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As Gareth pulled the car through the gate of what I was to find was the Iron Punisher’s compound, I couldn’t help but stare around me in awe and a bit of apprehension. A man had run out, opened the gate, and waved us through. I saw Annie wave at him and smile. He returned it before shutting the gate and securing it behind us. As far as my eyes could see, a tall cement wall stood at least ten feet tall on each side of the gate. Inside the wall, there was a massive building in front of us.

When Gareth stopped in front of the building, I saw more than the two houses sitting on either side of it. There were more scattered around, stretching off into the distance. Over a dozen motorcycles and vehicles were in front of the building, which reminded me of a metal airport hangar. Nervous bubbles were active in my stomach.

In preparation for today, yesterday, Annie, Gareth, and I spent several hours preparing food to bring. She told me she never came empty-handed. In the past, the club used to pay her to cater food for them. However, now that there were a few wives, who they called old ladies, they didn’t ask her to do it often unless they were throwing a huge party. With only five women, it was too much for them to do on their own.

Getting out of the car, I heard the rumble of voices and the squeal of a few children. Gareth was opening the trunk to get out our offerings when three kids came running around the building. When they saw us, they began to yell their names as they ran over to greet us.

“Annie, Gareth,” the boy yelled. He appeared to be about six years old, in my estimation. The two girls were closer to three. Not far behind them came a woman and a man I recognized as Ink.

“Get back here, you animals. Don’t try to get all the treats for yourself. They’re mine,” Ink growled, chasing them like a bear. They screamed in mock terror and ran behind the building again. He stopped chasing after them and came over.

“Glad to see you made it. Haven, let me introduce my woman, Alisse. The little hellion in the pink shorts is ours, Arya. The other is her partner in crime, Lily. She’s Reaper and Chey’s daughter. The boy is Flynn. He belongs to Maniac and Lark. The other two aren’t mobile yet.”

I shook hands and said hello to Alisse. She was a gorgeous woman who, if I guessed right, was partly Black. I was instantly jealous of her mocha skin. I was pale as could be. Ink and Gareth grabbed some of the items from the trunk.

“It’s wonderful to meet you. And it was great of the guys to ask me to come when we met at the diner on Monday,” I said to Alisse.

“Are you kidding me? As if we’d have a cookout and not invite you. We want to get to know Gareth’s family. I promise we’re not that bad. Look at your uncle. He hasn’t run screaming yet,” she joked.

“I thought about it when I came here the first time, and all of them were staring holes through me and plotting where to hide my body,” Gareth said.

“No, they weren’t,” Annie protested.

At the same time, Ink said, “Damn right we were.”

Annie shoved Ink playfully and glared at him. “You’re such a brat. I swear. Is it any wonder I kept him away until I had him captured? Who in the world could date around you bunch of brutes?”

“We had to make sure he was worthy of you. If he weren’t, he would’ve just disappeared, and no one would know where he ran off to,” Ink said smugly and casually.

Annie’s response was to pile more containers in his waiting arms than into Gareth’s. By the time she was done, only a few things were left for us to carry. Alisse, Annie, and I took those. Using my elbow to shut the trunk lid, I followed them. We didn’t enter the vast building. Instead, we went around it in the direction the kids had gone.

When the area behind it came into view, I was struck by how busy it was. There were men, women, and kids everywhere. Not all wore a cut with the Punishers’ logo, but most did. Voices chatted. The back area had a big barbecue area with grills and an outdoor kitchen. Scattered around were picnic tables and chairs. To provide some shade, they had a variety of umbrellas erected. It wasn’t terribly hot out since it was only April, but the weather would change before we knew it.

Off to one side, toward the fence, was a playground and what appeared to be a pool. That would come in handy in the summer. I almost stumbled because I was busy looking around rather than watching where I was going. A hand gripped my elbow, jerking my attention to the left. There stood Maniac. He smiled.

“Better watch it. You don’t want to get hurt.”

“You’re just worried about what she’s carrying. Those aren’t all for you,” the woman next to him said with a grin.

“Imp, you’d better watch yourself. I can take you off somewhere to teach you a lesson,” Maniac said back with sexual innuendo in his voice as he winked at her. She blushed and then glanced at me.

“Sorry, how rude. I asked him to introduce me, but we’re ignoring you. I’m Lark. This big lug is mine.”

“Lug! I’m not a lug. More like a sexy beast you can’t resist,” Maniac teased.

“Maybe I should hit you in the head,” she threatened. She raised a cane in the air. That’s when it registered she carried one, and her billowy top moved, showing her round belly. By the looks of her, she was several months pregnant.

“I’ll pay you to do it, Lark,” Annie told her.

“Baby, don’t strain yourself,” Maniac said as he frowned and put an arm around her.

“Honey, raising my cane doesn’t strain me or the baby. Chill,” she told him.

“No need to take chances,” he replied.

We reached a long row of tables. After we sat our burdens down, I was able to hold out my hand to shake Lark’s.

“It’s great to meet you. Congratulations on your baby. Do you mind if I ask how far along you are?” I asked.

“Thank you. I’m delighted to meet you, too. As for how far along I am, I have just under three months to go. The baby is due on the Fourth of July. You have to forgive us. We didn’t expect to have a baby, so this pregnancy is not only a surprise but a miracle. Maniac tends to be more cautious than I am,” she explained.

My puzzlement must’ve shown. “You saw Flynn, I see,” Lark said, smiling.

“I did. I thought Ink said he belongs to the two of you.”

“He does. We adopted him over two years ago,” Lark explained.

We moved away from the food tables. Annie, Lark, and I kept talking. I was curious about Flynn. I thought adoption was a fantastic thing to do. I got caught up in talking with her. I was absorbed in her telling me about her Fortress of Bravery and how she thought she’d never be able to conceive, and they hadn’t until recently. From the little she told me, it sounded like a great place, and they were blessed. Watching the loving way Maniac looked at her, I saw she was lucky on several counts.

I jumped when I heard a man’s voice from behind us. “Stop hogging her. Chey is about to clobber you, Maniac,” the deep voice of Reaper said.

Turning, I was faced with more than just Reaper and his wife. There were two other couples with them. Reaper introduced Cheyenne, his very pregnant wife. Her coal-black hair and bright blue eyes were startling. I asked her when her baby was due and found out barely a month from now. After Cheyenne was done telling me her due date, Slash introduced his wife, Kimera. Lash was the last to go. His lady’s name was Troian. I greeted them all, and then I had to say to Troian, “Ah, I see I’m not the only redhead, but I’m mad at you.”

She gave me a startled look. “Why?”

“Because, unlike me, you can tan. That’s not natural. I want to lodge a formal complaint with Mother Nature,” I joked. This caused all the women to laugh.

“You have amazing skin. Don’t you dare let the sun touch it,” Alisse said.

“I’m not talking to you, either. All that lovely skin of yours makes me mad, too. Believe me, if the sun did touch me for more than five minutes and without SPF 100, you’d know it. I’d be the color of an extra-ripe tomato.”

As we laughed, I saw more people coming our way. I took in the sight just as I had on Monday. Almost a dozen more bikers were headed toward us. They were tall, tattooed, and sexy, just as the five I’d first met were. Damn, it was a feast for the eyes here. I had to remind myself of my promise to Annie not to go after any of her friends. How disappointing. As they reached us, smiles came out in full force.

“And this has to be the ravishing Haven you told us about, Pres. Where have you been hiding her, Annie?” a sizable man said as he checked me out. He wasn’t subtle about it.

“I’ve been hiding her from you slobbering dogs, that’s where. I’m warning you. Don’t get any ideas. She’s not like those other bitches who hang out around here,” Annie warned.

I knew which women she was referring to. Over the past few days, she’d been educating me on biker life. As a part of it, I’d discovered what hang arounds and club bunnies were. While I didn’t have anything against women enjoying their sexual freedom the same as men, I wasn’t that free. I wasn’t a virgin, but I didn’t sleep with a guy just because I found him sexy or attractive. It took more than that to get me naked. Before he could say anything, I did.

“I’m Haven, and don’t let Annie fool you. She hasn’t been hiding me. I just moved here. It’s splendid to meet all of you. Oh, and just so you know, she’s had the talk with me, and I promised her I wouldn’t try and steal any of your virtues.” I pretended to sigh before I continued, “Sorry, but that means no fun.”

“Goddamn it, Annie! What were you thinking?” the big guy said in disgust as the others grumbled and some snickered.

“She was thinking of keeping her out of your grasps. Now, quiet down, and let me introduce your unruly asses. Haven, this is Crusher. He’s our sergeant-at-arms for the club. To his right is Mayhem, our enforcer. Continuing around the circle is Ratchet, our road captain. This is Sandman, Shadow, Romulus, and Remus, who’re twins as if you couldn’t guess that. These two are Gravel and Hail. Finally, these last two are Riot and Diesel. They were the newest to patch in as members last year. We have two prospects around. They’re twins, too, but not identical. I don’t know what it is with us attracting twins lately,” Reaper said in amusement.

As Reaper introduced them, I offered each my hand. They’d all taken it and took their time gently squeezing it and giving me seductive looks. I didn’t see the harm in flirting, even if that was all it could be, so I winked or smirked back at them. Mayhem stepped closer.

“If you take a walk with me, I can tell you what all those titles mean and answer any and all questions you have.”

“Hold it there, Mayhem. There’s no need for that. I explained about clubs, your positions, prospecting, and those sluts who you have flittering in and out. She’s fully educated,” Annie stated.

Her statements got them going, and they talked over each other, arguing that there was a ton they knew that she would’ve missed. I was having so much fun chuckling at them. It was already a great day. When they couldn’t lure me away, they pretended to pout. The couples excused themselves to talk to their other guests. Reaper reminded them to let me finish meeting everyone.

The guys came with us, as I followed Gareth and Annie to the group of non-cut wearers. These guys were good for a girl’s ego, that was for sure, even if they were only jesting. I hadn’t had this much male attention in my life. What a way to welcome a woman to her new life and home.

Coming up to the new group, I saw only two women in the bunch. Women were seriously outnumbered here. It made me think these men should get girlfriends or wives to help even the numbers a little. The whole explanation of who I was and who they were began again.

This time, I met Art, who worked at the club’s microbrewery. Reaper oversaw that business with help from Shadow. Elliott and Chuck, who were tattooists with Ink at his tattoo shop, were there with Greta, Chuck’s wife and the shop’s receptionist. Davis, I discovered, was a gang task force policeman who was friends with Lark before being introduced to the club. Becca, the other woman, was the babysitter for the club’s kids, although she said they’d soon outnumber her.

The final guy, Gentry, was presented as someone who worked at Iron’s Rehab, a home remodeling company. This piqued my interest, and I asked him to explain what kind of work they did there. However, before he could, Spawn interrupted him.

“Sorry to interrupt, Gentry, but I see your boss coming. He hasn’t had a chance to meet Haven yet. Let me introduce them, and then you can have her back.” He pointed to the left.

Glancing over to see who I’d missed, I was shocked to see another Punisher striding up to us. He wasn’t smiling. In fact, he appeared reluctant to approach us. I wondered why. However, more than his attitude, his appearance struck me.

None of the Iron Punishers were ugly by any means. I’d have no problem staring at them for hours. But the man who came to a halt before me made me want to stare at him and soak up all he was for days. He was tall like the rest, although he was one of the taller ones. He had a good eight inches plus over my five foot eight. He was a hulking big man, but I could tell it was all muscle, not fat. He wore a short-sleeved T-shirt like the others, which displayed his arm tats. In his case, it was an entire sleeve of ink on his right arm. The other was bare. His super muscular arms were emphasized by the veins running along them, the kind you see on men serious about their fitness. He either worked out a bunch or did work that required him to lift heavy things.

He had dark brown, almost black hair that he wore shaved close to his scalp. It showed off his widow’s peak. His close-trimmed beard and mustache were the same color but with flecks of silver. I couldn’t see if he had any silver on the top of his head. It was all finished off by tan skin, boldly rugged features, and dark brown eyes. My perusal was interrupted by Spawn.

“About time you showed your face. We want you to meet someone.” Spawn smiled as he pointed to me.

“This is Haven. She’s Gareth’s niece. She decided to move and just got here this week. She’s staying with them until she gets a place of her own. Haven, this latecomer is Tinker. He’s our treasurer, and he manages Iron’s Rehab. Gentry works with him, and Lash helps manage it as well as makes custom cabinetry.”

Despite his less-than-welcoming expression, I held out my hand and smiled at him. “Hello, Tinker, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve got to say. You came at the right time. I was about to ask Gentry to tell me what exactly you guys do at Iron’s Rehab.”

He appeared almost reluctant to take my hand, but he did. When his large hand enclosed mine, I was slammed with instant zaps of something racing up my arm and throughout my body. I swore for a moment that his eyes widened. He let go of my hand before I could absorb more of those pleasurable jolts.

“Welcome. I hope you have a good time. Make yourself at home. Gentry or Lash can more than fill you in on what we do. Sorry. I just got back from a job. I need to get cleaned up. See you guys later.”

I noted his clothes were a bit dirty. Without another word, he walked off. I wondered if he was always so abrupt or if he was having a hard day. Choosing not to get upset over it, I turned to Gentry. As he told me about their work, with helpful interjections from Lash, I grew even more excited. Maybe once I get settled and my business off the ground, we might be able to work together. I wasn’t planning to say anything, but Gareth did it for me.

“Haven, maybe you and Iron’s Rehab can cross-refer to each other once your business is up and running. It would be ideal for you both.”

“What kind of work do you do?” Lash asked. He appeared genuinely interested.

“Uncle G, I doubt they have a need of me. I bet they already work with someone,” I protested. I didn’t want them to think I was trying to trade off on their friendship with Annie, and it appeared my uncle. I wouldn’t do that.

“Tell us what you do, and we’ll tell you if we have someone,” Gentry added.

“It’ll be awhile. I have to find a place and get it ready, but when I do, I’ll be opening an interior design studio. I’ve wanted to do it for a long time,” I confessed. If I didn’t, Gareth or Annie would have told them.

“Seriously, you’re not kidding, are you?” Lash asked. He sounded pleased.

“Totally serious.”

“Hot damn. That’s fate or something. We’ve been talking about finding someone to partner with when it comes to the design needs of clients after we do the renovations they want. They ask, but we have no one close by to offer them. To have someone in town would be great,” Lash explained.

“I’d appreciate any business I can get, but you might want to wait and see if you even like what I do,” I cautioned, trying not to get enthusiastic at the possibility.

“Don’t be modest. I’ve seen your portfolio and know what you did at your place in Blacksburg. I plan to have you help me with our new house after you get yourself situated and when you’re not working at the diner,” Annie said eagerly. That was news to me.

I was inundated with questions about my work and requests to see my portfolio. It seemed Annie wasn’t the only one who wanted to do something with their home or business. I didn’t intend to do homes versus businesses. Either would be more than okay with me. In a town this size, you’d have to do both to have a chance at being successful.

As the day wore on, I tried not to stare at Tinker, but it was hard. When he rejoined the party after his shower, he seemed to remain on the fringe of it. I saw him talking mainly to his brothers and the non-club guests. I tried a few times to strike up a conversation with him, but he would quickly end it and move off.

It was glaringly evident that, unlike the other guys, or, I should say, the single ones, he wasn’t up to talking or flirting. I tried not to let it upset me. Not everyone was found attractive to everyone else. I might find him crazy enticing, but he didn’t see me the same. I didn’t let it get me down.

When it came time to eat, the food was delicious. Everyone stuffed themselves from the sounds of the groans. As the sun set, the kids were taken inside and settled into a large room set up just for them, which I’d seen when I was given the tour earlier. The ladies explained it was inspired by some friends in other clubs who had the same setup in their clubhouses. I thought it was terrific that they did so much to incorporate their children into the whole experience.

Needing a short break, Annie and I snuck into the kids’ room. Becca was getting Flynn, Lily, and Arya to quiet down with a movie. Based on how tired they looked and how hard they played, I didn’t see it taking long for them to be out. I was checking out what they were watching when baby Esme began to cry, and so did Jericho. I jumped at the chance to get my hands on them.

“We’ve got them,” I called over to Becca.

She gave us grateful smiles. I picked up Esme, and Annie snatched up Jericho. I’d been introduced to these two bundles of cuddliness when we’d been with their parents earlier. Esme was Lash and Troian’s four-and-a-half-month-old daughter. She already resembled her mom so much.

Jericho was Kimera and Spawn’s two-month-old son. Even at his age, Spawn’s strong genes were showing. These two, and then add in Cheyenne and Reaper’s baby, along with Maniac and Lark’s, would mean the club would soon have four kids under a year old. Wow, Becca would need help.

Esme stopped crying and drifted off rather quickly once I got her out of the bassinet. It was probably due to me rocking her in one of the rockers I had sat in once I had picked her up. Annie took a seat in the other one. She was gazing at Jericho, or Rico, as others called him. She had such a yearning look on her face. It made me wonder.

“Annie, I hope you don’t mind if I ask, but did you ever want to have kids?”

She didn’t answer immediately. I was about to go on to another subject when she spoke. “I did, but after so many years of not trusting men and then getting older, my time passed. I got too old.”

“You and Gareth aren’t too old. You’re what, in your forties? And he’s forty-seven. Many people wait until then or even older to have kids.”

“I’m fifty-one, and my baby-making equipment is out of business.”

“So, you could adopt like Maniac and Lark did Flynn. He’s sweet as hell. I think you two have so much to give a child if you both want one.”

“Maybe. I haven’t really thought about it, to be honest. Or we could just wait and spoil your kids.” She smirked.

I laughed. “At the rate I’m going in the men department, my baby equipment will be out of business before I find a man, too. You two should adopt and let me spoil your kid or kids.”

We sat there rocking and talking for a good half hour. Becca left us alone to enjoy baby snuggles. When we put the babies back to bed, she thanked us. We tiptoed out. All of them were fast asleep.

During the time we’d been gone, things had gotten louder and wilder in the clubhouse. We hadn’t heard it in the kids’ area because it was soundproofed. Music was playing, and when I walked into the common area where the bar was, I caught my first glimpse of them letting loose. Pool and dart games were happening. The alcohol was flowing more freely, and some of the ladies, those not pregnant, were up dancing. Seeing them dancing, my excited aunt grabbed my hand, and I was dragged to the dance floor.

It had been ages since I’d been out dancing and could let my proverbial hair down. It was so fun and exhilarating. As time wore on, we’d take brief breaks. I noticed Gareth was talking with some of the guys and playing pool. I’d have to check that out later. I loved to play pool. I thanked Shadow when he brought me a drink. That was the beginning of more drinks, all offered by various guys.

I was beyond surprised when the music shut off later. I wondered why and found out quickly. Guitars came out, and a drum set on a platform they wheeled out got my attention. The next thing I knew, Reaper, Ink, Ratchet, and Spawn got up in front of the rest of us. Reaper picked up the acoustic guitar and Ratchet the electric. Spawn took a seat behind the drum set. I wondered what Ink played, only to discover he sang along with Reaper. They were incredible. I looked at Annie with my mouth hanging open. She grinned.

“They’re amazing, aren’t they? I hoped they might do this tonight. This is the first time Gareth has heard them, too. They only do it occasionally.”

“Wow, they’re awesome.”

I sat there listening to them. It wasn’t long before Lark was called to join them, and I discovered she could sing. This bunch was full of surprises. As I glanced around the room, my gaze landed on Tinker. He was alone at the bar. He was watching his brothers with an expression I couldn’t quite fathom. He seemed lonely, so I got up and went over to him. I gave him what I hoped was a friendly smile.

“Mind if I join you?” I asked.

“It’s a free country,” he grunted.

Not letting his less-than-encouraging remark deter me, I sat on the barstool beside him. I pointed to the band. “They’re very talented. I wasn’t expecting this. Is there anyone else who sings or plays I should watch out for?”

He took a sip of his beer before he answered. “Not that they’ve said,” he muttered before falling silent again. God, trying to talk to him was more challenging than pulling teeth, but I didn’t give up.

“I wish I could play an instrument. I tried to learn when I was younger, but I just didn’t have the knack for it. Did you ever try to learn to play anything?”

He shook his head. I tried introducing a few other topics, but they all fell flat. Deciding I’d wasted enough time on his unfriendliness, I stood up.

“I hope the rest of your evening is good. I’m off to bug someone else,” I said with just an edge of snippiness.

As I walked away, I vowed I’d find a way to get him to talk to me. Surely, he wasn’t a grumpy old bear all the time. And if he was, it was my mission to find out what would sweeten his disposition. I didn’t know why, but I felt driven to make him talk to me and say more than a few meaningless words. Rejoining the others, I enjoyed the hell out of the remainder of my night until it was time to leave. As we did, I swore I felt eyes boring into my back. I didn’t turn to check who it was.