Page 27 of Azrael

“We’re not members,” Janessa said flatly.“Not officially.But make no mistake -- an old lady holds her own kind of power.The men run the club, but behind closed doors…”

“We have our say,” Clarity finished with a knowing smile.“The politics can get complicated.A smart woman learns how to navigate them.”

I nodded, trying to absorb it all.“And where does Azrael fit in this hierarchy?”

“He’s one of the patched members,” Clarity explained.“Not an officer, but he’s respected -- feared, even.He reports directly to Charming most times.”

My fingers tapped restlessly against my knee as I processed this.“I knew he handled certain situations, but I don’t… I guess I only somewhat understand what it means.”

“He eliminates threats to women and kids,” Janessa cut in bluntly.“Anyone who crosses the old ladies or our kids, threatens the women in town, or poses a potential threat -- Azrael is who gets sent to deal with it.”

The matter-of-fact way she said it made my stomach tighten.This wasn’t talk of roughing someone up or scaring them off.This was something much darker.Then again, I’d seen what he’d done to the men in that alley, and I’d heard the stories about him before coming here.So, I expected it to some extent.But the way they talked about it, like they were discussing something as common as the weather, made me wonder what the hell kind of life I’d signed up for.

“And that doesn’t bother you?”I asked quietly, looking between them.“Knowing what your men do?”

Clarity’s expression softened slightly.“The world isn’t black-and-white, honey.These men… They’ve chosen a life outside society’s rules, yes.But they have their own code, their own justice.I’ve seen Scratch and the others protect women and children who had nowhere else to turn and stand up for people when the law failed them.”

“Evil exists,” Janessa added, her voice hardening.“Real evil.Men who prey on the weak, who hurt women and children.Our men make sure those people pay.Can you say that’s wrong?”

I thought about it for a moment, about what Azrael had told me of his childhood -- raised by a single mother who’d been gang-raped as a teen, never knowing which of her attackers might have been his father.How that had shaped him, given him an unshakable need to protect women at all costs.

“No,” I finally said.“I can’t say that’s wrong.”

Something in Janessa’s posture relaxed slightly, as if I’d passed a test I hadn’t known I was taking.

“Has Azrael taken you to the clubhouse yet?”Clarity asked, reaching for her glass of iced tea on the coffee table.“Someone mentioned you’d already been.Or was I misinformed?”

I nodded.“Yes, but we didn’t stay.It was my second day here, when he told Charming about me.”

Another significant look passed between the women.

“I saw you there that day, but I wasn’t sure how much you knew about the women present.Some of the guys are up front of about it.Azrael seems like the type who would tell you everything up front, but I could be wrong.It’s smart to take it slow,” Janessa murmured.“Clubhouse has its own… challenges.”

I raised an eyebrow.“What kind of challenges?”

Clarity sighed.“Every MC has what we call club girls -- or sweetbutts, club pussy, hang-arounds.Different names but same idea.Women who aren’t attached to any particular member, who are… available to the brothers.”

“Well, notallclubs,” Janessa said.“The Dixie Reapers, my dad’s club, tossed them all out on their asses.”

“But this club didn’t?”I asked.

“They were gone for a short while.Now they’re back.Just consider them a part of club life,” Clarity said.“They’re useful in their way.Keep the single men happy, help out around the clubhouse.Some are just passing through, looking for a good time.Others have been around for years, hoping to catch themselves an old lady position.”

“And that’s where the trouble can come in,” Janessa added, her eyes narrowing.“Club girls have a way of laying claim.Don’t let them overstep.”

The warning in her tone was unmistakable.I sat up straighter, suddenly understanding what they were telling me.

“You mean they might see me as competition?”

“Or as fresh meat,” Janessa said bluntly.“Especially if you’re with Azrael.He’s never taken an old lady, never even brought a woman around more than once or twice.You showing up changes things.”

“If he’d taken one and was able to claim Zara, then the other one would have to be dead,” Clarity said with a pointed look.

I frowned, processing this new information.“So what exactly should I expect?”

Clarity leaned forward, her expression serious.“Some will test you.Try to make you feel like you don’t belong, like you’re temporary.They might flirt with Azrael right in front of you, act like they have history with him.”

“Do they?”I asked, the question out before I could stop it.“Have history with him, I mean.He said he hadn’t done anything with them in a year or more, but does that mean there could be some hehasbeen with?”

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