Chapter 15
Hawk
After weeks of busting our asses, the new strip club was up and running.
Just as we’d hoped, opening night was a huge success.
Hell, the place was busting at the seams with all kinds of people.
Men and women were all gathered around the stage, drinking and carrying on as they watched our girls put on a show.
The guys and I were feeling pretty good about the turnout as we sat in the back, drinking a few beers and enjoying the benefits of all our hard work.
I was about to take another shot of tequila when Misty, one of the strippers, came over to the table.
She wasn’t wearing much, just a miniskirt that barely covered her ass and a halter top that was less of a top and more of a sheer bra, revealing every inch her cleavage.
All eyes were on her as she gave me a sexy smile and purred, “Can I get you boys anything?”
“Another round of shots would be good. Just put it on the club’s tab.”
“Sure thing.”
She gave me a wink, then turned and sauntered over to the bar. Rafe nudged with his elbow and snickered. “Looks like our boy is gonna get laid tonight.”
“Maybe so, but not by the likes of her.”
“Why the hell not?” He huffed. “That chick is smoking hot.”
“Not interested.”
“What the fuck is wrong with you, brother? I’d let her ride my dick any time.”
“Some chick has her hooks in our boy,” Axel poked.
“Seriously?” Rafe looked over to me like I had three heads. “How the fuck did that happen?”
Before I had a chance to respond, Misty strolled back over and placed our shots on the table, then glanced at me with another smile. “Here you go, boys. Can I get you anything else?”
“That should do it.”
“You sure?” She leaned closer, her tits just inches from my face as she whispered, “One of the rooms in the back just opened up. I’d be happy to give you a private lap-dance or anything else you might want.”
A few weeks ago, I wouldn’t have thought twice about taking her up on that offer.
Hell, I’d have given her the pounding of a lifetime, but at the moment, I couldn’t have been less interested—maybe it was the fact that I just wanted to enjoy some time with my brothers or maybe it was Delilah.
Whatever the reason, I reached over and patted Rafe on the shoulder.
“I’m good, but my brother is up for a go. ”
“Oh, really?” She turned her flirtatious smile towards him. “I’d be down for that.”
Rafe grabbed a shot from the table, and once he tossed it back, he stood up and said, “I’m ready when you are.”
He followed Misty towards the back, and when they disappeared into one of the rooms, I took another shot. As I lowered the empty glass to the table, Axel leaned over to me and asked, “So, what’s up with you and Danny’s sister? Y’all a thing now or what?”
“Working on it.”
“Really.” He studied me for a moment, then leaned back in his chair with a knowing smirk. “I gotta say, I didn’t see that one coming.”
“You’re not the only one.”
“You think she’ll be able to get past everything that went down with Danny?”
“It might take some time, but yeah, she’ll get past it.”
“Hope you’re right.” He motioned over to one of the waitresses and ordered a round of beers. “Otherwise, this thing between you two ended before it even got started.”
His words packed a hell of punch, but I knew he was right.
The club was my life, and if Delilah continued to hold on to her grudge, no matter how valid, things with us would never work.
I could tell her a million times over that my brothers were good guys, but it wouldn’t change a damn thing.
She needed to see it for herself. There was just one catch—Danny.
He wasn’t a quick healer like Rafe. He was still on the mend, and Viper still hadn’t made the call on what we were going to do with him.
As long as he remained at the club, especially with a fucking gunshot wound, there was no way I could bring her to the clubhouse, so I’d have to figure out another way for her to spend some time with the guys.
That thought had me turning to Axel and Menace.
“Hey, what do you two got going on tomorrow?”
“Nothing much that I can think of. Why?”
“I got something I need you to do.”
I explained the plan to them, and just as I’d expected, they both were more than willing to help me out.
After one last drink, I said my goodbyes and headed out.
A half hour later, I was sitting outside Delilah’s apartment.
I hadn’t intended on stopping by, but I found myself there just the same.
I glanced up at her place and all the lights were out.
I wasn’t surprised. It was almost midnight, and she had work early the next morning.
As much as I wanted to crawl into bed next to her, I decided against it, thinking she could use the rest. I was just about to leave when a black truck caught my attention across the street.
If it hadn’t been for the faint glow of a burning cigarette, I would’ve never noticed the guy sitting inside.
It was too dark to see his face, but there was something about him that gave me an uneasy feeling.
I got off my bike and started walking over to him, but as I got closer, he eased out of the parking space and skirted off down the street.
Thinking Menace might be able to check him out, I tried to get a look at the guy’s license plate, but it was too dark to make it out.
A short time later, I finally convinced myself that I was making something out of nothing and got back on my bike.
I took one last look up at Delilah’s apartment, then headed home for the night.
When I woke up the next morning, I got dressed and went over to the clubhouse to meet up with Axel and Menace.
When I pulled through the gate, I found them both waiting at the front door with Viper.
Axel walked over to me and said, “We’re ready when you are. ”
“Prez coming along too?”
“Yeah, I filled him in on what we were doing, and he wanted to join in. Widow, too. He’s going to meet us there.”
“Appreciate that.”
“No problem, brother. Glad to do it.”
With that, he and the others got on their bikes and followed me over to the nursing home.
When we arrived, Widow was waiting for us in the parking lot.
We parked next to him, then headed inside.
I was checking in at the front desk when I spotted Delilah walking towards us with a concerned look across her face “Hey, what’s going on? ”
“If it’s all right, the guys and I thought we’d visit with Mr. McClanahan for a bit.”
“Really?” She looked over at my brothers and smiled. “That’s sweet of you to think of him. I’m sure he would’ve enjoyed seeing you, but he’s not doing very well today.”
“Oh? What’s going on?”
“We’re not sure. His blood pressure has been up and down all morning, and he’s a bit disorientated.” I could hear the worry in her voice as she added, “I’m not sure he’d be up for a visit. It might be too much for him.”
“I don’t know,” the nurse behind the desk interrupted. “I think he might enjoy some company.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I think it’ll be good for him.” The nurse handed Delilah a clipboard. “Go with them and monitor his vitals. As long as they’re good, the guys are welcome to sit with him.”
“Okay.” Delilah looked back over to us as she said, “Come on. I’ll show you to his room.”
We all followed Delilah down to McClanahan’s room, and when we walked in, he was lying in the bed with his eyes closed.
Delilah walked over to the edge of the bed and placed her hand on his arm, giving him a gentle shake as she leaned over him and whispered, “Mr. McClanahan, you have some visitors.”
“Hmm,” McClanahan groaned. “What visitors?”
“You remember Hawk, don’t you?” With squinted eyes, he looked over at me, and his face lit up when he noticed the brothers behind me. “They wanted to chat with you for a bit, if you’re up for it.”
He eased up on the bed and smiled. “Of course, I’m up for it. Glad to see you again, Hawk. Good of you to come by.”
“Delilah mentioned you were having a bad morning. You doing okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” He placed his hand on his chest. “The old ticker is trying to play out on me, but I’m not ready to call it quits just yet.”
“Good to hear that.” I motioned my hand over to Viper. “I’m not sure if you’ve met my president. This is Viper. Also brought along my VP, Axel. And next to him is Menace and Widow.”
“Good of you boys to come down like this.” McClanahan turned his attention to Viper as he said, “Heard good things about you, son. Sounds like you run a steady ship over there at the Ruthless Sinners.”
“I do my best.” A smile crept over my president’s face as he told him, “I heard the same thing about you. The Ravens are a good group of men.”
“They are.” Sadness filled his eyes as McClanahan muttered, “Miss those boys. Wish I could see them more.”
“Maybe we could do something about that.”
“Maybe.” He thought for a moment, then said, “You boys ever ridden the Tail of the Dragon up near the Carolina border?”
The Tail of the Dragon had always been popular with bikers.
They came from all over the world to ride the eleven mile stretch down US 129.
The desolate, wooded roadside isn’t for the faint of heart.
The highway is filled with twists and turns that any biker would get a thrill out of riding, but with all the animal life and possible downed trees, it can make it dangerous to travel on a motorcycle.
A smile crossed Widow’s face as he nodded.
“Hell, yeah. Ridden it many times. One of my favorite places to ride.”