Page 21 of Savage Lust

“I can get what I need. But I appreciate the offer.”

When I finished, she patted the bed beside her. “Come here, I know Jester gave you a bit of a rundown yesterday. I figured you’d want the real story.”

I sat and listened as she told me about Archer and AP, and their brotherhood that started when they were in diapers. Only children, best friends. Archer had been the best man at her parents’ wedding.

“What happened to her?” I pointed at the pretty woman with brownish hair who reminded me a lot of Dylan, especially in the flare of her hips and slope of her sleepy eyes.

“She lives outside of Vegas. They divorced when I was a kid. Jace and I lived with her until we were teenagers. I was always a daddy’s girl, so when Jace moved to Dry Valley, I did too.”

“I was a royal bitch when I was younger. Thought I was queen bee around here.” Dylan’s chuckle lured me in, put me at ease.

“I imagine you still are.”

“Nah,” her voice changed, almost resigned now, “I learned really quick that there isn’t a queen here. It’s a boys’ club. Our job is to stay out of the way and not ask questions.”

And it was obvious she wasn’t happy about it.

There were pictures of a younger Dylan, one even of a bunch of teenagers in a smoky room, Dylan curled up in Cam’s lap, his hand very comfortable between her thighs. I wasn’t jealous, couldn’t be…not with how she’d treated me since I’d got here. But I couldn’t help but meet her gaze, surprised.

This time, her raspy laugh was full bodied, and she fell back on the bed. “God, that was so long ago. We were young, stupid kids. It didn’t work, for a bunch of reasons.”

Her blue eyes were bright with laughter. “Damn, we were teenagers. Nobody else really thinks of it anymore. I don’t. I doubt he does.”

“You’ve never hooked up since?” Maybe I was more than a little jealous.

“Hell no. To be honest, we only messed around.” She sat back up, wiping at tears with the back of her hand. “Cam was more about quantity over quality back then.”

Then she grew somber. “Cam’s always been running from something. I’m not sure what it is. I don’t even think my brother knows. It made him…different.”

He was, indeed.

“What about the rest?”

“Of the guys?” She brightened a little. “The best of them is Puck. Don’t let the name throw you. He’s not some Shakespearean wanna be. He played minor league hockey for a few years. The name stuck because of that. He’s a single dad, works hard, bleeds Desert King gold.”

There was a softness and love in her voice when she spoke of all of them. Dylan served as my deeper introduction to people I’dbarely shaken hands with. Even laughing when I told her about the situation in the tribute hall—as I’d learned it was called.

“Cam’s VP now. Power trickles down from position to position. All the guys are supposed to do what he says outside of the table, unless Preacher says otherwise.” When I looked confused, she explained further. “The MC governs itself, a sort of fuck you to the establishment. Patched members vote on officers who make decisions for the entire charter. And that’s about all I know, because…” She gave me an exasperated look before continuing.

“Jester is Road Captain, so he’s in charge of long rides. Dad is Treasurer. Drop Top is Secretary, my brother is Sergeant at Arms, Puck is Enforcer. There’s usually a few at the table without titles, alternate delegates. Like Paul. He’s new, voted to the table a few days ago.”

“Puck enforces all the rules?” I couldn’t see anyone forcing Cam Savage to do anything.

“Nah. Jace or one of Preacher’s goons usually does that.”

“Members really have to do whatever the officers say?” It seemed archaic but oddly sexy.

I thought of those two intricate wooden doors. Of Cam behind them, holding court. One seat away from President. “Cam told Jester to leave yesterday when he was with me, and he did.”

“Probably a good thing—Jester is a freak.” But she said it with a smile.

“Is there really a throne?” I asked the question I’d wanted to ask since Cam told me.

“Oh yeah. There’s an entire sex dungeon at his house.”

“You been in there?”

“No.” She answered so quick we both burst into giggles. “He wishes. Again, I say—freak.”

---