Chapter 17

KIKI

Kiki was nervous, and she never got nervous—ever.

She was brought up by Dylan Mariner, one of the toughest sons of bitches around, and he took care of everything for his only daughter. He taught her to be confident, tough, and to demand respect.

But here she was, sitting at a park picnic table waiting for Avery Harper to join her, and she was nervous.

When Kiki had stopped by to pick up Lexi, she asked if they could meet Saturday afternoon and just talk.

Kiki watched Avery walk up to the table and sit down across from her.

“Thanks for meeting me, Avery,” Kiki started.

“No problem, Kiki. Although I have to say I am a little shocked and nervous about why,” Avery admitted.

“Well, after seeing my brother with you on Tuesday, I figured we should have a talk. I’m sure my idiot brother didn’t fill you in on the finer details of being a woman in an MC,” Kiki said.

Avery licked her lips. “He didn’t say much, no. He told me about your mom and dad, Lexi’s mom, and Ryan and Nick. He told me about the businesses. But that’s about it.”

Kiki nodded. “Okay, so he told you the basics. I’m here to tell you the things you will need to know if you are going to have a relationship with the president of Devil’s Reign.”

Avery took a deep breath and listened as Kiki talked about the club and growing up in that environment.

Their mom, as the president’s old lady, was supposed to be in charge of keeping the clubhouse running and the environment decent, but since she was gone, there wasn’t really anyone to do it.

Mama June helped some, but it wasn’t her job, and things had gotten a little out of hand by that point.

Kiki took over when she turned eighteen as the daughter of the president, but it still wasn’t what she really wanted.

She wanted a more family-friendly atmosphere since Lexi had come along, but they had a long way to go.

“So, by your statement, I’m guessing that the rumors I’ve heard about club parties are true then,” Avery said.

Kiki nodded. “They can be...rowdy.”

“I’ve heard they are like an orgy,” Avery said bluntly.

Kiki sighed. “Yeah, if there is a party going on, there is a LOT of sex. It’s everywhere and out for everyone to see. There is lots of drinking, and for those that want it, some drug use.

“The MC world is different from anything you have ever imagined. The rules are so much different. The hierarchy, the psychology—it’s definitely unique.

“It’s very misogynistic. Men rule, their word is law. And the president’s word is like that of God. You obey what he says and follow what he decides, at least in public.

“Whatever you and your old man decide in your own home is another thing.”

“And if you don’t do what the president says?” Avery asked cautiously.

“The sergeant at arms helps you make that decision,” Kiki answered.

Avery let out a breath. “Wow…”

Kiki let the woman before her absorb the news she had just been given.

“So you seem like a strong woman. Why do you still live this life?” Avery asked.

“Because I love it. What I didn’t say is that this is a family. The men in this club would lay down their lives for one another.

“My brother is the president, like my dad was and like my grandfather was years ago. Maybe someday Justin will have a son and he could take over if he chooses.

“My husband is the vice president and Justin’s best friend. Mitch is a few years older than Justin, but they have been thick as thieves since Justin was seventeen and Mitch was 21.

“The men at the table, who hold the positions of power, make decisions that will benefit the entire brotherhood.

“They provide for their families, for themselves, and for our community, and they wouldn’t risk anything for that. They would rather lose their own life than betray their brothers.

“It really is a beautiful thing,” Kiki finished.

AVERY

Avery sat for a minute and tried to envision what Kiki had described.

It sounded a little like the brotherhood of police, but Avery wasn’t going to say that. Justin already was a little uneasy about her father being a police officer.

“So what is a woman’s role in the club?” Avery asked.

“Well, it depends on your status. If you are a sweet butt or a club whore, you are nothing. You are there of your own free will to pleasure any man you want. Or who wants you.

“They like to think that they will get an old lady tag, but I have never heard of a member taking a sweet butt and making them an old lady.

“But they all think that what is between their legs is golden and will change the mind of one man.

“Now, being an old lady is a different story. Being an old lady gets you respect and power. You help your old man with whatever he needs,” Kiki answered, then took a large drink from her water bottle.

“Now, there are two different types of old ladies.

“The first kind does whatever is asked of them by their old man and has no knowledge of what the club does, other than the legit businesses. They ask no questions and live in ignorant bliss.

“The other type does everything their old man asks in public, but in private, they know everything. They talk about club business, know the gritty details, and give their opinion.

“And while they don’t have a seat at the table, he brings in their opinion when they talk. They can help guide the future of the club.”

“I don’t really have to guess as to which type of old lady you are.” Avery smiled.

Kiki chuckled. “Yeah, I am definitely the second type!”

Avery smiled, then looked at the woman before her seriously. “Why are you telling me this?”

Kiki sighed. “I thought you should know exactly what you are getting into.”

“What am I getting into?” Avery asked, confused.

“You are getting into a relationship with the president. I thought you should know what was going to be expected of you,” she answered simply.

“How do you know I’m getting into a relationship with Justin? We’ve only been on a few dates,” Avery countered.

“Justin Mariner has NEVER dated in his entire life. He has screwed A LOT of women over the years, but he has never taken a single one of them to a restaurant, club, store, or other establishment.

“They are at our clubhouse or another clubhouse. They have never been on the back of his bike or in his car. And they certainly have never, ever been at his house.

“So one, my brother let you on the back of his bike; two, he took you out in public; three, he took you to his house; and four, he bought you a gift says quite a bit.

“It says so much that while they are on this very important run, the men closest to Justin see the difference in him and they are just as confused as I am.

“So much so that my old man called me and told me. That led me to asking you here today,” Kiki finished.

Avery just sat there, stunned by the woman’s words. What did he see in her? She was a no one—a shy, inexperienced, and relatively naive 25-year-old who taught kindergarten.

She asked Kiki that very thing.

Kiki replied, “Who knows what attracts two people together? My old man and husband is almost 10 years older than me. He has been after me since the second I turned 18.

“And I will just say that things would have happened before then if my dad hadn’t threatened to cut off his dick. We had to wait until I was legal.

“Something was definitely between us, and it wasn’t just physical. Before you, Justin was only relying on the physical. And that was even more true after the shit with Lexi’s bitch of a mother...

“But there is something about you that has turned on a little bit of his heart to experience more.”

Avery felt her mouth go dry listening to Kiki Mariner-Hammond, and she fumbled with her shirt hem, contemplating what this really meant.

What should she do with all of the information she had been given?

“Other than a man asking, what has to happen to be an old lady?” Avery asked.

“Well, if a member asks you to be his old lady, you have to get the old lady mark,” Kiki said.

“And what is that?”

“That is a tattoo to show everyone that you are an old lady and to be given respect.

“It is very similar to the tattoo that the members get when they are voted in, but has a rose next to it and your old man’s name underneath,” Kiki explained. “Would you like to see mine?”

Avery nodded and watched as the woman stood up and took off the leather coat she was wearing to reveal a tank top underneath and a beautiful, intricate design inked on her skin.

It was the Devil’s Reign logo like the men had, but hers had a blood-red rose around it with Mitch’s name at the top of it.

Avery was in awe of the simple beauty of it and what it represented. She was beginning to understand a little better the mentality of the world she had been introduced to.

The only question that remained was, did she want to go even further into it?

KIKI

Kiki could see the wheels turning in the young woman’s mind and decided to leave her to absorb everything they had talked about.

Kiki stood up and started to walk away, then remembered something.

“Oh, not to completely overload your brain, but there is one more thing you need to know,” Kiki said.

Avery chuckled. “Of course there is!”

Kiki gave a small smile. “Well, you should know about the road clause…”

“What’s the road clause?”

“Um... It’s really up to each couple how they handle it, but essentially there is a clause that says what happens on the road, stays on the road,” Kiki stated.

“Like Vegas?”

“Sort of... It’s a bit more. The road clause is that when the guys are on a run, they can sleep with any woman that they want, and their old lady doesn’t say anything about it,” Kiki said uncomfortably.

Avery’s jaw dropped. “Are you serious?”

Kiki nodded.

“So you are okay with your husband sleeping around on you?” Avery asked for clarification.

“Me personally, no. My husband and I have an understanding. He knows that unless he wants to become a eunuch and be killed in a very slow and painful way, he will use his hand until he gets back.

“I don’t share. EVER,” Kiki declared passionately. “But there are couples in the club now that allow it to happen.”

“So you’re saying that the men on the road now could be sleeping with anything that walks. Is that correct?” she asked, her voice trembling.

Kiki nodded, knowing full well that her brother had probably screwed several women since he had been gone.

Avery nodded again and stood up, grabbing her purse. She stopped and looked at Kiki. “Thanks for the information.”

Kiki watched her get into her little car and drive away. She sighed. “Well, shit. That didn’t go as I had planned.”