It’s full of men clad in leather but looking past and around them, I can see a bar stretches down one side of what is a clubroom. Tables and chairs are scattered around, and at the opposite end to the door is a small stage and stripper pole. I should have expected that, I suppose. And here is where my daughter’s come to ask for sanctuary? I’ve got to get her home.
The men, mostly tall, intimidate me. When they catch my eye, their expressions are friendly, but it’s the sheer number and the aura of masculinity which makes me pull my back and shoulders straighter.
“You see Eva?” Grumbler asks a man who looks particularly scary.
“Yeah. She and Patsy went upstairs with the kid. Think they’re in Prez’s room.”
Grumbler raises his chin in thanks, then, placing his hand in the small of my back, starts to guide me across to a staircase which leads up.
“Grumbler?” a voice calls out. “Today’s ride is off.”
Absorbing the information with just a grunt, Grumbler encourages me up the stairs. Once at the top, he leads me down a hallway with doors leading off to either side and stops at one at the end and knocks.
The door is opened. A woman, who doesn’t look much older than I am, opens it.
“Mom?” A small voice addressing me serves as my introduction.
“Mary?” At my nod, the woman continues, “I’m Patsy, I’m the prez’s old lady. Er…”
“I know what an old lady is,” I confirm.
“Come in.” She holds the door ajar. “We’ll take it from here,” she addresses the man behind me.
My daughter is on the bed, another woman is sitting next to her. Alicia’s eying me warily, her teeth worrying her lip.
“This is Eva,” Patsy informs me, waving her hand at the other woman. “She’s a nurse.”
“A nurse?”
“I’m not here in my professional capacity,” Eva explains hurriedly. “I, well, I have a lot to do with the club. Grumbler called me in as he thought I could help.”
I just want to talk to my daughter. I step forward and hold out my hand. “Come on, Alicia. Let’s go home.”
Patsy steps between me and her. “We think it might be best for you both to stay here—at least for now.”
My brow furrows. “Why?”
Patsy’s hand rubs at her temples before continuing, “I know a thing or two about bad men, which might be making me overcautious. But according to your girl, the photographer behind this knows her details, her home address as that’s how he was going to get the modelling fee to her.”
I go still, thinking, yes, he does. Didn’t see anything wrong with it when I signed the modelling release for her.
“But surely,” I lower my voice considerably, “he’s got what he wanted. There’s no reason to come after her.”
Patsy takes my arm and leads me to the furthest corner of what is actually a large room, twin aspects, one half set up as a bedroom, and the other as a living area. “You want this film found and destroyed, don’t you?”
Of course I do. My nod tells her so.
“Alicia had a message to keep the Devils out of it. But as far as I can see it, they’re your only hope.”
“The threat was that they’d make her life miserable—distribute the film on social media.”
Patsy shakes her head. “More likely it will be via some porn network, but who knows what twisted assholes would watch it.”
“Then we’ll go to the police.” Yes, that’s what I should be doing.
Patsy tilts her head in consideration. “They could go after him for statutory rape due to her age, but it’s the photographer that’s behind this, I’m sure of it. The man who did that to her was working for someone. Alicia was very specific his message was ‘they’, and that the Devils should steer clear of the man she modelled for.”
“The boys will be having a meeting if I’m any judge. Why don’t you stay around until they’ve decided what they’re going to do?” Eva, approaching, asks. She leans in close. “Alicia is scared shitless of what you’re going to say. I know how kids and parents can butt heads when they’re alone. Why don’t you hang around here for a while? We can be a buffer for both of you.”
Undecided, I leave the woman and go to my daughter. Sitting beside her, I don’t use words, I just hold out my arms. When she falls into them, I hug her close giving her the comfort only a mom can. When she sobs, I ignore her tears dampening my top, and just smooth her hair.
“I’m sorry, Mom. I’m sorry.”
I continue my stroking action, a tactile reassurance. She might have gone against everything I warned her to be careful of, might have lied as I’d never have let her go out last night if I’d known the truth, but it’s only disappointment that I feel, heavily tinged with my failings to keep my daughter safe. It’s her who’s hurt, and her who’ll have to carry the burden.
Her tears slowly begin to dry. I try to tilt her head up so I can look into her face, but she turns away and won’t meet my eye.
“Eva and I are going to get some dinner on for tonight. I like to make sure the guys have edible food at least once in a while.” Patsy winks at Eva, sharing a private joke. “Why don’t you and Alicia come down to help? Many hands make light work as they say.”
I’m not sure about entering that crowded clubroom again.
“I’ll check that the men are in church.” Eva seems to read my mind. She does so by sending a text and instantly getting a response. “Yeah. Tits says they’re in a meeting.”
Tits?
I open my mouth to query the strange name, when I hear a barely suppressed giggle from my side. In that moment, I realise anything that can make
