Free Exquisite Danger by Ann Mayburn Page B

shit. Not even to make you feel better.”
    I wanted to ask him what the hell he meant by outranking them, but my burning jealousy seemed to take over my mouth and brain, and I only focused on the fact that I was going to be surrounded by women who knew what Smoke looked like when he had an orgasm. “How many of them have you fucked?”
    “None of your business,” he said in a gentle voice then sighed. “That’s another thing that’s gonna to piss you off. I’ve spoiled you, tried to keep you sheltered from some aspects of the MC life that you won’t like. You have to face the fact that for a lot of guys in the world of the Iron Horse MC, bitches don’t count.”
    “Excuse me?” My temper flared and I swore if I had hackles they’d be standing straight up.
    “Just the way it is, babe. This is a man’s world. They’ll give you respect because you’re my old lady, and if they disrespect you, they disrespect me, but you can’t run your mouth to them like you do to me and Beach. These young guys are still all hung up on pride and reputation, and making a name for themselves. If you insulted them and were anyone but my woman, you’d pay a price. But as my woman, you’re a reflection of me and under my protection. If you start some shit with one of the members, it’ll get messy quick. I really don’t want to have to deal with a bunch of pissed off brothers while trying to save your tight little ass.”
    I had an idea that by ‘it’ll get messy’ he meant blood would be spilled, or in his case blowtorches lit, but there was no way I was going to sit back and let people insult, patronize, or otherwise mess with me. I’d been bullied as a child and there was no way I was going to allow myself to be bullied now. “So I’m just supposed to take their shit like a good little girl?”
    Turning away from me, he quickly scanned the road before swerving around a slow moving car in the fast lane. The big engine of his truck purred, and I slid further into my comfortable seat, turning to face him full on. With my arms crossed, I glared at him and waited for him to answer. I couldn’t wait to hear what kind of epic bullshit he was going to come up with to justify his statement.
    His voice was unexpectedly grave as he said, “They may say some things that piss you off. They may treat you like a second-class citizen, but I need you to keep your temper in check. I’m not saying you have to take any shit from anyone—you absolutely do not have to put up with any bullshit—but if you can walk away from a fight, do it. I don’t want you putting yourself in any situation where you could get hurt, got me? So don’t start arguments. Walk away. You got a problem, you come to me, and I’ll take care of it. We’ve got bigger things to worry about than you hurting some young hothead’s pride.”
    “Got it,” I knew I sounded surly as I examined my unpolished fingernails. Fuck him for making sense. Yes, I was being very moody and cranky, but I was tired. The constant tension of waiting for someone to attack us on the open road sent bursts of adrenaline through me whenever a car passed too close. We were both wound up, and it showed in the way we were snipping at each other. Even if the clubhouse was swarming with an infestation of sluts, I’d kick my way through them to reach a clean bed.
    Please, God, let the room be clean. Not man-clean, but really clean. I sighed and returned my attention to Smoke who kept his gaze stiffly on the road.
    “Look, in the world of the MC, a man’s word and his reputation are more important than anything. I get respect because I’ve earned it and showed that I’ll do what I need to do to keep it. If I let you run your mouth, I look weak, and there are men who would kill to be the founding house’s Master at Arms. People respect me, and I plan to keep it that way ’cause that respect is gonna keep you alive. So just turn the other cheek, and I will destroy whoever pissed you off when