It’s not as black and white as that though. She’s Irish’s old lady, and he decides how to handle her, not us. We support him no matter what. I’ve known Irish longer than I’ve known Tina; he’s family. And while women stick together, it’s not really my place to get involved in this shit. I usually step in when the men need to hear something, like when Vinnie was being stupid when Shayla was pregnant, but for the most part I really do try to keep my mouth shut. Try being the key word. It’s hard when everyone comes to me for advice.
“You lying bastard! I can’t believe you made me think that I saved the day, that our plan worked!” she yells, pointing at him. “When really you just killed him to solve the problem!”
I cringe. Why doesn’t she scream that just a little louder, so everyone can hear? I’m sure the police who sometimes drive past the clubhouse would love to hear it. Irish spots me and flashes a look that’s clearly asking for help. With a sigh, I put my drink down and walk over to them, just as Tina turns her back to Irish, her shoulders shaking as she starts to cry.
“Let me try and talk to her,” I tell him. He nods, but doesn’t move from his spot, just watches her helplessly. “Irish, give us a few minutes.”
He reluctantly takes a few steps back, but apparently that’s all the room he’s going to give us. I touch her shoulder, pushing aside her beautiful curly red hair. “Come on, let’s have some girl talk.”
I wait for her to throw it in my face, the fact that I knew and didn’t tell her. Why would she want to talk with me right now? But she doesn’t, so I guess she must be a better person than me. I lead her to the kids’ swings and get her to sit on one while I take the other.
“Men underestimate us as women,” I start with, swinging slowly. “Irish wanted to protect you. Yes, he lied. Yes, you have a right to be angry. But at the end of the day, you have a man who is willing to murder someone for you, cover it up, then lie about it so you don’t have to feel any guilt, so your hands remain clean while his only get dirtier. I’m not saying what he did was right—he probably should have just let him rot in prison. But that’s not what happened, and in his mind, he probably thought he was doing what’s safest for you in the long run. Darren can’t hurt you anymore. He can’t threaten you. He can’t stalk you. And now you can heal. I know it seems like what he did was selfish, killing him when you didn’t want that to happen, but he honestly did what he thought was the right thing to protect you. Do you know how many women would give anything to have that type of devotion? Look at the bigger picture here, Tina.” I stand up, offering her a small smile. “And I’m sorry that I had to lie and go along with it, but right now why don’t you surprise Irish and show him that you are the right woman for him? And that this burden isn’t too big to bear, because you’re strong enough, aren’t you, Tina?”
She listens to my words but says nothing, so I don’t know if I’ve reached her or not. Hey, I tried. I walk back inside, touching Irish’s arm as I pass.
When I turn back and see them hugging, I smile.
“Well, this is slightly awkward,” I say when I spot Talon in the clubhouse kitchen, wearing a WDMC cut. “Rocking our colors now, hey?”
I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen a man in the clubhouse who wasn’t like family to me. It’s not every day you see a new face around here, unless the men are bringing in their women.
Are Talon and Ranger going to respect me on sight? Or are we going to have to prove to one another who we are, show one another where we stand? I know they won’t disrespect me openly, because Dex would rip their hearts out, but that doesn’t mean they’ll automatically respect me either. Coming into this MC doesn’t automatically come with close bonds and ties—you need to make them and then work to keep them. There’s a reason the Wild Men aren’t like us; it takes a certain type of person to thrive in this environment, and you need to be here for the right reasons.
Talon glances down at his cut and grins. “What, you don’t think it suits me?”
“I haven’t decided yet,” I say, tapping my index finger on my cheek. I decide to change the subject. “Any updates on the mole?”
His expression darkens, his jaw going tight. “Oh, I’ll get the bastard. He can’t hide forever. It’s only a matter of time until he pays for everything he’s done.”
“Ahhh the quest for vengeance. Always enlightening.”
“It’s never boring, that’s for sure,” he fires back.
“Is your old club going to want to kill you?”
“They can try, but no. Slice understands.”
“That badass, are you?”
“Yep,” he replies, grinning. “I know them. They don’t have it in them to come after me, Faye. Without me and Ranger, their MC is just an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.”
I burst out laughing at that. “Holy crap, the new guy has jokes.”
“The new guy? Is that how I’ll be referred to from now on?” he asks, studying me.
“Nah, Talon is a nice name. It would be a shame to waste it. It means claw, right?”
He nods and murmurs, “Yeah. A little creepy that you know that.”
I shrug. “I’m creepy for other reasons, but not that one. I have babies. I look up names and meanings. No big deal.”
He pauses, then laughs. “Fuck, you say the most random shit.”