Page 14 of Wolf.e

Bless her.

“Well, we’re glad to have you, sweetie. Make yourself at home. I’m Shelly. Think of me like the hospitality department. Anyone fucks with you at all, see me and I’ll take care of them.”

The look on her face tells me she will. I nod back at her.

“How the fuck do you expect me not to drag you into the hallway looking like this… fuck.” A grizzly voice sounds.

Shelly swats the tall, muscular tattooed man from the photos in Layla’s home. He’s got a buzz cut and a bushy beard as he wraps his arms around Layla from behind and starts kissing a line down her shoulder like there is no one else in the room. I smile as I watch them, and that pang of envy hits me again with the passion he has for her.

“Don’t gross your old mother out,” Shelly scoffs.

That small woman birthed this mammoth?

Her bear of a son wears a club vest that bears the patch Sgt at Arms. I don’t know anything about motorcycle clubs, but I’ve watched enough old movies with my dad to know a Sergeant at Arms is a top ranked man. Any thoughts I had of her future husband just being a low-ranking member of the club are out the window now.

“This is my Sean,” Layla says as she pushes his face off her neck.

Sean looks up. “Hey, new girl.” He grins at me.

“She isn’t new, I’ve known her since I was eight. I told you she was coming.”

Sean looks me over, and I start to worry I’ve done something wrong.

“She’s not a cop,” Layla adds.

Sean shrugs and shakes my hand like a perfect gentleman.

“Old habits. Nice to meet you…”

“Brinley,” I say.

“Sorry, Brin.” Layla rolls her eyes. “Anyone new… they get dramatic.”

“Hope you brought your thirst and your appetite tonight,” Sean says to me on cue as Chantel returns, passing us all shots of dark amber liquid. “Around here, we drink and eat well.”

I take it from her as does everyone else.

“What is this?” I ask

“Don’t ask, new girl, just drink. You’ll like it,” Amber promises.

I smell it first then look up at everyone in our circle.

“I like to know what I’m drinking. What liquors are in it?” I ask simply. They all look at me like I just proposed we sing a church hymn.

I relax my stance, trying to appear casual. It smells like cinnamon.

“It’s liquid cocaine,” Sean says with a smirk and a nod that says he doesn’t think I can handle it. He laughs, my worry probably apparent.

“Jägermeister and Goldschlager,” Layla says, swatting Sean. “No actual cocaine. You’ll like it.”

Sean raises his hand and even Shelly is ready to knock hers back. If this little old woman can take it, so can I, I decide.

“Try to relax,” Layla whispers to me.

“To the beautiful woman who will promise to love and obey me forever tomorrow.” Sean chuckles evilly, and Layla swats him before we all tip our shots back.

Damnnnn, it’s like straight cinnamon fire burning down my throat. I make a face to keep from choking. I don’t even have that one back before the next one is placed in my hand.

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