As Duke headed towards his office, Dozer asked, “What are you gonna do about your spitfire’s piece, should she decide to pay us a visit? She was drinking last night so it wasn’t a problem, and we let Aaron’s two boys on because they belong to him.”
Duke stopped, turned, and faced the group. “I’m going shooting with her tomorrow. Not just range, but a course Isaac sets up in the woods. Gonna see how she does, and if I’m comfortable with how she handles it, I’ll call a vote and ask for her to be given armed privilege on the compound.”
Gonzo was stretched out on another sofa. He’d been quiet, but now he said, “Not comfortable with hormones handling a gun. Not comfortable with anyone not us having one in our sanctuary.”
Duke knew Gonzo wasn’t the only one who felt this way, he was just the only one with the balls to say it before Duke insisted they give an opinion. “Understand, brother. We’ll work it out. When I leave tonight, I don’t plan on being back until Monday morning or possibly afternoon, so if any of you have something to say, you got me until sometime this evening.”
Chapter Fourteen
“A margarita, please. Extra salt, extra tequila.”
Duke raised his eyebrows but otherwise didn’t show approval or disapproval as he said, “I want you sober tonight.”
Gen’s heart skipped a beat at his unsaid meaning, but she kept her composure and shook her head. “Light liquor, so I’ll only get a buzz. More than that and I risk being sick.”
“I don’t want you buzzed, I want you sober.”
Gen’s insides reacted to his voice, his words, but she shook her head again, keeping her voice even as she told him, “This is our first actual date, Duke. You can’t be serious.”
“Won’t push for farther than you want to go, but I don’t want you throwin’ road blocks up just to keep me at bay, either.”
Time to change the conversation. “How was your day?”
He looked at her a few seconds, and Gen thought he was deciding whether to let her change the subject. Finally, he said, “Need to tell you a few of our club rules, one of which you won’t like.”
Gen’s face automatically scrunched, and she smoothed it over before saying, “Okay.”
“No one comes through the gates without an invitation. You have a permanent invitation. You can come in, day or night, whether I’m there or not. Anyone else needs to go to the bike shop or the bar and ask to speak with whoever they want.”
“So, if I have Bethany with me, can I come in, or do I need to go to the bar?”
“For now, text or call me to let me know you’re coming and who you have with you. If there’s a problem, I’ll let you know before you arrive. Bethany’s fine, Cassie’s fine, but only if you’ve called ahead and know I’m there. If you get into trouble and have a woman with you but no man, come in and let whoever you see first know the trouble.” His face tightened as he added, “If I’m there and know you have them, Frisco and Isaac will be fine, but under no circumstances do you bring them onto RTMC property unless you’ve let me know you’re on the way and I’ve told you to come.”
“Is this for always, or just because Frisco threw a punch at you?”
“We’ll see, Beautiful. They come to some parties and don’t create a scene, things should change.”
Gen nodded and Duke said, “There’s a sign up at all three of our establishments.” He handed her his phone with a photo on the screen, and Gen read, “Premises patrolled by armed RTMC members. No other weapons allowed.”
She looked up and he said, “There are a few exceptions. Police with a warrant, obviously. A few special friends have been given weapons privileges, but it takes a majority club vote. In an emergency, any three members can agree to a one-time privilege, and if we’re bringing in extra manpower, we obviously let them bring their weapons.”
“So, for me to have my gun when I visit, there’ll need to be a vote.”
“Yes, and I’m going to let the club get to know you a little better before I call a vote. I don’t want to pit my woman against my men. They see the club as sanctuary, where they don’t have to be on their toes twenty-four seven. Out in the world, wearing our colors? We have to be constantly ready for attack. Our rules make the compound safe — until they’re comfortable with you, they won’t feel safe if you have a piece.”
“It can stay in the car, right? So I don’t have to drive to you without it?”
“Technically, no. However, I think I can convince them to let you do that. I’ll be with you, you know I’ll take care of you. If something happens so there’s a problem and I’m worried about you, you know I carry two, I’ll hand one off to you as I use the other.”