Page 58 of Grim

Being drugged was actually a gift.

The promise made me nervousness, but it also promised delight. Who would have thought a woman could feel that much pleasure when I was taught a woman’s body was for a man’s pleasure only?

Delilah tapped my shoulder, Grim’s tongue sliding back into his lips.

“I will speak to Locke, and then we will leave, little one,” he said as he patted by back side.

I bit my lip, excited about the endearment.

Grim slid off the stool, picked me up, and took me to the edge of the bar, sitting me in the open seat where Hawke had sat. Grim waved for the bartender and tapped the bar with his middle finger. “Whatever she wants,” Grim stated. “And Delilah, too.”

“Thanks, Grim!” Delilah chirped.

The bartender looked at me expectantly, not paying attention to the bar as he wiped with the old worn cloth. His shirt was tighter than most, his lanky body showing off the piercings beneath his clothes.

“I’m surprised Grim let you out of his sight.” He jutted his chin toward me. “Name’s Anaki, and before you ask, I’m originally from Ireland, not Scotland, so get that out of yer head.” He thickened his accent while wagging his finger.

“I’ll take a Lemon Drop!” Delilah said.

Anaki made Delilah her drink, swirling it between the glasses and the small steel cups. I laughed as he pretended to drop the cups in our direction, causing us to scream when we thought we would get soaked.

The members of the club threw smiles our way as we laughed, the group of rough necks laughing along with us.

Once Anaki’s show was over, he poured two glasses, one for me and Delilah.

“Figured a Lemon Drop would be alright with your mister,” he winked. “I can’t allow you to get drunk or it will be my hide.”

Delilah and I picked up the glasses, tinking them together in a toast. I felt like I had missed everything in the real world while I was hidden away. This was so normal. It was what I’d craved for so long, to have a friend, feel like I belonged and, with the banter of men and women laughing in the background, I realized I finally had it.

“So, tell me about this massive hickey on your neck,” Delilah said.

I choked on my drink, coughing violently as she laughed.

I could feel Grim’s eyes from the other side of the room, checking to see if I would breathe again. He took a step, Locke grabbing his shoulder to hold him back for another minute. I waved once the coughing fit was over until he spoke to Locke again.

“I can’t believe you asked that,” I replied.

“How could I not? It’s the size of a softball!”

My face flushed red, and even the surrounding tables took a gander at the side of my neck. I pulled up the collar, trying to hide it, but who was I kidding? It was...huge.

“Yeah, Grim wanted to stake a claim, I guess.” I rolled the fancy neck of the glass between my fingers. “Not that everyone doesn’t know I’m his already.”

“Oh yeah, it’s blatantly clear. It was announced in the bar a week ago. You guys were a hot topic from what Hawke told me when he was ridiculously drunk.”

“So, you two?” I waved my finger between her and Hawke, who was now in the Locke and Grim huddle.

“Like I said, don’t get attached to these biker males. They don’t stick around for long. Then again, you are proving everything wrong, Journey. The boys like what they see, what Grim has anyway. Now, they want it, too. I’m hoping…” Delilah paused, pursing her lips.

She was such a sweet and spunky girl. She was a ball of sunshine, the first woman that made me feel welcome in a group full of bikers. I hadn’t had time to meet the other women, but it wasn’t like the others were knocking at my door like Delilah had.

“I don’t know you that well, but he would have to be insane not to want you,” I said. Delilah perked up at that, the heat rising to her cheeks. “You are the first friend I’ve ever had, and you are everything I ever wanted to be growing up. You’re so kind and work so hard. I don’t know why you are here under their protection, but… I hope you never leave.”

Delilah’s head tilted. “I am planning on leaving. Not until I have enough money saved anyway, but that poses an important question for me to ask.” She pushed away her glass, waving at Anaki for another.

“Are you planning on staying, like, staying staying?”

I turned my head to check on Grim. His arms were crossed, half paying attention to Locke and Hawke. His eyes were on me, and my legs tightened in response.

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