Shain Chapter 2

I'd been excited to come along for the weekend at the Infidels' compound. After meeting them a few months ago, the club had nothing but great things to say about them. Everything pointed to their club being like the Regulators. Our club found it hard to find many MCs with the same values as we had. Until the Infidels reached out, I had no idea Crash had a cousin in a club in Texas. I guess when he came to visit Crash, I was either working or off doing who knows what. It was a few years ago.

Riding up to their property, I was pleased with what I saw. It had a homey vibe to it. The Regulators' compound wasn't as nice. I think it was the lack of houses. At the moment, no one had houses there. Clutch and Howler's families had homes off the compound. Seeing what little I'd glimpsed coming through the gate, I thought they needed to consider adopting this setup.

While all of it was captivating, nothing got my attention, like when Moose yelled for someone named Daredevil to get his ass over to us. When I noted who he was speaking to, I had to consciously stop from gaping and drooling like a fool.

Walking toward us was a tall man. From the looks of him, I'd guess he had to be at least partly Hispanic. Now, I had found guys of all ethnicities attractive in my life, but none had ever hit me as hard as he did at first glance. He had a warm skin tone. It was different from mine. I was a mixture of Caucasian on my mom's side and Black on my dad's. He had a beard and mustache, which were more than scruff but less than a thick covering. It was black and matched the wavy hair that curled slightly at his ears and the top of his collar. It hung slightly down on one side of his forehead. As he got closer, I noticed how his skin and hair, along with his dark brows and lashes, made his green eyes pop. They were a different shade of green than mine. His was what I would call a gemstone green, whereas mine were more like chartreuse colored.

He was at least six feet tall, and he was muscular. His cut and clothes didn't disguise this. My whole body flushed hot. His stare wouldn't allow me to turn away. I had a hard time staying on track with the conversation at first as he greeted Moose and Fender, and then they got to talking. I pushed myself to respond to my cousin's and Fender's conversation. I wanted to snicker when Moose got loud over my remark about finding a man to impregnate me and then kicking him to the curb. It was so like him and the others to have a double standard. I knew they screwed women left and right and would be doing the same this weekend.

Before I knew it, more of the Regulators and Infidels joined us. Introductions were made, but I was still focused on Daredevil. I followed him like a puppy when he took us behind their clubhouse. There were even more surprises there. They had seating and tents everywhere, along with grills and firepits. Off in the distance was a swimming pool and a children's play area. Further to the right were several trailers. I wondered who lived in those. Members? Prospects? Or bunnies?

I had to fight not to let my upper lip curl at the thought of them. I knew they served a purpose for the men. I just hated the thought. If they weren't such bitches and didn't cause grief and trouble most of the time, I would've been able to ignore them. More than one had her ass handed to her back home by me and the old ladies. When I caught them trying to be devious with Moose or the others, I went into protector-mode. The ones there knew to steer clear of me but there were new ones from time to time and hang arounds too who had to be educated. I didn't mind giving them lessons.

A couple bunnies came along with us to my disgust. Checking out the crowds around us, I tried to see if I could see any of the Infidels' bunnies were here. At the moment I didn't or if they were there, they dressed nicer and acted better than ours. At the thought of them, my stomach lurched when I imagined them and Daredevil. I had no doubt he had women flocking to him everywhere he went. Later, he'd be hooking up with them like the rest. I'd make sure to be turned in for the night before it happened.

The other Infidels and their women went with us to the backyard and stayed a few minutes, then moved on when more came up to be introduced. Vicious, Dragon, and Ashes had stuck with us as we took seats. Daredevil called a prospect named Cullen over and told us to tell him what we wanted to drink and that he'd fetch them. I knew this was standard prospect work, so I gave him my order, but I made sure to smile and thank him. No need to be rude. He gave me a sexy smile.

I heard a low rumbly growl come from one of the men, but I wasn't sure who. The way they were all glaring at him, it could've been any of them, although the only ones to have a reason were Moose and Fender. I swear the way they acted you'd think I was sixteen and a virgin. It was a miracle I ever got laid with them and the other Regulators around. As Cullen walked off, I narrowed my eyes on them. They both gave me unrepentant shrugs. Behave, I mouthed to them.

My attention was pulled back to the newest Infidels to have joined us. I was introduced to Talon, Lorelei, Pitbull, Luciana, Phantom and Tamysin. There was no lack of good looks or sexiness in this club. This went for the men and women. Their kids were damn cute too. I smiled and tickled the three babies' chins. There was five-month-old Jenna, who belonged to Pitbull and Luciana. Phantom and Tamysin had a two-and-a-half-month-old son, Deacon and Gunne, Talon and Lorelei's eight-month-old son.

"You're so adorable. I could eat you up," I told the babies. They all smiled and made cooing noises or giggled.

"God, watch out. She'll never leave now," Moose warned them.

"Hey, hush up," I told him as I smacked his arm.

"You like kids?" Ashes asked.

"I do. Clutch and Howler have a few kids but they're all we have until more of the others trick some poor woman into putting up with them. In Moose's case that means I'll never get any out of him."

"Hey, don't lump me in with him. You know all you gotta do is say the word," Fender stated with a wiggle of his eyebrows.

I snorted. "Yeah, don't hold your breath."

"I take it you don't have any. How many do you want?" Vicious asked suddenly.

"I don't have any, and I have no idea how many I want."

"As long as you don't do what you said earlier and I get final approval, you might get some one day," Moose added.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Cuz, good luck on that. If I do choose a man, you'll have no say. Sorry, not sorry."

"It better not be any of those jokers you work with," was his gruff reply. The others were silently listening to us.

"Enough. We're being rude. Sorry, my cousin has no manners," I apologized to them.

"What kind of work do you do?" Lorelei asked.

"What do you think I do?" I asked mischievously. I loved to hear what people guessed then seeing their faces when they found out what I did. No one had ever guessed it.

"A nurse," Luciana volunteered.

"A teacher," Lorelei said. A few others were called out.

"Social worker."

"Accountant."

"Paralegal."

I shook my head no at every guess. As their suggestions died away Daredevil spoke. "It's something dangerous, isn't it?" he asked gruffly.

"Why would you say that?" I was intrigued.

"Just a guess. Tell me I'm wrong."

"Goddamn right it is," Moose grumbled. He hated my job while I loved it.

"It's not that dangerous. I'm careful. You know I am. Any job can be dangerous," I admonished him.

"Not like yours," Fender added.

"Before I tell you, what do you do?" I aimed it at the ladies.

"I'm a computer programmer and hacker," Tamysin stated.

"I'm an RN, and Lorelei does medical coding. We have a bunch of different jobs around here. Are you a cop like Wrecker and Cuffs?" Luciana queried.

"I'm not a cop, but similar. I'm a firefighter and paramedic."

As the women gasped, I watched the men's faces. Most showed concern and surprise. Daredevil was the one who caught my attention the most. He appeared to be upset. Why?

"You go into fucking burning buildings?" he snapped out.

"I do. What's with the attitude? You do know women are just as capable as men to do any job, aren't you?" His hotness factor dimmed for me as I waited to hear what he would say. The last thing I was attracted to was a chauvinist. While Moose and the other Regulators didn't love my job, they didn't object to it because they thought I was less capable than a man. They knew I was more than proficient at it. They disliked it due to their worry I'd get hurt or killed.

"It's not an attitude. I know women are as capable as men and in many cases more so. I just don't know how you can risk your life doing it. And isn't the equipment and stuff heavy as hell? And what if you have to carry someone out, like a man?"

"The equipment is heavy. When you add all the different pieces together, it can weigh anywhere from forty-five to eighty pounds on average. We train to stay in peak physical form, and if a man needs to be carried out, I can carry many myself, just like the men do. If not, like the men I get help. On average we have to be able to lift at least two hundred pounds at a time and that can include our equipment, hoses, tools, a ladder or a person. I've done more. It's not any different from women in combat situations in the military."

"I'm not trying to piss you off. I'm not being an asshole or a chauvinist which I can tell you think I am," he hurried to reply.

"Did you have the same issue with women when you were in the military? The guys said everyone in your club has served, in fact it's a requirement to get into your MC. What branch did you serve in and were there women you worked with?"

"I was a Marine, and I worked as part of the Marine Air Ground Task Force in their Marine expeditionary force in their intelligence division. And yes, I worked with plenty of women and trained with them too. Most were very capable and had my back as well as any man. Call me old-fashioned I guess. I wish as men we did all the protecting and saving if that makes sense."

His tone and expression told me he wasn't being an asshole about it. I relaxed a little. I gave him a slight smile as I nodded. "I don't see the old-fashioned way ever being possible again, and as a woman, I don't want to have to rely on a man to protect me or those I love."

"Shain, I don't want you to think any of the guys here think we're not capable, although I can say they all are like Daredevil to various degrees. I assure you, all of us know how to defend ourselves, and we have," Luciana responded.

"Sorry, I get a bit touchy. I've had too many men tell me I should be doing a woman's job and not trying to act like I'm a man."

"I don't like what she does but I know she's very competent at her job. Those shitheads who say smack to her have met more than my fist or my brothers. She's put several on their asses," Moose told them with a chuckle.

I laughed recalling a few of them. "Oh yeah, fun times. Okay, enough about me and my work. Tell me more about what you all do."

I listened intently as the other guys told me what they did when they were in the service and what they did now followed by the women telling me what they did specifically at each of their jobs. While they were talking, Cullen came back with our drinks. As he handed me mine, his fingers brushed mine and he winked. I had to hold back a smile so no one knew. He was a good-looking guy but he wasn't doing a thing for me. Despite our mild tiff, Daredevil was still affecting me.

After talking for a bit the kids began to get fussy so they excused themselves only to be replaced by another bunch of people. Most were Infidels and their families but some were their friends and employees. Time passed super quickly. In no time it seemed the women went inside to get the food ready. I offered to go with them and help despite them telling me to relax. I wasn't made that way so I tagged along anyway. The kitchen was impressive and could hold an army. Chatter and laughter rang out as we worked together to get the last things done. A lot of the items I found were already prepared or had been brought in from the outside. Men were out manning the grills and overseeing the cooking of the meats or watching over the kids.

As the tables for the food filled up outside, I saw these Infidels didn't do it half-assed. There was a huge variety and enough to feed a ton of people. On top of the typical hot dogs and hamburgers, there was barbecued chicken. I wondered what they had planned for tomorrow. I hoped they wouldn't be cooking a feast again.

When it was time to eat, as it should be, the children were served first. Next, I saw the women getting their food. What surprised me was their men seemed to be the ones making them plates either while the women rested or they stood next to them. I was stunned. I was so into watching them do it, I didn't take notice of Daredevil until he held out his hand to me.

"Come on, let's go get you some food."

"I'll get some soon. I'll watch the kids so their moms can eat in peace."

He shook his head. "They're fine. If they need something their dads will take care of them. You're not sitting back and waiting. I saw you were in there helping them get this ready. You deserve to eat too."

"Daredevil, I mostly helped dish things up. They did all the real work."

"I see a bunch of these other women feeding their faces, and they didn't offer to help do shit. I'll be damned if they get to eat and you wait. Now, either get your ass up in the line with me, or I'll carry you to it," he growled.

I glared at him as I put my hands on my hips. "Don't think you can bully me. I'm not some scared bitch who'll bow down and let you walk all over top of me."

He laughed. "Oh darlin' I already know you aren't. I'm not trying to walk all over you. I'm taking care of you. There's a difference."

I was prepared to wait him out to prove my point, only the other old ladies had a different idea. "Shain, get your butt up here and eat, girl," Cami yelled back at me. The others began to chorus the same thing.

"I'm not doing it because you said so," I grumbled to him as I headed toward one of the lines.

The asshole laughed again. I gave him the middle finger. It was a favorite response of mine when I was irritated. He crowded up behind me and grabbed a plate, handing it to me before I could get it myself. As we moved down the line, he kept trying to add more on my plate of everything I picked out and offered me additional items even after I skipped them. By the time I found a place to sit, my plate was way too full. He plopped his fine ass down next to me. I pretended to ignore him.

I took several bites and held in my moans. He gently nudged my arm until I glanced over at him. I raised my eyebrows at him. "Good, isn't it?" he inquired.

"Yes, it's very good but I had no doubt it would be. I hate to waste it."

"Why would you waste it?"

"Because some knucklehead wouldn't stop putting more and more on my plate. That's why."

I jumped as there was a loud thump. Peering across the table, I saw Moose, Knox, and Comet take a seat. They were intently watching me then Daredevil. Oh shit, I'd better head them off before they started a fight. If they thought Daredevil was trying to get in my pants, they'd beat his ass. I remembered Moose's early warning to him and the other three about me not being the entertainment.

"Can I help you fellas?" Daredevil questioned them before I could do it.

"Yeah, you can stop hanging all over her. I told you earlier. She's not adding to the notches on your bedpost. Are we gonna have a problem?" Moose snapped.

"Moose, enough!" I warned him.

"I'll be damned if it's enough. I won't have him or anyone else disrespecting you."

"I have no intention of disrespecting her. I'm not hanging around her to get laid," he told my cousin.

"Then why?" Comet questioned him.

"Why, is between me and her. All you need to know is that it isn't to disrespect or hurt her."

I had enough. Appetite gone, I jumped to my feet and stormed off. I heard them all calling after me, but I ignored them. Men were such dumbasses sometimes. Escaping into the clubhouse, I went toward the bathroom I was shown earlier. Maybe I could get some peace and quiet here. Finding it unoccupied, I slammed the door shut and locked it. I went to the sink and turned on the water. I wet a paper towel and used it to press against my heated cheeks. Barely a minute went by before there was a pounding on the door, and Daredevil was calling out my name.

"Shain, are you in there? Open up."

"Leave me the hell alone! Go measure dicks with my cousin or something," I hollered back.

"Don't get mad at me. I wasn't the one acting the fool. They were," he admonished me.

Marching to the door, I unlocked it and then threw it open. He was standing right there, so I poked him in the chest with my finger.

"Don't tell me what to do! You're all idiots. Him for thinking I need to be warned and you for thinking by being nice to me all day you'll get fucked."

His eyes narrowed on me. "I wasn't being nice to get fucked, as you so sweetly put it. If that's what I wanted, there are plenty of women who'd love nothing more than to have my cock," he said heatedly.

"Then go find them and leave me the hell alone."

"Fine, I will. Fuck me for trying to be nice and get to know you. I'm outta here, sweetheart. I'm off to find a woman who wants my attention," he spat out before turning on his heel and striding off.

Tears filled my eyes as I closed the door. God, why did it hurt to hear those words? He was no one to me. The thought of him with another woman shouldn't bother me a bit. I fought not to cry. The weekend I had looked forward to couldn't end fast enough for me. We were planning to leave Monday morning. There was no way I'd be able to stand it until then. Making a decision, I pulled out my phone and found the number I needed. Fate had left me a way out, and I didn't realize it until this moment.