Page 50 of Diesel
“If they can,” Dayna remarks. “Have you ever seen them try to organise anything? It’s carnage.”
“Don’t say that.”
“I don’t want to be the voice of doom and gloom, but how many MC civil wars have you witnessed, Ivy? None of us know how this is going to play out.”
Maylie sits a little straighter, wincing. The baby fussesagainst her before he settles again. “They have support. It’s not just the five of them.”
My ears prick up at that. Who else is involved?
“I kind of came into this party late,” I say, careful with my words. “I had no idea things were so volatile, but I’m terrified that I’m going to lose him without understanding what is going on.”
“Babe, none of us really understand it.” Dayna flops down into the armchair with a dramatic huff. “It’s politics and bullshit, but it’s nice to have another old lady.”
“I’m not that old,” I say, offended.
Ivy snorts and Seren grabs her face with tiny hands. “No one thinks you’re old,” she says, peeling Seren off her. “It’s what they call wives and girlfriends in the club.”
I frown. “Why?”
The girls exchange glances. “You know what? I have no idea.” Maylie laughs as she says it. “I don’t think it’s meant to be offensive, but now I feel like I should be offended.”
“You should be,” Dayna comments, her hand resting on her belly. “You’re the oldest person in the room. Except maybe our new friend.”
I don’t tell them how old I am. Not because it makes a difference, but because I don’t know if I’m supposed to.
“So, are we just meant to stay here while they go off and fight each other?” I ask. Maybe I shouldn’t, but I need to know what exactly is about to happen.”
“Yeah.” Ivy draws her brows together. “This is the shitty part about being with a biker.”
Dayna rubs circles over her small bump and part of me wonders what their day-to-day life must be like if they feel safe enough to bring children into this world.
“When they win, do you think we will get to see the clubhouse?” Dayna asks. “I’m starting to think the mythical realm doesn’t exist.”
I freeze. “Wait.” I glance between them. “You’ve never been to the clubhouse?”
The three of them exchange glances, but it’s Toby who speaks through a mouthful of crisps. “We’re not allowed.”
Ivy smacks Toby’s arm. “Animal.” She turns to me. “We’ve been there, but not often. The guys don’t like us being around the club.”
“They keep us separate from that side of things as much as possible,” Maylie adds.
That hits me like a brick wall. All this time I thought I was unwanted, but we were all kept away, like chess pieces they were too scared to move across the board. I built an entire narrative in my head about not being good enough for him, for the club, and even though he told me that wasn’t the case, now I have more evidence of that.
Suddenly the weight of it feels less heavy. Less lonely. And a lot more fucked up. This wasn’t rejection. It was policy. All the guys kept their families separate.
My jaw tightens as the truth settles in. “Since the beginning?”
“Pretty much,” Maylie confirms.
“Trusting those men almost got Dash killed.” Ivy glances at Dayna as she says it, her eyes softening in a way that says these girls have history.
I cross my arms protectively around me, a reflex I’ve never lost over the years. “I thought it was just me that was hidden away,” I admit.
“Nope, we all ended up on the do not admit list.” Dayna sighs. “And judging from how things went downthat was probably the best decision. Bad enough they hurt the guys, but with all the pregnancies and babies… Yeah, I can understand why they were cautious. But I do want to know about you, Little Miss Secret Bride. How long have you been married to Diesel? I need to know everything. This just became my new favourite mystery.”
“Leave the woman alone,” Maylie tells her before I can answer. “She doesn’t need an interrogation from you.”
“Oh, come on,” Dayna whines. “You’re telling me this isn’t the most interesting thing that’s happened in weeks, maybe months?”
