Page 29 of Desert Loyalties
Then a third, and this time he winces. “The last one... they can get in if they have to fuck all of the brothers. In one night.”
I stare at him.
What the fuck.
I get the first two. But the third?
Allof them? In one night?
There are over fifty permanent members in our club. More if you count the nomads that drift in and out.
“Has anyone ever tried the third?” I ask, my voice low.
“No,” Ranger says, chuckling. “Because of the other stipulation.”
I raise an eyebrow. “What stipulation?”
He grins. “The brother bringing her in has to do the same.”
I bark out a laugh. “Yeah. That’ll do it.”
“It’s not just about the act,” he says, tone serious again. “It’s about what itmeans. You’re not just bringing her into your bed. You’re bringing her into us. She gets seen byallof us. And so do you.”
I stay quiet. I didn’t know this part.
No wonder none of the wives ever chose to become old ladies. Who the hell would risk their freedom just to get patched into something that, for them, is basically a normal club?
They don’t ride. Don’t get a vote in club business. And they’d have to live surrounded by naked women their old man’s already fucked.
Sure, there are benefits, they get respect, protection, a name that means something.
But are they really worth the cost?
Ranger takes another sip of his coffee, like we’re just talking business.
I lean back a little, eyes still on him. “You think that’s why we don’t have old ladies anymore? I mean... back then, tech wasn’t like it is now. No clouds, no digital footprints. Wouldyourisk your freedom by confessing something on tape? Something that could get hacked or seized in a raid?”
I look down at the security feed. She’s sitting on the cot now, still safe. Still mine.
Then I say what none of the others before me have had the balls to admit.
“I want Skye to be my old lady. But I’m not risking her neck to make it happen.” Not for a patch. Not for tradition. Not even for the club.
I don’t say anything more because Ranger gets it. Gets what I’m saying, I’ll leave the club before I let her go.
I pray like hell she doesn’t fight me on it, doesn’t try to sacrifice herself for me. Because if she does, Iwillthrow her over my shoulder and take her away. Maybe to some cabin deep in the forest. Somewhere no one could touch her.
I could keep her there until she understands.
Until she gets it.
Until she agrees.
Because if she doesn’t...
I’d hate like hell to have to lock her up for real.
Chapter 12
