Page 36 of Property of Mongrel

“Still got the jokes,” Jonah replies. “Good to meet you, Addy, I’m sure I’ll see you around.”

CHAPTER

NINETEEN

Addy

I’ve met so many people that my head is spinning. Apparently, the Kings help out a local transition house called Hope House, so there are women from there, some with kids, as well as the house mother, Grace, and their therapist, Beth. Buddy, the young man who works for the Kings at their laundromat, is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever known and has been refilling my drink whenever he sees it’s getting low. I’m currently sitting with the other women of the club, Issy, Livy, Shelly, and Gretchen, as well as Marge, who also works for the club.

“So, Mongrel, huh?” Gretchen asks during a lull in the conversation.

“Yeah. There’s something about him,” I admit. “While I kept everything professional while he was my patient, I saw how he treated others who were going through physical therapy, especially one of our younger patients. I mean, he asked if he could change therapists when I told him I wouldn’t date him while he was under my care!”

“These guys have a one-track mind when they find their one,” Issy says. “Now, me and Rafe? We’ve been lifelong friends, but he finally woke up and realized that we were each other’s end game.”

“BamBam says he knew the day he stopped to help me and Theo,” Livy softly adds.

“Abyss had to work hard to ‘catch’ me,” Shelly states. At my raised brow, she says, “I wasn’t ever taking a chance on anyone ever again. He wore me down, though.”

“I noticed Doc, of course, but we worked together so I wasn’t gonna go there,” Gretchen says. “But when all that shit happened to me, he decided it didn’t matter because I was his and he was mine, plain and simple.”

“Do you know what we all have in common?” Issy asks. “I think every one of us has Mongrel intricately woven into our love stories with our men!”

Hearing each of their stories and how Mongrel played a part lets me know that I was right about the inherent goodness of the man I’ve come to care a great deal about. “I really like him a lot,” I finally say when there’s a lull in the conversation.

“Did he tell you I got to meet the little boy who loves Iron Man?” Gretchen asks.

“JB? Isn’t he adorable?” I reply. “I’m so excited about his future.”

“Mongrel told Rafe that if the stepfather wasn’t locked up, he’d be asking if they could ride out and talk to him,” Issy says.

“I have a question,” I say, looking at Issy. “Why does everyone else call him Rio and you call him Rafe?”

“Because we’ve known each other since childhood and he’s always been Rafe to me,” she admits. “The only time I use his road name is when I’m pissed off.”

“I try to remember to use Doc’s road name around the brothers since it’s a respect thing,” Gretchen states.

“There’s a lot to remember,” I muse, “so I’m trusting y’all to remind me if I forget.”

“We’ve got you,” Issy states, glancing at the other ol’ ladies.

“That’s good to know,” I reply, grinning.

A huge gong sounds and Issy says, “Constance is letting us know that the food is ready. Come on, ladies, let’s go fix our plates.” To me, she whispers, “The guys wait until the women and kids have their food before they get theirs. They’ve been smelling the briskets all day, ever since Juan and Luis put them on the smokers, so they’re probably starving.”

“Then let’s not keep these growing boys waiting. Do you want me to give you a hand?” I ask Livy.

“No, BamBam will fix my plate while I put Theo’s together. He’s not quite ready for brisket yet, but he can eat his weight in macaroni and cheese, and Connie always fixes something just for him,” she replies. “But thank you.”

It doesn’t take long, especially since Mongrel grabs a fresh drink for me, and I’m sitting at a table eating with him, his brother, and his uncle. I was surprised when Jonah joined us since he’s a prospect, but Jonah let me know that they swap out with the guy on the gate so all of them can enjoy the food while it’s still hot. I like that because I suspect not every club does that for their prospects. It seems that the West Texas chapter of the Kings of Anarchy are a law unto themselves.

“You enjoying yourself?” Mongrel asks, his head tipped close to me so I can hear him over the other conversations going on around us.

“I like your family… a lot,” I reply. “So, yes, I’m having a good time. Thank you for inviting me today.”

“Bonus date,” he whispers, kissing my temple. He turns to his uncle and asks, “Did I tell y’all that I got a letter from his attorney?”

Both Jonah’s and Leroy’s eyes grow wide at his words. Since I don’t understand what’s going on, I listen. “What did you do?” Leroy asks.