Page 80 of Loyal
“They are the brothers I chose. The family I claim because I want to, not because of the blood running through my veins. Kind of like how I claim you even though you are not mine by blood.”
She nods. “That makes sense. You promised there would be people my age here. Well, other than you,” she teases. “Can I go find them now?”
Loyal nods. “You see that group there? That’s who you are looking for. Want me to go introduce you?”
She shakes her head. “That’s embarrassing. I’ll figure it out. Thanks.”
She takes off, but toward where the drinks are instead.
“You think she will be okay?” I ask.
He nods. “Yeah, she can’t get into too much trouble here. The alcohol is monitored. The kids are good for the most part. She will find her footing.”
“What about you? Will you be getting into any trouble, Miss Margarita?” Cami teases.
“I get drunk one time and never live it down. You guys are worse than Gina,” she teases.
“Oh who is that?” Bailey asks.
“My best friend and coworker. Actually she would love this place. She is already jealous about my hunk of a younger man I have managed to catch. She’s in her twenties, though, so she can’t go much younger,” I joke.
“She’s got a few years before becoming a cougar,” Happy throws in.
“Exactly. Besides, she is a handful for me. I’d feel bad if she managed to snare one of you.”
“One of who?” Rex asks, walking up with a beer.
He offers the extra one in his hand to Loyal, who takes it with a nod.
“You bikers,” I answer warmly. “She would have you running around chasing her while she caused chaos. Yeah, better to leave her out of this.”
Rex smirks. “I don’t know. I enjoy a bit of chaos. Isn’t that right, Happy?”
Happy snorts. “I once bet Rex here he couldn’t catch an armadillo with his two bare hands. One broken nose later, and well, he had himself an armadillo.”
“Eh, it was only the third time I broke my nose. Not even the last time.”
“Wow. That’s…doesn’t it hurt?” I ask.
He shrugs. “Pain is only temporary. The memory lasts forever.”
“Amen, brother,” Fang says, holding up his beer.
Cami smacks him. “Don’t get any ideas. I like your pretty face.”
As they continue to talk, Loyal finds a seat and pulls me down into his lap. I look around at the people that I can now call my friends and smile. This is what I have always been missing.
As my eyes flit toward Farrah, I smile when I see her sitting with the other teens, talking. Watching a smile light up her face, I know I made the right decision.
Loyal might be the vice president of the Lotus MC, but that is only a title. Something for people to judge him for.
The truth is he is a protective man who cares deeply for those he loves.
Somehow I think I managed to become one of those people.
I told Sami I wanted to go inside to use the restroom, but the truth is, I want to check on Farrah. I know she has been hanging with the teens, but once it got dark, they managed to slip out of the view of everyone.
I don’t blame them. I was their age once, but I know they will be up to no good. I need this to go well. I don’t want Sami having any reason to think these kids are a bad influence.
