Train does the same with Cleo, giving her a swat on the ass as he heads toward the chapel.
Cleo and Demi hug McKenna, chattering about how she missed a fun trip. Then Cleo turns to Pinky.
“McKenna, this is Pinky,” she says, gesturing between them. “Pinky, McKenna is with Pee Wee, the club’s VP.”
Pinky’s eyes go big when the little brunette wraps her arms around her shoulders and hugs her.
“Oh,” Pinky says, patting her back awkwardly. “You’re a hugger.”
McKenna lets Pinky go and smiles big. “I am. And I don’t bite, unless asked nicely.”
The girls all laugh, and I feel some of the tension drain from Pinky’s body. Good. She needs friends here.
The girls sit down at the table, and I look down at Pinky. “What do you want to drink?”
“Just water is fine,” she says, still rubbing her arms to warm up.
I roll my eyes. I know damn well my woman likes sweet tea, Dr. Pepper, and Coca-Cola. “I’ll get you something that’ll warm you up.”
She gives me a grateful smile, and I head for the bar.
Zeus is behind it, wiping down the counter. He looks up as I approach.
“Everyone’s waiting in the chapel,” he says.
I nod, leaning against the bar. “Give me a Coke and two shots of tequila.”
He turns to get the drinks, and I twist around, leaning my back against the bar to watch Pinky. She’s listening intently as the other women talk, nodding and occasionally laughing. She’ll be safe here, I remind myself. The Bastard Saints protect our own.
“Here are your drinks,” Zeus says behind me.
I spin back around and grab one of the shot glasses, tossing it back quickly. The burn is smooth, instantly warming me up from the inside. “Thanks, Probie.”
I take the Coke and the second shot of tequila over to the table, setting them in front of Pinky.
“Here.” I slide the shot in front of her first. “Take this, it’ll warm you up.”
Pinky wrinkles her nose, eyeing the tequila suspiciously. But she picks it up and downs it in one go, followed immediately by a coughing fit.
“Jesus,” she croaks, reaching for the Coke to chase it down.
Cleo, Demi, and McKenna giggle at her reaction.
“That’ll put hair on your chest,” Cleo says with a laugh.
Pinky wrinkles her nose again. “No thanks.”
I drop down on my haunches, my knees popping in protest. I’m getting too old for this shit. “You gonna be okay out here?”
Pinky bites her lip, and I can see the uncertainty in her eyes. She understands that getting the club’s protection has to go up for a vote. She was a part of this life for months. She knows how shit works.
“It’s gonna be fine, yeah?” she asks, her voice low enough that only I can hear it.
“Yeah,” I assure her, squeezing her knee. “Don’t worry.”
“We’ll take good care of her,” Cleo says, patting Pinky’s shoulder. “Go on, do your thing.”
I stand, my knees protesting again, and lean down to drop a kiss on Pinky’s lips. “Back soon.”
