Page 26 of Azrael

That earned me the first genuine smile from Clarity.“It usually is with these men.Especially Azrael.He doesn’t do anything halfway.”

I thought about how quickly things had progressed between us -- from our first meeting in the dark alley to him claiming me as his woman.

“I’ve noticed,” I said, unable to stop the small smile that curved my lips.

“He’s never brought a woman to meet the family before,” Janessa said abruptly, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.“Not in all the years I’ve been around.”

The statement hung in the air between us, heavy with implication.I wasn’t sure if it was meant as a compliment or a warning.

“I’m not trying to rush anything,” I said carefully, setting my water glass on a coaster on the coffee table.“We’re still getting to know each other.But from what I’ve been told, when I agreed to be his, it was a permanent choice.”

“Honey,” Clarity said, her voice gentler now, “the moment he brought you here, things got serious.Azrael doesn’t introduce women to the club.Ever.The moment I heard he was bringing you here, I knew he’d claimed you.”

Claimed.The word sent a shiver down my spine -- part thrill, part uncertainty.What exactly had I stepped into by coming here today?

I looked back at the wall of photos, at the faces of the men and women who made up this unusual family.Their expressions ranged from fierce to joyful, but all of them shared a look of belonging that was unmistakable.They knew exactly who they were and where they fit.

I wasn’t sure I could say the same for myself.

I shifted on the leather couch, the material creaking softly beneath me, and decided that if I was going to be part of this world -- part of Azrael’s life -- I needed to understand it.I couldn’t sit here like some timid mouse waiting for him to return and speak for me.These women, with their knowing glances and measured words, held answers I needed.

“So,” I began, leaning forward slightly, “how long have you been with the club?”

Clarity settled back into her seat, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth.“Been Scratch’s old lady for over twenty years.Long enough to see this club grow from a handful of men with a dream to what it is now.At that time, there was only one other old lady.”

“Twenty years,” I repeated, trying to imagine the life she’d lived.“And you, Janessa?”

The younger woman pushed away from the wall and took a seat beside Clarity, her movements fluid and confident.“I got here a few years after Clarity.But I grew up around MCs.My father rides with another club in Alabama.”

I nodded, filing away this information.“And what exactly… I mean, I know the basics of what an MC is, but what does the Devil’s Boneyard actually do?”

The two women exchanged a quick glance before Clarity answered.

“The club has legitimate businesses,” she said carefully.“Auto shop, security firm, real estate investments.But I suspect that’s not what you’re really asking.”

She was right.It wasn’t.

“Azrael told me he handles problems for the club,” I said, keeping my voice even.“He didn’t elaborate much beyond that.But I came here looking for the Angel of Death, so I’m going to assume it’s work along those lines.”

Janessa let out a short laugh that held little humor.“Of course he didn’t.But I’m surprised you know about the Angel of Death.”

I felt a chill run through me despite the warmth of the room.I’d known Azrael -- or Samir, as his ID stated -- was dangerous.It was evident in the way he moved, the respect others showed him, the intensity that sometimes darkened his eyes.Not to mention the stories I’d heard from my mom and the ladies at the community center.But hearing it stated so bluntly made it more real somehow.

“The club protects what’s theirs,” Clarity said, her voice gentle but firm.“Territory, businesses, family.Sometimes that protection requires… decisive action.”

“And Azrael is the one who takes that action,” I finished for her.

Clarity nodded once, her eyes never leaving mine, gauging my reaction.“Although, he’s not alone.The Sergeant-at-Arms handles the bulk of that sort of thing.His name is Havoc.”

“Yeah, but he’s getting older.I bet he steps down before too long,” Janessa said.“If he does, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if the torch gets passed to Azrael.”

I took a deep breath, my hands gesturing as I tried to put my thoughts in order.“Okay.So there’s the legitimate side of things, and then there’s… the other stuff.What about day-to-day?How does the club work?Who’s in charge?Where do the women fit in?”

My questions came in a rush, fueled by both curiosity and a growing need to understand the world I was peering into.Mostly I wanted to know whereIwould fit.

Clarity leaned forward, her elbows on her knees.“The club has a strict hierarchy.Charming is the President.Scratch was the VP, but now it’s Ashes.Then there are the other officers: Secretary, Treasurer, Road Captain, Sergeant-at-Arms.Full patch members below that.Prospects at the bottom, working to earn their way in.”

“And the women?”

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