CHAPTER TWENTY

-:- MACKENZIE -:-

Being at the clubhouse yesterday was an eye-opener for me. Walking in and seeing men half-naked and oiled up, I was ready to flee the scene. I was not getting involved in any of that stuff. Jig explained it and then Jo put me at ease with her bubbly personality.

Listening to Raven and Kya talk about the sex scenes in Jo’s books, and the research that goes on between Jo and Knuckles, I might have to read some of her books and do my own research.

Jig explained all about the Ol’ Lady thing, too, and I feel much happier after hearing it. I get to wear a leather vest, a kutte he called it, with the club’s name, his name, and my name on it. Again, I’m not sure I like the ‘Property of Jig’ as he describes it. I did tell him I’d like to be a wife as well as an Ol’ Lady, and though I was worried it might scare him off talking about it so early in our relationship, I was pleasantly surprised when he was all for it.

He went on to talk about having a family and a bigger home. He’s going to show me the cabins that have been built in their compound. Having a home in a compound sounds a bit off-putting to me, but I’ll reserve judgment until he’s shown me. However, in this day and age, the security that would provide for my family is a positive. Oh… my family, to be thinking that way surprises me.

Mia invited me along to the clubhouse this morning, and it all seemed rather secretive. There was definitely an air of hush-hush about the invite. Jig certainly knows more about this than he’s letting on. All I can get out of him is, “It’s fine. You’ll be fine. Everything's fine.” He’s told me to wear gym gear and take a change of clothes. Something is certainly going on…

We stayed at his cabin Saturday night and had to dash over to my place this morning. He tried to get me on the back of his hog, but I wasn’t having any of that, and I used my Jeep instead. Not sure how we’ll get around that stumbling block when the time comes.

Arriving at the clubhouse, we’re greeted by Mia at the door holding a beautiful baby girl. Summer, who is the recipient of the trike stroller.

“Hi guys. Follow me.” We don’t have time to answer or ask where to, as she’s already disappearing inside. Glancing over her shoulder, she smiles and we follow her through a door marked ‘President’.

Entering the room, I see it’s an office. Mia stands beside Axel and he looks up at her and Summer, his face showing how much he adores them. I know they have twin boys somewhere, and they are two little terrors by all accounts.

“Jig, as you have requested a pass from attending church, I asked for the brothers to vote on you taking Kenzie as your Ol’ Lady. Some don’t know her yet, they know who she is, but not what sort of person she is. I put my ass on the line and vouched for her. They all voted aye.” Shifting his attention to me, he states, “Kenzie, don’t put me in the position of misplacing my trust in you. In the meantime, here you go, you’ll need this.” He hands over a box, looking at me expectantly.

Opening it, I pull out a leather vest. My kutte. Seeing a patch with my name on it makes me smile. Turning it to see the back, I frown as I read ‘Property of Jig’. Slipping it on, it feels good in more ways than just how it fits.

“It’s so that everyone knows if they mess with you, you are under Jig’s protection and the protection of the Raging Barons MC,” Mia elaborates and positively beams at me. “Okay, good. Now that’s taken care of, Kenzie, you’re with me.” Handing Summer to me, she leads me out of the office and through the kitchen to the compound. Seeing what I assume are all the Ol’ Ladies standing waiting, Amelia comes over and takes Summer.

There are waves of welcome and hello, also a couple of introductions to women I haven’t met yet. Two men climb down from a treehouse that I hadn’t noticed until now and start ordering us to do warm-up exercises. Why am I doing warm-ups? I must say it out loud as someone answers me.

“It’s our Sunday morning training regime. We’ve got self-defense classes, too,” Tilly tells me. “You’ll get used to it. It’s a bit brutal for the first month or so.”

Having done the warm-ups, we take off on a run. It’s been a long time since I did any running, but I used to enjoy a three-mile run daily. Pacing myself with Tilly, we take our time. We are the last ones back, but I’m not worried. Self-defense classes, they worry me. I’ve never done any of that in the past. Perhaps Jig can give me some pointers.

“Everyone get yourselves showered and changed, then into the office for a girl-gang church,” Mia calls out before speaking to Amelia and another two older ladies, who I was introduced to as Bitty and Sybil. Taking Summer, all four head inside.

Finding Jig, he takes me off to where I can get showered and changed. Asking Jig about the fitness training and the self- defense classes, he explains that the women, although protected by their men and the club, are expected to be able to protect themselves to a certain level as well as any children, as there may not be a brother available at some point.

Asking Jig for help with the self-defense classes, he suggests I approach Winter. Grinning, he makes her out to be some sort of ‘Lara Croft’ or something. I’ll speak to her after this girl gang meeting, and see what she thinks about giving me some one-on-one training.

Following the other women to church, we all find seats around an enormous table. This is also where the men hold their church meetings, apparently. Winter, who I have gravitated to as I want to talk to her later, tells me that Axel and Mia had quite a heated discussion when she first wanted to use this room as well as the men.

Once it seems everyone is in attendance, Mia takes the floor. Explaining that I am officially Jig’s Ol’ Lady, she tells me I am now officially a girl gang member, and that as such, certain responsibilities go with it. Winter gives me a nudge and whispers that those responsibilities can also have consequences.

Mia’s next statement has me sitting up and taking notice, however. “What do you prefer? Bike or trike? You might want to get Jig to help you buy one, unless you know enough about riding yourself. We’ve all got one, it’s part of the membership rules, if you like. You already know what my trike looks like, from seeing Summer’s stroller.”

“It sure won’t be a bike, as I hate anything on two wheels. They go against the laws of physics, and I’m not even sure about a trike. I’m definitely a four-wheel gal.”

“Well, you need one or the other. If we go on any road trips, you won’t want to be walking,” Mia tips an eyebrow at me.

Some of the women seem to get a bit more animated at the mention of a road trip.

“Talking of trips, Mia, Graham and I need to talk to you later.”

Winter leans over and whispers, “Mia allowed Suzie into the meeting, although she’s not a girl gang member. She is a guest of Mia.”

“That’s okay, Suzie. What do you want to talk about?”

“We’ll talk later, after the meeting.” Suzie is starting to look uncomfortable, but Mia doesn’t seem to see it.

“We’re all friends here. Spit it out.”

“Graham and I are leaving in the morning. We’re going to carry on with our travels around the country,” Suzie almost whispers this and is bright red with embarrassment.

“Oh. That wasn’t something I expected. We’ll talk more about it later, then.” Mia looks stunned at this revelation and clearly was expecting longer with her friends.

“There’s nothing more to say, Mia. Graham and I have decided we should carry on. We were only stopping in for Summer’s birth and we’ve loved catching up with you and Axel, but it’s time we moved on.”

“Well, if you’re sure. I’ll come and speak with you and Graham after the meeting, anyway.”

Suzie gets up from the table, bids us all a good meeting and leaves.

“Anyone else with any shocking revelations?” I think Mia means this in a light-hearted manner, but by the look on several faces, there’s something else to come. “Okay. Let’s have it. What’s next?”

Winter speaks up, and I wish it was anyone else but her. I’m sitting next to her and although I have no idea what she’s going to say, I feel very vulnerable right now.

“I’ve been asked to be the spokesperson for the girl gang, to tell you how they all feel about your idea of the Route 66 road trip. No one thinks that they are capable of such a long-distance trip, without first tackling some shorter ones to build confidence and experience. Also, no one wants to leave their man, or jobs, for four weeks. That’s a very long time, Mia.”

“There’s another thing, too.” Eden speaks up this time. “I don’t want Harrison driving around in an RV for a month. I’m not comfortable with my child doing so many miles and with someone else responsible for his safety. I wouldn’t be happy driving those distances with someone else's children in my care.”

“I’ve already spoken with Axel and we won’t be doing it anytime soon. I’m not saying it will never happen, but it certainly won’t be soon. I was excited about the idea, and so were some of you . It was only when Axel and Meat pointed out the planning required, and the timeframe, that I saw how difficult it was going to be. I’m sure it was only when your men talked to you about it you understood, too.” As Mia looks around the room, I see everyone is relieved that the issue of the road trip has been resolved.

“Okay. If there’s no other business, let’s get out of here.”

As Mia leads the way out I take the opportunity to speak with Winter. “Have you got a moment to spare, Winter?”

“Sure, Kenzie. What can I help you with? Shooting or self-defense?”

“Wow, telepathic, or am I that easy to read?” I laugh and she shakes her head.

“Neither. We’ve only just met, properly, and you weren’t struggling with the fitness this morning. I’m the go-to-gal for self-defense and I can out-shoot damn near everyone in the club, except maybe Target and very occasionally Chaos beats me.”

“I haven’t given shooting any thought, but I suppose I’d get there, eventually. It was self-defense, I don’t want to go out there and get my ass handed to me. Not too easily, anyway,” I state, smiling at her.

“Well, that’s probably going to happen the first few times. We’ve all been doing this for a while now. Nobody will go out of their way to humiliate you. They’ve all been where you are.”

“They’ve? Not we’ve? That tells its own story, I’m sure.” Her confidence in what she’s saying has me believing that Jig was right when he painted her as a ‘Lara Croft’ type.

“My Pops was in the service, and he taught me a lot, and from an early age. I could hold my own against a good few of the brothers. Anyway, sure thing, I can help you. Give me a call at the range and I’ll be able to fit you in with my work schedule.”

The rest of Sunday passes as an enjoyable time at the clubhouse. I spend some time with Mia as she looks quiet. I notice she’s staying out of things, so I sit and chat with her and get some lovely cuddles with Summer. I don’t miss the sly grin I see on Jig’s face either, while I’m holding the baby.

Spending the night at Jig’s cabin means I’m up early Monday morning. Home, showered and to work on time certainly has me rushing around. Heading into the break room, two nurses become silent as I walk in. I stopped on the way to work at the convenience store, and picked up lunch, and am aiming to pop them in the fridge. As soon as I’m out the door, I stop and listen. “That was her. She got turned down by Dr. Edwards and then twisted it so he got fired.” Resisting the urge to go back in there and put her straight, I take a deep, loud breath and get to work.

Taking more notice of how my co-workers are interacting with me, or not in some cases, the day passes slowly. Keeping busy doesn’t have any effect on the time dragging by.

When it’s time to leave work, I don’t bother going home. I head straight for Jig’s and arrive before him and I sit in my Jeep and wait. I watch him come out of the garage and walk towards me, I hop out and as soon as he’s across the road, I throw my arms around him and start to cry.

Scooping me up bridal style, he unlocks the front door, kicks it open and takes me inside. Pushing the door shut with his ass, he leans against the door, holding me. He makes gentle shushing noises and asks me if I’m hurt.

“Not physically, no. I’m just letting stupid shit get to me, that’s all.”

Putting me down gently, he tips my chin up with one hand and then wipes my tears away. “Let me guess. The two bitches at work?”

“No. All the bitches at work. I caught two more talking about me today. I know it’s just gossip, bullshit, but it caught me off guard. Everything in my private life is great and getting better, and then I hear them talking shit about me. Aaargh!”

“Private life is great, huh? I’m pleased about that. So, how do we make work life better, or maybe even great?”

“You could win the lottery and we could both give up work, have a ton of kids. Extend the cabin into a mansion. Buy me a trike and teach me to ride it, so then I’d be a real biker chick in a real girl gang. Buy me a ton of guns that I could shoot in our own backyard shooting range. Have targets printed up with pictures of the bitches on them. Better still, cleaver throwing. I could learn that and then use the real ones as target practice.” Having got into my stride with how to make my life great, I look at Jig and see him trying not to laugh out loud.

“A trike? Guns? Cleaver throwing? Who have you been spending time with? I’m in love with a psycho biker chick, a serial killer.”

Giving him my best wide-eyed owl impression, I stare at him. “You love me? You said you love me. Don’t mess with me, Jig. I couldn’t cope with that.”

“I would never mess with you when it comes to love. I do love you. I know how quick this all seems, but I have no doubts as to how I feel about you. I’m in love with you. I want you to be my Ol’ Lady, my wife, and have a ton of kids. Any house that suits you, picket fence, dogs running with the kids. The whole nine yards. Not sure I’ll win the lottery, but we won’t go without. In fact, if you gave up the condo, quit that stupid job, got a job over here, and moved in with me, we’d save on gas, one set of utilities, and no condo to pay for. Hell, that would be almost as good as winning the lottery.”

“Phew. That’s a lot to take in all at once. Can I have time to think it over?” I ask him, still with my owl eyes gazing up at him.

“Take as long as you need, Beautiful. I’m not going any…”

“Yes.” He looks at me in surprise.

“Yes? Yes what?”

“Yes. Let’s do it. I love you. You love me. To hell with the rest of the world, so… Yes.” Throwing my arms around his neck, I kiss him until I have to come up for air.