Page 37 of Marcus: Sins of the Father

“Come on. You can help us get the food set while we drill you about Marcus.” Shannon jerks her head, encouraging me to follow. “We won’t bite. I promise.”

I turn to Marcus, and he answers for me. “Um, we were about to have a drink, and I was going to introduce her to the guys.”

Shannon shakes her head. “You can come rescue her in a few minutes. Right now, she’s meeting the ol’ ladies.” Then she leans closer to Marcus and lowers her voice. “And between you and me, we both know the ol’ ladies are the real test she has to pass.”

He sighs. “Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of.”

“Oh, come on. We’re not that bad. If anything, we’ll get her to join our little ladies' club.” Crystal chuckles.

“These trays are heavy. Let’s go,” Angel calls.

The women make their way out the door, and I follow, glancing back to see Marcus watching me with a nervous expression. I guess these are the top hens. Trying to reassure him, I give him a wink. I don’t scare easily.

“Here, let me take that for you.” I reach for Shannon’s tray.

“Why, thank you, sweetie.” She passes it into my hands. Before I realize what she’s about to do, she grabs my wrist, twisting my gold flower bangle so she can get a better look. “Is that a Van Cleef and Arpels?”

The shock of her knowing the designer flashes across my face. “Umm, I’m not sure,” I lie.

She lets go, her eyes connecting with mine, and as if sensing my discomfort, she backs off. “Sure. Must just look similar, because if it was, you’d know it.”

I can tell she doesn’t believe for a second this bracelet is a knockoff, but I’m thankful she’s giving me an out.

We make our way to one of the picnic tables alongside a line of grills. A big burly man with a red beard who looks the part of a lumberjack is manning one of them, while a petite Asian woman sets out condiments and toppings.

“Hey ladies, just set the meat over there,” he calls, gesturing with a pair of tongs to an open space at the end of the table.

“Brandy,” Angel calls. “This is Mary. She’s Red Dog’s ol’ lady.” She motions to the man behind the grill.

“Oh, I hate that term. Nothing about any of us is old,” Mary mutters. Her eyes drag up and down my figure. “So, who are you here with?”

“Marcus,” I reply.

“Oh, that’s right. The prospects were allowed to participate. Who’d my baby boy bring?” Mary asks the other women.

Crystal shrugs. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen Billy yet.”

“Well, I’m off to find out. I need my boy with someone I approve of.” She moves off toward the clubhouse door.

“Good luck to the poor girl Billy brought with him. Mary won’t approve of anyone,” Red Dog mutters, flipping burger patties onto the sizzling grill.

“Yes, yes, Billy’s going to have a hard time finding someone to please Mary, but right now I want to hear all about Brandy,” Angel chimes, turning her attention all on me. “So, I heard you met when Green sent them on that ridiculous run.”

“Yes, he needed Christmas tree cakes.” I laugh at the memory. “Can’t say I wasn’t surprised when three leather-clad bikers walked in to pick them up. Not exactly what I was expecting.”

“Do you work at a grocery store?” Shannon tilts her head, obviously confused.

“Um, no, I’m a bartender at a sort of convenience store slash microbrewery.”

“Oh, a bartender? Not owner?” Shannon’s brows furrow.

“Nope. Just work there.”

“Do you make good tips?” she prods.

“Shannon! That’s none of our business. Why do you care so much about her job?” Crystal quirks a perfectly sculpted brow, then turns her attention to me. “I want to know how he won you over?”

I shrug. “Well, he was a nice guy. I never thought I’d see him again, but then he came back in the bar one night.”

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