Page 33 of Reconciling the Consequences

Marlie laughed from behind her. “You already got this HBC shit in hand.”

Kara laughed and shrugged.

“Anywaaaaay…” Rachel prompted.

Kara grinned and divulged a couple fun details about the number of orgasms and the attention her men had given her.

After they returned to the clubhouse, the women got to work pouring drinks and helping the staff get the food out. It took them several hours to get everyone situated, but they were just finishing up and pouring their own drinks when a woman with long black hair down to her waist stepped in front of Kara. “Kara?!” Slade Cooper shouted over the music.

She was maybe five foot five, which put her a couple inches taller than Kara. She had long black hair to her waist, striking green eyes, and was tatted and piercedeverywhere. She was breathtakingly beautiful, modeled occasionally, and was a downright sweetheart…until you pissed her off. Then she reminded you that she was a badass who wasn’t afraid to stand up for herself.

“Holy shit, Slade!” Kara shouted with a grin before she threw her arms around the woman.

Slade hugged her tightly. She was a great friend, and they hadn’t seen each other in a couple months now with life being as crazy as it had been. “Fucking hell, girl. It’s been too long,” Slade said.

Kara nodded and pulled away. “Come on, let’s get drinks and head outside.”

Once they were both outside where it was a little quieter, but not by much, Slade hugged Kara again. “I heard you were hurt, but this is crazy,” Slade admitted.

Kara sighed and shook her head. “It’s all sorts of fucked up,” she acknowledged. “Story of my life as usual though, right?”

Slade shook her head, already knowing about Kara’s childhood and the stories about her father.

“What are you doing here?” Kara asked as they settled onto a picnic bench and sipped their drinks.

“I tat a lot of these guys.” She motioned around the compound. “I knew Rachet. Besides paying my respects, they asked me to tattoo tonight. Lots of guys want memorial tats. So we drew up something for the night; anything past that, they’ll have to schedule with me later.”

Kara nodded and smiled. “Sounds like you’re doing well for yourself.”

“I can’t complain.” She smirked and leaned on the table next to Kara. “How is it that no one has signed this thing yet?!” she exclaimed and lightly patted the bright pink cast.

Kara laughed. “I’ve only had it a couple weeks.” She shrugged. “It’s just been me and Johnny for the most part since I was released Friday. Derrick and Kevin were picking up Rachet.”

Slade gave her a knowing grin. “All three of ’em?” she asked.

Kara smirked devilishly and wiggled her eyebrows comically.

Slade threw her head back and laughed deeply. “Fuck yes! That’s my girl!” she shouted, drawing looks.

Kara laughed along with her friend. It felt damn good to see her. It was just what she needed after all the bullshit in the last couple weeks—some much-needed girl talk. She ignored the stares around her, feeling safe at the clubhouse, and focused on one of her oldest friends.

She’d met Slade years ago; they’d grown up in the same neighborhood. While Slade had gone to public school and Kara went to the private school that Marcos and her mother had paid for, they still knew of each other.

When Kara turned eighteen and went to get her first tattoo, it had been Slade’s father’s shop that Kara had gone to in Creekton. Skin of a Different Breed was a well-known shop. Slade was sixteen when Kara met her, already tattooing and making a name for herself. Kara took a chance, and the rest was history. Slade had done all of her ink since then.

“Alright, girl. We need to get my pens and get this cast decorated,” Slade decreed.

Kara grinned and nodded easily. “You have a blank canvas at your disposal. Do whatever you want.”

“Fuck yeah!” Slade smirked and started to stand up.

“Hey, Princess.” Johnny interrupted as he walked up.

Kara tilted her head up to look up at him. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips. Kara smiled as he pulled away.

“Slade.” Johnny nodded, a smile on his face. “You two know each other?” he asked, motioning between the two of them.

“Oh yeah.” Kara chuckled. “We go way back. Slade has done all my work.” Kara grinned and held up her good arm.

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