Page 41 of Soul

“Yeah. I was waiting for you. I was about to go in,” she replied.

“Want me to come over?”

“Please.”

I jogged around the side of the shrubs separating us and approached.

“Sit down,” Bryony offered, moving half the blanket covering her. I didn’t think that was a good idea, so shook my head and leaned back against the railings.

“What you said earlier resonated with me. That is a hard life to live,” Bryony announced.

“Yup. But someone has to take the trash out.”

“Why you?” Bryony asked.

“Because I can. It’s the right thing to do. The worst thing a good man can do is stand by and watch shit happen and do nothing,” I replied.

“That is true, but there is also the law.”

“Yeah, and usually, we let law enforcement do its job. But when it doesn’t… we are there to ensure justice happens.”

“None of you kill for the sake of killing,” Bryony asked.

“No.” I laughed. “We’re not serial killers. But we will protect our community, our businesses, our family, old ladies and, most of all, the brothers and sisters in the club. That is tantamount. If someone crosses us, then they’d better be prepared to pay the price. We own a lot of legal businesses and employ loads of people. We don’t want them or us shit on. Sure, we operate outside the law sometimes, but who doesn’t?”

“I guess everyone has bought something off the back of a wagon or a knock off,” Bryony mused.

“Yeah. Club life isn’t black and white, and neither is being a one-percenter. We have our own set of rules, and we ensure anyone working with us understands them,” I explained further.

“Can I meet some of them?”

“With the kids?”

“No, just me at first.”

“I was going to say we’ve got a cookout this weekend. It’s the one thing we like to do. When the weather becomes warmer, we try to get at least one a week in. Sometimes two. And on a Sunday, Iona, the Queen Bee, who is Warden’s old lady, has instigated a roast dinner, which the women cook.”

“Are there any children?” Bryony asked.

“No. But we have things for them. Warden is hoping that kids are going to start coming along for us. He’s doing his damnedest to knock Iona up.” I chuckled. “Do you still feel like running?”

“No, things are unsettled, and I need to protect Ham and Maci, but the lure of others with abilities is huge,” Bryony said honestly. “Will there be club whores there? That’s what they are called?”

“Sluts or whores, yeah. And no. They fucked up a week ago, and Warden has laid the law down. They’re only allowed at the clubhouse during certain times now. But they exist, Bryony, but I don’t sleep with them. Never have and never would,” I added, not knowing why I was telling her this. Bryony hadn’t shown much interest in me other than what I’d overheard the other day, but I’d felt the need to tell her.

“Why not?” she asked curiously. “Oh, I’m sorry, you’re gay!”

“No!” I choked on the word. “Nope, women all the way. Love a good pussy. And shit, I sounded like a sex-crazed maniac. I like females, but the reason I don’t sleep with them is simple. Why would I want a woman all my brothers have had?”

“Great question. What about the women in your club?”

I laughed. “They have some male sluts,” I said, and Bryony’s eyes widened.

“They do?”

“Yeah, and they are pretty hot as well. I mean, fairs fair, why are the brothers getting laid and not the sisters? And no, the male and female sluts are not allowed to sleep with each other. They’re there to service the club members.”

“Isn’t that prostitution?”

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