Page 17 of Petty's Crime

They’d been pretty shell-shocked to find I’d ever been married, and even more so that no divorce had been made final. Roller’s reaction was hurt and anger that I’d kept something so important from him. He’d had my back so often while we’d fought beside each other, he’d thought he’d known everything about me.

When I replied I’d thought that chapter of my life was done and over, there had been some debate about whether I actually owed her anything as it was her who’d stayed out of touch. If she’d been an old lady rather than a legal wife, I’d have had nothing to tie us together and would have been free to move on.

Some, I know, think that piece of paper wasn’t enough, and that I’m stupid for turning my life around to accommodate her, and they could well be right. But the ring she wears tells me I’m still responsible for her, and the vows I took said I’d care for her until death.

Now I’m worried as to what they’ll make of the woman I’m giving up so much for. They might hold their tongues in front of her, but their feelings will surely be communicated by creased or raised brows and eye rolls, and their thoughts will rebound on me when she’s not around.

If they thought me a fool, they couldn’t be more right.

It’s perverse, while no man wants another to be swayed by his woman’s attractions, neither does he want them to ask why they’d tied themselves tothat.On looks, I know Britney won’t disappoint, and some will think I’m a lucky motherfucker. But sometimes when she opens her mouth… I cast a sly look at her, remembering all the times I’ve cringed in the past. Yet how can I tell her to be on her best behaviour without sounding like an ass?

If she disrespects my club, it won’t be her that catches the flack.

As I drive through the gates of the compound, my eyes drift to the row of bikes, mine standing proud but forlorn. Oh how I wish I was riding it, unencumbered by the woman beside me.

I hadn’t had a motorcycle when I’d met Britney, and since I have, I’ve never had the urge to take a bitch pillion. I’m certainly not enamoured by the idea of taking her on my bike, even though her status will be viewed as my old lady. My gut roils at just the thought of her arms around me, holding me tight. But I feel lost without it and I can’t see myself being able to ride it back to the apartment unless she can drive the SUV.

But is her driver’s licence still valid?Fuck, there’s so much I need to find out.

I park the SUV, slide out, shut the door, put my cut back on, then, as I pass by it, satisfy myself by resting my hand on my bike for a second.

“Why do you do that?” She points at my cut, and adds, “Take your vest off when you’re in the car?”

She knows fuck all about bikers.I need to rectify that.“It’s a cut, not a vest. And it’s big disrespect to my colours to wear them in a cage.” Patiently, I try to explain, “I’ll be fined if I’m caught doing it.”

She rolls her eyes, and mutters under her breath, “Boys.”

I grit my teeth. This is my lifestyle, not some childish game. Again, I’m worried as to how she’ll behave with my brothers, and what standing I’ll be in if she upsets the club. I might be legally tied to Britney, but my heart’s with my MC. If it comes to a tossup, she’s not going to win it. But the time for abandoning her has passed. I should have turned her away as soon as I heard from her. I’ve made my bed, whether or not I like lying in it.

As we approach the door, I envision the interior, trying to see it through the eyes of a stranger. It’s an MC clubhouse in a converted warehouse. Nothing will disguise that. The bar takes up the whole of one wall, and there are tables, chairs, couches, pool table, games machines and everything we’d need for our entertainment. Thanks to Rosa, the ex-prez’s old lady who’s still very much a feature of our club, the prospects keep it fairly spotless. But there’s no hiding the underlying smell of beer and smoke, nor the taint of sex that lingers in the air.

Bracing myself for whatever reaction she might have, I push open the door, then stand aside to let her enter.

Fuck me,I groan inwardly. It looks like every fucker is here. I suppose they all want to see the old lady they knew nothing about. Curious buggers, the lot of them. Feeling much like I’m a teenager bringing a new girlfriend around to meet my parents, my nerves are on edge as I follow her in.

Red, Crash, Hammer and Fox are at the bar. They turn and lean their backs against it, not trying to hide their interest in any shape or form. Indian and Twister stop their game of pool. Cuff slings his arm over Rope’s shoulders and raises a challenging eyebrow. Keys, Shadow and Titch cease their conversation. Cobra is missing, but I already know he’s covering for me with RoseLyn.

It’s Roller who I focus on. His eyes are narrowed and I know he’s got a way to go to forgive me for keeping Britney a secret. Hopefully in time, he’ll realise it wasn’t deliberate, but more an effort on my part to wipe her from my life and forget her. But it’s him who approaches us first, giving Britney an assessing glance.

“So, you’re the one who owns this fucker.” His words deliberately taunt me. He stops in front of us, and without showing any of the bad feelings I know he’s holding onto, he stretches out his hand. “Welcome to Vegas. I’m Roller.”

Britney, who’d been tense by my side, relaxes and gushes, “I’m so pleased to meet you.” She surveys him, then turns her attention to the room. “It’s an amazing place you’ve got here.”

Maybe that’s going a bit far, but at least she’s not being outwardly judgmental. I let out some of the breath I’d been holding.

“I’ll get you a drink and introduce you,” I suggest, pleading to Roller with my eyes that he keeps our differences between us, and doesn’t include her.

“Yeah, it’s this way.” Needlessly, he stands back and indicates the bar that a blind man would be unlikely to miss. “So, how are you finding Vegas?”

As she steps in the right direction, he glares at me behind her back. I know what he’s doing. It’s what any brother would—checking her out but not in an acquisitive way, rather assessing the effect she’ll have on the dynamic in the club, and more importantly, between us.

“Vegas seems so much fun,” Britney answers, her voice full of enthusiasm. “I’m so glad Clark moved here.”

“Clark?” Roller snorts.

“Brit.” I pull her back and tell her quickly, “Here, I’m Petty.”

Her eyes roll and she pats my arm condescendingly. “Then buy me a drink,Petty.”

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