Finding the energy to fake a smile, I walk over to them and chirp, “Hi, I’m Holly, and I’m your waitress today. What can I get you?”
Dad beams at me, something I haven’t seen him do in my general direction for years. “Now, there’s a welcoming we haven’t seen here in a long time.”
Yay me!
I refrain from rolling my eyes and position the pen to paper. Mom rattles off her order of coffee and pancakes, and Dad orders coffee with a full breakfast.
“I’ll put your order in and return with your coffees.”
Pegging the order at the kitchen window hatch, I grab the pot of freshly brewed coffee.
I’m pouring their drinks when some of the guys from the club walk in, Tal being one of them.
I stay focused on my task, even though I can feel him looking at me.
My dad looks at me expectantly. “You seem to be fitting in well, but can you see yourself doing this for the rest of your life?”
“Of course not, Daddy,” I giggle. “I’ve barely survived the last week.”
“Then you’ll focus on your schoolwork then, yes?”
Nodding, I’m saved from continuing the conversation when Hank calls me into the kitchen. On my way, Tal’s eyes follow my every step, and I smother a smile. Last night, he was so easy to talk to, and he’s the first guy to understand the irrational thoughts that run through my head— the ones even I struggle to process.
“What’s up, Hank?”
“After you’ve dealt with your parents, take your break.”
Finally.
I busy myself with cleaning the counter down while I wait for Hank to call my parents’ order and dare to sneak a peek at Tal, only to find him strutting toward me.
My heart thumps a little harder, then pounds nervously when I remember my father is here, and will no doubt be watching.
“Hey,” he drawls. “How you doing today?”
“I’m good, just busy.”
I dart my eyes over to my parents, where my mom is distracted with something on her cell, but my father, as I knew he would, is staring daggers at Tal.
“Can I see you again tonight?”
“Um, I’m not sure. Probably.”
The last thing I need is my dad jumping on my back over a guy.
“Is there something wrong?” he asks, stepping in front of my view of my father, but not in time to stop me from seeing him rising from his seat with a scowl.
“Unless you want to meet my father, you’d do well to go back to your table.”
Looking over his shoulder, he nods, like he’s contemplating it.
“Yeah, I’m not into meeting the parents. Will I see you tonight?”
“Sure, if you go now.”
His arm brushes against my dad’s as he turns and heads back to his table.
Stopping in front of me, Dad asks, “A friend of yours?”
I sigh. “You wanted me to get a job, which involves me talking to customers.”
“As long as it stays that way. That club is bad news.”
I have to fight not to roll my eyes at his judgement. Without another word, he returns to his table, but he watches me like a hawk as I wait to take my break.
I need to get the hell out of this town. Huh, now that I think about it, maybe this job isn’t as bad as I first thought. I could save everything I earn and use it to move on, to find somewhere I’m truly happy and at peace.
“Order up!”
Taking my parents breakfast to them, they thank me, and I continue with my cleaning, feeling like I’m being watched from all directions. I don’t look at my parents or Tal, not until the Lost Souls jump up from their seats and hover by the windows, looking angry. Edging my way to the end of the counter, I try to see what has them up in arms.
Across the street, a group of eight or nine guys linger out in front of the motel. None of them are wearing leather cuts, and don’t seem like they’re trouble. But one thing’s for sure: the guys in here don’t like them.
The Lost Souls leave the diner and hang around in the parking lot, just outside the door, their eyes on the men across the street.
Wiping down the table closest to them, I try to listen to what they’re discussing, but they’re keeping their voices low. Then JJ—I think that’s his name—calls for them to head out. I turn my attention to the guys across the street who are eyeing the bikers, making me think of an old-fashioned standoff you see in old movies.
My curiosity spikes, wondering what’s going to kick off, but after a few tense moments, nothing happens.
The Lost Souls climb onto their bikes and ride away, while the guys across the street continue to hang out at the motel.
I manage to get my break an hour later, and the rest of my shift is hectic. When Hank says I can go for the day, I grab my bag and run out before another customer can stop me. Climbing behind the wheel of my car, I’m two seconds away from leaving when Mom’s name flashes across my phone screen, but I’m not in the mood to answer her. She’ll want to know what time I’ll be home for dinner, but the last thing I want to do tonight is sit across from my dad and force down yet another lasagne—my mom’s specialty. No doubt he’s been preparing a lecture about how I should steer clear of the club and not get drawn in by good looking boys and false promises of love. As if I’m that easily led. One thing my father doesn’t understand about me is that I have a clear head, and I’m capable of making decisions that are right for me.
I’m hungry, but not enough to endure a lecture on my virtue, which hasn’t been too virtuous in the last few years. If my dad knew I lost my virginity to Scott Harris my senior year in the back of his car, he’d lose his shit.
Stopping by the pizza place, I pick up dinner and drive out to the club. The guy at the gate isn’t too welcoming, but he waves me in and I park up.
Sending off a text to Tal, I grab the pizza box, climb out of the car, and make myself comfortable on the hood.
When Tal walks toward me from the garages, I point to the pizza. “Hungry?”
He grins. “I could eat.”
Jumping up beside me, he digs in. “We need beer with this.”
Nodding, I take out a slice as he orders someone to grab us a few beers, thinking how nice it would be to have someone fetch me things instead of me fetching for everyone else.
“How’d it go with your dad earlier?” he asks.
“He told me to stay away from you, and that your club is bad news.”
He flinches, but covers it quickly with a grin.
“I have a feeling you’d do the opposite of everything he tells you anyway, and seeing as you’re here, I know I’m right.”
I laugh. “How’d do you end up joining an MC anyway?”
“I sort of stumbled into it, really.”
“Aren’t you going to elaborate?”
“Let’s not talk.” Dumping his pizza crust into the box, he leans over and kisses me.
“Stay here with me tonight,” he whispers against my lips.
“I can do that.”
I want to do that.
Opening my eyes, I notice his stunned expression.
“Do I scare you?”
After a moment, his features relax. “Not one bit.”
Chapter Five
Tal
Holly’s sleeping beside me, her body warm against mine as she snores softly, and I smile. If I told her she snored, she’d blush and deny it, but I quite like knowing something about her she probably doesn’t know about herself. She smells like me, which brings out a primal sense of pride that for this moment, she belongs to me. My arm is numb where her head rests, and I stroke her hair gently as not to wake her.
I should be sleeping, but since I’ve been here in Willow’s Peak, I only sleep a few hours at a time. Having Holly here with me helps the boredom I find myself sharing the night with most nights. The last girl I felt anything for was Susie Hancock my ex-girlfriend back home. She was stunning and she loved me until I broke her heart, knowing I couldn�
��t stay in our hometown and not set off to do what I need to do.
A shrill alarm breaks through the silence. Leaning over the edge of the bed, I grab Holly’s purse and dig around until I find her phone and shut it off. Tossing it onto the bed, I turn to Holly and nudge her till her eyes flutter open.
“Hey, is there a reason your alarm is set for the ass-crack of dawn?”
Rolling onto her back, she moans, “Work.” Becoming more alert, she bolts up and mutters, “Shit, I’ve got to get to work.”
Slipping out of bed, she rushes around the room like her ass is on fire. Leaning against the headboard, I watch her with amusement.
“My dad’s going to kill me,” she frets, struggling to put her socks on without falling over.
“You’re twenty-one. I’m sure you’ll be fine.”
“I could be fifty-one and he’d still try to run my life.”
“Why do you let him?”
“Believe me, I’m forever going against him, but while I’m under his roof, it’s his rules or I’m out, and I can’t afford that just yet.”
Slipping into her boots, she grabs her purse and heads for the door.
“You’re just going to leave without so much as a goodbye after bouncing on my dick all night?”
A blush spreads across her cheeks. “Uh, thank you? You were good?”
She’d warned me she was awkward at times, and I laugh as she swings the door open and disappears.
Knowing I won’t be getting any sleep, I get up and jump in the shower. As I’m getting dressed, I hear the pinging of a message, and find Holly’s phone still sitting on the bed. Smiling at the thought of heading out to the diner before the morning rush to return it, I shove it into my pocket and venture inside the bar. There’s not a brother in sight when I enter, but I do find Cas’s office door sitting ajar.
I take a look around, making sure I’m alone, and sneak into his office. Though I’ve snooped around inside a few times, I’ve yet to find anything of value to me, and this morning is no different. Just a bunch of papers, an electric bill, and a gun kept in the bottom drawer. When I first found it, I’d hoped it was something I could use to tie the club to something illegal, but Cas wouldn’t keep something that could hurt them around.
Coming up empty, I slip out and leave the door just how I found it.
Holly’s phone beeps in my pocket again with a message from her father, wanting to know where she’s been all night. Sure, I had rules growing up, but my parents were never restrictive like Holly’s father, especially once I turned eighteen.
Back in my room, I make sure the door’s locked and retrieve my hidden notebook.
Sitting on the floor, I flip through the pages, reading over my notes. Everything that went down with Ellis, and other details of various encounters, are written within these pages: names, locations, times—everything.
Flipping to the last page I wrote on, I add today’s date and scribble down another failed attempt at finding proof of illegal activities in Cas’s office.
* * *
The ride into town is peaceful, the roads clear. It’s the one thing about being a Lost Soul that doesn’t turn my stomach. I understand why the brothers love to ride. The open road fills you with a sense of peace and belonging.
The diner is pretty busy when I walk inside. Taking a seat at the only free table available by the window, Holly smiles as she walks over with a pot of coffee.
“I didn’t think I’d see you so soon. Miss me that much already?”
I grin. “What can I say? I just can’t stay away.”
She looks hot, even in her uniform. Leaning back in my chair, I dig out her phone and hold it out to her. The moment she goes to take it, I tighten my grip on it and look her in the eye.
“Are you going to come by the club tonight?”
“Will you hold my phone ransom if I say no?”
My grin turns into a full-blown smile. She’s definitely the distraction I needed. “Not at all.” Loosening my grip, she takes the phone and drops it into her apron pocket.
“I’ll be there.”
Spinning on her heel, she heads over to another table and refills their drinks. Adding sugar to my coffee, movement across the street catches my eye.
As-fucking-if. I can’t believe what I’m seeing. When Bert rocked up at the diner, declaring there was a rat in the club, I thought for sure he was talking about me. However, Kyle is knocking on one of the motel doors, and lo and behold, Bert answers and carries on a conversation with him. Cas was right about the prospect. I need to talk to him, but I can’t get to him while he’s with Bert. I can’t afford for the asshole who helped destroy my mom’s life take more of an interest in me if he sees me with Kyle.
Digging my own phone out of my pocket, I bring up Sparky’s number. It rings and rings, and I’m about to hang up when his gruff voice answers.
“You better have a damn good reason to call me this early.”
“Thought you’d want to know, I’m looking at our missing prospect.”
“Where?” he certainly sounds more alert now.
“He’s outside the motel, hanging out with our new friend Bert.”
“Who are you there with?”
“I’m on my own.”
He growls down the line. “Call JJ and the twins, get them to meet you there. Pick up the prospect and bring him to the club. I’ll let Cas know.”
Ending the call, I hit up JJ and Mason, knowing Mason will contact Myles. The background noise returns in the diner, but I’m too busy watching Kyle head into Bert’s room to notice Holly has returned.
“What’s happening out there that has you guys so bothered?” she asks.
“What do you mean?”
“Yesterday, you all looked pissed at the guys across the street, and then you left. Now you’re staring over there like you’re watching for something, or someone.”
“It’s nothing,” I lie, wanting to distract her from the motel. “Did you get catch grief from your dad this morning?”
“He’d already left for work when I got home, but I saw he texted me.”
“What are you going to do?”
Her smile blows me away. “I’m going to come straight to the club after my shift.”
Looking over her shoulder, content with whatever she sees, she sits opposite of me and places the coffee pot down on the table.
“I’m only around for the summer. After that, you won’t see me again.”
I frown. “Is there a reason you’re telling me this?”
“I’m just letting you know where I stand. You being a Lost Soul, you’re content to stick around town, and for that reason, this thing between us is just a fling.”
It’s cute how wrong she is about me, but I don’t correct her. I have no place sharing my truth with her. It’s best we call this a fling and move on when it’s over.
“I would ask what the hell you’re doing up at this time, but I get it now.” JJ walks toward my table, wiggling his brows behind her back.
“Who’s your friend, brother?” he asks, leaning on the table between us.
“Holly, this is JJ. JJ, this is Holly.”
He stares down at her with his shit-eating grin, making her blush. “Nice to meet you, darlin’.”
“You too,” she replies.
“If you’ll excuse us, I need to talk to Tal.”
“Sure.” Grabbing the coffee pot, she pours him a mug full and leaves, giving me a small smile.
“I’ll take two sausages and two bacon, with three slices of toast, sweetheart,” JJ calls out after her.
The twins walk in, with Myles looking extra pissed at something. Once they take a seat, I point over to the motel.
“Kyle came out of room nine, then went into Bert’s room about ten minutes ago.”
“I’m surprised you clocked the motherfucker while sitting here with your girlfriend.”
“She’s not my girlfriend. She’s…”
“A fuck?” Mason interjected.
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“Can we please not talk about sex?” Myles huffs, fiddling with the pot of sugar sachets.
“Don’t tell me the honeymoon period is over already?” JJ laughs, failing to hide his amusement.
“Penelope only sleeps when she’s in our bed, and there’s been no… alone time.”
I can’t help but snort. It’s about time these fuckers didn’t get everything handed to them on a silver platter.
JJ leans in, resting his forearms on the table. “How often does that happen? Like, how often does the kid get between you and Emma?”
“Why are you so concerned about my brother’s blue balls?” Mason asks.
“I couldn’t give a shit if they turned purple and dropped off. Harper wants a baby.”
“Good luck with that,” Myles mutters.
The bell over the door chimes as Leo and Zach join us. JJ must’ve have called them on his way here.
Dragging a chair with him from another table, Leo takes a seat between the twins, while Zach slips into the booth, pushing Mason closer to me. Bringing over JJ’s breakfast, no one notices Holly till she asks if they need anything. Wanting only coffee, she leaves the fresh pot.
“Is the fucker still over there?” Leo asks, finishing off JJ’s coffee.
“Yeah, he hasn’t left. He must be laying low. He for sure would’ve seen our bikes by now.”
“I’m going to kill him with my bare hands. Fucking rat’s been in my house. He built my kid’s furniture,” Zach snarls.
Leo shakes his head. “I think my dad will want the pleasure of killing him.”
“How’d you want to pick him up?” JJ asks, shovelling a sausage into his mouth.
I claim, “We need to get him alone first.”
“We’ll leave soon, hide our bikes, return on foot and wait him out,” Leo concludes.
With a plan in place, we all stand to leave after JJ’s finished his breakfast and throws down enough cash to cover the bill. Holly offers a small smile on my way out and I look forward to seeing her later.
The Club Betrayal: #8 Sons of Lost Souls MC series Page 3