I suppose there are lots of women out there that would snap his damn wandering fingers and quit. I would too if I could. But then, I guess there are the women who can’t afford to lose their jobs, so they allow their boss to touch them so that he doesn’t fire her.
I never wanted to be that woman, but I’m finding myself turning into her. Is this job really worth all of this? If it gets too much, I’ll have no choice but to quit. I’ll find something else. I won’t let this man turn me into someone I’m not.
“Thank you, sir.” I don’t make eye contact with him. I don’t want him to think I like this. I don’t.
I swallow hard. I can feel the bile rising in my throat as his finger strokes my neck. “You're such a beautiful girl.” I cringe. “You could go far in this business, Coral.”
Neil Ross is a portly man, round glasses, salt and pepper hair, he’s short and sweats too much. I’m sure he’s someone’s ideal man, but he’s not mine. I’m not a shallow person, and I don’t have a type when it comes to men, I like everyone. Personality always wins out of looks with me. But I’m in love with Stryker, he’s my ideal man, my future, and I don’t want this man touching me. Not for only that reason, but because he has no damn right putting his hands on me like this!
If ever Stryker finds out that this man has so much as touched my shoulder there’ll be hell to pay. God forbid, Shepard or BlackJack find out. I don’t even want to think what could happen to Neil if that happened.
I’m not the only woman working in this office, but I’m the only one here today. The other girl who works with me is out sick today. Typical. Not that she pays any attention to the way Neil is, she seems to like being the center of his attention. No accounting for taste, I suppose.
“Why don’t we go have a chat in my office where it’s more comfortable?” By that, he means, why don’t we go fuck in his office.
Never. Going. To. Happen.
I haven’t even slept with Stryker yet, and we’ve been seeing each other for the past couple months in secret. Why on this earth would I sleep with this man when I haven’t been able to sleep with any man since I was raped as a child?
“I don’t think I have time, sir; I’m very busy with this spreadsheet.” Total lie. I could do these spreadsheets with my eyes closed in no time at all. But I don’t know what else to say to him.
“Oh, I think it can wait for a little while. Follow me.” He walks toward his office just a few feet away from my desk. He stands in the doorway holding the door open, a smirk on his face as he waits for me.
He’ll be waiting a long time. There is no way I’m going into that office with him. I would be walking into the lion’s den. How stupid does he think I am?
Does he honestly think I want to have sex with him?
He’s deluded!
Do I need this job so badly I would compromise myself like this?
No, I don’t think I do.
Something will turn up. If I end up desperate, I know Shepard with give me a job at the clubhouse. Not that pouring drinks for bikers is my idea of a job, but it would only be temporary, just until I find something else.
I get to my feet. His eyes widen in delight. He must be insane if he thinks I want him in any way. I’ve never known a man to love himself and think he’s god’s gift to women they way Neil Ross does. Ridiculous man.
“Can you give me a moment to use the bathroom?”
“Don’t be too long. I’ll be waiting.”
A long damn time if you think I’m stupid enough to follow you.
I merely nod and head to the bathroom just down the hall. I hear his door click shut, poke my head around the corner to make sure he’s nowhere in sight. He’s not. I sneak back to my desk, careful to keep my eye on his door in case he comes back out. He’s not looking at me through the glass parting next to his door he’s staring out of the huge windows in his office. Thank God.
I sign out of my work on my computer, shut it down, grab my bag and my belongings and head for the stairs. I don’t want to risk waiting for the elevator. Knowing my luck, he’d come out of his office before it arrived and drag me into his office.
I run down those damn spiral stairs. My mind is telling me I’m not going fast enough, so I run even faster When I’m finally in the lobby I hand my badge and office key to Elena behind the front desk and tell her to give them to Neil, I quit.
She eyes me as if she knows the reason why and tells me to take care, that she’ll hand the stuff to Neil. With that, I’m out of there. I will never set foot in that place again!
I’m already pulling away from the garage when I see Neil rushing toward my car. I flip him off and drive the fuck out of there. Insane idiot!
I drive home in a daze. My head is banging thanks to that moron. God, can things never just go right for me? I’m not one to dwell though. So it didn’t work out, it’s not the end of the world. They will be other jobs with better bosses, who won’t try it on with me.
As soon as I'm inside the apartment, I drop my bag off in my room. Denise isn’t home again, which means she’s with Ice because I know she has the day off work today. They’ve become a close couple these past few weeks. I’m happy for her. He seems to have tamed her. He’s claimed her, that much I do know. She even got herself inked with his brand on her arm. Crazy Cow.
Not that I wouldn’t do the same thing should Stryker ask it of me. I’d love nothing more than to show everyone that I belong to him, ink and all. I love that man more than I could ever explain. My heart bursts each time I see him. The smile that spreads across my face almost splits my cheeks.
However, I don’t feel much like smiling right now. I feel like crying. I’m frustrated and disappointed. If it weren’t for Stryker, I’d go back to California to see my parent’s and sister. However, I don’t want to run back there with my tail between my legs. I don’t want my mother to tell me, “I told you so.” She’s good at that.
I need to shower. I need to get that feeling of that pigs touch off my skin. But first I need to text Stryker. I need to know that I’ll see him tonight. I don’t care if I have to go to his place. Not that it’s ideal sneaking around all the time. It’s made even worse when Stryker stays over at BlackJack’s once a week so he can spend time with the boys. That night just happens to be tonight, which means he’ll be sneaking me in, which we’ve done once or twice before. It scares the shit out of me, and I hate doing it, but if Denise is home tonight, I won’t have a choice, I need him to hold me.
Stryker said BlackJack doesn’t know about us. If he did, he’d tell Shepard. But I know deep down that he suspects. I think Jack knows that Stryker sneaks me in and up to his room, but he chooses to ignore it. It's not like we can stay at the clubhouse together, Shepard would find out in seconds, and God only knows what he’d do to Stryker then.
Coral: I miss you.
I came home from work early.
It’s been a shit day.
Will I see you tonight?
I don’t put anything more. I don’t want to give Stryker a reason to ask me anything I don’t want to answer. Not that I’ll be able to lie about why I quit my job, lies just aren’t in me.
Sure, I haven’t told him about what happened to me as a child, but that’s not lying as such. I just don’t feel ready to spill that secret.
But as the days go on, as I fall deeper in love with the man who hides secrets of his own, I know we can’t go on like this. I need to tell him about myself. I need him to tell me his secrets also. Only then can we talk to Shepard and tell him the truth about our relationship.
I know he’ll flip out, especially after he warned each of his men to stay away from me. But some things are worth the risk. Stryker says I’m worth the risk, but I don’t want him to get hurt because of me. I just hope Shepard understands that what Stryker and I have found is real, perfect.
Chapter Eleven
Stryker
I don’t know what’s bothering Coral, but for the past week, she’s been more quiet than usual.
She quit her job and wouldn’t tell me why. All she would say was that it wasn’t the job for her. That should have been enough for me, but I know it’s something else. Coral does not strike me as the kind of woman who would quit her job so easily, she’s hardworking and never gives up. Her parents called, and she lied to them about how well the job is working out, which confused me. Then she told me she’d lied because her mother would bang on about how she’d be better of going back to California when Coral doesn’t want that. So I let that one go. But I’ve asked her repeatedly to tell me why she quit the way she did. She gets agitated and practically begs me to drop it.
I want to know what happened, but I can’t keep going on at her about it, though, if she doesn’t want to talk, then I can’t make her. If she doesn’t want to work at that place, then she doesn’t have to. She has an interview with another company next week, one that offers better perks, more hours, higher pay. She might not have any real experience, but she’s damn good at what she does, she certainly smarter than anyone I’ve ever met. She’s hoping they’ll hire her so she can provide for herself. I have no doubt they will she’s brilliant, and I’m so proud of her for wanting to work, to make something of herself. Believe me; I’ve met plenty of women who don’t work. Not because they can’t, but because they just don’t want to. Much like my mother, who never worked a day in her life. I don't know; maybe she sorted her life out after she left, got herself a job, a new relationship, perhaps she even had more kids and became the perfect mother. Doubtful, but everyone can change if they really want to. So Taylor once told me.
When it comes to Coral, I just wish she’d tell me what went on in that place. I suppose I could go over to that damn office and make the fucker she worked for tell me what went on, but I know she’d never forgive me. I mentioned it to her, and she flipped out on me, saying that if I cared about her at all, then I’d leave it alone.
Of course, that just made me more suspicious, and I questioned her some more. Then she got upset and cried and told me that nothing happened, and why couldn’t I believe her? I told her because I care about her, then she told me that she didn’t want me getting in trouble if I did something to her old boss when there was no need to do anything. Could happen if I didn’t kill the cunt and he squealed like a pig to the cops. I’m a biker we aren't immune to prison. Truth be told, the club can do without the police on our backs right now. They’d love nothing more than to lock the lot of us up or kill us, either way, would be okay with them.
If it weren’t for Shepard’s connections in the force half of us would be rotting in a cell somewhere right now. However, after I told him my fears that Coral’s boss may have propositioned her in some way because I couldn’t keep it too myself, the churning in my gut just wouldn’t let up. Well, let’s just say said boss had a nasty accident. Pretty convincing accident too. Should have got his brakes checked. Coral wasn’t even shocked. I could tell from the way she looked at me that she knew I had something to do with it, but she never brought it up, so neither did I.
Speaking of Shepard, I don’t know how much longer I can keep my relationship with Coral from him. I feel like a dick for lying like this, not only to him but to BlackJack too. I owe that man so fucking much. He saved my damn life, brought me into his family, to this day treats me like one of his own. It churns my gut to know I’m lying to him. I guess that’s why I’m standing in front of him telling him everything. I couldn’t go one more day lying to him. I couldn’t even look the man in the eye.
“Jesus.” His hand slides through his long, dark hair, eyes locked on me. “Of all the stupid things you could have done!” He yells at me as a father would, but the fact is, this man is no more than a decade older than I am.
“I didn’t mean it. Jesus, I tried to stay away from her. Fuck, did I try.”
“Not nearly hard enough! Do you have any idea what Shepard will do to you when he finds out?”
“Yes,” I fold my arms around my chest. “I know what he’ll do, Jack, but she’s worth it. Fuck, she’s worth everything to me.”
“Worth losin’ your place with the club for?” I nod. “Worth losin’ your life for?!”
“Was Taylor worth it to you?!” I yell in retaliation. Ain’t no one gonna tell me Coral’s not worth it. She’s worth everything that’s to come. Everything I have to endure just for loving her.
BlackJack sighs audibly. He’s frustrated with me; I get it, but he knows what it’s like to be torn from the woman he loves more than life itself. “Yeah, she was worth it. But answer me this. Do you love the girl?”
“I do. Didn’t think I’d ever feel it, but I love her, Jack, with everything I am.”
“Shepard is only worried about her, Stryker. We were both there when she went through something no little girl should ever have to go through.” I open my mouth to ask him what he’s talking about, but he shakes his head. “It ain’t my place to tell you that story, boy. Only she can do that. But I will tell you that Shepard would kill any man who hurt that girl. I don’t want that man to be you.”
“I would never hurt her, Jack, I love her.”
His hand comes down on my shoulder, looking me right in the eye. We’re both as tall as each other, so it isn’t hard to do. “I won’t say anything to him, but remember that he’s my best friend and I can’t keep this secret forever. Talk to Coral. It’s time you both came clean about your relationship.”
“I’ll talk to her tonight. I'm sorry I let you down, Jack.” Ain’t gonna lie, fuckin’ hurts to think that, but it’s how I feel.
“You haven’t let me down, Stryker. You haven’t let anyone down. You fell in love with a girl you shouldn’t have. I’ve been there. I know how it feels to love someone so much you can’t breathe when they’re not near you. I fought for Taylor, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat if I had to. Now you do the same. Show Shepard what Coral means to you, and I promise you, he’ll come around.”
I nod.
His arms come around my shoulders, pulling me into a fatherly hug. “I’m proud of you, Stryker.”
I hug him tighter, the only man I’ve ever allowed to touch me like this. “Thank you. Means a lot.” It means everything to me to know someone is proud of me. Now all I have to do is convince Coral it’s time to come clean. Ready or not, we have to.
“What’s going on?”
I pull away from Jack as Taylor walks through the door, eyes darting between us, wondering what’s wrong.
“Stryker, are you okay, sweetheart?” She strokes the back of my head as if she were my mother taking care of me.
Makes me smile.
“I'm fine, Taylor.” I hug her. She's shocked, I don’t do this shit. However, I think it’s time I thanked her for everything she’s ever done for me.
Have I actually ever really thanked her?
I’m not an ignorant cunt; I just don’t know how to show my feelings. Seem to think everyone should already know what I’m thinking and feeling. I never step back and really give it much thought. But right now, holding Taylor, I realize just how grateful I am to know her.
Taylor is the most selfless woman I have ever known. She puts everyone above herself. Never does she ask anyone for anything. She loves easily, wholeheartedly. She’d give you the last dime in her purse, the clothes off her back if it meant it would keep you warm for a little while.
She’s an angel on earth. I honestly believe that.
She rubs my back soothingly.
I’m huge in both height and size compared to her, but she holds on to me like a mother would her son.
How can she care about me this much?
I was a punk kid off the street who tried to rob her husband, but she brought me into her home and loved me like one of her own. Like she’d known me my whole life. Never once did she ask me about my past, simply told me that if I needed to talk to her about anything at all, then she wouldn’t judge me, she’d listen and help me through it.
Took me a fucking long time, years to get out what I hid insi
de, but the moment I told her and Jack what happened to me as a kid, why I was living on the street. The real truth. They didn’t judge me. They listened to everything I had to say.
Once they had, they told me that the past was gone and I was one of them now, and I never had to worry about anything like that happening to me again. I was, and am, part of their family, and nothing will ever change that.
Hell, I even took their surname. Legally changed mine to Anderson with their blessing. Taylor cried when I asked if it would be okay. But she told me that in her heart I had always been an Anderson. Gone was Mark Campbell, never to return. Mark Anderson was born, and I have tried so hard to make Jack and Taylor as proud of me as possible. I know now that I have.
I pull Taylor at arm’s length, and her eyes don’t leave me once. “I don’t think I've ever really thanked you for what you’ve done for me over the years.”
“Oh, Stryker,” She cups my face. “You don’t need to say the words for me to feel them.”
“But I do. Without you and Jack, I’d be dead now. You gave me a home, a family, something to live for. You are the most selfless, kind hearted, caring woman I have ever had the pleasure to know.” I can see tears in her eyes as they flick to Jack.
I look at him for a second. He’s smiling at the two of us. He knows I need to get this out, that’s why he won’t interrupt until I’m done.
“You give so much to those you care about, even the beggar on the street because that’s the kind of woman you are. You never ask for anything in return, Taylor.” It’s my turn to cup her face. She’s a beautiful woman, ain’t no one could ever say she’s not. “I hope you’re in my life for the rest of it. If I’m ever lucky enough to have kids, I want them to know everything about you. I want them to know the special woman who saved my life.”
“Oh,” Her hands come up to her face, she’s crying, I’ve overwhelmed her. I’m a little emotional myself, and I never did emotions until Coral came into my life.
Strike Fast: Prequal (Snakes Henchmen MC) Page 8