3. Wraith
Wraith
A s Zaire walked away, I couldn’t help but let my gaze linger on her. She was stunning. There was something undeniably magnetic about her that I couldn’t quite put a finger on it. The way she carried herself, the subtle sway to her hips, and the confident glint in her eyes had my dick stiffer than concrete. Shit, I didn’t know what to call what I was feeling, but I knew for sure that I was attracted to her. Curious about her. Who was she? Did she live around here, or was she a tourist? I didn’t know, but I wanted to find out. Which wasn’t like me. I was the type of guy to fuck ‘em and leave ‘em. My lifestyle didn’t allow for hangups and attachments. Yet, here I was, wanting to know more about a woman I didn’t even know. What in the hell was wrong with me?
My mind raced with thoughts as I fixed the next customer’s drink. Replaying the encounter with her. She wasn’t my usual type either, but sometimes I didn’t think I really had a type. Even with our playful banter, I felt that there was a connection, a spark that I couldn’t quite place. When our fingers brushed against each other, I could feel the undercurrent charge, the unspoken chemistry, and I knew she felt it too.
I couldn’t stop thinking about the seductive switch in her hips as I mixed more drinks. I tried thinking about things that would make my hard on go away, but if anything, it made it worse. My body was reacting like a high school boy who couldn’t control himself. Never had a woman have my body reacting like this. Especially while I was working. I didn’t know what to think, and that was what intrigued me even more. I wasn't supposed to be thinking about women right about now. The only thing important in my life for the moment was my brothers and the club, and of course, The Grotto.
Zaire was trouble personified. Attractive women were dangerous for me. If I was in my right mind, I would leave that alone, but somewhere in the back of my mind I was already plotting how I could make it look casual and head out to the patio where she was. Where the band was playing. If I went out there and find her, it would look obvious as fuck. I didn't want that, so I stayed put. Behind the bar, helping my crew.
The rest of the night flew by. I was exhausted, but it wasn't the end for me. I figured out which table Zaire was at and when it came time for them to handle their bill, I made sure that hers and the rest of the table didn't have to pay a dime. It was on the house. Manager's Special.
When she and her group left the place, I stood at the bar near where she had sat and watched them leave. They were laughing and talking around Zaire, but her friends were oblivious to what she was looking at. Zaire caught my gaze and held it as she reached the door. She lifted her hand and with a devastating smile, Zaire waved at me and silently mouthed, “thank you” . I couldn't help the widening grin on my face as she sashayed right on out the doors.
Damn, she was fine.
I should’ve asked for her number or a way to connect with her, but that was beyond my grasp. I was already flirting with fire. I didn’t need to add fuel to it. It was a good time had. Short and innocent, and perhaps if we were to ever see each other again, I’d ask for her info. I’ll leave it to a higher power to help me out in that regard. Although I didn’t have much faith when it came to that either. Besides… like I said, I had other things to worry about. A woman would just be in the way right now.
“Who was that?” Kade asked, interrupting my little private moment. He gestured towards the way Zaire had just left. “The woman who waved at you.”
“Nobody,” I said too gruffly. I looked away from the bar and decided I needed a shot. I pulled out my favorite whiskey and poured two shooters to the rim.
“Sure didn’t look like nobody. You should’ve seen the grin that was on your face.”
I spun around quickly, faced Kade, and scowled. He was too damn nosey sometimes. “Don’t make me fuck you up, Kade. Leave it alone.”
He raised his hands up in defeat and chuckled. “Alright, alright, alright. I’ll leave it alone. I just never seen you look at a woman the way you did her.” He glanced back towards the door as if she was still standing there. “She didn’t even look like your type. I thought skinny, no shape blondes were your thing.”
“Fuck you, Kade. What you are doing here, anyway?”
“Jester sent me to get you. Some shit has gone down at the club and your presence is requested.”
“Does the Prez know?” I asked.
“It was the Prez and Jester who sent me.”
“Yeah, but you said it was only Jester at first.”
Kade ran a hand through his hair, obviously frustrated and frowned. “Hell, boss, you know what I meant.”
“No, I don’t.” I took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. Being an ass and giving him the third degree was doing no good. He was just following orders. I picked up a shot glass and pointed at the other for Kade to take. “No point in me taking both now. Gotta keep a clear head. Drink up, boy.”
And we downed the shots quickly. The liquid burned like fire going down my throat. I didn’t know what type of shit was going down at the club, but if the Prez asked for my presence, then I had to be there. I glanced around as the last of the patrons were leaving and checked the time. It was almost two a.m. in the morning. My newest manager could handle the closing of the restaurant. I went around and told my staff that I was leaving for the night. Locked up my office and by the time I made it outside to my bike, Kade was already sitting on his waiting for me.
The clubhouse was a good little drive from The Grotto. It gave me time to clear my mind from everything and let the rumble of my bike soothe my soul like nothing else could. The night was cooler, but I knew once the sun rose, it would be hotter than the devil’s asshole by late morning. I hated the humidity and heat, but that’s what living in the south was like. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
About thirty minutes had gone by before Kade and I pulled up to the clubhouse. We could hear loud music from outside as we parked our rides. These motherfuckers never slept. There were some patched members loitering around outside with a few club whores. One of my brothers had leaned against a tree while one of the whores was down on her knees giving him a head job. Another brother had a whore bent over his bike and was fucking her from behind. Just another night with the same old shenanigans. Was I getting too old for this shit?
Kade and I parked near the front, not far from the entrance. I hopped off my back and told him to keep his eyes and ears open. He knew the drill. Although he was a prospect of the MC, Kade would always be my apprentice to the finer arts of killing. Those skills will do him good as a club member once he got patched in.
Not in the mood for the partying, I slipped inside the clubhouse and maneuvered through the gathered as fast as I could. Heavy smoke, the pungent skunk scent of weed, and alcohol clung to the air. This was a typical occurrence, but it was the weekend, and this raging party wouldn’t end until no man was standing.
I had almost made it to the back where the Prez’s office was located but was stopped by the last person I wanted to see. Lexi must have had like Wraith radar or something. It was clear that she had noticed my arrival and instantly homed in on my presence. A beautiful woman in her late twenties, she had long, platinum blonde hair and dark green eyes. Made me think about what Kade said about me having a type. She did fit his description to the tee.
Lexi also had a penchant for wearing barely there clothing. I could see her perky pink nipples through the sheer halter top she was wearing. The cutoff jeans shorts she had on were so damn little, one would’ve sworn they were panties. Lexi was a skinny little thing, and it was my fault that perhaps she thought I would make her my old lady. She was a good listener. Although I never told her my personal thoughts, she would listen to my occasional bitching about life, the Grotto and shit.
Then there was the physicality between us. Plenty of times I used her good and rode her hard. She was a good fuck and that was hard to find ‘round here. Probably even gave off the illusion that there could be more between us. I should’ve known better because I could never see myself with her or have a future with her. And now I have to deal with those consequences.
She stopped in front of me, keeping me from my final destination, and placed a hand on my chest. Lexi rubbed a hand over my cut before letting her fingers run a trail up it and to my face. Her hair framed her heart shaped face, and she gave me a pouty look. A look that no longer worked on me. Well, it rarely worked for me, and now even more so it doesn’t. In fact, it pissed me off.
“Hey Wraith, where you’ve been? I’ve missed you,” Lexi purred. She sidled closer to me, her other hand freely roaming all over me until she reached my dick and grabbed it through my pants. I tensed at her touch. Even though I was angry with her and wanted nothing to do with her, my body didn’t get the message. “Didn’t you miss me too, baby?”
“Lexi, I don’t have time for this shit.” I pointed in the direction of our Prez’s office. “I need to be in there with the Prez, not out here fucking around with you.”
She whined a little, and that shit irritated me like no other. I shoved her off me. Lexi shouted. “What the fuck, Wraith! I just wanted to check on you because you have been avoiding me after the other night. I thought we had something special, baby.”
I tensed where I stood. It was the night I took care of a Ray problem. I needed to get my dick wet and although I told her that we were done, she was a wonder to work off my stress that night. But it was my mistake, and I could still be pissed if she wasn’t getting the message because she claimed she understood before we did anything. My jaws clenched tightly, doing my best to keep my cool. “The only thing special about you is your mouth and that tight hole between your legs. I already told you before that we had our fun, but that’s all it was. We’re done. Now go on somewhere, Lexi. I ain’t got the time right now. I got club business to take care of.”
Lexi’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second. Her expression was momentarily wounded, but I didn’t give a damn. Quick as lightning, she swiftly recovered with a defiant tilt of her chin. She poked my chest with her finger. “You can’t deny what we have, Wraith. You and I know it that we’re made for each other.”
“I said not right fucking now, Lexi!” I shouted. She flinched and took a step back. Those close by where we were looked up at us but said nothing. I brushed my hand over my face and beard. I didn’t have time for this bullshit she was pulling. “Not now.”
“Fine, Wraith,” she murmured, her voice tinged with bitterness. “Not right now, but you can’t evade me forever. You know how to find me when you change your mind. You always do. We’ll never be over. We are meant to be together, and you fucking know this.”
Lexi stormed off, her footsteps echoed heavily in the silence she left behind her. Yet, there was something about the encounter I couldn’t shake. I had a feeling of unease about Lexi and when she was angry, it always led to some trouble. I was going to have deal with her and her illusions. After all, I got myself into this mess, I needed to get myself out of it.
Exhaling another deep breath, I glanced over my shoulders at the crowd who was watching. “What the fuck are you looking at?” I growled at them.
The crowd hurriedly turned away from me, whispering amongst themselves, but no longer watching me. I needed a fucking vacation away from all this. I was getting more irritated by the second. The door opened to Loki’s office and he poked his head out. “What’s taking so fucking long? Get yo ass in here.”
I said nothing and hurried inside, closing the door behind me. The office was brightly lit, giving no illusion to darkness. Honestly, I was surprised to not only see Jester and Loki but also the Vice Prez, Dragon, sitting in there. Everybody had a fucked up expression on their faces and I instantly knew this was about to be some bad news. Whenever the two major officers were pissed about something, I already knew I was going to hear about it.
Closing the door behind me, I went to the couch and sat down. This wasn’t going to be a quick meeting. At least I hoped not. I was ready to go home, but it was going to be awhile with the heavy hitters up in here. Both Loki and Dragon was staring at me. Jester was sitting to the side, looking seriously pissed off. I was surprised to see him here. I knew he had a pickup and a run to do tonight which meant something went wrong or is wrong. He wasn’t due back until tomorrow sometime.
“What’s going on?” I asked, breaking the silence. Might as well get this shit out in the open. I glanced back at Jester. “Shouldn’t you be on the road to Texas?”
“I’ll let the Prez answer that one for you,” Jester said between clenched teeth.
I let my gaze shift towards the Prez. “Do I need to ask again?”
He shook his head. “No. You’re right. Jester should be on the road, but there was a problem.”
“What kind of problem,” I asked.
“A dirty rat problem,” he responded. “I’ll let Jester here explain since he was there.”
I turned my attention to my friend. “Spill it.”
“Me and a few of the boys were picking up a shipment. Everything was going fine with our suppliers down at the docks. I looked over the crates, making sure everything was in order. The rifles, handguns, and boxes of ammunition were carefully packed. It was all there. We loaded up the guns onto the truck just outside the warehouse. But this is where the shit gets weird.”
I didn’t have a good feeling about the situation and I insisted that Jester continue giving me the details. “How weird?”
“Unmarked patrol cars rolled up. Our suppliers swore up and down it was us. I called bullshit and blamed them. Either way, the money was already exchanged so the cops didn’t see shit. Our suppliers popped off shooting at 5-0 and an entire gun fight happened.”
“Fuck… this ain’t good for the club, Jest.”
“Hell, I know. Luckily, I was only grazed. The few who were with me knew better and didn’t shoot back. We weren’t trying to bring the law down on the club. We hopped in the truck and got the fuck out of there. Needless to say… we’re gonna need to find a new supplier. Something tells me we gonna have problems with them in the future.”
“Shit! We’re gonna have to find that dirty rat, too,” I said. Both the Prez and V.P nodded. A breathed a heavy sigh. “Fine. I’ll look into it now that it’s a security matter. We still got the shipment?”
“Yeah…”
“Then you might need to go on and get out of here to do the exchange before the cops shows up on our doorsteps.”
Jester glanced at Loki, our Prez. He agreed with me.
“Alright,” Jester said. “See y’all in a couple days.” He stood up and headed towards the door when I told him to wait.
“We done here?” I asked Loki.
“Yeah, we done.”
“Come on then,” I said to Jester. Thinking about what went down with Ray, something was telling me this was all connected somehow. “I got some shit to tell you before you leave.”