The Lies Between Us (The Devil's Dust #4)(30)

A plump, redheaded lady waltzes into the bedroom, and I shrink into the comforter. Her hair is pinned up and she has on a tight black blouse and blue jeans.

“Who are you, and how’d you get in?” I question, sitting up on the bed. The lady scrunches her face like I’m being ridiculous and holds up a set of keys.

“Bull gave em to me,” she explains. This must be an ol’ lady he was talking about. I sniff back the snot and nod.

“Baby, you best wipe those tears away and get out of that bed,” she sasses. I wince, a little taken back by her forwardness. “You can’t lie around here moping,” she continues, sitting on the edge of the bed as she pushes my hair from my face.

“I finally found a good guy, and he’s taken from me in a blink of an eye,” I mumble.

“You look like shit,” the lady blurts. My fingers tangle in my hair and I smirk. I can tell she is an outspoken person. I like her already. “I didn’t sleep a wink last night; all I could think about is Lip being in jail, or prison. Is he okay? Why is he in there?” I ramble, pulling my legs up and wrapping my arms around them.

“I know it’s hard. I do. I’m Babs, by the way, cause I talk a lot. I’m Lock’s ol’ lady. He’s been to jail a time or two, and you get used to it. From what I’m told, Lip admitted to everything, so he’ll be on his way to prison and serving his sentence before you know it.”

“They won’t tell me why he’s even locked up,” I state, my tone coming off irritated.

“Yeah, that’s part of it. This life can be rough, and some can’t handle it. We women don’t get to know much about the inside of club things. Think of it as Lip’s in the CIA, and everything he does is top secret.” She smiles and pats my back. I can’t help but laugh at her explanation.

“There you go, there’s a smile.”

I push myself off the bed and run my hands through my hair.

“But you’re family now. Our loyalty to one another is thicker than blood. You need something, you get us and we’ll take care of it.” I sniff the snot back again, taking in everything she’s saying.

“Now, how about we get you a shower, and maybe go have a girls’ day,” she suggests.

“I don’t know,” I hesitate.

“So, this is the new lady, huh?” A woman with brownish hair walks in, her lips so bright red it’s the first thing my eyes land on. She has on black ripped-up shorts, a white shirt, and a leather cut.

“Yup, she’s depressed,” Babs replies, crossing her arms. Wow, they make me feel bad for caring.

“Suck it up, buttercup. You wanna be an ol lady, you better grow a f*cking backbone. Our men do what they need to do. They don’t need a sobbing bitch back home. They need a strong woman taking care of things while they’re away,” the brownish-haired lady snaps. I swallow the lump in my throat and stand.

“Damn, Vera, back off a little bit, will ya?” Babs frowns.

“She needs to know now,” Vera smarts, rolling her tongue along the bottom of her lip.

“Thanks for the advice, but I got this,” I sneer. I don’t need some bitch walking in here telling me how to feel.

“Clearly.” She stares at me, and I look down at myself. My hair is a tangled mess, I’m wearing the shirt Lip wore the night before he left, and I need to shave my legs badly. I look a hot mess. The only thing missing is the bag of donuts I offed at midnight last night.

“Well, if you got this, then let’s go. I really need to get my nails done.” Babs pulls her hand up, examining her red nails.

I attempt to run my fingers through my hair, not sure what to do.

Vera sighs loudly and stomps her black-booted feet at me. I fist my hands, ready to punch her if she gets harsh.

“Look.” Vera stops right in front of me, her face a tone softer. “Lip is a good kid. I know it sucks, trust me. We all have been here, eating donuts in bed.” I look at the bed and notice remnants of the powder donuts. Shit. “Not showering, not doing shit ‘cause we miss our man so much. That’s why we’re here. We’re your support system. We may be tough, but we’re only like that when we need to be. Bull told us you’re Lip’s property, and he told us Lip took a big hit for him too. You and Lip are like the f*cking prom king and queen of the club right now.”

Babs laughs, and I can’t help but smirk. That’s an image.

Babs grabs the cut off the bed and throws it at me. “Wear that property patch with pride, girlie. Your man did something very honorable, and not only Bull but the whole club will have a high amount of respect for him. You gotta tough cut to fill.” I catch it and caress Lip’s name. I miss him; he makes me feel things I never have before. But if he picked me to be his property, I’ll make him proud.

I look up at the girls who are both now smiling. “I’ll wear it with honor,” I whisper. “Yeah, sure, I’ll go. Let me get some clothes on.”


3 Weeks Later

I sit in my chair, waiting for Lip to be escorted to his side of the glass. I was told he isn’t allowed to have contact visits yet because he just arrived, which sucks because I’d do anything for a hug. To smell him, to feel the warmth of his skin against mine. It’s getting lonely at the house without him. Piper has been in my mind more than ever because of it. I thought about driving by the trailer park the other day but decided against it. That is a stupid, stupid idea. I want to see Piper—hell, I want Piper. I am her mother, after all. But I know going over there will put me in the line of fire again. I thought about telling the ol’ ladies, but I’m new to the club. And besides, what can they do? I’m not sure the hit that came after me wasn’t from a judge. That’s not some little trailer park shit that might need the piss kicked out of him; it’s someone who could cause some major damage. I don’t want to hurt my new family when I just got them. But I will get Piper back. Someday.