by Harley Wylde
Rick lifted his hands. “I didn’t mean any offense. Who’s this little beauty with you?”
“Coral. My daughter.” I waited to see how he would react. I’d been sneered at plenty of times when people realized I’d gotten pregnant in high school.
“It’s nice to meet you, Coral. Why don’t you sit at the bar right here,” he said tapping a place to his left, “and I’ll get Laura to make you a milkshake while I talk to your mom.”
Coral looked up at me and I gave her a nod. I didn’t know what the milkshake would cost, but if it meant I was employed when I left here, it would be worth every penny. I knew we were on borrowed time before we were living on the streets. And without a car, I couldn’t even keep my daughter out of the heat or rain if we lost the motel room.
Rick motioned for me to follow him, and I stepped into the back of the diner. His office was cluttered, with stacks of paper falling every which way. I eased down onto the chair across from his desk while he dug out an application. He handed it to me on a clipboard, along with a pen.
“Go ahead and fill that out so I’ll have something official, but if you honestly have experience, then you’re exactly what I need right now. The last manager was something of a sleaze from what I understand, and a hard ass. Pardon my language. He ran off all but three waitresses, and that’s honestly not enough for a place that’s open twenty-four hours.”
I paused in the middle of filling out my information. “Wait. You mean I’m hired?”
He nodded. “Although, I have to ask you something. Since you brought Coral with you today, does that mean you don’t have childcare available when you’re working?”
I chewed on my lower lip, hoping I wasn’t about to lose my chance at this job. As bad as the motel seemed, I couldn’t leave Coral there. Not only was she too young, but I worried she wouldn’t be safe there. “No, I don’t. Should I stop filling this out?”
“Not necessarily. Coral seems old enough to attend school.”
“She’s six,” I said. “She’ll be starting first grade this year, but school won’t start for several more weeks.”
“In Blackwood Falls, it will be a bit longer than that. Try another three to four weeks.”
I winced, not knowing they started so much later than where we’d come from. He might have let me work and place Coral in an out of the way spot for a week or two, but an entire month? I knew it was asking too much. I signed and dated the application, then handed it over to him. Rick scanned the document, his eyebrows lifting at one point, and I wasn’t sure if it was a good or bad thing.
“You’re living at the motel on the edge of town?” he asked.
“It’s all I’ve been able to afford, and honestly, if I don’t get this job, then we won’t be living there much longer.” I rubbed my hands up and down my thighs. “I promise I’m not a bad mother, but my last job disappeared overnight. What little I had in savings I used to get us here, and I’ve been searching for a job the last three days. I came by my first day job hunting, but I was told the manager was busy.”
He ran a hand over the back of his neck. “Yeah, I was probably trying to dig my way through all this crap. I’m sorry they didn’t at least give you an application to complete. I could have hired you sooner than today.”
“But I still don’t have anywhere to leave Coral,” I said.
“Let me go over some details first, make sure this is the job you want, then we’ll figure something out.” He leaned back in his chair. “The job pays three dollars an hour plus tips. That being said, in the state of Georgia, if your tips and wages don’t come out to minimum wage, the diner has to make up the difference. So regardless of how slow a shift is, you’re guaranteed minimum wage per hour you’re on the clock.”
That sounded more than reasonable to me. I knew it wouldn’t be a fortune, unless I made some really amazing tips, but at least it would help keep Coral fed and a roof over our heads. That’s all I wanted right now.
“You’re allowed one meal on the house during your shift, and you’ll get a thirty-minute break for a meal during an eight-hour shift. If you work overtime and you’re here for either both breakfast and lunch, or lunch and dinner, then you’ll get two meals for the day. Typically, you’ll get whatever is on special for the day, unless you’re allergic to what’s on the menu. It doesn’t include pie, milkshakes, or anything extra. You can order those things, but you’ll have to pay for them.”
Getting a meal sounded like heaven. That alone would make it worth working at the diner. And if I worked enough to get two meals, maybe I could box one to take home to Coral. My previous employer had made us pay for anything we ate during our shift. I was already liking this place.
“Now, about your daughter. Until school starts, or you’re able to afford daycare, you can bring her with you. I’ll make sure she gets something to eat during your shift, but you’ll be responsible for giving her ways to stay occupied. If you have to tend to her more than your customers, then I’ll have no choice but to let you go.”
Again, entirely fair. He did have a business to run, and the fact he would let Coral come with me at all was a miracle. I’d been worried where I’d put her while I worked, and he’d already resolved the issue for me. Things were looking up for a change.
“How much are you paying per night at the motel?” he asked.
I hesitated, unsure why he needed to know. Although, he’d been incredibly nice so far. Maybe he was worried I wouldn’t make enough to keep living there?
“It’s forty dollars per night, which I know is incredibly cheap, even for a small town.”
“There’s a reason for that,” he muttered. Rick pulled a calculator closer to him, then started punching buttons. “If you stay at the motel, you’ll end up paying around twelve-hundred dollars a month if you stay on the nightly rate. What they didn’t tell you is they offer a weekly rate for long-term guests. It’s still not cheap, but it would save you a lot in the long run.”
He was right. I hadn’t known about the discount. Of course, I hadn’t known how long we’d have to stay there when we’d arrived in town. Maybe if the motel clerk had known we’d be there for a while, he would have offered the cheaper rate. Then again, he hadn’t looked like the sort to care.
“There’s an apartment over the diner that used to be rented to wait staff who needed a place to stay, but it’s currently occupied. It was part of the paperwork I reviewed this morning, and I’m afraid their lease isn’t up for another three months. If you’d like the apartment when it becomes available, I’ll reserve it for you, but the cost is four hundred per month, and there’s only one bedroom and one bathroom.”
“We don’t need anything big,” I assured him.
“Then I’ll make a note to let you have first option of renting whenever it’s available again. Until then, I’d suggest you tell the staff at the motel you need to book your room by the week. It’s about the cost of your room for three nights at the daily rate.”
I did the calculation in my head and knew I’d need around one-hundred-twenty dollars to accomplish that. While I did have enough left, it would only leave me about thirty dollars for other essentials. But if Rick gave me this job, which it sounded like he would, then at least one meal would be covered for both me and Coral until she started school, unless I pulled a double and got two meals, or I made other arrangements for her. Once I started getting tips, then I could stock a few more things in the motel room for us to eat.
“If everything sounds agreeable, I’ll get the employment forms and you can fill them out now. Could you start as early as tonight? Dinner is usually our biggest rush, and I’ll go ahead and let you know I only have one other person handling that shift today. You’ll be extremely busy, but we’ll make sure there’s a spot for Coral at the end of the bar. You’ll need to be here by five and you’ll get off at eleven. I know that’s only six hours, but I want to see how you handle things the first few shifts.”
“Yes! Thank you, Rick. I really appre
ciate the opportunity to work here.”
He pulled out a bunch of papers, attached them to the clipboard, then handed them over. “I’ll need a copy of your driver’s license and social security card.”
I removed both from my wallet and handed them over. He turned to a printer in the corner of the office and lifted the lid, using it as a copier. Once he’d finished, he handed back my two forms of ID, then waited for me to complete the paperwork. When I’d given him everything, and shaken his hand once more, he found a uniform in my size.
“You’ll have to be responsible for keeping it clean,” he said. “We only give out one per employee, but they can acquire a second one for a flat fee of fifty dollars. If you quit working here and return both uniforms, then that charge will be reimbursed and included in your last check.”
“I don’t have enough to keep the motel, feed Coral, and get the second uniform right now, but I’ll try to put some money aside for one.” I thanked him again, then went to check on Coral. She’d finished her shake and was speaking to an imposing-looking man next to her. His hair was pulled back and a short beard covered his jaw. The leather vest over his shoulders said his name was Steel.
Neither noticed my presence, or at least Coral didn’t. I had a feeling this Steel person didn’t miss anything. He had the look of someone who’d seen the darkness in life. I’d seen the same look on cops, military guys, and even the mafia men who ran my hometown. Coral wasn’t one to trust just anyone. The way she smiled at him and chattered told me she felt safe with Steel. I only hoped she wasn’t talking to someone who would kidnap her or worse. Not knowing anyone in this town meant we were surrounded by strangers, and didn’t know who to trust.
“Coral, stop bothering the nice man. It’s time to go,” I said, reaching for her hand.
She hopped off the stool and grabbed my fingers. “It’s okay, Mommy. Mr. Steel is really nice. He said maybe one day I can pet his puppy.”
My gaze jerked to his. I hoped he really did have a dog and it wasn’t a euphemism for anything else. Of course, I’d never heard a man call any part of his person a puppy before. Steel stood up, his height towering over me. He held out his hand, but with Coral holding onto me and the uniform clutched in my other palm, I couldn’t exactly shake. He smiled when he saw my dilemma.
“You have a very sweet little girl,” he said. “My name’s Steel, and I promise I’m not going to hurt either of you.”
I backed up a step. Wouldn’t someone who would hurt us say the exact same thing? I cast a quick glance toward Laura, but she was ignoring us as she refilled a customer’s drink. She didn’t seem worried about the man speaking to me, so maybe he wouldn’t hurt us. Or she was so oblivious she didn’t even know he was here.
Steel nodded and backed up. “You’re right to be cautious. I see you’ll be working here. I come in here rather often, so I’m sure we’ll see one another again. You run into any trouble, you stop by the Devil’s Fury compound on the other end of town. Ask for me.”
He tossed some money onto the counter next to his half-eaten burger, then turned to walk out. I saw the back of his vest and realized he was a biker. Devil’s Fury MC was stitched on the back with a rather ominous-looking logo, or whatever they called it. He walked out, not pausing to turn back toward us, and went over to a motorcycle parked nearby. As he started it up and the engine made a loud rumble, I held onto Coral and watched him ride off.
“Those men aren’t exactly harmless,” Laura said as she came to stand next to me, “but none of them would hurt your daughter. They’re all rough around the edges, and into some stuff that isn’t exactly legal, but they protect kids.”
So, she had been paying attention. It was good to know the man could be trusted, and apparently anyone else from the Devil’s Fury. At least Coral hadn’t been talking to a pedophile while I’d been trying to land this job. It made my stomach stop knotting, and I led my daughter outside. As we walked back to the motel, I told her about my job and let her know she’d get to eat dinner there later. I only hoped the one coloring book and few crayons she had would be enough to keep her occupied during my shift. I’d picked them up at the dollar store before we’d boarded the bus to come to Blackwood Falls, and I knew she’d colored most of the pages already.
Whatever it took, I’d keep this job, and I’d make sure my daughter was fed and cared for. She was my entire world and I’d do anything for her.
Chapter Two
Steel
The redhead at the diner had intrigued me. Her daughter had been the sweetest thing, and I’d enjoyed talking to her. Children were so innocent, and seldom came with a filter so whatever they thought came out of their mouths. I’d learned more from her than I probably would pull out of her mother even if I’d lured her into a lengthy conversation. Like they were new in town, and didn’t know anyone here. It’s why I’d offered my help if they ever needed anything. That and I couldn’t deny being attracted to the mom.
Once Coral had learned about Victoria, she’d asked a million questions about the pug. It hadn’t escaped my notice Coral had a massive amount of energy, and for every bit of it, her mother seemed equally worn down. The dark smudges under her eyes told me she hadn’t slept well lately. I’d thought my time for having a family was long past, and maybe it still was, but I hoped I’d get to see more of Coral and her mother. Maybe even convince them to go to dinner with me one night, or have breakfast somewhere. I’d simply have to get the woman to trust me first.
I’d spent the rest of the day checking the security cameras we’d added to the compound, then I’d checked on our guests. The ladies, who’d been dropped at our gates a few months ago, seemed reluctant to leave. I couldn’t blame them. We’d made sure they had some cash for clothing, shoes, and any other necessities, and none of them paid rent or for their groceries. I wondered how long the Pres would let them stay, but he didn’t seem in a hurry to toss them out. I figured it had more to do with the two teens he’d adopted than the ladies staying in the apartments.
Steam billowed from my shower and I stripped out of my clothes. I’d left my cut on my bed, and tossed the rest into the hamper. I stepped under the spray and pulled the glass door shut. My home might not be as big as some of the ones inside the compound, but I’d made sure my bathroom had every luxury. My shower could easily hold four people and had a bench across the back wall. There was a tub big enough for soaking, and I had two sinks with a lot of counter space on the off chance I ever found a woman who could handle being mine.
The water beat down on my neck and shoulders, and I felt the tension ease from my body. When Dagger and Guardian had claimed Zoe, we’d run into a bit of trouble with the Mexican cartel, but thankfully they’d given us a wide berth since Juan had broken into the compound and snatched Zoe’s son, Luis. Might have had something to do with us delivering his head back to the cartel. Demon had wanted to ensure they knew not to fuck with us, and they’d apparently received the message loud and clear. The fact we’d hit their compound and freed the kids hadn’t hurt. I was certain it had pissed them off, but they knew we meant business and wouldn’t take their shit lying down. Either that, or they were regrouping and would strike again later.
Since I’d had a rather large role in making sure all the young children they’d stolen or bred had been placed in safe homes, I had no doubt they’d love to get their hands on me. Wouldn’t happen, but the fuckers could try. I’d bury every last one. Anyone who trained kids to kill, or sold them to pedophiles, needed to die a slow and painful death. I was only too happy to help.
Thinking of those kids reminded me of sweet Coral. She’d taken after her mom with all that pretty red hair and her green eyes. The smattering of freckles across her nose and cheeks had been pretty damn adorable. I wondered where Coral would stay while her mom worked. The little girl had mentioned living at the motel, and while there was more than one in town, I hoped like hell they weren’t in the one at the far edge of Blackwood Falls. It was mostly filled with drug dealer
s and whores, and definitely not a safe location for such a sweet child or her mom.
I washed quickly and got out, deciding I wanted to do something nice for them. With my luck, the mom would freak the hell out, but I didn’t like the idea of them being alone. Did they have everything they needed? Their clothes had looked a little worn out, but I’d noticed they were clean. Even if they were struggling, it was obvious they were doing the best they could. But everyone needed help every now and then. Even tough single moms. Or maybe it was especially tough single moms.
After I’d dried off, used a little beard balm, and run a brush through my hair, I stopped and stared at my reflection.
“What the hell are you doing? You’re too damn old for someone like her.” I leaned on the counter and tried to convince myself to abort my plan, but something told me not to.
I pulled my hair back and got dressed before heading out to my Harley. My saddlebags weren’t huge, but I hoped they’d be sufficient for what I planned to purchase. Coral had mentioned she liked to draw and loved puzzles. I had no doubt if I’d bought something for her mom, the lady would have refused, but I knew she’d have a hard time saying no to a present for her daughter.
As I neared the front gates, I came to a stop and studied the chaos in front of me. What the fuck was going on now? It looked like the clubhouse was packed, but it was the sight of Lilian throwing shit at Dragon making me pause. It was no secret when she lost her temper, he got the brunt of it, but Dragon usually deserved it. I walked the bike closer, then put down the kickstand and shut it off.
“Are you trying to kill him or maim him?” I asked as I got closer.
Tears slipped down her cheeks, and I glared at Dragon. What the hell had he done this time? While I’d have him at my back in a second, he had a habit of saying or doing the wrong thing when it came to his woman.
“I want to knock him unconscious,” Lilian said as she sniffled. “He’s an asshole.”