Page 104 of Shadow's Surrender
Chapter Twenty-Two
Scarlett sat atone of the tables, nursing a bourbon and water, pretending that she was cool with everything that was going on around her. It was bad enough that a good majority of the men leered at her as if she were a deer surrounded by a pride of lions, but it was all the copulating in plain sight that had her looking down at the table and stirring her drink like it was never going to mix.
“Did you want something to eat?”
Scarlett glanced up and saw a pretty woman with auburn hair and blue eyes standing at the table.
“No, thank you,” she replied as she brought the drink to her lips and took a small sip; the alcohol was now watery since the ice cubes had melted.
“You’re Scarlett—Shadow’s woman, right?” The woman pulled out a chair and sat down. “I’m Kristy.” She smiled broadly.
“Nice to meet you.” Scarlett tried to keep her eyes away from the woman’s skimpy top that did little to cover her large breasts.
“You look like you needed a friend. You had that deer-caught-in-the-headlights look.” Kristy laughed. “I guess the club comes off as being over the top if you’re not used to it.”
“A little bit. Who is your boyfriend? I don’t know any of the other members except for Smokey.”
“I heard he did some work at your house.”
“My parents’ house, and he did a real good job. Is Smokey your boyfriend?”
Kristy burst out laughing. “No way. I can’t see Smokey beinganywoman’s boyfriend. I’m a club girl, so I’m not attached to any one member.”
Scarlett took another gulp of her drink, wishing the prospect—what was his name—would add another shot of bourbon. In her research of one-percent MCs, she stumbled across the club girls. Some of the articles referred to them asclub whores,mamas,and evensheep.She couldn’t even begin to understand what would attract a woman to choose a life as the club’s chattel, banging any man who wanted or demanded it. She shuddered at the idea of it.
“I gotta admit I never thought Shadow would settle down. He’s broken a few hearts around here.”
“Really? I thought club women didn’t get attached to the men.”
Kristy shook her head. “Of course we do—we’re women, you know? Some of us have our favorites, others just go in for the fun and never anything beyond that. I had it bad for Hawk—the VP—and I still have a soft spot for him.” She leaned in close. “Don’t tell anyone that, okay? I must be more tipsy than I thought. I can’t believe I told you that.”
“Is Hawk here tonight? I’ve heard Shadow speak about him a lot.”
“He rarely comes to parties now that he’s hitched with three kids. He got himself a rich one too. Do you know her?”
“Who?”
“Cara something. She’s a lawyer.” The lines around Kristy’s mouth deepened when she frowned.
“Cara Minelli? I definitely know her—she’s on my committee for the Sheridan Center gala.She’smarried to a biker? I never knew that. She’s older than I am so we never hung out. I’m just sort of shocked.”
“So was I when he hooked up with her. I was his favorite.” Kristy blinked several times. “Brandi and me have been here the longest. These young sluts coming in think they’re the shit. I can out-fuck any of them—hands down.” She hiccupped, then giggled. “I can’t believe I’m telling you all this shit. Fuck … I must be wasted.”
“Radar’s looking for you, Kristy. Go find him,” Smokey said.
Scarlett looked behind her shoulder and smiled at him. “How’s Shadow?”
“Good. He wanted me to get you.”
She leapt out of the chair. “I’ve been so worried about him. What did the doctor say?”
“You can ask him.” Smokey spun around and strode away.
“Nice talking with you,” Scarlett said to Kristy, who was busy pulling down her top. Since Smokey was tall and had long legs, she had to practically run to keep up with him.
Shadow’s room was small but very neat, which pleased her immensely. His furniture consisted of a desk, chair, double bed, nightstand, chest of drawers, and what looked like a recliner. A table lamp sat on the nightstand, and a floor lamp stood next to the recliner. The walls were bare, but the top of his dresser had several framed photographs of a woman, who Scarlett guessed was his mother. She wanted to pick them up to get a better look, but several men were crowded around the room, and she didn’t want to draw attention to herself.
“Baby,” Shadow said. A grin graced his face. He reached out his hand and she noticed it was bandaged.
