Page 7 of Ironside
That was a long time ago, I reasoned. More than twenty-five years by now.
Back then, I was a completely different person. Young, headstrong, and just getting my feet wet with The Reckless Order. Maybe there was a good reason that it didn’t work out with Denise.
Ever since she left, I hadn’t entertained any thoughts of marriage at all. I dated and fooled around, but nothing long term. Nothing remotely close to what I felt when I was with Denise.
Until I met Lena.
That woman had ignited something in my soul I thought I would never feel again.
Don’t get ahead of yourself,I thought.She hasn’t even agreed to a date yet.
I drove by The Bellflower, hoping to catch Lena before the shop opened at 9am. But a few customers had already gathered in the parking lot, lingering by the door. I didn’t want anaudience when I spoke to Lena again, so I kept driving and headed to the clubhouse.
When I arrived, shouting echoed from inside. It wasn’t unusual for a brawl to break out when bikers got drunk. But it was still early in the morning. The club was usually pretty sedate at this hour.
The door opened and Psycho fled, looking like his tail was on fire.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
He shook his head and climbed onto his bike.
“Married people are fucking crazy.”
Revving his engine, he took out of the parking lot, skidding on the pavement and burning rubber in his haste to escape.
With some uneasiness, I stepped into the clubhouse.
Hades and Jenny were facing off, with the bar between them. Mild-mannered, saintly Jenny with a heart of gold gripped a shotglass like a grenade, arm cocked back and ready to throw. Hades had his hands out, beseeching.
“Come on, baby,” he pleaded. “I was just surprised that your sister lost so much weight.”
“See? You practically called me a whale!”
She chucked the shotglass at his head with alarming precision. He ducked. The glass hit the wall and shattered. Glittering shards littered the floor.
“I meant it as a compliment!” Hades protested.
I sighed. Even though Hades and Jenny were technically divorced, neither of them had re-married. According to club law, that meant they were still husband and wife.
And they certainly acted like it.
For the most part, they got along just fine. Especially when the kids were around. Hell, I’d even caught Hades and Jenny making out in the parking lot on more than one occasion.
But there were other times—like right now—when it was clear why Hades and Jenny split up in the first place.
Jenny narrowed her eyes and lowered her voice, advancing on Hades. He took a few hurried steps to the side, keeping the bar safely between them for protection.
“If you eventhinkabout sleeping with my sister…”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Hades replied quickly. “You are more than enough to keep me satisfied, honey.”
“Don’tcall me that,” Jenny snapped. “I’m not yourhoneyanymore, remember?”
Hades—the idiot—grinned with a smug look.
“You seemed to enjoy it last night when you were gushing all over my—”
Jenny shrieked with fury. She sent another shotglass sailing through the air. I swore under my breath and skirted along the edge of the room, dodging projectiles in search of safety.
