Page 26 of Reconciling the Consequences

“Morning.” She smiled easily.

“I heard you got in trouble with the doctor? Ordered to bed rest?” He raised an eyebrow at her; his chocolate orbs were warm with mischief as he questioned her.

Kara rolled her eyes. “Yeah.” She sighed.

Kevin set the tray on the bedside table and leveled her with a serious look. “Are you OK?”

She shrugged and looked down at her lap, where she toyed with the edge of the blanket. “Not really,” she answered honestly. “I’ve been alone too long, and every time I let you guys in, something happens. I think we need to have a conversation about club business and what we tell each other.”

Kevin nodded slowly and took a seat next to her on the bed. “In this life, the only way most relationships survive the long haul is with total disclosure.” He shrugged a shoulder. “I know it’s not something you wanted before…” he trailed off.

“I think things have moved past that at this point.” Kara sighed, looking up at him.

Kevin nodded as the shower shut off. He took her hand in his.

“I don’t like not knowing where you are, if you’re safe, if you’re hurt. I do better with the facts,” she admitted.

The bathroom door opened a moment later, and Johnny walked out with a towel wrapped around his waist.

“We can do that.” Kevin nodded, squeezing her hand.

Kara squeezed his hand and looked over Johnny’s wet chest and licked her lips.

“What are we doing?” Johnny asked, a wicked grin on his face.

“Me,” Kara responded immediately.

Johnny waggled his eyebrows. “Sounds perfect.” He smirked.

Kevin rolled his eyes. “As much as I would love that, baby, you need to eat and take your pain pills. Lots of ice packs and resting today: tomorrow’s a big day.”

Johnny nodded and sighed. “He’s right, baby. You need to rest.”

“I’ve done nothing but lay in bed resting for the last day and a half. Can I at least go sit on the couch?” she grumbled. “And what’s going on tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow is the funeral for Rachet,” Johnny said. “You need to rest today. You’ll be on your feet a lot tomorrow. As my old lady,ourold lady,” he corrected and nodded at Kevin, “you’ll be expected to be there, even injured.”

Kevin frowned at Johnny. “They can’t expect her to ride like this.” He motioned to her leg and wrist.

Johnny shook his head. “Not ride, no. You’ll ride in the van with Marlie and Rachel, they’re Bandit’s and Welder’s old ladies. They’re both pregnant. You’ll probably be spending a lot of time with them tomorrow, learning the ropes of this life,” Johnny explained.

She watched him warily. “What exactly does it mean to be an old lady?” she asked him.

He smirked at her and bent over in her face. “It means you’re mine.”

“Ours,” Derrick said from the doorway of the bedroom. She hadn’t heard him come up.

“To the club it means you’re off-limits. You are our woman,” Johnny continued, looking smug.

Kevin rolled his eyes. “It’s just a title for girlfriends and wives. It means you’re serious to us and not some fucking courtesan,” he elaborated.

“So not just another whore?” she questioned, looking up into Johnny’s blue eyes.

“Never.” He growled, his hand cupping her jaw softly.

“Never.” Kevin and Derrick agreed.

She nodded slowly, as much as she could with her face in Johnny’s hand. “So, the four of us are doing this for real then?”

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