and, compared to the sweet butts, I’m overdressed. The light in Skull’s eyes is worth it, as well as the reward he gives me that night.

Sheepishly Skull has admitted he had indeed officially claimed me. As I’d already felt like I was his, and he mine, it had made no difference to me.

Stevie, no, Steph now, returns permanently to the clubhouse, after she’s testified against the bad guys and is accepted into our old lady clan.

I happily cook for the celebration when Beef’s made VP.

It’s an enjoyable afternoon and evening. As I watch Theo stumble around, the men and women all keeping an eye on him, then watching everyone having fun and laughing, I find it hard to remember how I ever felt satisfied spending every weekend alone.

“Do you think Beef will make a good VP?” I ask Skull later that night when we return to our room.

“Of course. He’ll be good. Now come here and love on your man.”

Skull’s slightly tipsy, the bikers had partied hard to celebrate Beef’s permanent transfer to the club. He’s slightly clumsy when he rips off my dress, but I giggle, liking the feel of my man.

He might be drunk, but he still makes me come before taking his pleasure himself.

When he’s finished, he pulls out. And roars, “Motherfucker! Not a fuckin’ gain.”

No condom. Again.

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