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Page 8 of Link’s Property (Savage Knights MC: NW Chapter #3)

Shayna

“ S o, how do you know Link?” Rory asks as she leads me down a dirt path. “Are you two related?”

For a moment I thought she was King’s girlfriend.

The girls in this place are all on the younger side.

But then I saw the way King was looking at her.

It’s the same way Link used to look at me when I was a kid.

Now, he just looks mad. He looked downright livid when I told him I was attracted to him.

I’d thought I’d caught him checking me out, but I completely misread that, didn’t I.

I’ve never been so embarrassed. He still thinks of me as the kid he almost adopted and there I was trying to make a move.

But goodness, I couldn’t even help it. He is one fine specimen of a man.

As a kid, I had goggles on and no hormones running through my veins to even think about his looks.

But now…all I see is thick muscles, dark tattoos, and those chiseled lines that led down to a prominent piece that was barely hidden by the towel he had on.

“I’m not his family.” Like he’s apparently told everyone I am. “He was my correctional officer when I was a kid.”

“Seriously?” Her eyes grow big and round. I wonder if anyone’s ever told her she looks like the little mermaid, but with blonde hair. Her eyes are an incredible shade of blue.

“Yeah.” I shrug. “I ran away from the group home I was living in and stole a tip jar from a diner so I could buy a bus ticket.”

That was just one of the many things I did.

Slashing our director’s tires was another.

But that was because the jerk canceled Christmas on us because he said we were being too noisy one night.

Then I spray-painted the girls’ bathroom at school, but only to cover up all the not-so-nice things girls had written about me.

Then I bashed the windows of the horrible people who broke Izzy’s hopeful heart.

I had to do a year in the detention center for that, but it was worth it.

Izzy was never the same after living with those people.

“You lived in a group home? How come?” Her question tears me back from the memory, one I hate to think about. All the tears. So much sadness.

“My mom couldn’t handle parenting, so she turned me over to the state. I lived in one foster home, but they sent me back when I was three.”

“Wow. I’m really sorry.”

It’s such a genuine reaction, so kind and heartfelt, but I’m not sad about my situation.

Not anymore at least. Now, it’s just a fact of my life.

It’s all I knew growing up. I’ve certainly never known what it’s like to live in a house full of huge, dominant men.

That has to be a wild experience. Not exactly the societal norm.

“So, what was it like growing up with a bunch of bikers?”

“Noisy.” She shakes her head. “That’s why I come out here. To think.”

We come through a clearing and my feet pause in place.

It’s one of the most breathtaking views I’ve ever seen.

There’s a mountain ridge in the background, and a beautiful, serene lake with water as smooth as glass.

I take it all in, breathing in a deep lungful of the crisp, clean mountain air.

Savoring the peace. The tranquility. It was always noisy in the home I grew up in too.

There was nowhere to escape for privacy or quiet.

The halls were filled with sobs. I would’ve given anything to come down here and just sit and think.

“This place is unbelievable.”

“Yeah. It’s my little slice of heaven.”

She jumps up onto a boulder and takes a seat.

I climb up and join her, taking in the silence.

Feeling the calmness seeping in. It’s the first time in months I’ve felt like I could breathe.

There isn’t a thick smog of heavy-breathing men closing in on me, no stale smell of cheap spilled liquor making me want to gag, no pressure building in my gut knowing the rent is due.

I can’t believe the gift I’ve been given.

“So, what brought you here?” She pulls out a pack of smokes and offers me one.

I shake my head, no thanks. Smoking is a habit I’d rather not pick up.

I honestly hate the smell. Our director had the worst cigarette breath, and every time he yelled at me, I wanted to hurl.

The association keeps me away from the things, which I guess is a good thing.

“I lost my job,” I tell her. “And got evicted from my apartment.” When it rains, it pours, doesn’t it?

And last night it hailed on me. But being here, in this place, I get the feeling it’s all going to be okay.

I have a job, a place to stay, and a man who has always kept me safe.

I wasn’t sure if coming here was the right thing to do, but I’m so thankful I did. Officer Price has saved me once again.

“Well, I’m glad you’re here.” She smiles. “The only girls I ever get to interact with are the sweetbutts, and most of them are bitches.”

I’m gathering she’s talking about Cherry and Kira and the few others I met this morning.

I could tell right off the bat that I’m not going to get along with Cherry.

She reminded me of the bullies I met in the detention center, thinking she owns the place.

Wanting to assert her authority and let me know where I stand in her kingdom.

But Link put her in her place, telling her I’m his family and she better treat me like a queen.

The only part that rubbed me wrong was the family part.

“What does sweetbutt mean?” I ask. “Is that code for girlfriend?”

Rory’s eyes roll as she shakes her head. “It’s the club term for whore. My dad likes to claim different, but I know the truth. They walk around in practically nothing and sleep with the guys.” She lets out a growly sound, and now I’m feeling growly over what she just told me.

“And what do their wives think of these sweetbutts?”

“I don’t know. But if I were an old lady, I’d be pissed.”

“Old lady?”

“Yeah, that’s what they call their wives. I know.” She rolls her eyes. “It’s a ridiculous term. They also call their business meetings ‘church.’ Their cars are called cages. Oh, and the handlebars on their motorcycles are called Ape Hangers. And their leathers are their cuts.”

I’m going to have to start taking notes. It feels like the MC speaks a different language.

“What else can you teach me about this place?” From the outside, it looks like a massive compound. There are buildings everywhere, and then this beautiful lake. It’s like I’m at a ski lodge.

“My dad is the president.” She takes a drag. “So he’s the top chief. Ripper is the enforcer, which means he keeps all the other men in line. Once you meet him, you’ll understand.”

I’m shocked Link isn’t the enforcer. After all, he was a police officer. Enforcing laws has always been his thing.

“Then there’s Skully who’s the VP, and Raid who’s the road captain, and the list goes on and on.

Each brother has a different patch on their leather cut, so you can tell their rank.

The prospects don’t have their leathers yet.

They’re still in training. You can tell who they are though by their age.

Most of them are probably around your age. Do you have a boyfriend?”

I shake my head and look back out at the lake.

I certainly do not. My last boyfriend did his damage, always calling me an idiot for not knowing certain things.

I hated school, so I didn’t retain much about wars or economics or geography.

When I didn’t know what the capital of Missouri was, a state I don’t even live in, Chad bought me one of those geography books for dummies and told me I needed to know basic things if I was going to be his girlfriend and socialize with his friends.

So, I ripped the book in half and told him he could wipe his ass with the pages and to never call me again.

Next thing I knew, he was dating my roommate at the time, which is why I had to move, ending up with the landlord from hell.

“Do you have a boyfriend?” I ask. The girl is gorgeous. I bet the prospects are all over her.

“No. I’m not allowed to date. It’s my dad’s highest rule: no one is allowed to touch his princess.”

I can hear the irritation in her voice. She takes in another long drag of her cigarette, obviously not happy with the fact. I would’ve killed to have had an overbearing father who wanted to protect me. She doesn’t realize it, but she’s really lucky.

“Rory!” The loud, booming voice has us both startling. Two huge men are stalking down the path as if they’re on a mission. “Been looking for you,” the bigger one barks. “Your ass has school.”

“And those are my goons,” she sighs under her breath. “The overbearing one that just shouted is Ripper. The other one is Raid.”

Ripper and Raid. King and Link. Each one as dominant as the next. And just as big. They all look like lumberjacks in leather.

“Calm your shit,” Rory snaps, quickly snubbing out her cigarette and dropping the butt. “I was just having coffee with Shayna, and I can always watch the classes later.”

So, she’s homeschooled. Wow. Talk about being sheltered. Now, I understand her frustration.

“Are you smoking?” The big one, Ripper, stops in front of her looking pissed as he stares down at the pack of cigarettes.

I quickly snatch them up and tuck them in my hand. “I was,” I lie, hoping to spare the girl a punishment from the man.

“Well, make sure you never give one to the princess. She’s seventeen and isn’t allowed to smoke. I’m Ripper, by the way. You’re Link’s kid?”

That’s what he seems to keep telling people, but I’m not.

“No. I’m not his daughter. I’m just an old acquaintance.”

“Not what he just said in church,” he grunts. “Claimed you as his kid.”

Yeah, well, if Link thinks I’m going to be calling him daddy, he’s wrong.

“Heard you’re going to be our new bartender,” the other one chimes in. He’s got kinder eyes, and a soft smile, and silver hair, revealing the fact that he’s older. But in no way is he any less handsome than all the others. Every single one of them is good looking. Like seriously good looking.

“I am. So, if there’s a certain drink you like, I’ll make sure to perfect it just the way you like it.”

“I’m a whiskey neat kind of guy.” Raid winks. “You’ll find that most of us drink the brown straight or beer, so should be pretty easy. The girls like them fruity cocktails though. And this little princess…” He smiles at Rory, looking at her the same way King was. “Likes her virgin pina coladas.”

“I make a good one.” I smile at the girl.

She tips her head as the other big man beside her moves in. “Come on, princess. It’s time to take you inside.”

Rory rolls her eyes, reminding me so much of myself when I was younger.

Wanting to spread my wings and fly but having too many people trying to control my every move.

It’s different for her though; these men truly care about her.

I can see it in each of their eyes. They love her like a daughter and are only trying to look out for her.

She’s truly lucky.

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