While I had no need for companionship, never had, I decided to join, vowing I’d be president one day. I would use it to my advantage to get everything I’d ever wanted. My goal was reached in a coup against my old prez two years back. He was a grizzled old ware named Pike, who’d lived past his prime and his usefulness a decade prior. I ended him and had been in charge ever since, ruling this pack with an iron fist.
The three overly thin women in the corner nervously shifted about like penned up sheep scenting an apex predator in their midst. Grabbing another bottle off the filthy bar top, this one vodka, I twisted off the cap and downed half of it.
Pointing at the group, I said, “Get over here.”
The women uncertainly glanced between each other, wondering who I was referencing. The answer was all of them. They were all going to feel my wrath tonight. Just like the farmer’s daughters.
The boldest of the crew strutted forward, feigning confidence she didn’t actually possess. I could tell. The scent of her stinking fear was wafting off her in traitorous waves.
“You need me to take the edge off, baby?” She asked in a saccharine sweet tone we both knew was false.
“I need a whole lot more than you,” I returned, crooking my finger in the direction of the two remaining women. “Bring your friends over here. Just one pussy ain’t going to cut it tonight.”
CHAPTER 13
Cat
Work went by in a flash. I was so busy, I couldn’t even remember what movies were playing as I bustled back and forth. It wasn’t just the number of customers we had making the time fly by, either. I kept playing and replaying my time with Ace last night on a loop in my head. Just the memory of what he’d done to me had caused me to forget orders three separate times this shift. On top of that, I was jittery, like I’d had a boatload of caffeine on an empty stomach. Maybe it was my worry about Kane returning, or what going to Ace’s clubhouse was going to be like, but I felt like a downed live wire, sparking out of control.
As I hung up my apron after closing, I told everyone in the kitchen I was heading home. I didn’t call an Uber though. I had a ride in the form of a prospect. Two in fact. Ace had them taking turns outside my apartment round the clock and driving me wherever I needed to go. I hated to admit it, as it probably made me a weakling, but these men made me feel safe and protected against Kane’s potential reappearance.
Ringo and Sliver were parked right out front of Krammer’s. Ringo, the taller of the two prospects, jumped out of the front passenger side of the car, offering me his seat.
I waved him off and said, “With those long legs of yours, keep the front. I’m good with the back. I just appreciate the ride.”
Ringo looked skeptical. “Are you sure? I can fit in the back. It’s no trouble.”
“I’m good, really,” I pledged dramatically, hand over my heart.
The handsome boy who looked closer to his teenage years than adulthood, cracked a toothy grin. Gallantly reaching for the back door, he opened it and ushered me inside.
“Are we going straight home, or do you need to make any stops first?” Sliver, the other prospect, thoughtfully asked.
I’m not sure who raised these boys, but whoever it was had done a fine job. “Straight home, please. I need to get ready for the party.”
It was already past eleven, but Ace told me that these types of events go into the wee morning hours. I knew I’d never be able to stay up that late, but I was looking forward to getting to see where the tough biker lived and meet some of his friends.
“Is Krammer’s always that busy?” Ringo asked conversationally. “This place must make some good money during the summer months.”
“Well, it’s a Saturday night, so it’s probably the busiest night of the week. But yeah, we’re pretty full up all summer long,” I chatted, while checking my phone for messages.
“Those burgers were amazing!” Sliver praised, rubbing his perfectly flat belly as a testimony to how much he’d enjoyed them. “I swear, like steak, they always taste best when they’re cooked on an open flame directly outdoors.”
He didn’t have to convince me how much he’d enjoyed them. Between the two of them, they’d polished off three burgers apiece, plus several refills of the never-ending fry basket. Good thing they’d refused to let me pay for their meals when I’d suggested it. I’m not sure I would have been able to make rent this month if they’d taken me up on my offer!
Ringo looked thoughtful as he silently tallied the number of cars that had come through Krammer’s tonight. “With the volume of business you guys do, the Night Stalkers should consider opening something similar in our neck of the woods. It could be a solid form of investment for the MC.”
I didn’t realize the Club had businesses other than their auto shop, The Chop Block. I’d heard people around town talking about it, because it was so popular. Now that I thought about it, why wouldn’t they have more than one business? It made perfect sense. The MC probably acted a little like a union or a commune. Each individual member helped make up the collective group that was stronger and more financially sound than if they were all operating on their own.
“Do you guys have many businesses besides the Chop Block?” I asked, curious about the extent of their investments in Mercy.
Ringo tilted his head to the side, obviously considering how much he could divulge to me without disrespecting his club. “We have a few. But we’re always looking for more,” he carefully replied.
As soon as we pulled up to my apartment, Ringo hopped back out and opened my door. Wow! A girl could really get used to this kind of first-class treatment!
Sliver leaned out the window and said, “I’ll wait out here while you get ready,” and promptly began scrolling on his phone.
Ringo escorted me inside, checking over my apartment like a seasoned secret service agent. When he was done, he gave me a thumbs up. Because I hated smelling like work when I was going out for the evening, I gathered some fresh clothes and told the prospect that I was going to take a quick shower.
