Chapter One
Ice
D ANCERS ARE FUCKING exhausting and beyond frustrating.
I’ve been at Angel’s of Rebellion, the strip club Knight’s Rebellion owns, all day long dealing with one drama after another.
This dancer isn’t happy with her spot in the rotation.
Another one is bitching because all of her costumes are being used by the other girls when none of them are exclusively assigned to one girl or another.
Bambi is the worst of them all. She thinks because she’s been at the strip club the longest, it’s up to her to deal with the rest of the dancers so they bend to her will.
Bambi has caused more issues for me than anyone else who has ever stepped foot on the stage.
Today was the last straw when she tried to make demands of me and what I’m supposed to be doing.
She gets one more chance and if she fucks it up, there’s no way in hell she’ll still have a job.
Bambi isn’t ready to end her career just yet so she backed down really quick.
It’s not just the dancers though. I had to deal with our largest alcohol supplier because they missed a delivery.
There was no reason for them to miss it.
I always pay the bills every week and never miss one payment.
I have the record of it and when I sent a copy of it over, they apologized and promised we’d have a delivery within two hours.
Yes, I waited for them to show up and went through every single bottle to compare it against the invoice sent with the delivery.
We were given every single bottle I ordered and even a few more to make up for the bullshit of missing the previous delivery.
It really doesn’t make up for anything because we ran out of our most popular drinks and had to spend money with a liquor run locally.
Not that I mind supporting local businesses, because I’d rather do that than waste money on some place who doesn’t know how to properly conduct business.
I might have to rethink my supplier and go with someone local.
Instead of heading straight back to the clubhouse like I planned when I left this afternoon, I find myself taking a ride to clear my head and get away from the drama today.
The cool night air whips around me causing my skin to freeze.
I usually have a hoodie on my bike, but I wore it last night on my way back to the clubhouse and forgot to grab another one.
I’ll be okay and I already hardly feel the cold air as I focus on the road in front of me.
There’s really nothing like a cool night with nothing but stars in the sky above me and nature surrounding me as I cruise the roads on my bike all alone.
I’m rarely alone and always have my best friend, Lock, with me when I go on a night ride.
With everything going on, I’m grateful to be alone for the first time in forever.
It doesn’t appear as if I’ve been alone in so long.
Not since before I took on more responsibilities in the club since Razer was killed.
As I ride back into town, my phone rings and I press the answer button on my Bluetooth.
“What’s goin’ on?” I answer, not sure who to expect on the other side of the call.
“You good, Ice?” Judge questions me, his voice filled with concern as I smile to myself because there’s a very good reason for him to worry about me.
“I’m as good as I’ll ever be,” I respond, losing my smile. “Just not expectin’ all the extra work I’ve been doin’ recently. Anyway, what’s up? Why did you call? I know it’s not just to ask how I’m doin’. You would have waited until I got back to the clubhouse for that shit.”
“Just got a call from Sebastion. They have another job from Jagger. This one is closer to home for us though. There’s a huge concert a few towns over and they need extra hands.
You’ll be paid, but I’m not forcin’ anyone to do this job.
It’s gonna be long hours in the elements, and you’ll be assigned to one of two bands.
Well, a band and singer. Wicked Angels will be there with the openin’ act for them.
Some girl named Ruby or some shit like that,” Judge informs me as I smile because I’ve been on security detail for Wicked Angels once and it was actually a good time.
“I’m in. Is it one day or a few? I don’t know how these outside venues work. Especially if it’s a festival and not a regular concert,” I ask my President as I slow my speed while entering Briar Glen.
“I’m waitin’ for Sabotage to call back with more details. Jagger was callin’ in when we were on the phone. I’ll add your name to the list and see you when you get here,” Judge tells me, hanging up without saying anything else as normal.
It doesn’t take me long to ride to the clubhouse and park in my spot against the front of the large building.
I take my time shutting my bike off and removing my helmet before getting off my bike while leaving my bandana in place.
The weather is definitely colder than I was expecting tonight and I don’t want my face freezing any more than it already is.
Even my riding gloves are left on as I enter the clubhouse and find the common room full of members drinking and having a good night.
A few of the Rebels are out and wandering around as they look for their dick of the night.
It won’t be me. Seeing Judge at his normal table, I make my way over and take a seat with Fury and him.
Wren is bouncing around the common room with the largest smile on her face.
Her hands are waving in the air as she dances around the tables.
There’s no music playing right now as she listens to some song in her head.
I wish I knew what the hell it is with the way she’s moving.
She’s more refined than the strippers and her moves are simply for her, not the men in the room surrounding her.
This is simply one more side of Wren we rarely see.
“Is Wren okay?” I ask, not sure what’s going on right now.
“Yeah. She heard about the festival and got a little excited. Ruby is one of her favorite singers and I managed to get her tickets thanks to Sabotage. She loves Wicked Angels, but they don’t compare to this Ruby person.
Never seen Wren as excited about somethin’ until I told her about the tickets,” Judge tells me, holding his twin boys in his arms while keeping his eyes locked on his wife.
The man is in love with his family despite fighting the pull to Wren for so long.
“Never heard of her,” I state as Wren gets to the table and stares at me in pure shock.
“Are you kidding me, Ice? You’ve never heard of Ruby?” she questions me, incredulous lacing her voice.
“I’m serious. I’ve listened to Wicked Angels and I always have music on when I’m not at work, but I don’t know who Ruby is.
I’m sure I’ve heard somethin’ by her, I just don’t know the name,” I tell her, looking on as she lifts one of the twins in her arms and holds him close.
Wren and Judge are the best parents I’ve ever seen, always doting on their kids. “Have you heard back from Sabotage?”
“Yeah. He called right after I hung up with you. It’s a festival lastin’ two days.
Saturday and Sunday. We’ll be there from Wednesday through Sunday.
Jagger will assign the teams when we show up.
Sabotage, Death, Talon, Shank, and Boxer will be comin’ here before we all ride out to the venue together.
We’ll meet up with Jagger, Wicked Angels, and Ruby before doin’ anythin’ else,” Judge informs me as Fury looks on while taking a long pull of his beer.
“Who’s all goin’ on this job?” I ask, wanting to know who’s giving up a weekend for this festival.
“Fury, you, Tristan, Zach, Agony, and Lock,” Judge tells me as the guys he just named all wander over to the table.
“There is somethin’ you all need to be aware of.
This Ruby chick and her boyfriend just broke up.
He’s on Wicked Angel’s security detail so he’ll be around.
There’s no bad blood or anythin’ like that.
She just doesn’t want him around her. So, if she tells some guy to leave her alone, keep him away. ”
“Fuck! That’s drama we don’t need to deal with,” Lock states as he looks down at me with a frown on his face.
“You won’t be dealin’ with drama. Ruby doesn’t want him near her and he’s been keepin’ his distance.
It’s only been a few days and she went on a mini break right after they broke up so he hasn’t had the chance to see her.
Jagger has already talked to him and told him in no uncertain terms to leave her alone.
She’ll let him know when she’s ready to talk and until that time, he’s to stay away and remain with the band he’s assigned to,” Judge says, looking around the table at us all.
“Most of us will be at the festival with tickets to hear the bands play. If you need us, we’ll be close by.
I don’t anticipate anyone needin’ us though.
You’re all more than capable of handlin’ business on your own. ”
Leaning back in my chair I accept the beer from the Prospect and open the bottle before tossing the cap in the ashtray on the table.
I take a long pull before setting it down on the table in front of me.
I’m surprised Zeus and Jaelyn aren’t making the trip down with Sabotage, but they have kids so they might not be able to come for this trip.
I do have to get with Zeus at some point soon because he’s going to show me more computer shit I need to brush up on so I don’t have to rely so heavily on him when I’m digging into things here for the club.
Lash and Judge are both on board with him helping me learn as much as I can because we don’t want to bring in anyone else to fill Razer’s position.
I was already helping Razer when he needed it before he was killed so it’s only natural the new job fell to me.
“Who’s gonna have the boys while you’re both at the festival?” Fury asks Judge as most of the guys disappear again.
“Gramps is makin’ the trip down. He wants to spend time with the boys.
They’ll be here at the clubhouse so he’ll have plenty of help with them.
The Prospects and Rebels can lend Gramps a hand.
If anyone doesn’t, they’ll be out on their asses,” Judge answers loud enough for everyone in the common room to hear him.
“I’m headin’ to bed. If you need me for anythin’, let me know,” I say, draining my beer and handing it off to one of the Prospects walking by me.
Lock follows me upstairs and I stop in the hall to grab my keys as I wait for him to say what’s on his mind.
“You good, Ice? You seem frustrated as fuck,” he finally says as I unlock my door.
“I am frustrated,” I tell him, entering my room and leaving my door open for him to follow me. “The dancers are startin’ their shit again while one of the alcohol suppliers tried to pull some fast shit and missed a delivery. Thinkin’ about goin’ with someone local if I can find one.”
“Why did the supplier miss a delivery?” he questions me, taking a seat at my desk while I slide off my cut and hang it on the back of my door.
“Tried sayin’ I missed a payment when I didn’t. I sent a copy of the receipt right over and they suddenly made the delivery in two hours. I’m pissed as fuck and I’m not gonna play some fucked-up games,” I tell him honestly as Lock stares at me with wide eyes as shock fills his features.
“Out of all of us here, you’re fuckin’ obsessed with payin’ everyone the second you get a bill.
There’s no way in hell you’d ever miss a payment for any reason.
It’s a good thing you keep every receipt and attach it to the invoice it belongs with.
I don’t blame ya for bein’ pissed. You need anythin’ from me, let me know.
I know you’ve been doin’ way more than you thought you’d be doin’ now.
It’s gotta be weighin’ on ya and you haven’t said a single word about it to anyone from what I can tell,” Lock says, leaning forward and placing his elbows on his knees while he watches me move around my room.
“”What can I do or say? We lost Razer and I’m the only one who can step up for the computer part of his job. I don't know anyone else in the club with the same skills. Do you?” I return, sitting on my bed and leaning over to unlace my boots so I can finally take them off for the day.
“You’re the only one who comes to mind. Still, I’ll be there no matter what ya need, Ice. You’re my best friend and nothin’ will ever change that,” he says, standing from his seat and leaving me alone in my room.
Remaining on my bed for a minute, I try to force thoughts of my day from my mind.
I’ll be leaving here in two days so I can go to the festival for work and I need to put a few things in place while I’m gone.
The first is making sure I have someone in charge at the strip club who will actually do the damn job.
Evan, a bartender, and Greyson, a bouncer seem like the best options to run the club while I’m gone.
Greyson is a Prospect so I know he’ll ensure the club runs properly.
Evan is a good guy and has been with me since the doors opened.
He rarely misses a day and I consider him a friend.
We went to school together so I’ve known him a long time.
The main thing I’ll have to do is get some more guys in there for bouncers.
Greyson can’t be the only one. That’s something I’ll think about tomorrow.
For now, I want a shower and bed. I’m ready to collapse and forget all about today.