Duke(30)

Gen nodded. “I don’t like it, but I’m glad you explained it. I’ll follow your rules as long as I can leave it in the car.”

Duke nodded, Gen took a drink, and then she said, “Is Isaac really that much of a bad-ass? The more I replay the scene in my head Friday night, the more it seems your men were more upset about Isaac, even though Frisco’s the one who threw the punch.”

“I love how your brain thinks, Beautiful. Yeah, Isaac’s a bad-ass and my men were worried about him. He has quite the reputation, but I knew he wouldn’t do anything as long as I didn’t hurt Frisco, and could assure him I had good intentions with you. I grew up with him, they didn’t, and they weren’t so sure.”

As their server brought their food, Duke said, “The club isn’t quite ready yet, but if you happen to come across some land you think would make the perfect location for a biker bar, give me a heads up. We’re probably another six to eight months out on it, but if something pops up at the right price, we might consider jumping the gun. Would mean hiring more people to work it because the club’s numbers aren’t where they need to be yet, but nothing we can’t handle.”

“How many people are in the club?”

“We brought eleven of us from Atlanta, men who wanted to make the change. We had another dozen who came to help us establish before going back home. We have nine prospects at the moment, another dozen associates, and nearly three dozen with permission to hang out with us.”

She shook her head. “I think we need to go back to the dictionary thing.”

Gen decided she loved the way Duke looked as she watched him laughing. He was always gorgeous, but his face transformed when he laughed.

“Someone wants to be part of us, they let us know, we talk to them, maybe let them come on a ride or to a party. If we like them, we give them permission to hang out. This doesn’t mean they can come into the compound at any time, only for special occasions, but they can hang out at the bike shop or bar, and talk. Sometimes we’ll even give ‘em a job.”

“Okay,” Gen said, “and when they pass that stage, they become an associate?”

“Yes. They can come into the parking area of the compound, and onto the grassy area where we sat at the party, but can’t go farther unless invited each time. They can come to all functions, but again, not in a building unless invited. They get beyond that stage, the first cut is the prospect cut, and we don’t offer it to many. Most who make it that far eventually become a member. Takes a minimum of eight months after we offer prospect status, can take as much as two years. If you haven’t done something to prove yourself in two years, you’re done.”

“What are prospect privileges?”

“No weapons at first, most get weapons privileges within a few months. They can come into the clubhouse without an invite, but have to leave if we start talking ‘bout something they don’t need to hear. They go to functions with us, even patrol, but we send ‘em away at first, if things get too rough. When we’re out we have each other’s backs, and it takes time to trust someone will have your back.”

“It’s going to take time for me to trust you, too, Keith.”

Duke nodded. “I’d prefer it if you trusted me until I gave you a reason not to, but knowing your history, I’ll give a little leeway. I was serious about you not acting afraid of me, though. Not gonna hurt you.”

“Sometimes you can be scary.”

Duke sighed, looked at his plate a few seconds, then back up. “Do you think you can tell me I’m being scary without lookin’ like you’re scared of me?”

Gen smiled. “I can try.”



* * * *



When they finished dinner, Duke didn’t head towards her house. He’d picked her up in what he’d told her was a 1969 Ford Mustang. It was red, and shiny, and the inside looked brand new. He’d told her he had personally restored it, and she was impressed.

She’d also been relieved to see him in dress pants and a dress shirt. She’d only seen him in blue jeans up to this point. She didn’t want to change him, but it was nice to know he could clean up and look presentable when he wanted.

“Where are we going?” she asked now, after a wonderful dinner at one of the most expensive restaurants in town. She’d offered to pay the check, but had ticked him off.

He glanced at her, looked back to the road. “Now that I’ve dressed up for you, it’s time for you to dress down for me. I looked in your closet last night after you crashed, got the size of one of the pairs of jeans. Bought you three pair today, different cuts in that size, so you’ll have a choice. Took Sprite with me, she handles the paperwork at the bike shop, and she helped me pick out the jeans and some shirts and a jacket for you. Got your shoe size, too, and Sprite helped pick out some boots. It’s past time I had you on the back of my bike.