Page 81 of Monstrosity

"That's not a system, honey."

We work in silence, the women sharing stories and club gossip as we pack.

The apartment fills with laughter and the easy camaraderie I've come to love about these women.

They've welcomed me into their circle without hesitation, treating me like I've always belonged.

"So Tindra," Meghan says with exaggerated casualness, "how are things with Bodul?"

Tindra flushes prettily. "Mom, ugh. Good. Really good. He's taking me to that new Italian place tomorrow night. As friends."

"Friends? That’s a joke," Everly observes. "Boy's smitten."

"He's sweet," Tindra defends. "And respectful. And?—"

"Hung like a horse?" Meghan suggests.

"Meghan!" Starla scolds, but she's laughing.

"What? We're all thinking it. Prospect boys are always eager to please."

"I doubt he’ll be a prospect for long," Tindra reminds us. "Look at Rio, he got patched in."

"Rio was a prospect for what felt like half a century," Astrid says. "Full patch, still eager to please. Best of both worlds."

"How are you really doing?" Starla asks quietly when we're alone in the kitchen later. "After everything that happened?"

I know she means the attack at the coffee shop, the bruises that marked my throat, the night Rio came home from ending that threat.

"I'm good. Really. It was scary, but... I knew Rio would handle it. And he did."

"He did more than handle it," she says carefully. "Word is Bembe’s death was really intense."

"Good." The viciousness in my voice surprises even me. "He threatened my family. He got what he deserved."

Starla smiles approvingly. "You're gonna do just fine as an old lady. You've got the right instincts."

"Is it weird that I'm not bothered by the violence? Like, I should probably be more concerned about the fact that my boyfriend tortured someone to death, right?"

"Honey, that someone tried to kill you. Threatened little girls. In our world, Rio did exactly what needed to be done." She wraps a plate carefully. "The fact that you understand that means you're meant for this life."

"I was just a woman who worked in a coffee shop not too long ago," I say, slightly amazed at the transformation. "Now I'm... what? A biker's old lady?"

"You're family," Everly says, coming in with empty boxes. "You're one of us now. Which means we protect you, you protect us, and everyone protects the kids."

"Speaking of protection," Meghan bounces in, "when are you and Rio making it official official? Like, rings and papers official?"

"We haven't really discussed it. Everything's been happening so fast."

"Fast?" Astrid snorts. "You two have been dancing around each other for years. If anything, you're moving at glacial speed."

"They're right," Tindra adds, joining us. "Bodul says Rio's been gone for you since basically the beginning. Just took him forever to act on it."

"Well, he's acting on it now," I say, feeling my cheeks heat.

"I'll bet he is," Meghan waggles her eyebrows. "Full patch member, full of testosterone from taking out the threat, finally got his woman..."

"Stop," I laugh, throwing a dish towel at her. "There are innocent ears present."