My boss throws a pissed off glare at me right after noticing the bikers who sit clumped together under his roof. Not going to lie, it looks a bit concerning if you don’t know them personally. A group full of bikers belonging to an MC doesn’t exactly scream safe. But little does my insufferable boss know… these are the good guys. And they aren’t being loud, rowdy, or obnoxious. The spinning question of why theyarehere does replay repeatedly in my mind. In fact, they seem to be hanging around here a lot lately since the shooting.
Throttle has his arm tightly around Tequila as they huddle close, their chairs practically on top of the other. Angel to the left, laughs and rolls her eyes each time Throttle plants a kiss on Tequila. Her man, who’s here on a rare occasion, nods and chats with the Vice President, Bullet. Charger with his arm on the back of Jules’s chair shoots a couple of invisible daggers at Angel’s ol’ man. Then, there are the rest of the guys. Tank, Brass, Chain and his ol’ lady, Maggie. They all look so happy, like one big closefamily. I can’t help wondering as I stand here holding the coffee carafe if I can ever really belong.
There is one missing club member, though. Hush. Why isn’t he here with the rest of them? Maybe he’s avoiding me. It seems like a reasonable answer considering I clearly made him uncomfortable. But why am I so concerned about his absence? We don’t have any sort of friendship, so it shouldn’t affect me. However, it does affect me. It bothers me more than I want it to.
Finally, walking over to the table, I refill Charger’s mug.
“Thanks,” he says, flashing me a grin that shows off his dimples impossible to miss. But I whip my head to Throttle and Tequila who sit diagonally from them, so I won’t be caught staring innocently.
“More coffee, guys?” I ask as Tequila is already holding up her empty mug.
“I don’t think I can live in a world without coffee,” she says. And I agree.
“My rose. That’s your third cup.”
“Your point?”
Throttle shakes his head, Tequila letting out a laugh. “I honestly don’t have one.”
“Oh, hey.” Jules leans forward, her elbows resting on the table while Charger rubs her back. “Did you get the wedding invitation?”
“Shit, pretty girl. Way to put her on the spot.”
I suppose I didn’t have much time to think about it, but being included on such a special day does bring a smile to my face. “You’re not putting me on the spot and yes, I’d love to go. But only if you’re sure.”
“Hell, yeah, we’re sure. Any friend of Tequila’s is a friend of ours,” Charger rushes to answer, earning a side eye from his ol’ lady.
“What he said.” Jules’s wide smile makes her even more beautiful with her flawless features glowing. “But he beat me to it. In a more aggressive way.” She laughs and then the whole table breaks out into a fit followed by Chain yelling up from the end.
His deep voice carries over. “It’s going to be a kickass fucking wedding.”
“Honey. Can we keep the cursing to a minimum, please? We don’t need more attention.” Maggie lightly whacks him in the chest.
The bell jingles over the door and a wave of something washes over me at the thought it could be Hush. But instead, there’s two men, and it’s the way one of them grins at me. His smirk finds its way under my skin with nothing but poor intentions. These types of men have a way of making me feel vulnerable. Frightened. It’s a sick, twisted tactic.
The counter surrounds me as I round it, still holding onto the coffee pot. “Hi. You can have a seat anywhere and someone will be right with you.”
The one wearing the slimy grin hums. “We’ll take two coffees, pretty thing.” There is a sly tone in how he gives the compliment. Zero innocence behind it.
Ignoring him, I swap out the empty coffee carafe for the full one and grab two mugs. When I face him, I make sure not to make eye contact, filling his mug with the coffee he asked for and setting two menus down.
“Areyouon the menu?” he whispers the question, leaning forward enough for me to catch a whiff of alcohol on his breath.
Once upon a time, I would have told him to fuck off, but now as I open my mouth to say just that, the words don’t form. They’re lost in my thoughts unable to release and the frustration burns deep like fire.
A sweet scent plows into me. A fruity peach scent almost.
Angel leans a hip against the counter, her body facing the two men, but her eyes land on the one harassing me. “What’s up? I know you aren’t bothering my girl here.”
They make a quick glance over her long, toned body.
I take this moment to peer over at the table filled with the Steel Valley bikers. Some are watching curiously but it’s Venom whose eyes are slit with potential rage festering and ready to explode if necessary. He seems to be giving Angel her space; confident she can handle her own but being ready in case she needs him.
The intensity between the MC couples is so high-powered. Strung with a compelling force.
“Fuck. It’s our lucky day.” They both snicker, expecting Angel to cower.
“Oh yeah?” Angel smirks, leaning her body toward him, so she’s eye-to-eye. “See that man over there,” she says and when the one who hit on me peers over his shoulder, his slyness drops at the notice of Venom. Pure heated fury shoots out from her ol’ man. “He will cut your balls off. So let me ask you again, are you bothering my friend?”
