Page 10 of Closing on Lynx

“So, I have a reservation at Churchill’s, but we have one stop to make before we head there. As I was getting ready, my VP called me and asked me to stop by the clubhouse,” se states, as he turns the key in the ignition, bringing the gorgeous car to life.

“Clubhouse? VP?” I question, as the car begins to roll backwards.

“Have you heard of the Royal Bastards Motorcycle Club?” he asks, his right hand reaching down to clutch the shifter. The man’s hands are permanently stained from working on cars or bikes, or maybe even working in the mine.

“Jessikah, are you paying attention?” he asks, causing me to look up to his eyes. They have permanent smile lines indicating that he smiles a lot.

“Sorry, I was… um… admiring your hands… so strong. I mean, no I haven’t heard of the Royal Bastards Motorcycle Club. I rarely leave my house,” I say, looking down at my hands.

“You must work a lot,” he states, reaching his hand on the gear shift over to my thigh. I have to fight the urge to flinch away. Taking a deep breath, I shake my head to clear the negative, abusive thoughts that are threatening my peace.

“Something like that,” is the only thing I say. He doesn’t need to know right now that for the last few years, I have been hidden away to save myself. That conversation is something that will happen at another time and in a different frame of mind than the one I am in now.

The silence in the car is deafening, but also allows me to gather my thoughts and push them back into the small box where I lock them away. My peace is my protection. I chant over and over in my head until the click of the indicator signals that we are turning.

“I’m sorry,” I mumble, closing my eyes.

“For what?” He pulls into a spot in front of an industrial building. The sign across the front door reads ‘Royal Bastards Motorcycle Club: Northern Ontario’ with a skull and crown logo in the middle of the words.

“For getting all inside my head.” Turning to look at him, I see a small smile on his lips.

“Hey, I get it. Not everyone has had the perfect life. Because perfect only counts in two places, if you are playing horseshoes or if you are throwing a hand grenade.” He opens his door and slides out. When I move my hand to open my door, he slams his hand down on hood of the car and shakes his head. When he reaches my side, he opens the door and offers me his hand.

Sliding my hand into his, as I bring both knees to the side and gracefully slide out of the car to a standing position. “I could have opened my own door, I say, the sass spilling from my lips.

“I know you could have. But doing this is not only the gentlemanly thing to do, but it’s also like opening a huge surprise for nosey assholes,” he whispers in my ear. I turn my head and look at the gathering of people standing at the door with their mouths hanging open. He laces his fingers through mine and guides me toward the audience.

“Sue, this is Jessikah.” I look at the many women standing around when a man steps forward, his hand out, palm up.

“It’s nice to meet you pretty lady.” His voice is deep, and the right woman would kneel at his feet.

“Sue?” I ask, as I place my hand in his.

“Sue loves Johnny Cash, Paul states, causing the crowd to chuckle.

“A Boy named Sue.” I smile at him. “It’s a great song, but Folsom Prison Blues is my go-to when I need to remember that I am free.”

“Marry me!” Sue mumbles, getting down on one knee.

“Boy, you best get your ass up off that ground,” Paul states, growling at him as he pulls me behind him.

“OOOOO, Pres got all growly,” a feminine voice states, and as she steps forward, my mouth drops open.

“Crowne?” I mutter, as I let go of Paul’s hand and step into her open arms. “Girl, how is the house? You have what a year before renewal?”

“I have about a year and a half. And you can bet your ass I will be calling you,” Crowne says, then looks around at all the people standing there. “If you guys need a mortgage broker, make sure you get this one’s card. Not only did she make my process easy, but she also found me a better deal than my bank was offering me.”

“Oh, stop. I was doing my best to make it easy, as the process can be so stressful.” Crowne grabs my hand and leads me inside.

“Liquid, we have to leave in thirty. Make sure you don’t get her too drunk,” Paul states, as Crowne salutes him.

“Liquid?” I ask, as I slide onto the stool in front of the bar.

“I am the only female table member of this club. I got my road name when this huge macho dude walked into the clubhouse demanding to become a member. I was prospecting at the time and he tried to hit on me. I dropped him to the ground and had my boot squishing his precious member. The only thing he kept muttering was Liquid, like he was using some sort of safe word. It’s not the coolest name, but it stuck.”

“A road name? Is that like a nickname?” I ask, looking around at all the people that are staring at me.

“Something like that. Only when I am here in the club, they only call me by my road name, like all the other members. It’s a sign of respect.” I nod my head.

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