by Deja Voss
Obviously when we got together, she got out of the sex work game. Ever the entrepreneur, though, she realized we as a club would be leaving money and big connections on the table by completely cutting ties with those networks she worked so hard and sacrificed so much of herself to build.
And that’s when she figured out the perfect use for the big old garish mansion that her old man built all those years ago. Most days, it’s still our Mountain Misfit hangout. It’s still our clubhouse and home base bar. But on the weekends and special occasions, it’ll be the Gingerbread Ranch. High-end strippers, high-class call girls, none of which will be my wife.
Sure, she’s been really hands-on in the hiring and training process, but this is her passion project. She wants a safe place for sex workers. She has nothing but love for women who chose to be in the industry, and she doesn’t want any of them to have to go through the things she went through. By hand selecting her employees, training each one of them in the rules and objectives of the MC, she made sure that her life’s work wasn’t for nothing. We have the space and the muscle, and the guys in the club sure as hell don’t mind being surrounded by hot strippers and hookers.
“You ready, Esther?” I ask as she stands in front of the mirror in the living room, dabbing on some bright red lipstick.
“I’m nervous,” she says. “It’s gonna be weird seeing all these people again who have… uhhh… not seen me at my best.” She made sure to invite all of her former clients to the grand opening, a brave move on her behalf, but definitely one that will pay off in the long run. Once these guys see this place, they’ll have no problem continuing to do business with the club.
“Listen,” I say, kissing her on the top of her head, “you’re an entrepreneur now. You’re one of them.”
She laughs that sweet laugh of hers that bounces off the walls of our house every day and makes this place feel like home to me. “I’ll never be one of them, Brooks. You remember Salazar and his wife, don’t you?”
“Straight-up weirdos, and it really takes a lot to make me uncomfortable. You just don’t worry. It’s not like everyone up on this mountain has seen me at my best, you know. I’ve had my share of dirty birdie horror stories.”
“Aw, I know, sweetie,” she teases, running her fingers through my hair. “You were a straight-up man whore. And now you’re all mine.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. Now let’s get going. We don’t want to be late.”
I can’t help but slap her perfect ass as we walk out the door, and she punches me in the shoulder. Being married to her is fun. It’s light. It’s easy. It’s the way things were supposed to be. I straddle my bike and she hops on the back and we drive down the road to the new and improved clubhouse, The Gingerbread Ranch.
“I guess I should stand by the door and greet people,” she says as we pull up. The guys have their motorcycles lined up out front, and everyone is standing around in the parking lot wearing their leather cuts, looking menacing as hell. “That’ll definitely work,” she says. “You boys never let me down.”
“Just so you know, I’m going to be glued to your hip tonight,” I tell her.
“I wouldn’t expect anything less, husband.”
The sun is starting to set, and soon the parking lot is filling up with expensive cars. Men in business suits wearing watches that cost as much as my bike make their way to the door. Some of our alliances show up on their bikes too, in support. Showing them a good time is almost as important as taking care of our high-end clients. You never know when you’re going to need a hand in this gang life.
Esther greets them all casually but politely, welcoming them to her new place and ushering them in without getting too close.
“How you holding up?” I ask her.
“It’s not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I’m a different person now. So much has changed. It’s all your fault,” she laughs.
“Oh Lord,” I mutter into my hand when I see the odd couple roll up. “Weirdo alert.”
“Mrs. Salazar,” Esther grins, hugging her, kissing her on the cheek. “I’m so glad you two could make it.”
“Esther, we wouldn’t miss it for the world. We’re so proud of you. You were always such a smart girl. You look beautiful. And your boyfriend? I don’t think you formally introduced us.”
“He’s my husband now, actually,” she says, holding up her ring.
“I knew it. I called it. I’m so happy for you two.”
“Congratulations, man,” Joe says, patting me on the shoulder. “If you’re ever up for a little swap-a-roo…”
“No,” I say, pulling his arm off of me.
“Absolutely no,” Esther says. “No offense to either of you, obviously.”
“None taken,” Mrs. Salazar says to her. “I know that our situation or proclivities might look strange from the outside, but at my age, I’ve come to find that’s not what matters when it comes to marriage. Love isn’t a black and white thing. Marriage is about finding someone who is on the same page as you are, no matter what that page is. It’s not about finding someone who is already perfect, it’s about finding the perfections in someone that you love and bringing them out into the open.”
“That’s really sweet,” Esther says.
It’s sweet, but it’s true. I’m not a perfect man, I don’t claim to be, but when I’m with Esther, I am a better man. She’s flawless in my eyes, even if she doesn’t think so, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life supporting her and making her see what an amazing woman she is, even on the days where she can’t stand herself.
“I wish you two all the luck in the world, but I don’t think you’ll need it. You have everything you need right here. I knew it the day I first saw you two together. Where should I send your wedding present?” Mrs. Salazar asks.
“Actually,” I say to her. “We haven’t had a formal wedding yet, but when we do, I’ll make sure that you’re on the guest list.” Esther looks at me like she’s slightly amused. She ushers the couple inside.
“That’s very big of you,” she says to me.
I wrap my arms around her from behind, holding her close to me.
“I respect your past, Esther. I don’t like that it ripped you away from me. I don’t like that it ever caused you pain. In my eyes, you’re still the same girl I fell in love with back when we were kids; only now, I will do whatever it takes to make sure I never have to spend a day without you again. I don’t ever want you to feel sad again.”
“The only reason I ever felt bad was because I thought I lost you. I thought you could never accept me for who I had become.”
“I love who you’ve become, Esther,” I assure her, kissing her on the top of her head. “Now, let’s get inside and see how all your hard work paid off.”
“You just want to see the strippers,” she teases.
“Woman, I will walk around blindfolded all night if it makes you feel any better.”
“While I do like the sound of that, maybe we should save the blindfold for later.” She takes me by the hand and we walk into the dimly lit room, the place completely transformed, every trace of her father and his reign of terror gone.
The only way I can describe how I feel is complete fulfillment. My club is back on top. My woman is brilliant, beautiful, and all mine. And as for me, I’m exactly where I belong.
THE END
Thank you so much for reading!
I hope you enjoyed Highest Sins - I love my Mountain Misfits and they are all equally as twisted and delightful to write about. If you want more of Esther and Brooks I have some deleted scenes and bonus chapters available for subscribers to my mailing list. Click here to join!
About the Author
Bartender by night, you can find me chugging coffee in the corner of the local library every day, pounding out steamy romances about motorcycles, mountain men, and the women who love them.
I have two rottweiler sisters who are my world, a husband who tells all his friends that I write porno f
or a living (bless his heart), and a love for nature and trail running… the mountains are my sanity!
For sporadic social media updates, feel free to follow me below! Thank you again for reading!
Also by Deja Voss
Mountain Misfits MC Prologue
Never Coming Down: Mountain Misfits MC Book 1
Vagrant: A Bad Boy Billionaire Romance
