Page 46 of Pound

Not that she thought Pound was a saint, hell, she’d witnessed many times that he wasn’t, but after she’d been taken? After he claimed her? It didn’t make sense. She’d believed him when he said he’d be faithful. However, she’d show a united front in the presence of others. Always side with him in public, hash it out in private, that’s what her promise had meant.

“Not true, Molly, and you know it. Yeah, I almost made a mistake with you, but I didn’t, and we all know it. As for her?” Pound held up their joined hands. “This is Meri, she’s my ol’ lady, and you will respect her or leave. Period. I’ll not tolerate shit from you or any of the girls, so you better apologize, then spread the word.”

The girl, Molly, didn’t look happy about being put in her place, but she also didn’t look stupid. “Sorry for the disrespect, both of you.”

“And?”

“And he didn’t use me the other day.”

“Now, get gone. You all were supposed to be scarce for the day.”

Molly shuffled past them, looking properly scolded but none too happy about it. Meri made a mental note to keep an eye on her.

“Sorry, babe. But I swear—”

She silenced him. “No explanation needed. I believe you. I always will unless you yourself give me a reason not to.” The words were hard to say, especially after Jake. But Meri refused to let her past poison any more of her life. The past had taken enough from both of them. If they treated each other like they expected the same results, they’d end up getting them.

Change had to start somewhere.

Why not with them?

The sound of motorcycles pulling in was like music to her ears. The club that had been her brother’s family was now hers too.

As they headed outside, Joe whispered in her ear, “Now my road name has two meanings. But the second is only for you, babe.” He squeezed her ass as he spoke.

“Did you just make another dick joke, sir?” she teased with joy.

“Good god, woman, no, I’m not a twelve-year-old boy. Try to keep up, that was clearly a sex joke, not a dick joke. They’re slightly more refined in nature. Now, if I’d said my road name has two meanings, one for the weight of the shrapnel, and the other for the weight hanging between my legs, that, Mrs. Blackwell, would’ve been a dick joke.”

THE END

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