Page 41 of Sapphire's Gem
“A few years, but we were friends first before deciding to take it further,” Wylde answered as he went to pour me a glass of wine.
“Water, please, Wylde. You know I never drink in the day,” I murmured.
Jennifer’s eyebrows nearly shot into her hairline. “You don’t? Dressed like that and an MC member, and you expect us to believe you don’t drink?”
“No, I don’t. Not when I might be called out to attend to an issue.”
“Problem?” Mr Dickenson spoke for the first time.
“Yes, today is my turn to be on call for our companies.”
“You have businesses? A coffee shop or something?” Megan tittered, and her parents laughed. Okay, the gloves were coming off.
The food appeared and was placed in front of us. I cut into my steak and took a bite. It was perfect.
I smiled sweetly. “Is that where you work? A coffee shop?”
“Oh, I don’t work,” Megan replied.
“Then what do you offer to society? Pretty faces are a dime a dozen, as is breeding. What’s the point of your life?” I asked, and Gramma broke into gales of laughter.
“I… um… Mom!” Megan hissed.
“Well, what do you contribute? Does your gang keep the local officers in a job?” Mrs Dickenson asked.
I laughed. “I won’t repeat myself. We are a club, not a gang. Should you insist on continuing to insult me, I shan’t be so restrained. But in answer to your question, let’s see. The club owns The Royal Ink, a tattoo shop. We also own Ambrosia, a restaurant I’m sure you’re all aware of and have dined at. The Royal Sleep is our hotel. We own the Royal Gardens, the garden centre. In addition, we own three motels called Royal Motels.”
“Anything else?” Pops asked as silence filled the breath of air I took. Mr Dickenson was looking disgruntled.
“Oh yes. We are also the owners of the Royal Club, an exclusive women’s club which Mrs Wylde and Mrs Dickenson both belong to—for now. Megan has applied but hasn’t been accepted yet. We also own Mystic Aura, the premier psychic shop in town, and Royal Tours, the local boat hire and tour service. The Harlot’s Garage is ours, as is the Harlot’s Strip Club, and The Harlot’s Hire, a stripper service.” I paused and smiled.
Mr Wylde was narrowing his eyes in consideration.
“And let’s not forget the Royal Resort in Wolfeboro, the Royal Clean, a cleaning service that specialises in tidying up after crimes and home deaths. There’s also our dance studio, The Royal Grind. And we just bought a bookstore, which is awaiting a name. Does that answer your question about how I contribute to society? I do not sit on my ass looking pretty and waiting for a rich wallet to turn up and then spawn more kids who’ll do the same.”
“I dislike your attitude,” Mr Wylde said, and I smiled sweetly.
“We’re even, as I don't like yours.” I paused before speaking my mind. “From the moment I entered, you all sat here being judgmental. Feel free. But don’t expect me to sit here and take it. Especially as three of you sitting here use several of my club’s services. If you want me to be a bitch, I could start spilling secrets,” I stated with another grin.
“You’re a rather vile, insignificant person, aren’t you?” Marla spoke for the first time.
“Says you. Without your husband, who would you be?” I challenged.
Marla subsided with a baleful look, and Wylde shook beside me. For a moment, I wondered if I’d gone too far, but when he turned to me and kissed me, I saw the glee in his eyes.
Chapter Nine.
Sapphire
“That was fun,” I said, almost skipping. Wylde was walking by my side, trying to control his laughter.
“I think you nearly gave Grandmother and Grandfather heart attacks.”
“Well, they shouldn’t have looked down their noses at me. Can we stop and get something to eat, because I didn’t get to finish my meal?” I asked.
“Saph, whatever you want, I’ll buy because that performance was well worth it,” Wylde chuckled.
I grinned at him. The meal had descended into chaos. Marla had taken offence at my comment that she was a nobody. Malcolm had ordered Wylde never to bring his fuck buddies to lunch again. He’d sneered down his nose at me like I was trash. Wylde had instantly replied that I wasn’t anyone’s fuck buddy but his girlfriend, and if his parents didn’t like me, fine. He wouldn’t bring me to lunch, dinner, or any other outing, but he wouldn’t attend without me either.
