Page 56 of Iron Fist

“I love him, but he can be such a caveman idiot sometimes,” she says, shaking her head in exasperation. “I swear, Eden is doing the Lords of Carnage a service with her yoga studio. Those men should pay her rent on that space, in gratitude that we don’t kill them when they’re being buttheads.”

“It does kind of seem like pigheadedness is a trait in these biker men,” I muse. “Why is that, I wonder?”

“They none of them bow down to authority,” Bailey states. “It’s what drew them to the MC life in the first place.”

“It’s also why they need strong women to keep them in line,” Bethany agrees. “We don’t let them walk all over us. It drives them crazy, but that’s also why they love us.”

“You must have a similar backbone in you,” Tori says, looking at me. “For Rogue to marry you, I mean.”

“Well, let’s not forget he married me a long time ago.” Jessie brings us our drinks. I pick up my beer glass and take a sip. “I’m not sure the Rogue of today would marry the Rory of today.”

“I think he would,” Bethany argues.

“Though I have to say,” Laney muses, “Rory’s not what I expected. As Rogue’s wife, I mean.”

My stomach does an unpleasant flip. Her words sting more than I want to admit.

“What did you expect?” I ask, trying to sound nonchalant.

Laney considers. “I’m not sure. Honestly, I can’t imagine Rogue with anyone. He’s too…”

“What?”

“Grumpy,” Tori jumps in. The others laugh.

“Oh. You mean, the grumpiness is not because of me?” I joke.

“Honey,” Laney snickers, “that man could look at rainbows and puppy dogs and scowl hard enough to turn the puppies to stone.”

“Speaking of which, has Rogue forgiven you yet for the barbecue incident with that Wrecker guy?” Tori asks.

The alcohol must be starting to have an effect, because what comes out of my mouth next surprises even me.

“Well, I’m not sure if he’s forgiven me,” I say slowly, a gleam in my eye. “But he’s sure fucked me a few times, so I guess it’s okay.”

There’s a half-second of stunned silence.

And then all the ladies explode in cackles and shouts.

Loud female laughter resounds through the bar, loud enough that several of the patrons turn to look at us. That just makes us laugh harder.

Eventually we start to get hold of ourselves, and the laughter dies down. Bethany puts her arm around me. “I like her,” she says. “She’s got grit.”

We finish our food and stay there talking until Tori starts to yawn says and she’s getting tired. Jessie brings us our bills. I stand up with the rest of them, feeling happy and light. On the way out the door, Tori whispers in my ear, “You know you fit right in with all of us. You might not think Rogue and you are back together, but we’re not going to let you go that easily. We’re keeping you.”

I give her a silent hug, because suddenly I don’t trust my voice.

We emerge into the evening and make our way to the parking lot. As we’re exchanging goodbyes, Bethany lets out a low whistle and points. “Whoa, look at the number someone did on that car.”

We all turn to look. I let out a little scream.

Because it’smycar.

The front windshield is totally smashed. The driver’s side door looks like a baseball bat has been taken to it, and the side mirror is hanging loose by its wires. As I move closer, I see the tail lights have been smashed, too.

“Shit!” I hiss. “Oh my god, it’s probably totaled!”

The others gape. “Who would do this?” Laney asks, looking at the others.

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