It was the truth. I was trapped here in this shitty place watching horrible things happen every day while fighting off the advances of these nasty assholes.
“Huh?” He replied.
“Look, you need to go,” I tell him while glancing in the direction of the dark hallway from hell.
“I’m drinking, remember?” He asked with a light laugh.
“Drink faster,” I tell him firmly.
“Some bartender you are,” he said with a smile.
“This place is not safe. It would be best if you went and don’t look back. Trust me I’m doing you a favor,” I tell the good-looking guy harshly.
“Sounds like you need to leave too,” he tells me with a raised eyebrow.
“Again, I can’t. But you can, please,” I beg him silently.
I could hear the moans and laughter getting louder, and I shuddered. Tonight, everyone in the room was there of their own free will. All of them knew what to expect. I knew I wouldn’t see any tears come morning. It was almost enough to have my shoulders slumping in relief, and I probably would have if this man would take the hint and run for his life.
“What’s your name sweetheart?” He asked me.
“Tori,” I tell him as I rub down the bar top.
I was almost done, and then I could go home for a few hours. I would need to be back in the morning to clean the backroom when everyone was gone. It was the only time it was safe to be back there.
“Tell me a little about this place,” he said it nicely, but I got the undertones that it wasn’t optional.
I eyed him again. Was he one of them? A biker? My eyes roamed over his body looking for any hint that I hadn’t stepped into deeper shit.
“It’s owned by the Bloody Saints MC,” I tell him as I lean over the bar dropping my voice. As I got closer to his face, I said, “These guys don’t fuck around. I’m literally begging you to get out of here and save yourself.”
His lips twisted into a small smile like he found what I said funny. Like he thought I was joking. Shit, I wish I was joking.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and my eyes closed briefly. Pulling away from the good-looking guy, I reached into my pocket. My eyes looked at the screen before looking down the hallway. The man watched me as he sipped his beer.
I swallowed, and answered the phone and prayed she’s not calling because Ronald got inside.
“He’s back,” she cried.
“Is he inside?” I asked trying to fight down my panic and keep my voice low so the man watching me couldn’t hear.
“No, but I’m not sure how long before he will be,” she tells me through a deep chest rattling sob.
“Listen to me Brit. I need you to stay calm, okay? I’ll be there in maybe twenty minutes,” I tell her keeping my voice strong when all I wanted to do was rip at my hair and scream.
“Okay,” she whispered between her rattling sobs.
Disconnecting the phone, I looked at the stranger. He needed to go so I could.
“I need you to leave,” I tell him coldly.
“Listen, sweetheart…” he started.
“No, you listen. I need you to leave because I need to leave,” I tell him as I reached for my purse.
He was studying me, and I fought to keep my face neutral. I didn’t have time for his shit. I had another crazy prick to deal with.
“Just go, okay?” I tell him, my voice hardening as I remembered my sister’s panicked cries.
Without a word, he stood up dropping three twenties onto the bar and walked away. I wanted to tell him it was too much, but instead, I took thirty-five out of my pocket and put it in the cash box with my name on it. I then slipped the sixty into my pocket.
I wished this night was over, and I wished that I had gotten his number. It was foolish of me, but I had this feeling that he seemed important to me. Shaking my head, I rushed out the door and to my waiting piece of shit car.
The rust was the new rave, I told my sister as another hole appeared in the fender. There was more rust than color to the car, and the seats were sunk in.
I hated it. I hated what our lives have become, and I hated this club. I also hated my father. As I closed the door and started the car, it clunked and rattled. I cursed them all, including Ronald. Fuck them. They may control my life now, but they didn’t own my soul, and someday I would be free.
Losing Crow (The Bloody Saints MC Book 1) Page 10
