Page 20 of Patch's Bride
“I just wanted you to have it for when the time comes. I know I wouldn’t want my wife running around the clubhouse without a property cut.”
“Me either. That’s why I’m gonna give it to her straight away.”
The other brothers begin approaching me to shake hands and congratulate me. It feels pretty damn good to finally be accepted by my club brothers after being patient while I earned the right to join the ranks of the Legion. For the first time, I am not standing on the outside looking in. I am part of the brotherhood.
I head out to the bar, shaking hands along the way, and go straight to Beth. She’s still sitting with Sharon, only they’re sitting at the bar now. She seems a little rattled, so I begin looking around to see if anything is amiss.
I put my hand on Beth’s shoulder and jerk my chin towards the back patio. “You got a minute to talk with me, sweetheart?”
She immediately comes to her feet. “Thanks for keeping me company, Sharon. I really appreciate it.”
She gives her a quick smile and teases, “Actually, I thought you were the one keeping me company.”
Beth laughs, as I guide her away. Truth be told, I’m anxious about putting her in a property cut. Because I’m part of the Legion, Beth wearing my cut means something to me. Still, I don’t know how she’ll see being labeled as property. And the more I’m around her, the more possessive I’m getting. I think it’s because she’s young and vulnerable. But I don’t want to take any chances on something bad happening to her.
Once we’re out back, I get us something to drink and take her up to the rooftop. We settle down with our legs hanging off the roof and stare at the stars.
Beth takes a drink of her berry wine cooler before whispering, “The view is amazing from up here, especially with the full moon.”
“Yeah, I like to come up here and decompress.”
Her eyes drift over my new cut, and she smiles at me. “Congratulations on becoming a full member of the Savage Legion. I know that was something you worked hard for.”
“You don’t think bike clubs are nonsense?” I ask, because my mother vacillated between calling it immature and fearing I had joined a biker gang.
Beth frowns. “Of course not. Sharon was just telling me about how the brothers like the idea of being part of something bigger than themselves and how the club does charity events a couple of times a year to raise money for the children’s hospital wing. To be honest, I don’t see a downside.”
“I’m glad you feel that way because I have something to ask you.”
Taking another sip of her drink, she makes a gesture with one hand for me to spit it out.
“You’ve probably noticed that the old ladies wear property cuts.”
Her expression brightens. “I did notice that. They say property of whoever their boyfriend or husband is. That’s a really cute idea.”
I freeze in place, trying to get my head around why she thinks they’re cute. “Well, putting our lady in a property cut with our name on it is meant to offer them an extra layer of protection. It’s a warning to everyone which brother is going to beat their ass for messing with you.”
Her mouth falls open for a second before she speaks. “You know, I think that might actually work, since most people around these parts don’t seem to have a good grasp on whether or not the Legion is a one-percent club. Most people with goodcommon sense probably wouldn’t want to cross a member of the Savage Legion.”
Pulling the neatly folded cut from underneath my arm, I hold it out to her. “Now that I’m a fully patched member, I’d like you to wear my cut.”
She reaches for it, looking cautious. “Is this another way to sell our relationship?”
“No, it’s another way for me to offer protection. I don’t know if it would put off your stepfather because he doesn’t seem to have any instinct for self-preservation that I can see, but it’s worth a try.”
Beth glances away, looking uncomfortable. “He’s a man who’s used to getting his own way. I’m worried he won’t give up.”
“You should let me handle him. If I need it, my club will back me up.”
She shrugs. Then her eyes shoot up to mine and drop back down again to the vest as she unfolds it and slips it on. “It fits really well. Thank you for this.”
I couldn’t keep the smile off my face because there’s something about seeing her in my property cut that is getting all my neurons firing. Truth be told, other parts of me also enjoy it, but I try and shut that shit down. Beth’s a sweet girl and doesn’t need me perving over her, especially not when she’s just got herself out of a bad situation.
When we finish our drinks, I tell her, “They’re having a party in my honor tonight. They do it for every brother who gets his patch. Do you want to stay, or is this all too much for you?”
“I want to stay,” she responds without hesitation. “What are we talking about? A few drinks, shooting some pool, and visiting with the brothers?”
“Yeah, with some music and dancing. How does that sound?”
