Page 78 of Outlaws' Dirty Secret

I'd asked if there were any special vows or lines I needed to learn or anything like that, but apparently Hellfire will lead, and all I have to do is vow my life to my men. We had a long talk about what it means to become their property, about how it doesn’t make me a member, but gives me a more official place in their world. I can’t speak for every motorcycle club, but it’s something I’m willing to do for them and for the Outlaw Sons, and I suppose that’s what the point of making the promise is.

The church is packed with all the Outlaw Sons who could make it. Paige and Jess have taken up space with their men. Bonnie and Anne, who I'm just getting to know when she's here, are towards the back, all dressed up. Grace, of course, who's standing near me, is looking at the crowd like a deer caught in headlights. It's a good thing there isn't an actual maid of honor part of pledging to each other, because I don't think she'd be able to anyway. I nod my head in Terry's direction, and she skitters his way until he's got his arm around her waist. At least he looks more curious than shocked. Blaze and Ocean made it, standing in the back in outfits that will definitely get them laid afterwards. With the help they’ve given me, I insisted, even if these events are usually only for the club.

When someone's still talking in the back, Hellfire clears his throat again. They fall silent.

“This is getting to be fucking routine,” he starts. “But it’s always a celebration. I don't know what's in the fucking water lately, but—once again—a pretty young lady has somehow caught the eye of three of you bastards, and no one's killed anyone else. In fact, somehow it's fucking working, and now I have to pretend likethis shit is normal while you all claim the same old lady, and she lays claim to you.”

There's some loose laughter in the crowd. Meanwhile, Grace and Terry's eyes are just getting bigger.

“There's still time to run,” Hellfire says directly to me, his dark eyes looking almost surprised that I haven't.

I shake my head with a little smile, and he nods.

“Fair enough. Brothers!” The way his voice snaps, Blackout, Dragon and Skyhigh straighten immediately. My men are fiercely independent, but Hellfire is their president. “You've caught the eye of a lovely woman, beautiful and smart—a fucking author even. Any of you fuckers ever even read a book? I expect you will now. It'll be good for you.” He pauses for a breath and to let it sink in. “That said, you fuckers are some of the most solid men I've ever had on my team. And no one here will ever forget how you defused an actual bomb right in front of the clubhouse. So while you should still do some reading, you're fucking heroes. All three of you, and I'm proud to have you in my club. That means you're gonna treat Willow like the heroes you are, and not ruin my impression of you as honorable men who'll risk everything for those you love, whether it's Willow, or the club and your brothers in it. I'm keeping an open door, and if anyone comes to me to tell me you're doing anything to disrespect the woman who's chosen you three to be her old men, we're gonna have words. Got it?”

All three nod. “Clear, sir.”

“Don't fucking call me sir. I hate it.”

“No, sir,” Skyhigh says, his lips quirking for just a moment before he finds his poker face.

“Jesus fucking Christ,” Hellfire mumbles. “Willow!”

“Yes, sir!” I straighten before I realize what I said. “Sorry.”

“The life of an old lady ain't easy. These men chose a dangerous life, and you chose them. It's not a life for everyone, as any old lady in here can tell you. Faith and Jessica on one side of it, Bonnie on the other. My boys are lucky that you've chosen them to be yours, but it's important that you know what you're coming to. I know that as soon as this ceremony's done, I probably won't see you folks until tomorrow at the earliest, but this life's no bed of roses. Shit happens, and I know you've already seen that.”

I nod, not sure if I'm supposed to say something.

Ghost comes carrying a black bundle that he hands to Hellfire, who then passes it over to Dragon. Dragon lets it unfold and holds it up. A leather biker jacket. Way too small for him, for sure. And then he turns it around, and I get a big lump in my throat.

In the middle of the back is the Outlaw Sons MC logo, the skull with the pistons crossed behind it. The top rocker, curved around the logo, says, “Property of,” and the bottom rocker, curved around the bottom, says, “Skyhigh, Dragon and Blackout.”

“By wearing this, Willow, you represent the Outlaw Sons MC, and you represent your men. You're expected to give both them and the club your full loyalty, always. By claiming you as their old lady, they'll be responsible for you as long as you bear their patches. Understand?”

I nod eagerly. The longer I spend with them, the harder it is to imagine a life without them. And the club is as much a part of them as they are of it. “I do.”

“Boys, claiming an old lady is fun, it's exciting, and it's a lot of fucking responsibility, and I need you to understand this. You protect her, respect her and fucking love her. If I hear even a rumor that this isn't the case, we're gonna have some serious words. And you're not gonna like it. She loves you, and you're gonna honor that. Let me hear you say it.”

“Yes, sir,” all three of them say.

“Fuck you, you and you,” Hellfire says to each of them in a row, pointing a finger just in case there was any doubt. “Now get the hell out of here before I change my mind.”

Yep, Paige and Jess were right. I barely get time to put my beautiful new club jacket on before I’m whisked off to start our new life together.

By getting railed.

42

WILLOW

While I waitfor the coffee machine to finish pouring my mug, I check my mail on the phone. And to think I used to hate the pressure it put on me. But now?

I don't know what kind of magic you discovered lately, Willow, but I hope there's a lot more where that came from. I know it's going to be good when it's difficult to edit because I keep getting caught up in the story, and you've managed to make this jaded editor go back and reread so many times because I was pulled along and forgot to do my job. If you don't have any more comments to my last suggestions, I'm going to send it to proofreading next week. I think this one's going to fly off the shelves once the reviews are out, and I think it's time we start talking about your next book. Thank you for the great read! — Colleen

And I already have ideas for the next one. Just shows what the right inspiration will do. Who'd have thought becoming an old lady would lead to a successful publishing career?

The coffee machine finishes, so I slide the phone into my back pocket, grab the mug and make my way to the back steps, whereGrace, Paige and Jessica are waiting for me. Bonnie was going to come, but her house down the street is done, and she's roped half the club into helping her and Anne move in. It leaves us old ladies, and my oldest friend to enjoy the blooming back yard the guys have helped me finish. It's the first year, but I've gotten my first tomatoes out of it, and by having harvested something, I’ve fulfilled my promise to myself, even if half got eaten by slugs. Just like a lot of things, I couldn't have done it without the guys.

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