Page 40 of The Crowing of Hell

“Okay,” I drawled.

“I’m Madisen, Levi’s old lady,” another woman said with a friendly smile. She was dressed in an old-fashioned style that I recognised from the 1920s.

“Hi,” I replied lamely.

“Tati is Big Al’s woman, Thalia is with Bear. Alice is with Diesel, and Sallie-Anne is Banshee’s girl. Bunny is Pyro’s, and Chey is with Celt. Obviously, I’m with Chance,” Clio explained, and I knew that would go in one ear and out the other.

I still had trouble keeping all of Rage straight and forget the kids. I didn’t stand a chance of remembering who belonged to whom.

“So Kendara, Rooster?” Tati said, sidling closer.

“Yeah?” I asked.

“Well, spill the beans, girl. We need the gossip,”Bunny demanded.

“Oh, you think Roo and I are together? No, we’re friends,” I explained, suddenly seeing what they were getting at.

Eight derisive snorts met my words. Wow! They didn’t hold back here.

“Bullshit,” Tati said.

“No, it’s true. Rooster’s helping me out because someone is after me,” I continued.

“We had this conversation, and I told her that no fucking way had Rooster moved her in here if they were just friends. Rooster doesn’t let anyone around his boys unless they are family,” Chey informed the others.

Laughter arose at Chey’s words.

“Kendara, Rooster doesn’t let any bitch around his kids unless he’s one hundred and ten per cent certain that they’re going to be here for a lifetime. Rooster refuses to let women come and go in the boy’s lives, and I don’t blame him. It took weeks for some of us to meet the boys and usually because our old man forced it,” Alice added.

“Yeah, so whatever Rooster is feeling for you, it isn’t friendship,” Sallie-Anne agreed.

“He’s never shown me any signs of interest, and that Sadie has certainly done a number on him,” I replied.

“Sadie’s heading for a beat-down as soon as she’s given birth. Until then, we won’t touch her. We don’t harm the innocent or pregnant, but she’ll get her come-uppance for what she said to Rooster.” Clio scowled. “He is one of the best men around.”

“Rooster’s one of a kind,” I agreed and found myself under intense scrutiny.

“You like Rooster!” Sallie-Anne exclaimed, clapping her hands together.

“What’s not to like?” I tried to act casual, but all those gazes made me squirm.

“Rooster’s locked up tight after what Bitch-Face did to him. We need to plan,” Bunny suggested, and I looked horrified.

“No! Everything is fine!” I interrupted.

“Are you going to make a move?” Chey demanded.

I recoiled in horror.

“Sorry, girls, we may be in the twenty-first century, but in my life, a man makes the first move. Call me old-fashioned, I don’t, but that’s how I feel,” I replied.

Several of the women pulled faces, but Tati grinned. “Good girl. You make Rooster chase your ass. At least you’re aware of your value. And you can all shut up. Apart from Clio, your men chased your asses, too.”

“Hey!” Clio exclaimed indignantly.

“Honey, we all knew you spied on Chance long before he confronted you. But you did right, piqued his interest and reeled him in,” Tati said.

“I hate you! You make it sound so clinical,” Clio complained as the others teased her.