Chapter 19
Kristie
“You nervous?” Shiv asked as I sipped my coffee in the bar.
It was still a little odd that we basically lived at a bar, but the food was excellent and just magically appeared. It was easy to get used to. It made the need to find a place less urgent.
“A little. But I think I’m ready.”
She sipped a cup of tea and ate her cheese omelet cooked to order while I enjoyed poached eggs over toast with bacon.
Mama Hen hustled over. “You girls okay?” she asked as she topped off my coffee.
“Perfect. It’s all amazing as usual,” I said, wiping my hands with my napkin. “Hey, Mama Hen. Can I ask you something?”
She stopped and put a hand on her hip while holding the carafe with the other. “Sure, shoot. But I may not answer ya.”
“Fair,” I said. “But do you enjoy this?”
“Breakfast?” she asked, her head cocked.
“I mean this,” I said, waving my hand over the table. “Serving us. You don’t even get paid.”
Shiv picked up her tea, her brows nearly touching her hairline as she looked over the cup.
“You think I don’t get paid?” A smile grew over Mama Hen’s face, then she started practically cackling.
“So, you do, then?” I glanced between them and Shiv was still pretending she wasn’t involved. Throwing my hands up, I said, “Well I don’t know, okay? Everyone is so damn secretive about everything here. It just seems weird.”
“Weird? Honey, listen,” Mama Hen said as she took a seat, still gripping the carafe.
“I have more than enough money to take care of myself thanks to these guys. Shiv doesn’t have to work, Lacy doesn’t have to go to school, and Daisy doesn’t need to go to the tattoo shop.
The others,” she said as she waved behind her, “they chose to be here for their own reasons. They get a little bit of cash, they have a place to stay, food to eat, and know they’re safe.
They can go anytime they want, but they would make less working at a restaurant or bar. We take care of our family.”
“But I thought only Old Ladies were considered family? Those women are what… bunnies? So, I don’t understand.”
Shiv put her hand on mine. “I had all the questions when I came, too. But everyone here regularly is family, right Mama Hen?”
“Yep. Hell, you met Jeannie, right?”
Nodding, I said, “Yeah, she was here a few times. Cute blonde right?”
“Well, we have a few of those but yeah, dancer over at the club. Has her own place. But you best believe if something happened to her, these guys would handle it.”
Blowing a breath through puffed cheeks, I just nodded. I was even more confused than before I spoke to Rooster.
“Like I said, hon. Any of these girls can leave if they want. But if you’re talking about the long haul, then no. Once you’re an Old Lady, you’re in for life. But that doesn’t mean Hawk would make you be miserable.”
“Hawk? You mean Rooster?”
She smirked. “No. I mean Hawk. I don’t believe Rooster would ever get out of line, but if he did, Hawk would set him straight.
And if necessary, make sure you’re otherwise safe and taken care of.
That’s what I meant when I said once you’re in, you’re in for life.
My man never tolerated violence against women, and my son sure as hell won’t either.
” She finally stood, smiling down. “Regular bullshit fights, though, that’s between y’all and the peanut gallery.
Those boys are worse than high school girls about gossip.
Good luck today, hon.” Then she went back to the kitchen.
Shiv put her cup down and started eating again. “You’re nervous,” she said before shoving a bit of her food in her mouth.
“This could be an amazing opportunity. I’d be crazy not to be.”
She waved her fork. “No, no. I mean about Rooster. Being here.”
Nodding, I answered, “Yeah. I just… the flurry of it all has been a rush, ya know. And he’s… I don’t know how to explain it…”
“Perfect for you? Madly in love with you? Stupid over you?”
Giggling, I told her, “Stop. That sounds all well and good when it’s all new and shiny. And we agreed to let go of the past, and I’m trying, but it’s hard to let go of that hurt.”
“If you’re worried about him taking off, I wouldn’t. The one thing about these guys is this is their place, their whole existence.” She flourished her fork through the air. “Their destiny.”
We both giggled, but she continued. “He thought what he did before was noble. He wanted what was best for you. But now you’re here, and like you said, you both agreed to put that behind you.
I’m not telling you what to do because I only boss around the men but if you’re worried he’ll hurt you again, I can easily tell you that won’t happen.
” She took a bite, and after she swallowed it down followed by some tea, she said, “And like Mama Hen said, they won’t let him.
Now, finish your breakfast or we’ll be late. ”
Looking at my cell, I realized we were pushing the time Red said to be ready to go. Rooster told me he’d asked him to take me to the interview, and Shiv would ride with us even though she’d be staying. Apparently, none of the ladies were driving themselves anywhere right now.
After one more bite and downing my coffee, we stood and hustled to the SUV waiting outside.
The long ride was filled with small talk between Shiv and I and Red focusing on his task of getting us there. We eventually made it off the highway and turned into the driveway where a large sign stood at the entrance of the Centers for Disease Control.
“The traffic here is insane,” I said as we pulled in. The building was sprawling with floor after floor of windows from top to bottom. My old job was in a large building but it was taller like a high-rise and didn’t have floor to ceiling windows.
“Oh, the worst. But when you have a chauffeur, it’s not bad. I scroll or check emails, read.”
Red looked in the mirror with a cocked brow as he pulled into the parking deck.
“I appreciate the ride,” I said, squeezing his shoulder.
“Yeah, it’s not every day I get an officer to carry me around,” Shiv said.
“You mean when Jackal’s not around.” Red parked the blue SUV we rode in, then unbuckled. “Let’s go.”
We all piled out, but I asked, “Wait, what are you doing?”
Red waved me in front of him.
Shiv shrugged. “They walk us to the door. Don’t try to fight it. It’s a waste of time and you have to stop at security to check in, so you need to hustle.”
Rolling my eyes but going ahead, I followed Shiv. When we finally made it to the doors, Shiv turned and told Red, “End of the line for you. Thanks for the lift. I assume Coop will be picking me up later?”
Red gave a nod. “I believe so. Kristie, shoot me a text when you’re done. I’ll meet you here.”
“Okay, I will.” I turned and started following Shiv.
“Hey Kristie,” Red called out.
Stopping, I turned.
“Good luck.”
Smiling, I replied, “Thanks. See you in a bit.”
“It was a pleasure to meet you, Mr. James,” I said as he stood.
Mr. James was likely in his fifties with cropped brown hair and a tailored navy blue suit.
“Likewise.” He walked around the desk, so I followed him to the door.
He pulled it open and stuck his hand out, so I gave it a firm shake.
“We haven’t met with everyone yet, but hope to have an answer no later than two weeks and you’ll hear from us either way.
You have an impressive history, Miss Hillard. I wouldn’t worry too much.”
He smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes. I smiled back and said, “Thank you so much. Good luck with your search.” I wasn’t sure what else to say to that. Was he saying I nailed it or not to worry, I’d find work eventually?
Heading down the hall, I replayed the interview.
He’d seemed engaged, asked detailed questions, but I gave succinct but detailed answers.
He’d had a professional demeanor but appeared to give a slight hint of a grin, like he was impressed with what I said.
He was open with answers to my own questions and gave info that wouldn’t be relevant unless he planned to hire me.
Maybe he meant not to worry because I got the job… maybe.
Shit.
Looking around, I realized I didn’t recognize where I was. You would think they’d have more signs or security wandering around, but I didn’t see anyone and was down a hall with closed doors as far as the eye could see.
Walking down the hall and around the corner, I found the elevator. Well, an elevator. If I got to the main floor, I’d find my way out.
Hitting the button, I remembered I was supposed to text Red. After I shot the text off, I shoved my phone back into my purse and was excited to see a person once I got off the elevator.
Walking up to the man in a brown suit with short dirty blond hair, I asked, “Excuse me, I seem to have gotten turned around. Can you point me to the exit for the parking deck?”
“You’ll need to exit through the front, ma’am. That pass says visitor and it won’t allow you to open the door to the parking deck.” The employee gave me detailed instructions on how to get out.
As irritating as it was, it was comforting to know security was tight. I guess I hadn’t bothered to question any of that when we came in. Shiv already worked there, so she probably didn’t even think about it. Plus, we were both hustling to get inside and through security before we parted ways.
Pulling out my phone again, I texted Red the change of location and headed out front after returning the temporary badge they’d given me when I came.
Stepping outside, the temps had warmed dramatically in the last hour or so, and the humidity was stifling. The sudden swings in temps weren’t much different than Jersey, but it certainly was a few degrees warmer down here.
I heard a car so I glanced up, but it wasn’t Red. I looked down at my phone and he replied. After flipping it off silent mode, I heard another vehicle and looked up to see the blue SUV.
Hopping in the front, I said, “I’m not riding in the back like a stranger.” I buckled in, then sighed. “Sorry about that. They wouldn’t let me out the same way I came in.”
“No problem.” He put it in gear, then headed down the driveway to the road. “How did it go?”
“I think it went well. Maybe. Not sure. The interviewer seemed engaged, but the ending was odd.”
“You’re probably overthinking it.”
Smirking, I asked, “Why would you assume that? I didn’t even tell you what he said.”
“Because that’s what women do.”
I scoffed. “Well excuse me, mister know-it-all.”
“Hey. Do you trust me?” Red blurted out.
“Umm. What kind of question is that while we’re driving down the road?”
“Yes or no.”
Confused, I answered, “Yes, I guess? Why?”