“Two fucking grand? How long has this been going on?”
“A couple weeks, maybe. I wasn’t sure it was Nina at first.”
A sigh gusted out of me as I said, “Shit.” I put my wallet back and tugged out the roll I’d just been paid from Monty. I handed him the money, narrowing my eyes warningly. “Don’t let it go that far again without mentioning it. I don’t give a shit who she is, she don’t steal from the club.” He nodded rapidly, accepting the cash I handed him as he apologized. I shook him off, headed for the door before he even stopped talking.
I made my way to the front, pausing when I spotted Clutch and Hank at a table watching the stage. “You seen Nina?”
“She just finished,” Hank answered, nodding at the stage. He exchanged a glance with Clutch. “Routine was crap. Doubt she made fifty up there.”
I nodded my thanks and skirted around the stage toward the back. I clasped hands with the bouncer before pushing the curtain aside and stepping backstage. I ignored the inviting glances as I scanned the area for Nina. It didn’t take me long to find her and when she spotted me she tried to hide.
I gripped her arm, stopping her escape as I muttered, “What the fuck are you thinking stealing from the goddamn club?” I hissed, shaking her until her teeth clacked together. “Johnny’s only going to allow so much before you’re on the fucking street and I won’t protect you.”
“Crew will take care of me,” she blustered and I leaned down until we were eye to eye.
“Not if I don’t let him.”
She shrank back from the threat in my voice and I stared at her grimly. She was skinnier than usual, her skin drawn tight around her face and the bones in her arm felt brittle. “What the hell do you need with that kind of money?” I spun her around, plopping her on one of the stools. “Hmmm? You ain’t using it to pay the electric bill. So tell me where the hell that money is going?”
Her mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air and her eyes slid from mine, glancing to the left, and I grasped her chin, forcing her to look at me. “Don’t lie to me.”
“Gambling,” she gasped, fear lighting her eyes at my expression. “I made some bad bets. It won’t happen again. I swear.” She held still in my grip as I glared angrily.
“You owe anymore?”
She tried to shake her head but couldn’t as I continued to force her to look at me, finally gasping, “No. I swear. It’ll never happen again.” Tears pooled in her eyes, but they didn’t have the same effect on me as Jailbait’s tears. I shoved her away in disgust.
“I won’t protect you next time,” I swore. “This was solely for Crew’s benefit.” I pointed at her. “Next time, I’ll leave you to Johnny and I can guarantee you’ll never see Crew again.”
“It won’t happen again, Creed,” she promised, shaking her head as she dropped to her knees. “I can make it up to you.” She leaned forward, her intent obvious as she reached for my crotch and I stepped out of her reach.
“Never gonna happen, Nina,” I said curtly, spinning away, revulsion crawling down my spine as I heard her crying behind me.
When I passed back by the table, I jerked my head, not stopping and I heard them scramble to follow me. “What happened?” I heard Clutch ask and shook my head, waiting till we were at the bikes before facing them.
“She’s been stealing from the club,” I told them bluntly, watching as their expressions froze. “She said it’s gambling debts.” I glanced away. “I don’t know if I believe her.”
“Johnny doesn’t know,” Clutch specified and I shook my head, confirming what he already knew. “Jesus,” he breathed as Hank stared at me knowingly.
“I need you to help me keep an eye on her,” I stated baldly. “I won’t let her steal but –”
“Crew,” Hank growled and I nodded.
“He can’t find out,” I added, sending them warning glances as they nodded. “We have enough going on…if he finds out,” I didn’t finish but I didn’t need to as they exchanged glances.
“He’ll do something stupid,” Hank declared. “He’s a Hayes.”
A rueful smile threatened as I gave him a brief nod. “Pretty much.” My jacket pulled as I ran my hands through my hair. “I’d like to keep him alive…at least get him to eighteen.”
“Harder than you’d think,” Hank rumbled sympathetically. “Seems like all you Hayes have a death wish.” I couldn’t argue with him, letting out a sigh instead.
“I’m headed back,” I told them, waving my hand to the strip club. “You’re welcome to stay,” I offered, not surprised when they both shook their heads.
“Mary would have both my heads,” Hank replied, swinging his leg over his bike and sitting down with a groan. “Never piss a woman off,” he advised to our amusement. “Especially if you have a houseful of them.”
“What’s your excuse?” I asked Clutch and he glared at me. I held my hands up. “Never mind.” He reached into the pocket on my jacket and yanked out the pack of cigarettes I kept there. He lit one, taking a second to inhale before flipping me the bird. “I thought you’d welcome the opportunity to get laid,” I mentioned, dodging his fist as Hank laughed.
“Some of us have to get up early,” he finally answered, pointing the cigarette at me. “And they need their beauty sleep after chasing their best friend all over town.”
“You didn’t have to come,” I reminded him and he flicked his ashes at me.
“Yeah, I did,” he answered, straddling his bike as he ground the cigarette out. “It’s my job to keep you safe.”
“Just cause Cord don’t give a shit, doesn’t mean you have to step in,” I replied with a click of my tongue.
“And if you think that’s why, then you’re dumber than that pretty boy face of yours would imply,” Clutch barked, starting his bike with a loud rumble. “You can help me with that engine in the morning to make up for talking shit.”
I nodded mutely as he roared out of the lot. A glance at Hank revealed him shaking his head, an amused smile lighting his face. “Yeah, yeah,” I mumbled, settling on my own bike as we followed him out of the parking lot. “I’m an ass.”
Chapter Eight
Sloan
I drummed my fingers on the bar, head bobbing to the music streaming from my earbuds, as I worked through another assignment. The sensation of another body settling on the seat next to me caused me to look up and I blinked in shock at the sight of him.
“Johnny,” I stammered, popping the earbuds out of my ears as I stared at him. “Something wrong?”
It had been a week since he’d refused to tell me anything about the Flying Eagles or my dad, and then proceeded to save me from Fat Willy.
He arched a single eyebrow. “No.”
I waited but when he didn’t say anything else, I nodded slowly, “Okay.” I gave it another second and then turned back to the assignment I was working on.
“What are you doing?”
My mouth twisted, but I answered him anyway. “Schoolwork.” If he was giving one word answers then so was I.
“Shouldn’t you be at school?”
“I go to school online,” I informed him, trying to be as brief as possible as I turned back to the laptop Creed had lent me so I could do my work.
“You like it here,” he stated and I scratched the back of my neck, nodding even though it hadn’t been a question. “The girls like you.” I didn’t reply to that since I wasn’t entirely certain it was true. They hadn’t really spoken to me since the whole Willy incident, but they also hadn’t bothered me. At the moment, we were in some kind of holding truce, which was fine by me. It might be lonely but it was better than dealing with catty comments.
“You’re not what I expected,” he continued, catching me off guard. I glanced at him as he exhaled, and he slid a folded piece of paper toward me. I took it cautiously, not wanting to open it under his watchful stare. He seemed to realize that after a minute and stood up. “Not everyone is cut out for this life,” he murmured, his eyes glinting with
something that resembled respect. “You’re not one of them.”
I shook my head, not sure how to respond. I liked it here, more than I would have expected, and it wasn’t just because of Creed. For the first time in my life I felt like I belonged, like I had a place, and was accepted. “What was her name?” I asked as he started to walk away, my daring surprising us both.
“Ashley,” he replied, his startled expression telling me he hadn’t expected himself to answer. He walked away before I could comment and I unfolded the paper he’d given me.
Written in block uppercase letters was a name and address and underneath was the symbol for the Flying Eagles. I folded the paper, pressing my lips together as I realized what he’d handed me. I shut the laptop and went to Creed’s room. When he didn’t answer, I poked my head inside.
My breath puffed out of me in irritation when I didn’t see him and I turned to leave, stopping short when Weasel appeared next to me. I didn’t even flinch at his arrival, having grown used to him being my constant shadow when Creed wasn’t around.
“He’s in the garage helping Clutch,” Weasel told me and I nodded, not surprised when he trailed behind me as I headed for the door.
The garage was literally next door and when I saw a familiar pair of legs sticking out from under a car, I stopped. “Can I borrow the truck?” I asked, crouching down.
“Yeah, sure,” he replied, followed by a clank, then a curse. “Keys are in it.”
“Thanks,” I answered happily, standing back up.
“Where you going?” He asked, his head suddenly popping out from under the vehicle. I hesitated and he gave me a questioning glance. I unfolded the paper Johnny had given me and handed it to him.
“Here.”
He glanced at it, his forehead wrinkling. “That’s like three hours from here,” he told me, shaking his head. “You’re not going there.” I scowled, not liking his answer and he sat up. “Not alone at least.”
“You want to go with me?”
“Well, yeah,” he answered, hauling himself up and reaching for a grease stained towel. He carefully set the address on the edge of the hood as he wiped his hands. “Road trip with my girl,” he continued and my stomach flipped at his casual words. He tilted his head, gazing at the paper again. “Johnny gave you this.”
“Yeah, he did,” I answered, wondering why it mattered. “You ready?”
He shook his head, eyeing me. “We’re not going today,” he replied and I frowned. “It’s three hours away, Jailbait, and it’s late. We can get a fresh start in the morning.” He nodded his head at the paper. “It’s in the mountains. I’d rather not drive those roads at night. Plus, we can see if Clutch or Crew wants to ride shotgun.”
I glanced up at him through my eyelashes and he shook his head. “I’d rather have someone ride with us. We have no idea what we’re getting into driving up there. I won’t risk your life.”
“Johnny gave me the address. He must think it would be okay,” I wheedled and Creed laughed. I huffed, leaning against the car. “Have a good laugh,” I told him, picking up the paper and staring at the hand drawn emblem. “I just want to know,” I mumbled distractedly.
“And we’ll find out. I promise,” Creed replied, propping himself against the car next to me. “But we’ll get better results if we don’t show up at night.” I pursed my lips but nodded. I knew he was right. I was just eager to find out what this Micah Bradshaw knew about my dad.
“Why do you think he gave it to me?”
“Honestly, I don’t know,” Creed answered, sounding mystified. “It’s not like him to change his mind. Especially, when it comes to the past.”
“You don’t think I’m going to find a grave or something when we get there?”
Creed chuckled. “He’s a bastard but I don’t think he’d do that.” I let out a relieved sigh as Clutch strolled up.
“What are y’all giggling over?” He asked, his mechanics shirt hanging unbuttoned over a white t-shirt.
“Johnny gave Jailbait an address to a Flying Eagle,” Creed answered, seeming to enjoy the stunned glance Clutch shot him. “Yup, seeing is believing,” he continued, holding up the paper to Clutch.
“Hot damn, you been giving blow jobs behind the bar, Jailbait?” Clutch questioned, squinting at the address written in Johnny’s hand. Creed growled as I made a disgusted sound.
“No, he just handed it to me while I was doing a school assignment,” I retorted, snatching the paper out of their grasp and carefully folding it.
“Ugh,” he groaned. “You had to remind me of your age and make it weird.”
“I think you did that all by yourself,” Creed replied, thumping him on the side of the head. “And now, I don’t even want to ask if you’ll –”
“I’ll go with you,” Clutch answered promptly before Creed could finish.
“Maybe I should ask Crew,” Creed suggested instead and Clutch shook his head.
“He’s working on his car tomorrow. Asked me if he could use the shop and everything,” Clutch told him and Creed nodded.
“Oh yeah, I remember now. Replacing the water pump.”
“Yup, so I’m your guy.” Clutch pulled himself up so he was sitting on the edge of the hood. “That’s a good drive. We overnighting?”
Creed gave me a sideways glance and I shrugged. “Maybe,” he answered reluctantly. “Act like we are. Kind of depends on the guy.”
“You said it was in the mountains?” I asked and Creed nodded. “Thanks,” I added and at the last second, stood on my tiptoes and brushed a kiss against his cheek, feeling the rough prickle of his stubble with the feather light touch. I ducked my head, suddenly embarrassed as I turned away and his hand caught my arm, stopping me.
“You’re welcome,” he replied, his hand sliding down my arm slowly. “You know I’ll always be here for you.”
I couldn’t stop my smile as I bit my lip, feeling breathless all of a sudden.
“If we overnight, I’m definitely going to need my own room,” Clutch said loudly, breaking the moment as my eyes widened. Creed reeled on him as I made my escape.
I was chuckling by the time I got back to my room and decided to go ahead and throw a change of clothes into my backpack just in case. As I was packing I realized I’d left my toiletry bag in the bathroom. I hurried to grab it, not wanting to forget it if we did actually stay overnight.
I went to the stall I usually used, but didn’t see my bag. I checked the other stalls, but didn’t find it. A sigh escaped me as I wondered if someone had taken my bag.
“Looking for this?”
I spun around to see Candy standing there with my bag dangling from one manicured finger. “I am,” I replied, feeling short and depressingly young compared to her. “Thanks,” I added, reaching for it, but she pulled it back. I arched a single eyebrow, wondering what she was about.
“I wanted to say I’m sorry,” she answered in reply to my look. “You listened to Gloria and helped her and you didn’t have any reason to.”
“Yeah,” I replied with a shrug. “Not a big deal.”
“Maybe not to you,” Candy answered, still holding my bag hostage. “But it is to us.”
“I’m glad I could help,” I added, reaching for the bag again and this time she let me have it. I skirted around her, fishing a hair tie out of my bag as I scraped my hair back into a sloppy ponytail.
“I can do your hair,” Candy called out and I paused, sure I’d heard her wrong. She hurried up to me, her hand going to my hair. “I can French braid it,” she offered, her face hopeful as I stared at her wondering if I’d slipped and been knocked unconscious and this was some weird dream. “I really like doing hair.”
It was the almost embarrassed way she said it that had me nodding my head in agreement and as her eyes lit with excitement I could feel some of my reluctance fading. “You’re not going to cut it off, are you?”
She shook her head, leading me to a stool by one of the mirrors. “No, but you’d look good
with a pixie,” she mentioned, tapping my cheekbone. “You have the face for it, but Creed likes long hair.”
I opened my mouth to tell her that’s not why I had long hair, but instead I said, “Thanks. My mom always said I’d look chubby with short hair.”
“Oh, no. Those huge eyes and high cheekbones are perfect for a pixie, but you also would look good with your hair up,” she gushed. “You really can’t go wrong.”
I nodded and she started to brush my hair, chattering about random things as she parted and then weaved my hair into a complicated braided crown.
“Why don’t you style hair for a living if you love it so much?” I asked, watching how intently she focused on getting my hair just right.
“Oh, I don’t know. I always thought I’d be an old lady,” she replied, her fingers swiftly moving.
“You can’t be both?”
She paused, glancing at me, “I don’t know. I never thought about it.”
“You could work for Ronnie,” I mentioned and she eyed me in the mirror before shaking her head.
“No, Ronnie….she doesn’t hire club girls,” Candy finally answered. I shook my head and Candy yanked my head back. “Don’t move,” she admonished.
“Why doesn’t she hire club….girls?” I asked, deciding to use the same term Candy had.
“She doesn’t like us,” Candy said baldly. “She thinks we’ll quit the second we get an old man or that we won’t take it seriously. She’s not a fan of the club,” she confided, shocking me.
“Her mom is an old lady,” I burst out, remembering Mary’s bustling kindness. “How could she be prejudiced against you?”
Candy shrugged, wrapping my braided hair and pinning it. “There,” she said in satisfaction. I turned my head, admiring the intricacy of the style.
“It’s amazing,” I told Candy and she flushed. “Seriously, Candy, you’re talented. I think Ronnie is making a mistake not taking a chance on you.” I met her gaze in the mirror. “If Ronnie would be willing to hire you, would you go work for her?”
Candy bit her lip nervously but nodded. “I would. It would be a dream to do hair all day.” She dropped her gaze. “But Ronnie won’t consider it.”
Jailbait (Southern Rebels MC Book 1) Page 16