Page 87 of The Riders’ Reign

I raise my voice so even those at the back can hear.

“We’re here tonight to say thank you and goodbye to our friends in the Jackal Riders. They will be returning home shortly and will be missed.” A chorus of cheers, and boos because they’re leaving, fills the air. I lock eyes with some of my main guys, Phoenix, Crow, and Zoo. I raise my drink, though it’s alcohol free. “We couldn’t have done what we did without you, guys. I will be forever grateful, and if you ever need the favor returned, you know where to find us.”

Some of my guys pat them on the back and tap their beer cans and whiskey glasses together. I spot Bear with Shelley, and Megan with them, too. It’s good to see them here, mingling with everyone else. They look like they’re doing okay, though I imagine it’ll be a long road of healing for Megan. She’s told more of her story since we freed her, and she said that a couple of guys posing as cops stopped her on the road on her way home from work, citing a traffic violation, and they knocked her out with a chemical drenched rag over her face. The next thing she knew, she’d been locked in the trunk of a car.

Her husband has been rock solid since she’s been home, Shelley says. Megan wanted to come here tonight to thank everyone again for helping free her, but he stayed with their son. Hopefully, he’ll get to know us in his own time. I think it would be good for Shelley to see more of her sister.

I drag my gaze from them and focus back on the task at hand, talking to the members who are hanging on my every word.

“There’s something else we’re here to do tonight.” I look over all the expectant faces and land on one in particular. “Rook, get the hell up here.”

Rook jerks his head up and blinks at me as though he imagined me saying his name. Camile gives him a little shove.

“Yes, Rook. You. Come up here.”

He makes his way through the crowd, still looking wary. I bet he thinks he’s in trouble, again, and I wonder if he’s considering making a run for it.

He joins me on the small stage and gives me a nervous smile. “Hey, Prez. What’s up?”

“Rook, I heard nothing but good things about you while I was in the hospital, how you took the lead on things and made smart choices every step of the way. Earlier today, I called Church to take a vote on whether we should patch you in as a full member of the Verona Falls Riders, and I’m happy to say the vote was unanimous.”

“Unanimous?” he repeats, seeming to not get it.

I sling my arm around his shoulders. “It was a yes, Rook, you idiot.”

From the crowd, Camile gives a squeal of excitement and bounces up and down on her toes, clapping.

Rook seems to finally get it, and a smile spreads across his handsome young face. “Seriously?”

“Yes, seriously.” I clap him on the back. “Welcome to the Verona Falls Riders.”

40

CAMILE

I’m so happy for Rook, my heart could burst. I understand why he was in trouble after what he did when I was taken, but he did it for me. I’d have had a big issue with Jack, and the others, if they hadn’t forgiven him.

Not that I had any say in things. My men will do anything for me, but living in the club means accepting some of their traditions, one of which is that women don’t get much of a say in how the club is run. It’s sexist, but compared to my alternate future as a cartel leader’s wife, it’s positively egalitarian. There are some things I want to address with the guys, though.

I’m not too happy about the topless barmaids.

Not because I’m jealous, not at all. I know my men aren’t interested in other women. I’ve got eyes, and I’ve seen the amount of come hither looks Jack and Ace get, and they never return them. Hell, from what I can gather, Jack was pretty much living like a monk after his wife died until I came along.

As for Ace, he was probably a bit of a manwhore, but so long as he isn’t now, all is good. Ghost seems to scare most of the women, and Rook, well, I’ve seen that skank Charmaine hitting on him more than once, and he’s never shown any interest. No, the reason I don’t want the topless barmaids is that it’s degrading, particularly the way some of the members talk about them and treat them. Even with the Numbnuts long gone, I’ve heard guys raucously discussing their boobs, and I don’t like it. I’ll bring my concerns up with Jack and see what he says.

“I’ve been thinking about where we could build a house.”

“Jesus, Ace.” I whip around and smack him on the arm for scaring me. He’d spoken quietly into my ear from behind and spooked me to damn death.

“Skittish much?” He rolls his eyes good naturedly.

“What do you mean, build a house?”

He looks at me as if I’m an idiot. “Well, we can’t all live separately forever, can we? How else will we do this? You spend one night at Jack’s, one at Ghost’s? Then what? Rook doesn’t even have a proper place on the compound. We need somewhere we can all call home, and that’s safer, too.”

Jack has joined us and must have heard the last of what Ace says as he nods thoughtfully. “It is safer for you, Camile. We’ve neutralized the threats, but these past few weeks have been scary as hell, and who knows what the future holds. If you’re living under the same roof as the four of us, I’d feel a lot more relaxed.”

Glancing around, I lower my voice a little. “Aren’t you worried what people will say? About me, I mean? And you guys, too, come to think of it. Right now, it’s all rumors and gossip, but if we live together, they’re going to know that we’re all fucking. For real. Well, you’re all fucking me.”