He sits in his seat beside the other biker, who glances back and forth between us. “Everything okay?” he asks.
My eyes lock on Logan, and we stare each other down. I’m not sure who’s winning, but it’s the first time I’ve ever challenged anyone this big and scary without folding. Something about him makes me feel safe. Like I know without a doubt he wouldn’t hurt me. My frown deepens, and I drag my eyes from him to stare at the other guy.
“You’re not hiring me?”
He looks just as confused as me, so he looks to Logan. “We’re not?” he asks.
“No.” Logan’s tone is final, and the other guy shrugs.
“And here I was thinking I was in charge,” he mutters sarcastically.
“If you’re in charge, it’s not up to him,” I state, moving in front of his chair instead. “I really need this job.”
The guy shrugs. “So does every other woman who danced tonight,” he says.
“I can also do bar work,” I rush to add. “And clean. I’m good at everything.”
“The answer is no,” Logan repeats.
“Come on, brother, hear her out,” says the guy.
“Brother?” I repeat, wide-eyed. “This arse is your brother? You poor thing.”
The man laughs, deep and throaty, and then he offers me his hand. “The name’s Axel.”
I take it, a small smile tugging at my lips. “Remi.”
“So, Remi, tell me why you need this job over all the others.”
“Pres, you’re not considering this,” Logan demands.
“Relax, Shadow, we can at least give her a chance.”
I find myself looking back at him. “Shadow?” I repeat thoughtfully. I briefly close my eyes, forcing away the childhood memory the word conjures up. I take a breath. “I’m sleeping on one of your dancer’s couches. Her flat is tiny, and she’s been more than kind, but I need to find a place before she gets tired of me. I have nowhere to go, no food to eat, and literally only the clothes on my back.” I glance down at my underwear and laugh. “Not this, obviously. I have clothes, but just the one outfit.”
“Why?” Axel asks.
“I’m running,” I admit, quieter this time.
Shadow stands abruptly. “We’re not here to save you,” he snaps, and even Axel looks confused. “You’re not right for the role.” And he stomps off, leaving me alone with Axel.
I swallow the lump in my throat. I was beginning to think this was all a sign, but as usual, it’s a massive let-down.
“How long you been running?” Axel asks.
I force a smile. “A long time.”
“And if I get you a job, how do I know you won’t do a midnight flit and leave me in the shit?”
I shake my head. “I’d never just leave. I’m not that kind of person.”
He gives a stiff nod. “Okay. Come by this place tomorrow, and I’ll see what I can do.” He slides a business card my way, and I take it.
“So, you’re not giving me the dancing job?”
He shakes his head with a smirk on his face. “Nah, see, if I let you get up there half-naked, Shadow might end up in prison . . . again.”
Chapter Two
