“Damn, he’s got it bad for you, honey. I mean, really bad.” Tate handed her back her purse, and together with Steven in tow they made their way into the salon.
Angel was nervous, and she hated the fact she was nervous. Steven kept a good distance as Tate signed them in. They were taken back to a changing area where they were asked to strip and to put their clothes in a locker.
“What do you mean?” Angel asked, when they were alone long enough to talk. Steven was outside in the waiting area, and the changing room was clear.
“I’ve known Lash a long time. He’s practically my brother in a non-related kind of way. I’ve seen him with plenty of women. He’s never been this possessive or protective with any of his other women. You’re special. You’re different. I think it’s cool,” Tate said. “He cares about you, and he’d not just after sex either, which is good.”
Angel looked at the other woman. “I didn’t think anything of the way he was treating me. I thought he treated all the women the same.”
“You’re so wrong. A lot of the other girls hate him. He f**ks and leaves them. Lash is not known for being with the same girl twice. It’s what makes you special, and the bitches hate you more.”
“How come none of the men or women talk back to you or anything?” Angel asked.
Tate wrapped a towel around her body and then a robe. “Seriously, you don’t know?”
“I’ve not really made it my business to know about The Skulls lifestyle. I never thought I’d get anywhere close to them, let alone being potentially dating one,” Angel said, hoping she explained it right.
“Honey, you’re not dating. The Skulls don’t date. You’re Lash’s woman. That’s not dating. This is a big deal. Anyway, I get away with shit because I’m Tiny’s daughter. The men were there when I was born or have known me a long time, and the women put up with me because Dad is the President of the club. They’ve got no choice. They start with me, and I can kick their ass to the curb.”
Tate handed her another robe to put on.
Running a hand down the leather jacket, Angel didn’t want to part with it. The leather still possessed Lash’s scent.
“And from the look in your eye you’ve got it bad for Lash.”
Angel smiled. “He told me his real name last night.”
“No shit. Oh my God, that is a big deal.”
Angel removed the jacket and placed a robe over her shoulder all the time Tate was talking.
“He hates the name Nigel. He thought his Mom was seriously unfair in naming it him.”
“He told me Nash’s, too.”
“This is serious, Angel.”
She smiled and nodded her head, but all the time she couldn’t help but doubt it. Her father was still trying to gain back the money he’d lost, and until he’d done that, she was The Skulls’ property.
They walked together as they got massaged and pampered. Angel loved her company and couldn’t believe they’d never been friends before now. Tate was a little older than she was, and they did come from two different backgrounds.
“I heard about how your mother died. I’m really sorry you lost your Mom. It sucks,” Tate said, pulling Angel out of her thoughts.
Tears filled her eyes as she thought about her mother. “She was really sick. I hate to say it, but I’m pleased she passed when she did. She was always in so much pain and tried not to show it. Mom was strong. She would have kicked Dad’s ass if she knew what he’d gotten himself into.”
“My Dad has never been the same since Mom died. He hired a nanny, and she stays around but he’s never taken another woman. I imagine he f**ks women at the club, but he doesn’t bring anyone home.”
Angel winced at her language.
“You do that a lot, you know?” Tate said.
“Huh? What?”
“When I say certain words you wince, and your face gets all scrunched up.” Tate flicked her hand in the air. “If you’re going to be Lash’s woman you’ve got to learn to talk the talk and handle all the shit in between. It’s the only way it’ll happen.”
They grew silent as their masseuses entered the room. Two well-built men with large muscles came toward them. Angel’s heart-rate picked up.
“Do you think Lash and Tiny have any idea?” Angel asked.
“Nope, and I’m going to enjoy this while I can.”
During the whole of the massage Angel couldn’t get comfortable. She remained tense every time the guy touched her.
“Anyway, what was I saying, to be part of the club you need to stick up for yourself. Lash is not going to be by your side forever, and the bitches will descend. The old ladies will look out for you, though. We’re all in a tight knit group, but they’ll not be around all the time.”
Angel opened her eyes to see Tate staring at her.
“I can’t get comfortable.” Angel mouthed the words at Tate and did her best not to look at the guy trying to massage her.
“I’ve got it covered.” Tate leaned forward and started typing buttons into her cell.
“What are you doing?” Angel asked.
“Seeing how far Lash’s protective streak goes.” The cell phone was placed on the floor.
Angel remained tense while the man tried to work her muscles.
“You need to relax, and let me help you. You’re too tense,” the man said.
****
“Fuck, you’ve got to be kidding me,” Lash said. The rest of the club looked at him as he slammed his cell phone down on the table.
“Do we even want to know what has got your panties in a twist?” Nash asked. He had Kate sat in his lap, and Lash watched the two with disgust. Kate had been with most of the crew, and still his brother was tapping it.
Tiny looked up from the paperwork he was working through. “Is there a problem?”
“Yeah, there’s a f**king problem. Since when did the salon hire big, sexy men?” Lash asked, growling each word out.
“Do you need to tell us something, brother? Have you gone to the other side without telling us?” Nash joked making some of the men laugh.
Rolling his eyes he showed Nash the picture message Tate had sent him. He whistled, and in no time at all the cell phone got to Tiny.
“Those bastards are touching my daughter. Lash, save your woman, and get Steven to take over. I’d rather have a guy I know I can control massaging my daughter than those bastards.”