Page 20 of Ginger

“I get it. I feel the same way. She fills a void I hadn’t even realized was there.”

Exactly. I couldn’t have said it better. I’d worried about offending Bronx, or making him feel like he wasn’t enough for me. It was good to know we were on the same page. We didn’t have Ginger because we weren’t enough for each other. She was ours because she was meant to be. It was simple. The three of us fit together like a jigsaw puzzle.

My phone went off at the same time Bronx’s did. We jumped up and grabbed them before the sound could wake Ginger. The words on my screen made my stomach plummet.

Church. Now!

What the hell? Everything had been quiet when I’d been downstairs. What could have possibly happened in the time it took me to bring the food up and eat? No, this was something more. Did it have to do with the men after Ginger?

“We better get dressed,” Bronx said. “Don’t need to keep the Pres waiting.”

“On our way to Church, we should wake up KiKi. She seems to get along well with Ginger. I don’t like the idea of leaving her here without an explanation.”

Bronx nodded. “I agree. I’ll leave a note, but it’s still a good idea to speak to KiKi.”

Shit. I hoped everything wasn’t about to blow up in our faces. What the hell could the Pres want that was so damn urgent? I had a feeling bad things were heading our way. I quickly pulled on my clothes, slipped on my boots, and grabbed my cut. With one last look at Ginger, I headed out with Bronx right on my heels.

Ginger

I sat at the kitchen table downstairs with the other girls. It felt odd being down here fully clothed while the others remained in either negligees, half-dressed, or entirely naked. If anything were to drive home that things were different now, it would have been this. They all looked at me with respect. I didn’t understand. Was it really a huge deal that Bronx and Reno claimed me?

“The club has their first old lady.” Melody smiled wistfully. “Think any of the other guys will claim anyone?”

“Do you really see them taking any of us as old ladies?” KiKi asked. “We’re all used goods. We’ve been with every single man here, and not just a few times, but for years. It’s a miracle Ginger got an upgrade. Let’s not all start chasing after ridiculous dreams like a happily ever after with a biker. At least, not any of these bikers.”

“Would you go to another club if someone wanted to claim you?” Sasha asked. “Because this place feels like home to me. I’m not sure I’d want to leave.”

“The note Bronx left said they went to Church.” I twisted a lock of my hair around my finger. “What exactly happens there?”

“Club business.” KiKi shrugged. “That’s all any of us know. They could be talking about your change in status. Or the men who came here and created a shit storm. It could be any number of things, or a combination of them. We’ll never know.”

“Never?” I asked.

“Nope.” Sasha leaned back in her chair. “The men don’t talk about that stuff around us. We’re good enough to fuck, but that’s about it. Even as an old lady, your men aren’t going to tell you much of anything. Although, if it pertains to you, they may give you the bare bones or at least the topic of conversation.”

“Do any of you ever get tired of living like this?” I asked. “And I don’t mean to sound disrespectful. I was here because I had no other options. I didn’t enjoy being a club whore. Do you?”

KiKi stared up at the ceiling for a moment. “No. I mean, it’s not terrible. I like sex, and the men usually take the time to get me off at least once. Not always, but most of the time. They’re good to us. We have a place to sleep, food to eat, new clothes… things could be a lot worse.”

“I’d have to agree,” Melody said softly. “Is it my dream to let a bunch of men put their cocks in me every day and night? Of course not. Is it better than the alternative? You bet!”

“Wait, so all of you are here because it’s better than however you were living before?” I asked.

“Not quite all of us,” Sasha said. “I did start out as a club whore because I loved the attention and orgasms. Now, I honestly don’t know what else to do with my life. It’s not like some average Joe is going to want to marry a woman like me and start a family. Besides, kids aren’t an option for me anymore.”

“Why not?” I pressed my hand to my lips. “Sorry. That was rude and intrusive.”

“It’s fine. I got pregnant my first year here.” A dark expression crossed her face and vanished so quickly I almost thought I’d imagined it. “I had to get an abortion. Pretended I was too sick to fuck anyone while I healed. I couldn’t tell them.”

“You don’t think the father would have wanted the child?” I asked. “Or did you not want a baby?”

She sighed and seemed to age right before my eyes. “The only man I’d been with who hadn’t used a condom during that time was Vegas. The Pres knocking up a club girl? I didn’t see it ending well for me, so I kept quiet and handled it on my own.”

“I’m so sorry,” I said, reaching out to her. Our fingers touched briefly before she pulled hers away.

“When I came here, Vegas made me get on birth control.” Melody shrugged. “I got an IUD, so I didn’t have to keep up with taking pills, and I’d heard the shot could make you gain weight. It seemed like the best option, and so far, it’s worked just fine.”

I’d love nothing more than to have a baby with Bronx and Reno. Not right now, but at some point. Except, I was almost certain I couldn’t have children. Unless someone had lied to me. It was possible, but I doubted it. Although Sasha said everyone except Vegas had used condoms with her back then. Why hadn’t they all used them with me? Had that been another one of Vegas’ rules in his hope he’d drive me away?

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