“I don’t know. It seems a little barbaric.”

“All those caveman jokes have a grain of truth, Lilly.”

“I guess so,” she mutters. “So, what else can you get your ass kicked for? Is that something you can tell me?”

“Lots of different things. Dishonoring the club. Repeatedly showing up late for meetings. Hitting on another member’s old lady.”

“Really?”

“Hell yes. That’s not taken lightly. The property patches the girls have? That’s so when we’re with other charters, they know who’s off-limits.”

“Oh.”

I sense the confusion. “They’ll know you’re off-limits because I’ve made that clear.” Of course, I plan to patch Lilly. I just don’t know which club I’m going to ask to vote on her yet.

“Hope says it’s like an engagement ring?”

“More than that.”

“Oh.”

I glance over. “I want you to have my patch, Lilly. There’s a certain ceremony to it, though, and things have been…”

“Up in the air?”

“Yes.” That and I’m not sure my brothers trust her enough yet to vote her in. And Downstate doesn’t even know her let alone trust her, so their votes wouldn’t be as meaningful if they’d even give ‘em. From what I’ve heard, Steer can be just a big of a dick as Wrath when it comes to accepting an old lady into the club.

“Most offenses…seem related to behavior.”

“Respect is everything.” How do I explain in a way that she understands, but doesn’t scare her? “While I enjoy your quick wit and sharp tongue, be careful when you’re speaking to any patch member.”

“Of your club?”

“Any club.”

“Would they beat me up?” Her voice holds a hint of lightness, but I answer her seriously anyway.

“It depends. I’d handle it, but I’d rather not be in that situation if I don’t need to be.”

“Z,” she says with an edge to her voice that makes my skin prickle. “Do you think I’m a bitch to everyone I meet?”

“That’s not what I was trying to say.”

“Are you worried I’ll embarrass you now that you’re in this new position?”

“Embarrass me? No.”

She huffs and fiddles with her dress. “Have you ever received a beating from Wrath?” she asks.

Thank fuck we’re veering to another subject. “In the early days, yeah. We kicked the shit out of each other for fun, though. Our SAA, Grinder, was the one who kept us in line.”

“Have I met him?”

“No, he’s been in prison for years.” The fun I’m having explaining these things to Lilly dies at the mention of Grinder’s name. “He should’ve been out a couple years ago. Hopefully soon. He’s a good guy. Never should’ve been inside.”

She squeezes my leg. “I’m sorry.”

“Haven’t visited him in forever. I really need to do that.”