THOR

We’d been back in the US a couple of weeks after spending some time with Noni and our new granddaughter Alana. I never thought either of my kids would have children but here we were. Although I wasn’t too happy about the fact that Noni wouldn’t tell us who the father was, but I figured she had her reasons. We’d only be here for another month or so then we’d fly back to the UK.

We were in the Queens Wraiths compound in their clubhouse, and I was sitting at the bar chatting to their President, Red. While I caught up with him, I kept an eye on my Old Lady where she was sitting at a table in the corner with her daughter-in-law, Lizzie, and a few other Old Ladies.

Their club was a mixture of brothers, some ex-military, some not. They were largely still outlaws, but Red was slowly cleaning them up. Nothing had been said outright but I had a feeling that them cleaning themselves up and going legit was a combination of Red losing his oldest son a year ago and him getting older. He would be seventy this year. Maestro was his youngest son; he was now VP, and I had a feeling it wouldn’t be long before Red stepped down.

The one thing I didn’t enjoy about being at the Wraiths compound were the club whores. They were a fucking menace. It made me long for home where we didn’t have the drama that came along with them.

A hand came over my shoulder, fingers running across my chest. I immediately grabbed hold of the hand, twisting until the club whore who decided to touch me without my permission was on her knees in front of me. Eyes wide and a little scared, unsure of what my intentions were, she didn’t know me, but I guess my reputation preceded itself. I’d made myself clear the first time we visited that I didn’t want them touching me. Not that I’d hurt them, my intentions were never to hurt but to make a point.

“What the fuck do you think you're doing?” I demanded of the club whore on her knees in front of my barstool.

The entire clubhouse had silenced at my raised voice, and you could have heard a pin drop.

“Umm,” she mumbled, eyes darting around frantically trying to see who was watching. I had news for her the entire club was here, watching this go down, and it's what I wanted. This was how I made my point.

Maura and I had been visiting Cash’s club every year, a couple of times a year, and every time I had to put up with this bullshit from the club whores. I was done. I knew it hurt Maura even though she knew I'd never go there. They were too young and why would I want a woman that had been fucked by so many men when I had Maura in my bed.

“Stop looking around for somebody to help you,” I told the whore. “Nobody's going to step in. Now I want you to tell me and think carefully before you answer, were you not told before I arrived not to approach me?”

“Yes,” the whore replied through trembling lips.

“And what? You decided to ignore a direct order?”

“No, I mean, yes,” the whore mumbled, tears running down her cheeks, her eyes wide and scared as she realised how badly she’d fucked up.

“So, what you're telling me is that you have no respect for the President of this club or for the officers. Yes or no?”

“Yes, I mean, no, I don't know,” she whimpered, eyes darting to Red who was sat next to me, arms folded across his chest, watching.

“Don't look at me, girl,” he rumbled. “You brought this on yourself. Answer the man's question. I'd like to know the answer. Do you respect this club or not?”

“Yes, Pres, I do,” she stuttered.

Twisting her hand a little, her attention shot back to me. While I knew I wasn't hurting her with this hold, it certainly held her attention because it wasn't comfortable.

“Answer me this, then. If you respect your President and this club, what the fuck were you thinking?” I demanded.

“Umm, I don't know,” she cried. “I wanted attention.”

“Ah,” I nodded. “Now we're getting somewhere. You wanted attention. The question is from who.”

“From me?”

She shook her head.

Going with my gut, I continued, “If not from me, then from Cash?”

Her eyes grew large.

I nodded. “I see, so you think by pissing me and my Old Lady off, you'd get Cash's attention. But here's the thing that you forgot. I'm not like the men here. I don't expect my woman to throw down for me and I sure as fuck don't do drama. If you thought by coming on to me that I wouldn't do anything, you are sorely mistaken. It's my job as Maura’s Old Man to make sure nothing touches her or hurts her, including a waste of space club whore like you,” I informed her coldly.

“You won't hurt me,” she informed me, her voice trembling slightly. I still had her on her knees in front of me. “Red won't let you.”

“I don't want to hurt you,” I told her. “I want you to learn a lesson, then I want you to make it known I'm not like the other men. I don't put up with fucking drama and I sure as shit don't like whores. You picked the wrong man. My children’s mother was a whore, and I know all your games. But now you're going to apologise to Maura for the upset you’ve caused.”

Standing up from the bar stool, I glanced at Red to confirm how he felt about the situation, but he just tilted his chin at me.

Her wrist still in my hand, I made her walk on her knees to the table where the Old Ladies were sitting until she reached Maura.

“Apologise to my Old Lady,” I told her. “And make it good.”

“I'm sorry,” the club whore spluttered at Maura, tears running down her cheeks, mascara like black rivers running down her face and onto her chest.

“And?” I demanded harshly.

“I won't do it again,” she assured Maura.

“What’s your name?” Maura asks her.

“Amelia,” the club whore whispered, tears still dripping down her face.

“You need to make better choices, Amelia; this life isn’t for everyone. If you’re going to survive it, you need to learn to stick to the rules laid out. If this isn’t what you want, but have no other options then come find me tomorrow and we’ll talk.”

‘Fuck’s sake, my Old Lady is too fucking nice,’ I thought as she nodded at me that she was done talking and the apology was accepted.

Turning her wrist the other way, I helped Amelia stand. Staring hard at her, I told her, “I don't fuck around, remember that. Make sure the other whores know not to approach me. I won't be so gentle next time. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” she replied, nodding her head. Letting go of her hand, I tilted my chin for her to move away, which she did in a hurry, rushing past Red, who just shook his head.

Pulling a chair up to the table, I sat down next to Maura, who took my hand, “I sometimes forget that you can be a hard man,” she smiled softly at me, “but I think the lesson was learned. Thank you.”

Palming her face, I pressed a kiss to her forehead, “No need to thank me, darling, it's my job to make sure you're happy.”

“That was so good to watch,” a soft voice said from further down the table.

At the same table as us sat one of the quieter Old Ladies this club had, although I had a feeling it was more from necessity rather than it being her nature.

Maura and I both turned to look at her. She was a faded pretty. I’d guess she was in her early forties with olive skin and pretty blueish-green eyes that had dark rings under them. Her long dark hair was pulled back into a long plait that hung over her shoulder to her waist. She was dressed down compared to some of the other women in a plain tank, no jewellery or make-up, just a wedding ring.

“I thought Cash was a unicorn, but maybe it’s just British men that don’t sleep with the whores?” she whispered.

There was silence around the table at her words, but I could see that some knew what she was on about. My guess was her man availed himself to what was freely offered and expected her to turn a blind eye.

“But no, that’s not right either because Red didn’t when he had an Old Lady, and neither does Tinman,” she continued softly as if working through something.

Cash’s Old Lady, Lizzie laid a hand on the woman’s arm, asking gently, “Stacey, are you okay?”

Stacey’s eyes darted to Lizzie, and she smiled, “I’m fine, Lizzie,” she hesitated slightly, turning to Maura and me, “Can I ask you something personal, something that’s maybe not the right thing to ask given we’re in public and it’s really not any of my business but I really want to know and it will answer some of my questions about my life. You don’t have to tell me, and I’ll fully understand if you don’t.”

I frowned slightly as I looked at her, there was nothing malicious in her gaze but there was a whole lot of curiosity and pain in her eyes. I had a feeling that whatever was bothering her was going to be what made her change her life.

My attention was momentarily diverted as Cash, Red and Maestro joined us at the table.

Then glancing down at Maura who was curled up against my chest, her eyes met mine and she nodded her permission.

Raising my eyes back to Stacey, I nodded, “Go ahead, sweetheart,” I told her.

Looking a little uncomfortable now that I’d give her permission, but I had to give her props, she forged ahead with her question, “Do you live off Maura? It’s no secret around here that she has money and I wondered if that’s how you guys travelled so much. I’d like to know a few other things but for now that’s my main question.”

“Stacey,” Red chided.

Stacey cringed at his tone and shut her eyes before opening them again, but she didn’t back down. I knew it was something most people wondered but the only ones whose opinion I’d ever cared about knew that I didn’t live off Maura. I had a feeling that there was more to her questions than just curiosity, so I held my hand up to Red when he chided her.

Maura curled her hand around mine and squeezed. We were both used to the assumption that I lived off her money. I knew that I came across as rough and that I didn’t have two pennies to rub together even if the opposite was true.

“It’s okay,” I told him.

Turning back to Stacey, I answered, “To answer your question, Maura’s money is her own to spend how she wants. I wouldn’t be any kind of man if I expected my woman to pay for everything or how we live. I have my own money made through our club; I still earn even though I’ve retired. Does that answer help what you are after?”

She nodded her head, biting her lip, “Sort of,” she replied. “Can I ask another question?”

There was a rumble of soft laughter around the table.

“Sweetheart, I think we’ve gone past being polite, just ask what you want to ask, and we’ll try and help you with whatever is bothering you,” I inform her with a chuckle.

Stacey gives us a small smile that lights up her face and you could see the beauty beneath the worn-down woman, “Okay. This may be under club business, I’m not sure though, so if you can’t answer I’ll understand, and I’ll shut up and leave you to it. The rumour is your club is legit, and I wanted to know how you make enough money to be able to do everything you do if you’re legit?”

“Jesus, Stacey, you’re treading on dangerous ground. You’ve been an Old Lady long enough to know what you don’t ask,” Maestro growled angrily at her.

Stacey cringed at his tone, nodding. There was a break in her voice when she answered and I could tell she was close to tears, “I know, Maestro, I’m sorry but I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. I promise I wouldn’t.”

“It’s okay,” I tell Maestro. “To answer your question, Stacey, the reason we do so well is that for one we are not a big club, which means our cuts from the businesses are not shared with a lot of members. The second reason is that we’ve diversified our businesses a lot during the last few years.

“The other reason is that our women are heavily involved in the club, and they run most of our businesses except for the gym and the garage. My one niece and her partner are whizzes at investing our earnings. Plus, don’t forget we don’t each have our own homes. We pool all our resources together and live in a great big mansion, so we have no mortgages or rent to pay.”

Stacey nodded her head at this information, “Thank you, it’s sort of answered my question. I have one more question to ask.” I laugh, and she smiles at me. “It’s not for you don’t worry. It’s for Lizzie.”

Lizzie sits up straight from where she’s been lying across Cash’s lap at hearing her name, resting her hands on the table she looks at Stacey, “Hit me with it, babe.”

Stacey grins at her before getting serious, “The money you earn when you work, is it yours or do you use it to pay for the house?”

Lizzie frowns, “It’s our money, but mostly I use it for whatever I want or if the kids want something. Cash pays all our big expenses. Why?”

Stacey just shakes her head, running her hands nervously down her legs, she looks up at Red. “I need to ask another question, and Red, this isn’t me being nosy or wanting to know club business and I’ll understand if you say no. I know it’s brothers before anything, but I have to make decisions that will affect my children’s futures. I can ask you privately if you want, but I’d rather stay here if that’s okay with you.”

Red gazed at her taking her measure, before looking around the table. It was only myself, Maura, Maestro, Cash and Lizzie siting here now. The other Old Ladies had got up and left when Stacey started asking her questions. We were tucked in the corner with no-one paying attention to us. The party had continued on once I’d gotten rid of the whore. Making a decision, Red nodded, “Ask.”

“Does Cash earn more because he’s an officer and Grudge isn’t? Grudge told me he’s not bringing home money because the club is going legit and he’s not earning what he used to be, but I’m finding that hard to believe after talking to all of you tonight and after conversations I’ve had with a few other Old Ladies.

“We’re living on my money; I’m working two jobs to keep us afloat. Tonight is the first night off I’ve had in four months. I came here after work to see if maybe Grudge was around and to spend some time with him, but I haven’t seen him yet. I understand if you can’t say anything about his earnings because he’s a brother, but Kyle can’t go to college because I’ve had to use his college fund to pay the mortgage on the house. If it was just me, I’d suck it up and deal but it’s my children’s futures that’s been put at stake. So, I’m asking you please, tell me is he lying to me?” Tears were trickling down her face at the end. I had a feeling asking the questions had been hard for her. She seemed to be a proud woman.

Lizzie leant over the table and grabbed her hand, “Stacey, is this why Rosie was asking if I needed any babysitting to be done?”

Stacey nodded, wiping at her face, “Yeah and it’s why Kyle starts at the garage next week after school. We’re trying to save up as much as we can so that he can hopefully go next year.”

Next to me, Red had gone rigid at her words, and he was grinding his teeth. Cash and Maestro shared a look. I had a feeling whatever her Old Man was selling her, it was horseshit.

“Stacey,” Red called out, getting her attention, “darlin’, Grudge is earning more money now than he was two years ago. I don’t know what he’s doing with his earnings, but it should be more than enough to keep your family afloat without you killing yourself working two jobs or your kids taking on extra work.”

It happened right there in front of us. We watched a strong woman break as everything Red said penetrated. We watched her break and then you could see her physically pull herself back together. Wiping her fingers under her eyes, she stood up, “Okay,” she nodded, “Okay. I can do this. Thank you for telling me, I appreciate it,” she smiled a wobbly smile at Red.

“I have a favour to ask,” she continued. Red nodded at her to go ahead. “Can you send some prospects over tomorrow morning to get his stuff? I’ll have it packed and ready to go. I have no idea where he is, but he’s bound to come here before home. I’d appreciate it if you kept him here tonight.”

“Stacey,” Lizzie said gently, “Grudge is here.”

Jesus, it was like the hits kept coming for this woman, but I had a feeling that after tonight she’d be okay.

Stacey nodded as Lizzie, “Thank you, Lizzie. One last thing before I leave.”

“Fuck me,” Red grumbled, bracing for whatever was coming next.

“You may want to have your whores checked and have the brothers checked too because he gave me an STD not so long ago, no idea where he got it. Just thought you should know.”

“For fuck’s sake,” Maestro growled out, his chair crashing down as he stood up and strode towards the hall where the whores had rooms.

“I’m sorry,” Stacey apologised to Red, “thank you for tonight and for always being kind to me. I’ll be at home packing, if you can send the prospects as soon as possible, I’d appreciate it.

“Maura, Thor, thank you for your time and I wish you a wonderful life. Thank you for opening my eyes to how I should expect to be treated.”

With that, Stacey walked out the door and into the night.

“Well, fuck,” Maura cursed. Turning to Cash, she instructed, “Set her boy up with a scholarship in our name, he’s going to college this year.”

Cash nodded. “I was planning it already,” he assured her.

“I need a drink,” Red muttered as shouting and swearing came from down the hallway. “In fact, make that several.”

“Prospect,” Cash called out to the prospect behind the bar, “bring a bottle of the good stuff and glasses.”

I agreed it was a drinking your worries away sort of night. That’s what we did while watching in amusement as Maestro pulled someone who I assumed was Grudge naked along the passage and out into the ring they had set up outside, before beating the living daylights out of him. Yeah, I reckon the man had earned his punishment.