Sadie
It wasn’t until Tuesday that Sadie was able to look for a job, and it was dumb luck that she landed a bartending position at Big Dick’s.She’d walked in just as Big Dick was firing the current bartender for skimming from the till.After being told there were no openings or she was underqualified at the last four places she’d sought employment, she crossed her fingers that she landed this one.
Unbuttoning a couple of buttons on her shirt to give Big Dick a better view of her cleavage, she took off her coat, but left her scarf on to cover the bruising around her throat.They were fading but, unfortunately, they were still visible.She made sure to exaggerate the roll of her hips as she approached the bar.As she hoped, Big Dick was watching her with a calculated eye.
“What can I get you?”he asked around the unlit cigar in his mouth.He wasn’t an overly big man, but he was stout and solid.Standing a little under six feet tall, he had a wide chest and shoulders with thick tattooed arms.His hair was cut super short, to the point it looked like white stubble.
She hiked a hip and took a seat across from him.“I couldn’t help but notice you need a bartender.”She tipped her head toward the front door that the man slunk out of.
“Yeah.I might be.You ever slung drinks before?”
“Yes.When I lived in Taos, I worked behind the bar at an Applebee’s for six months.”
“Six months?Is that all?”
“Yes.I had to quit and find a day job when my nephew was born.His mom skipped out, and his father was in a motorcycle club.”She left it at that.Some people were okay with motorcycle clubs, and others, like herself, thought they were all a bunch of no-good criminals.Although after meeting the Sons of Redemption, she might have to rethink her opinion of them.Maybe they could be the exception to the rule.Besides, if she decided they weren’t so bad didn’t mean she had to be best friends with any of them or spend time with them.She could continue to avoid them whenever possible.
“What about your nephew?Where’s he now?With his dad?”
“No.My brother was killed, and I have full custody of him.”
“Don’t you need a day job?”
“Ideally, but right now I just need a job.I’ve got babysitting covered if that’s what you’re worried about.”She didn’t, but she’d figure something out.She had half a mind to make Jed do it since it was his fault she had to find a new job that would force her to work more hours for less pay.The jerk owed her big time for the hell he was putting her through.
“You have any references?”he asked around the cigar.
“I worked at Bottoms Up.”She thought Tom would give her a good reference.There was no reason he shouldn’t, but who knew?
“You tend bar?”He wiggled his mouth, the cigar moving to the other side.
“No.I danced.”
Big Dick’s eyes rounded.“Oh, yeah?Why’d you quit?”
“I didn’t.”
“You know you’re not going to make that kind of money here.I mean, this is a busy place, but your tips won’t benearwhat you were getting there.And there's no insurance.You sure you want to work here?”
“Yes.I’m sure.Like I said.I just need a job.”
He watched her so closely, she practically saw the wheels in his head spinning.“So, if you didn’t quit, why aren’t you working there?”
“I was attacked backstage, and for some reason it was better to take my job than ban the brother who did it.”And yes, she let every bit of irritation she was feeling reflect in her voice as she untied the scarf around her bruised throat.
He leaned closer, his brows forming a deep V on his forehead, and somehow, he was able to frown around his cigar.“A brother did that?I didn’t think they were like that anymore.”
“They’re not.”She gently scratched at her neck, the scarf making it feel itchy.“It was someone named Tinker.”
He grunted at the same time his expression went flat.“Oh.He’s out?”
“Yes.You know him?”
“He raped my cousin and beat the shit out of her when she went to the police.”
Sadie could totally see Tinker doing that.She was lucky that Race, Jed, and the other guy showed up when they did.
“When can you start?”Big Dick leaned his weight into his hands, resting on the edge of the bar.She had to say, the man was intimidating, but lucky for her, she’d dealt with men like him before.Hell, just being exposed to the Phantom Furies, she felt like she was equipped to handle almost anybody.
