The party was in full bloom at the club. The beer and booze were flowing, the music was playing, and the crew were enjoying themselves, either in the company of a regular or simply amongst themselves. A few of them were tending to the grill, preparing the meat the Felipe had delivered earlier.

EZ and Angel were talking with Riz when EZ saw Isabella and Samuel arrive at the club's open gates.

"Bella's here," said EZ to Angel as he cocked his head toward the gate.

Angel turned around to see her wearing a pair of blue washed straight jeans and a blue knitted crop top. Samuel was wearing a pair or black jeans and a grey Guns N' Roses t-shirt.

"Wow, it's busy," said Samuel as they looked around.

"Sure is," replied Isabella.

Most would have thought that she might have been uncomfortable around so many people she didn't know, but it was far from being the case. In her job, she was used to speaking in front of a lot of people, mainly important and imposing men, and it had never been an issue. If she could talk to politicians and world leaders, she could handle bikers.

She saw EZ and Angel stride over to them and she smiled.

EZ hugged her as did Angel. "What's that?" asked Angel seeing Samuel holding two carton boxes in his hand.

"I made a tres leches cake and some churros," replied Isabella as she took them from Samuel.

"You didn't have to go through so much trouble."

"I wanted to. Besides, it would have been rude to come empty handed."

"Let's go put those on one of the tables," said Angel. "I think it's the only desert we have."

"You should have told me; I would have made more."

"Nah, don't get these guys used to it otherwise they'll just keep asking for more."

"Hey, Samuel, you want to come check out some of the bikes?" asked EZ, "Angel mentioned you were interested."

"Yeah?" said Sam as he looked at his mom.

"Go ahead."

Once they had walked away, Angel led Bella toward one of the tables where she put down the boxes.

"I'll introduce you to some of the guys."

Bella nodded and followed him.

The group of guys he led her to stopped talking and checked her out a bit too intensely, but she was used to that as well. She didn't blame them, she looked nothing like the other women that were hanging around the club and its crew.

"This is Tranq, Gilly, Taza and Riz," said Angel pointing each one of them to her. "Guys, this is Isabella Hernandez."

"It's nice to meet you," said Isabella.

"Same," replied Tranq while the other's nodded.

"And this is Coco," added Angel as he headed their way.

"I'm sorry about yesterday," said Coco nervously, "I would never have intentionally put your kid in danger."

"I'm sorry for going ballistic on you," replied Isabella. "I was just worried."

"Hey, I get it. I would have reacted the same way. I'll make sure to apologize to your boy before you go."

"I appreciate that," said Isabella as Angel whisked her away toward the building.

"Don't pay attention to Coco, he can get a bit strange at times, but it's not his fault."

"I wasn't posing a judgment Angel," she said as he led her to the bar.

"He saw some pretty bad shit when he was a Marine and it messed him up, you know?"

"He's lucky to be home."

"Yeah. Anyway, what can I get you?" he said passing behind the bar.

"Beer, is good."

He took the bottle and removed the cap. "Don't have any beer glasses. Bottle, OK?"

Bella chuckled. "Would you please stop doing that?"

"Doing what?"

"Treating me like I'm some princess. I've drank beer out of a bottle before. I'll probably eat the burgers and ribs with my hands so don't need to bring out the expensive silverware."

"Sorry, I forget how down to Earth you are. After leaving here, I don't know, I imagined you had gotten all fancy."

She shook her head. "I'm still me, Angel. I don't need classy or luxurious things."

"OK," he said handing her the beer bottle and taking him one himself.

She looked at the bottle. "Isn't this the same beer that your father found us drinking in the backyard?"

"Looks like it. Man, he wasn't happy."

"Could you blame him? We were 16."

"And in the backyard, not like we were going to parade down the town streets doing crazy shit or driving."

"Your father was always high up on doing the right thing, in the eyes of the law or his."

Angel settled on the barstool and Bella joined him. He didn't mind spending time with the others, but he was glad to have some time alone with her. "He made me open every remaining bottle of the six-pack and empty them out on the lawn."

"Yeah, before giving us a lecture. Although, I think he never told my parents. Otherwise, I'd have gotten a second one when I got home."

"We had amazing moments back then."

He stared into her eyes and smiled.

"We did. I sometimes wish I could go back in time."

"Why?"

"Because life is hard, Angel."

Before he could say anything, Chucky walked inside. "Sorry didn't mean to interrupt your date."

"It's not a date Chucky," said Angel lifting his eyes to the ceiling and shaking his head.

"Right, well in that case, I need a hand, out back to bring in the beers," he said lifting his prosthetic hands.

Angel sighed and looked at Bella. "Sorry, I'll be right back. You'll be, OK?"

"Yeah, go help your friend. I'll wait here."

Angel put his bottle down on the counter, stood and followed the guy out back. Isabella turned the seat of her barstool and looked around the room. On the back wall, multiple pictures were framed. She stood and walked over to them.

Bishop walked out of the meeting room, knowing full well that she was there as the door had been opened and he had been listening, despite himself, to their conversation. He leaned against the doorframe and watched her as she went from picture to picture. It was interesting to see that she gave them importance, as if they were pieces of art, not just scanning them and moving on to the next one.

She was a vision of art herself. Her long brown hair cascaded down to the middle of her back. Her jeans fitting her physique to perfection, enhancing her impeccably proportioned curves. She may not have been a princess, as per her say, but she was more than a notch above the women that had ever been in that room or club.

He finally decided to join her and properly introduce himself.

She turned in his direction upon hearing his bike boots.

"Isabella, right?" he asked as he put his hand out.

"Yes. Isabella Hernandez," she replied taking it, surprised that they were soft whereas she would have imagined they would be rugged. "And you're Bishop."

He smiled and tilted his head to the side, intrigued.

"I heard Angel say your name at the carnicerĂ­a earlier today."

"Obispo Losa."

"I know understand 'Bishop'," replied Isabella as their hands parted. "Thank you for letting me and my son join your barbecue. After how I came on aggressively yesterday, you could have said no."

"I don't think you were aggressive. I'd say assertive, which is a good quality."

She pointed to the wall. "Quite a lot of years."

"A brotherhood. A lot of men have come through these doors looking for a purpose, the need to belong to something, either because they had a tough life or because they felt they no longer fit in the world they were living here. Here, as long as you respect the club, its crew members, and the rules we put in place, we don't judge you or your past."

Isabella looked at him. "I never saw it that way. It's a good thing these men have somewhere to turn to. They must be grateful."

"I'd like to think so. But being part of a biker clan is not for everyone. Some don't stay. Regardless, I hope that when they leave, they move on to better things."

"You're a good man."

"I'm only doing what the rest of society should be doing."

"Food's ready," said Taza, as he walked into the room.

"Are you hungry?" asked Bishop to Isabella.

She nodded.

"Come on, let go eat."

He saw her look toward the back door from where Angel hadn't returned yet. "Don't worry about Angel. You got to eat, right?"

When she followed him outside, she noticed that Samuel had already served himself and was sitting with EZ and a few other guys. He seemed to be having a great time and she was glad.

She and Bishop grabbed a plate, a napkin and followed the queue to where the already cooked meat had been put on display. She grabbed a burger, corn, and served herself some potato salad.

"Who brought this?" asked Bishop seeing the cake and opened box of Churros.

"I did," replied Isabella.

"Homemade?" asked Bishop.

Isabella smiled and nodded.

"Looks delicious," he stated. "Keep me one of each on the side for later," he told one of the crew members who proceeded to do as asked. "If they taste as good as they look, by the time I finish eating, they'll be gone," he said winking at Isabella.

"I guess, being president has its advantages."

"You have no idea."

He pointed to a table with only a few other guys. "Shall we?"

"Of course," she said following him.

He waited for her to take a seat on the picnic bench before sitting down next to her. "Have you met these guys?"

"Yeah, let me see, Taza, and Riz."

Both men nodded.

"And that is Creeper."

"Hey, heard about you," he said, "welcome to our humble clubhouse."

"Nice to meet you, Creeper."

"You grew up in Santo Padre?" asked Taza.

"Yes. All my life. My father is Mexican."

"Where from?" asked Riz.

"El Refugio, Tijuana."

"A lot of people immigrated from Baja, back in the day," added Taza as he nodded.

"And your mom?" asked Bishop.

"She's from Oregon, 100% American, but fell in love with Mexico, it's people and culture when she was younger. And obviously my dad," said Isabella laughing.

"Where do you live now?" asked Riz.

"Corpus Christi in Texas. I settled there after college when I was offered a job."

"Well, no matter how long you're here," said Bishop, "we're happy to have you."

"Thank you."