Vex's Temptation

by Elizabeth Knox

  As I walk on the cement sidewalks my phone begins to buzz. Figuring it could be Boss, I immediately pull it out, but surprisingly it’s not her name I read across the screen. I tap on the green button to answer the phone and press it to my ear. “Everything okay, Twister?”

  He chuckles lightly on the other side. “As okay as it can be. I wanted to see if you’d be cool to go grab a bite this morning. There are a few things I’d like to talk about.” He’s already caught my attention so of course I’m going to agree.

  “Yeah, where and what time? I’m at the campus now touring around the place since classes start next week.”

  “I’ll text you the address of this bangin’ diner I know. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but I assure you the food is some of the best around here.”

  “Okay, sounds good. I’ll meet you there,” I say, just as a ding comes over the phone. Pulling it away from my face slightly, I see it’s from Twister. Man, he’s quick.

  “See you in a bit,” he says as the line goes dead. I tap on the screen and see the diner really isn’t too far away. With any luck I won’t run into traffic and I’ll be there in ten minutes or so. Sliding my phone back into my jacket, I head back to where I parked my bike and get a move on.

  Just like I thought, I’m at the diner within ten minutes. There’s a bike parked out front, so I roll mine up beside it and head inside. A bell on the door rings, signaling to the waitress that someone else has walked in and she comes over to me with a giant smile spread across her face. “Can I help you, darlin’?”

  Scanning over the bar and booth area, I look for Twister, but don’t see him. “Yeah, I’m looking for a friend. He’s got dark hair, a scrawny beard that looks like he shaves it, and a pointy nose that looks like someone punched it upwards.” I’m totally fucking with the girl. Twister doesn’t look like that at all, but I made sure to speak loud enough he can hear me.

  “You’re describing some ugly son-of-a-bitch but I know you ain’t sayin’ I look like that!” Twister grumbles from a side of the diner I hadn’t looked over at yet.

  I laugh lightly, and the waitress has a really hard time holding back her giggle. I walk on over and slide in the booth across from him. “You’ve yet to figure out I enjoy fucking with people.”

  “Yeah, well fuck with some of the others, or Horse, but don’t go sayin’ shit like that around me. I’m a delicate flower with my feelings and all,” Twister jokes, causing us both to laugh a bit before he hands me a menu from the table. We both look over the menu for maybe a minute or two when the waitress who greeted me in the front comes over to the table with a pen and her notepad ready.

  “What can I get you two?” she asks with a bright smile.

  “I’ll get a coffee, and that breakfast special you have looks amazing,” I say, handing her the menu.

  “Alrighty. What kind of meat do you want, and how do you like your eggs?”

  “Bacon, and sunny side up please, but I like my eggs runny.”

  “Okay, sounds good. What about you, sugar?” She looks over to Twister, who hands her the menu first.

  “Honestly, everything she said sounds good. Just bring lots of syrup, I like to smother my flapjacks.”

  She nods in understanding. “Perfect, I’ll get all that out for y’all shortly.” The woman walks away and Twister sinks back against the booth, running a hand over his hair.

  “What’s up with you? You look . . . stressed or something,” I speak up, choosing to not ignore the elephant in the room.

  “Nah, I’m not stressed. Just feelin’ a little shitty about not giving you a heads up about staying with Finley. I just felt like it would put a beacon on you, especially if those cultists find you have an association with the club.”

  I wave my hand in dismissal. “It’s not a big deal, honestly, it was a smart decision. Boss would’ve done the same thing if she was in your shoes. At the end of the day the most important thing is getting the cultists, so whatever we need to do in order to accomplish that, we’ll do.”

  The waitress comes back over with a pot of coffee, a small ceramic dish filled with creamer, and another dish on top of it with various types of sugar and sugar substitutes. She sets the ceramic dishes down on the table and flips our coffee mugs over, pouring our coffee out. In the meantime, we don’t speak about club business while she’s within earshot, choosing to wait until she walks off.

  As she does, Twister speaks up, “How’d meeting everyone go?”

  I suck in a sharp breath and debate on what to say. I don’t even know what he’s heard about, or if he knows anything specific. “Cedric and Mara-Lee seem nice” is all I manage to say.

  Twister draws his brows together. “Did you meet Finley?”

  God, what a fucking question. I have two options here, I can lie and say no, or I can be completely honest with the guy and tell him the truth. I give him a curt nod and do what he did a few minutes prior, combing his hand through his hair. “Finley and I met a few years ago when I was in the area. She and I, well, we had a one-night stand.”

  “No shit.” His eyes widen in disbelief.

  “Yeah, so seeing her last night was a surprise for us both.”

  Twister picks up the coffee mug in front of him and takes a sip before setting it back down on the table. “Is it going to be an issue? You being there and all?”

  I shake my head. “No, we’re both adults. Plus, I’m sure she has some knowledge about the cult and it’s something important to all of us. Both of our clubs, the local area, right?”

  Twister nods in agreement. “It is. Women have been getting attacked around here lately and the community is getting a bit worried.”

  “No need, we’re going to deal with it together, as a team,” I state, just as the waitress comes over with a giant tray filled with food. There are two stacks of about six pancakes each, a pile of bacon, eggs, toast, and some potatoes. The pancakes here don’t taste like they do back in Scotland, but I can’t wait to dig in.

  At the end of the day everything I’ve said to him is the truth. Being around Finley isn’t a problem for me, and if it’s a problem for her she’ll just have to fucking deal with it.

  Chapter Ten

  Finley

  As the smell of coffee hits my nose, I crack my eyes open to find Cedric standing in front of my desk with his arms crossed over his chest. Sitting a little straighter in my chair, I grab the cup and take a hefty gulp of the dark liquid.

  “What’re you doing in here?” I ask, eyeing him while glancing at the clock hanging on the wall in my office. The room’s lightened by the sun coming in from the windows behind my desk.

  “Could ask you the same thing.” He shrugs, flopping himself into the chair behind him. Lifting his feet, Cedric rests them on the corner of my desk.

  “Had shit to get done. You know how it is.” I don’t bother going further into it.

  “Finley, you need to fuckin’ sleep more than one to two hours. Maybe even try doing it in your own bed rather than at your desk, or on a couch.”

  “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” I retort, having had this conversation more times than I can count.

  “Whatever. What did you think about the bullshit we dealt with last night?” he asks.

  “Thought his shit was whacked. Wasn’t too keen on what he said. I’m thinking we might need to bring Twister and his boys in on the information.” I don’t want to, but, in all reality, it’s something he needs to know since this shit isn’t just happening in my club. Several women from the local college and area have been targeted, even some from out his way too.

  “I agree. Since we’re working with them to handle the other side of business, it makes sense to bring him in on the info.” He nods, though something about his voice draws my attention.

  “What’s going on with you?” I mutter, not liking the confliction on his face.

  “Nothing, I’m just sick of this shit. Our club keeps getting targeted and it’s pissing me off. If it’s not thi
s bullshit we dealt with last night it’s something else.” I get where Cedric’s coming from and I completely agree with him.

  “I think it’s time we had a meeting with all the security personnel. Explain things need to be tightened up about what’s going on at Night’s Bliss. We don’t need any more of our girls being fucked with and we sure as hell don’t need one of our customers to get hurt. That happens it’s only gonna bring cops to our doorstep, and that shit ain’t gonna fly with me. We might have a few of them on payroll along with the mayor, but it doesn’t mean I want them in my establishment for any other reason than them getting their rocks off,” I state.

  “Agreed,” Cedric mutters.

  Standing, I stretch my stiff body from where I’d fallen asleep in my desk chair. “I need more coffee,” I declare, noticing I’d finished my first cup. “Then I need to check on Lana and get the hell out of here.”

  “Why’s that?” The dick grins at me. “Does your grumpiness have anything to do with a certain chick who’s staying with us?”

  Fuck. Of course, he would bring up Ainslee. On top of that he’d guess right as to why I’m in a foul mood. Some days it sucks balls Cedric knows me as well as he does. Him and Mara-Lee are able to read me like the backs of their hands. Guess it goes hand in hand with us being around each other constantly throughout the day. Between living together and working together we’re all up each other’s asses.

  Flipping him off, I don’t give him a verbal answer, instead I stomp to the kitchen, praying I don’t run into Ainslee in the process.

  Thankfully, she isn’t anywhere in sight as I enter the kitchen but I have a feeling I’m not about to get off scot free. Mara-Lee was already here with her coffee in hand, glaring at me through narrowed eyes.

  “Did you apologize to Ainslee like I told you to?” she asks.

  “Nope,” I mutter with a pop of the P.

  “What’s all this about?” Cedric demands, leaning against the counter.

  “What it’s about, Cedric, is how Ainslee is the chick who Finley was pissed about the day everything happened and is still holding a grudge.”

  “I am not still holding a grudge,” I grumble, turning to the coffee pot. I need to get my coffee, get ready, and just fuckin’ leave.

  “Yeah, you are. We talked about this. What you said was out of line. You need to apologize if we’re going to be able to have her staying here. I don’t want to put up with you two being bitches to each other like fuckin’ toddlers all the damn time,” Mara-Lee fusses as if she were my mother rather than my best friend.

  Rolling my eyes, I turn to her and raise my mug in her direction. “We’ll see how it goes and maybe I’ll apologize, maybe I won’t. Right now, I’ve got shit to do. If you need me, I’ll be at the Night’s Bliss.”

  “Fine, be stubborn. I’ll be in later. I got the email you sent with the list of the girls’ demands. I swear they go through more condoms and lube than a prostitute on the corner of High Street does,” she says, causing both Cedric and I to laugh our asses off even if she wasn’t fuckin’ joking.

  Shaking my head, I grin at Mara-Lee. “Love you, chick. Just get it done then get to the club. We’re having a meeting with security about some shit and you need to be there.”

  “I’ll be there by noon,” she declares without hesitation. When it comes to business at Night’s Bliss none of us joke around.

  Nodding, I empty my coffee mug and place it in the sink. I make my way out of the kitchen and head to my bedroom. Once I’m inside I go into my bathroom where I start to braid my hair loosely so that it falls over my shoulder. I’m not a girly girl but I love my fuckin’ hair. The thick dark strands are luscious thanks to a shampoo and conditioner Mara-Lee insists I use. I hand her my credit card and she orders it for me, but I’d hate to find out what she’s paying for it. Finishing up in the bathroom I quickly get dressed in my faded jeans, black tank top, and a red shirt with buttons I fasten up halfway. Lastly, I put my combat boots on.

  Exiting my room, I pull out my phone to check the weather so I can pick which vehicle I’m gonna take, a bike or car. Seeing that it’s going to be rainy, I decide to leave the bike in the garage and take the Camaro. Plus, I’ve decided to stay away for a few days and with the weather being spotty the way it has been, I don’t want to take the chance of my bike being caught in the rain.

  Chapter Eleven

  Ainslee/Vex

  The last couple days have been relatively quiet. I’ve spent time at the Fort, obviously, but when I’m not there I’m walking around town, driving around and seeing the local scenery, as well as heading back to campus, which brings me to where I am right now—the university store. It’s where all the students come to grab textbooks, school supplies, college merchandise like shirts, hats, and more. Essentially, they have anything you could ever need. If you left your notebook at home, or lost your pen, they have what you need. I haven’t grabbed any of my materials yet for the classes I enrolled in, and considering I’d rather have paper in front of me opposed to reading it off a screen, I’m scanning through the bookshelves in the store looking for the textbooks I’ll need for the four classes I signed up for this semester.

  I find the first one relatively easily, but the next three are a bit of a pain, causing me to ask the guy working in the store to help me find them. Thankfully, he knew exactly where the books I needed were and showed me. He even offered to take all my books to the counter for me, telling me to come over whenever I’m ready.

  I stroll around the store, grabbing pens, notebooks, and even sticky notes. Whatever I think I might need I throw in the small red basket I’m holding in my left hand. I walk up to the clothing section and grab a hoodie, plus a pair of cute performance leggings. Not only am I attending school here as a way to find out information within the community behind the attacks, but I’m actually going to school here, so it’s okay to blow a hundred bucks on college swag, right? Hell if I know but it’s what I’m telling myself.

  I end up scanning through some long-sleeved shirts and just as I’m pulling a navy blue one toward me, the shirt’s being pulled in the alternate direction. Glancing up, I see a blonde woman with the cutest natural freckles on her cheeks and nose. “God, I’m so sorry. It’s the last one, so you go ahead and take it,” she immediately sputters out, blushing a bit.

  “Are you sure?” I question. If she wants the shirt that bad, she can have it. I’m sure something else in the store will grab my attention.

  With an affirming nod from the woman, I take the shirt. “Thank you, I’m Ainslee by the way.” I extend a hand to the blonde woman and she grabs it, shaking.

  “Kayla, nice to meet you.”

  “Likewise. So, I take it you go to school here?” I need to do everything I can to cement myself in the university lifestyle, one of those things being making friends with others who might have information I need to know.

  Kayla and I end up chatting for about twenty minutes, discovering we’re in two of the same classes and we’re both here for our Master’s in Business Administration. Unlike me, Kayla has lived here her entire life so going to school here was bound to happen. She tells me how her parents own a tow truck company about fifteen miles to the west and she has a brother, but I don’t get into talking about my family. My story would be much more complicated, and a bit more gruesome.

  “Are you going to come grab your books?” the guy working in the store comes over and asks me.

  Shit, I totally forgot my books were up there. “Yeah, I’ll be up in a second,” I immediately tell him and he walks back over to the counter. I turn back to face Kayla and her cheeks turn a little red.

  “So, um, I’m not normally straightforward like this . . . but do you want to grab a coffee? There’s a coffee shop outside in the park. It’s one of those food truck types of things, but their lattes are great and they have the best pastries around. Even Starbucks can’t compare.” Kayla keeps her brown eyes fixated on mine and I don’t know what to say. Part of me thinks s
he’s flirting with me but I can’t tell.

  “Sure, I’d like that. It should be fun,” I comment with a tight smile. “I’ll meet you outside in a few minutes. I just need to pay for all this stuff first.”

  “Cool, me too.” Kayla smirks and takes her stuff over to the register first, but quickly pays and gets a bag for her stuff. It’s while she’s paying that I end up realizing a backpack would be a great addition, and a way for me to lug everything around today. I take it off the rack and put it on the counter for the guy who works here and he scans it.

  “Want me to put your textbooks and stuff in there?” he questions.

  I nod almost immediately. “That would be perfect, thank you.”

  “No problem.”

  By the time I’m done, everything’s cost me around four hundred dollars. God, I forgot how expensive college textbooks can be. Kayla’s waiting for me outside, shoving her bag in her oversized purse. I never understood why some women carry around massive bags like that, until today. I’ve always been someone who preferred a wristlet or a small crossbody bag, but I bet it’s because I ride a bike and I want something that either sticks to me like glue or could fit in my bike.

  Kayla and I walk over to the coffee cart and both put in an order for a vanilla latte, where she grabs a cranberry cream cheese scone and I get a piece of pumpkin bread. But, much to my surprise Kayla whips out her card and pays for my stuff. It’s so sweet, but man, it makes me feel a little bit weird.

  “Thank you for doing that, it wasn’t needed, but I appreciate it,” I murmur, bringing the hot latte to my lips the liquid floats over my tastebuds and I can immediately confirm Kayla wasn’t joking. This coffee is good.

  “It’s the way I was raised. My momma always taught me to be kind to others, even if she couldn’t do the same to me.” Kayla quickly closes her eyes and shakes her head. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. I just. I’m sure you didn’t think I have it rough with my family since I told you a bit about them earlier, but the fact of the matter is I do, have it rough, I mean. God, I’m going to be straightforward again, but I’m bisexual, and they’re not a fan of my appreciation of the ladies, if you know what I mean.”