Aislynn couldn’t hide from me forever.
“Right,” I rasped quietly, the word feeling like sandpaper in my throat.
Zara reappeared with a tray filled with cups, creamer, and a filled coffee pot. She placed it on the bar and gave Bootneck a shy smile.
Pink filled his cheeks, and he ducked his head, throwing her a little grin.
“Jesus fuck,” Thug muttered under his breath.
I concentrated on pouring myself a cup of java, my lips twitching.
“Prez,” Zara began. “I’m getting short of meds. Could I get permission for a prospect to drive me to Rock Springs so I can pick up my prescription?”
“I’ll take ya, sweetheart,” Boot offered.
Zara blushed prettily and murmured, “Thanks, Bootneck. You’re very sweet to me.”
My brother's face softened, and he gazed at Zara with a goofy smile on his face.
“If there’s anything I can do for you in return, just let me know,” she told him earnestly.
Thug nudged me discreetly.
“How about you show me your appreciation by making me one’a those lemon cheesecakes you’re so good at,” Boot requested.
Zara’s face lit up. “You like my cheesecake?”
“So that’s what the kids are callin’ it these days?” Thug muttered.
Zara’s face burned.
Boot glared at him.
My stare hit my boots, my lips twitching with the effort not to laugh.
“When d’ya wanna go, babe?” Boot asked.
“Whenever you’re free,” Zara replied. “I don’t want to inconvenience you. I know how busy you are.”
“Gimme your digits, babe,” he ordered, slipping his phone out of his pocket. He unlocked it and handed it to her. “I’ll message ya when I’ve got a free hour.”
They gazed at each other for a beat, and then Zara shook her head slightly, like she was waking herself from a daze. Red stained her cheeks, and she programmed her number into Boot’s cell before handing it back to him and whispering, “Thanks, honey.”
He grinned, watching as she scurried away.
“Smooth,” I drawled.
“What?” Boot asked.
“You and Zara,” I shot back. “It’s like watchin’ a cheesy fuckin’ teen drama play out.”
Thug busted out a laugh.
“Jesus Christ,” Boot protested. “She’s a nice girl, and she’s got a medical condition. Don’t want her havin’ to get a bus to go get her meds.”
I got where he was coming from. Zara had epilepsy and needed to take medication every day to keep it under control. A few days after the club opened, she caught a virus and threw up her medication. Later, she had an epileptic fit, and I had to admit, it was hard to witness. Ever since, we’d made sure she was okay, and the club covered the cost of her meds and co-pays.
All the brothers, girls, and even strippers were provided with basic medical insurance, and if they had to pay extra, we tried to help. Once we opened more businesses and the cash began to roll in, their policies would improve because I wanted clean, healthy brothers and girls, and no high roller would pay big bucks to watch or fuck a nasty ass stripper. I hadn’t seen a doctor until I joined the military, and I knew that life was hard enoughwithout having to worry about selling everything you owned just to pay for basic medical care.
