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“This is the common room. We play pool, drink, and do whatever the fuck we want. The members of the club like their liquor, rock and metal music, weed, and women. You’re gonna see a lot of shit, but it ain’t your place to comment on it.”
Understanding what he meant, I nodded my head.
“Do you know what a motorcycle club is, kid?”
“You ride bikes and party.” Shrugging, I didn’t think any of it was my business.
Rael snorted. “I suppose that’s the gist of it. We make our way in this world. Not many rules, but we have a few. Most important thing to know is that you don’t piss off a brother. Come on.”
He led me across the room and then through a set of double doors that opened into a meeting area. A heavy wooden table sat in the center. The logo on the back of all the member’s jackets was carved deeply into the surface—a bearded skull with a crown on his head and twin motorcycles branching out from behind him.
“This is our chapel. Fuckin’ gospel to the members of the club. It’s where we have church. This is the one and only time you’ll be invited into this room unless you patch in.”
“Patch in?”
“If you’re lucky enough to get voted in by the rest of us to become a member, then that’s what you’ll be: a new patch. A brother among brothers. Feel me?”
Yeah, I think I did.
“Up here on the wall is our club’s code. Our laws, if you will. Loyalty, respect, trust, honesty. They’re just a few of the qualities we treasure. You follow this code, and you’ll do well. It’s my job to ensure that you do. I’ve given my word and put my ass on the line for you, Wyatt. Don’t make me regret giving you a chance. You’re a prospect for the Royal Bastards now.”
He pulled a leather vest off the back of a chair and tossed it my way.
I picked up the supple material and ran my fingers over the patch on the front. The skull and crown were stitched proudly on the back. “Wow. I don’t know what to say.”
A chuckle left his lips. “Say you aren’t gonna fuck this up.”
“I won’t,” I promised as I picked it up and shoved my arms through the sleeves.
“Those are your colors and sacred to the men who would give their lives to this club. You never let them hit the ground, and you never take them off unless you’re in your room. In public, your leather is worn at all times.”
“Okay. I can do that.”
“Another thing,” he added, leveling me with a stern look.
“Yeah?”
“You’re gonna hate life for the next year because we’re gonna work your ass and make it tough as hell. That’s all part of being a prospect. It’s shit duty, but we all gotta pay our dues.”
Despite the warning, I kinda liked the idea of having a purpose. Not only that, the idea of working toward a goal appealed to me in a way I’d never experienced before now. “I can do this. You won’t regret it,” I promised.
“Didn’t think I would. My gut is never wrong.”
His gut? “You pity me or something?” I wasn’t sure if I got his meaning right.
“Pity? Fuck no. It takes a certain edge and attitude, perseverance, and a no-bullshit approach to life to ride with the Royal Bastards. You got somethin’ in you, kid. I can see it, and so can the pres.”
“What about my limp?” I asked, cringing as he snarled at my words.
“Don’t give a fuck about that, and neither does anyone else. You prove your worth, and we ain’t got no problems. Show us what you’re made of, kid. If there’s one thing a Royal Bastard never does, it’s judge someone by their faults. We all fuckin’ have them. No one is perfect, yeah?”
“Yeah. I guess you’re right.”
“Good. Let’s finish the goddamn tour of the Crossroads so I can grab a beer. It’s gonna be a long fucking year.”
The corners of my lips twitched as I repressed a smile. Despite the gruffness of his tone and demeanor, I’d never met anyone who seemed to genuinely care about others the way these men did. It was evident in the way they trusted one another and had each other’s backs and how they followed that code like life or death. Rael showed kindness from the moment he found me sprawled out on the ground and about to have my ass kicked, yet he didn’t treat me like I was scum under his boot or a piece of shit that deserved the treatment I received. He didn’t see my disability or my injured leg.
Rael was unlike any man I’d ever met, and he took a chance on me. That was huge. Someone believed in me. They saw my potential. Until that moment, I didn’t realize how desperately I wanted that connection in my life.
