Chapter 2 #2
I often wonder how the hell my dad handled the club and didn’t show an ounce of stress or pressure, at least, not in front of me. I always remember him as being happy, smiling, without a care in the world, and it makes me wonder where the fuck I’m going wrong.
As I walk into the bar, Hell launches herself at me, and I catch her as she wraps her legs around my waist. It’s the welcome I’ve been missing.
“I’ve missed you,” she whispers in my ear, and a shiver radiates down my body. I’m unsure if it’s from being soaked right through or the warmth of her breath against my neck. “Fancy round two?” she asks, running kisses along the nape of my neck.
“Get a fucking room,” Clay says with a laugh, placing his helmet on the bar.
I slide her down my body, and she frowns at me. I kiss her tenderly on her head, trying to squash the disappointment in her eyes.
“I just need a drink, Hell,” I say carefully, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. “It’s been a long day.”
She stares into my eyes, almost searching for something. She opens her mouth as if to speak but stops herself, giving a weak smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. She grabs my hand and leads me towards the bar without another word.
“Two whiskeys, Hazel,” she hollers across the bar. Hazel slides us each a whiskey as we take a seat on the plush stools. It continues to amaze me how well this woman understands my world.
“So,” Rochelle starts, handing me my drink, “that bad of a day?”
I smile warmly. She always pushes for information she knows I won’t share with her. There’s a glint of mischief in her eyes, and she holds her hands up in submission. “I’m just asking to see how my man’s holding up, nothing more,” she says innocently.
I take a sip of my whiskey, eyeing her over the rim of the glass. “Yeah, yeah, you’re forgetting I’ve known you our entire lives. Nothing changes.”
She laughs, and it’s like music to my ears. There’s something about her laugh that completes me, knowing that she’s happy. Because just lately, all I’ve seen staring back at me is worry.
“Do you remember the time I made you sneak a recording device into church?” She chuckles.
“How could I forget? My dad was not impressed, and I didn’t sit down for a week after that. That’s what I get for letting you lead me astray.”
“You didn’t have to take the wrap for me.”
“As if I would have it any other way,” I say, pulling her stool closer to mine. “I could hardly let my dad know you’d talked me into it. He never would’ve let me hang out with you.”
She runs her hand up my thigh. “Always my saviour.”
“Always,” I whisper, placing a soft kiss on her lips.
I watch tentatively from the bar as the woman I love dances with Red and Bella. It’s nice to see her relax a little after the stress of everything. To me, no matter if we can have children or not, she will always be my ol’ lady.
Rock sits down beside me. We haven’t had a chance to catch up since I got back as he was busy settling Meli for the night. He takes his responsibility as her dad seriously, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. My men might be outlaws in the eyes of the law, but we aren’t feral.
“So, what’s the latest?” I ask, curious to know if there’s been any talk at the strip club.
“The dancers are scared. None of them want to talk for fear of repercussions. I think we need to keep a presence there so they feel protected.”
“I agree. Maybe we’ll learn more by having our ears constantly on the ground. Take one of the prospects tonight for the night shift. It’s better to have two of you there during working hours. I’ll send Brute to take over in the morning.”
He sighs but doesn’t argue, instead getting to his feet. He knows the drill. I know he wants to spend time with Red, but all the others have been picking up the slack whilst he’s been away, so it’s only fair he takes some of the extra workload now he’s back.
I watch as he breaks the news to Red, who promptly gives me daggers from across the room.
I offer her a smile and a little wave, which only pisses her off further.
Rock grabs hold of her, preventing her from speaking her mind.
That girl’s got spunk, I’ll give her that. Hell storms over, and I roll my eyes.
“Don’t even start,” I warn before she has a chance to open her mouth. “Club business.”
Her eyes narrow, but she turns her back to me, leaning across the bar to grab a bottle of water.
All of a sudden, I hear tyres screeching outside, followed by a gunshot. The window shatters, and all hell breaks loose. I grab the nearest person to me, Siren, and push her to the floor as another popping sound echoes through the room.
“Everyone down!” I shout, which is followed by panic as everyone hits the deck.
I scan the room frantically until my eyes land on Hell.
She’s under the bar, glaring back at me with fire in her eyes.
Relief floods me, then I look around, assessing the damage.
My blood pumps in my ears, drowning out any other sound as adrenaline races through me.
“All clear,” Clay shouts from across the room.
I pull myself off Siren, helping her to her feet before reaching for Hell and pulling her close. Her body tenses at my touch, so I hold her at arm’s length, running my eyes over her body to check for damage.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“No,” she snaps, pulling out of my grip. “Is that how it is?”
I frown, completely confused by the cold tone in her voice. And then she gives an unamused laugh, the kind that lets me know she’s really pissed.
“You save a club whore over your ol’ lady?” she demands, her hands on her hips. “Really, Drifter? Do I mean so fucking little to you after all these years?” Her jaw clenches in anger, and her eyes darken in that way they do right before she loses her mind.
I hesitate, trying to find the right words. “She was the closest person to the window.” When she scoffs, I sigh heavily. “I have a duty to this club to make sure everyone’s safe,” I snap, frustrated with her jealousy.
“Fuck you, Drifter,” she yells, stomping off towards the stairs with Red hot on her tail.
I groan, watching her leave. It’s best I leave her to calm down. Following her when she’s raging will only make her worse. Hell knows my duty is to this club and everyone in it. She wasn’t even in the direct line of fire.
I run my hands through my already dishevelled hair and pick up the barstools that were knocked over in the commotion.
The windows have been boarded up, and everyone has dispersed. After Hell’s little display, I haven’t got the energy to fight it out, so I opt to sleep in my office for the night.
I stare at the amber liquid in my glass, deep in thought, when there’s a knock at the door.
“Come in.”
The door opens slowly and Siren pops her head in sheepishly. “Sorry to bother you, Pres.”
“No, it’s fine. Come in.”
She steps into my office, shutting the door quietly behind her. “I just wanted to say thank you,” she whispers, her words laced with emotion as she swallows hard. “Thank you for saving me.”
“No need, Siren. It’s my job as President of this club to make sure everyone is safe, including the club girls.”
She looks up, tears balancing on her lashes. “Nobody has ever put me first,” she explains, swiping away the tears. “Even my dad spent years abusing me. He’d often tell me I wasn’t worth anything and that I’d be better off dead, and tonight, I nearly was,” she stutters, her body shaking as she sobs.
I stand, making my way round the other side of the table and perching myself on the end.
“Siren, look at me,” I say, drawing her attention to me. “While you’re in my club, you’re my responsibility. I won’t let anything happen to you. Your dad was clearly an arse. You’ll never come to any harm on my watch.”
She smiles, sniffling. “Thank you. You’re a true gentleman.” She stands and leans in closer. “If I can ever return the favour, Pres,” she whispers, looking down at my crotch before running her tongue over her lower lip, “I can be very discreet. It’s the least I can do.”
I rest my hand on her shoulder, rising to my feet, “I’m all good. Thank you, Siren, but my ol’ lady is more than enough for me.”
She smiles and nods, making her way to the door. “If you ever change your mind . . .” She winks before leaving.