by Debra Kayn
"I need you to get closer to the Slag members," said Tony.
Last night, she got as close as possible to one of them. She looked over at the clubhouse and swallowed the tightness in her chest. Having sex with a member hadn't been part of her plan.
She was lonely. She was frustrated. And, Brage was hot.
Some of the other members had hit on her at the party, and even when she'd visited the bar in front of the clubhouse, she'd seen the looks and accepted the flirting to pass the time. But none of them appealed to her the way Brage had.
He'd seemed untouchable. There was something about the way he stayed to himself during the party that appealed to her. A bad boy she wanted to conquer.
His prominent brow and wide cheekbones were striking and almost camouflaged by the full beard and long, dirty-blonde hair. While the lack of expression when he looked at her gave him a hard appearance, it was his light, blue eyes that initially caught her attention. His gaze had shown his interest in her.
Because of his contradicting looks, she'd pegged him as a rough loner out of her reach. Maybe even taken by one of the women wandering around at the clubhouse.
"What do you suggest? Because I've tried everything. I've hung out at The Fire Ring. The woman who works there as a server invited me to one of their parties. And, it was lucky I even went, because I got stuck in town after getting gas and couldn't even pull down the street and get to the rental with all the cars parked around the club. I ended up leaving my Jeep in town, and I worried all night that someone would break one of the windows or pop the tires." She sighed. "This isn't easy, Tony."
"You're a woman. Hit on the men. They're not going to turn you down."
She scoffed. His comment hit too close to home, but that was not the reason she got together with Brage.
"I think this is a dead end. They're not going to divulge any information to a stranger. I should go home. You can figure out another way to find out what Slag Motorcycle Club is doing."
While she was gone, Tony stayed at her apartment, giving his word that he would pay her rent in exchange for her helping him. His history of following through on his promises left her wondering if she'd even have a place to go home to or if she'd have an eviction notice on the door once the job was over. The chances of him bailing on paying rent or destroying the apartment were much higher than her getting the information he needed from the biker club.
Whatever he'd done to get in trouble with Moroad Motorcycle Club made him desperate. The sooner she could finish the job for him, the faster she could go home.
"Maybe you should come to Portland and do the job yourself," she said.
"Damnit, Dinah." Tony's voice grew louder. "Do you want me to go back to prison?"
She pressed two fingers to her temple. Tony was on probation and couldn't leave the state of Idaho. Though, she knew he often broke that rule.
Her desire to convince him to let her stop spying on Slag Motorcycle Club left and she inhaled deeply. "Shut up. You know I don't want you getting in any more trouble."
"Then, get your ass inside the club and tell me what they're planning on doing. Tonight."
"I'll try."
"You need to do better than try," he said.
"Shit." Her spine straightened. "What do you think I should do? Throw myself at every member and ask if I can become one of the club girls?"
Tony remained silent.
Irritated at him, she whispered, "Screw you."
"Do whatever you need to do." Tony disconnected the call.
She raised her hand, wanting to throw the phone into the small front yard. Just once, she'd like someone to put her needs first. For twenty-six years, she'd always put her brothers first in her life. If they wanted money, she gave them all she had. If the police arrested them, she posted their bail, often going without food and necessities.
Who took care of her? Not her brothers. For as long as she could remember, she was on her own. From the time she was six years old, she got herself dressed, fed, and to school. Then, she lied, so her teachers wouldn't find out that nobody was home to take care of her.
She walked back into the house. Deep down, she knew Tony and her oldest brother, Brad, loved her in their own way. They may never show it or say it, but they stayed in contact with her. Granted, it was always because they needed something, but it was a sign they needed her in their lives.
Even with Brad in prison, Tony visited their brother whenever he could, and she sent money every other Friday to the penitentiary.
She showered, blew out her hair, put makeup on, and slipped into a pair of jeans. The night was warm, and she decided on a tank top and flip flops to finish the outfit. She hadn't brought a ton of clothes with her, hoping the job would take a week and she'd be able to go back to her apartment in Coeur d'Alene.
A month later, and she missed the comfort of her own bed. She missed stopping at the lake and walking the path. She missed her normal routine.
She should be using the time away to find another job. The car dealership she worked at gave no sign that they'd be hiring back those who were laid off.
Taking one last look in the mirror, she put her cell in her back pocket and walked out of the house, leaving the porch light on. The sun had gone down, and even with the light at the corner of the street, the area freaked her out in the dark. Too many stories of hobos jumping trains in her childhood fed into that fear.
She hurried across the grass. Looking both ways numerous times, she navigated her way over the steel rails of all four train tracks. Once she stepped onto the side street, she caught her breath.
The Slag clubhouse sat to the right. Though the high fence made it impossible for her to look inside. As she grew closer to the gate, blocking off the alley, she looked for the man who would often be standing on the sidewalk, but she was alone.
Slowing her pace, she walked to the corner and turned in front of The Fire Ring. Aware the customers inside could see her, but she couldn't look through the window, she kept her expression neutral.
Her frequency at the bar had allowed her to get friendly with Monica and gained her an invite to a Slag party. Regardless of Tony's rush to get her to work faster, she'd need to wait until the weekend to try and slide her way into hanging out with them again.
She opened the door and stopped near the fire ring shooting flames in the air and looked around the busy room for an empty seat in Monica's section of the bar.
Most of the tables were occupied. Deciding to sit on a stool at the bar, she took the first one nearest her.
The bartender, wearing a Slag leather vest, approached the counter. "What can I get you?"
She needed to watch how much money she spent. While she would love a drink, she needed food.
"I'd like an order of chicken fingers and fries." She leaned against the bar. "Ice water would be great."
The man motioned to someone else in the room and stepped away. So many of the Slag members were blond of some shade and had long hair. With the leather vest, it was hard to keep them all straight. She couldn't remember if she'd met the bartender at the party or not.
She half-turned on the stool and found a waitress approaching her with a smile.
"She wants the chicken basket," said the bartender.
"Thanks, Peer." The woman's gaze came back to Dinah. "Anything to drink?"
"I've got that part," said Peer.
"Great. I'll get the food order for you." The woman moved around the counter and hung up a piece of paper in the kitchen window, then turned back around. "I'm Coco. If you need anything else, I'll be happy to help you."
"Th-thanks." Dinah looked away, so as not to be caught staring.
She remembered seeing the woman at the Slag party and admiring the way she had her hair cut in uneven layers and applied summer colored makeup to brighten her face. She was cute and peppy. A look she wouldn't be able to pull off. She wasn't that cheerful or petite.
She glanced around the bar while she waited. Peer brought her a
glass of ice water, and she sipped the drink.
Her wait for the food passed quickly, and soon Coco brought her order. As she took her time eating, she tried to listen to the conversations around her, but hunger won out.
Monica appeared in front of her. "I didn't see you come in. Did you get home in time to get some rest and do all your chores today?"
Last night, she'd made an excuse of leaving with Brage as having a full schedule today and needing to go home.
She wiped her mouth with the napkin. "Yes, and finished doing the chores around the house."
"Look at you. I slept most of the day after drinking too much last night." Monica leaned closer. "I have seriously fallen behind on everything lately. My working hours are killing me. I went a little crazy having fun."
Peer cleared his throat. "Order up."
Monica smiled. "I need to get that."
"Go." She smiled back. If anything, eating at the bar several times a week since moving into the rental house, she'd grown comfortable with dining alone.
The other customers normally left her to enjoy the meal in peace. The few men who kept glancing her way or struck up a conversation with her were polite and got the hint she wasn't interested. She had no energy to give to anyone else. Her full concentration needed to go toward doing the job for Tony and getting back home.
Near her, the other two waitresses whispered together. Their voices low enough she couldn't hear, but she tried, knowing one of them belonged to the president of Slag. She'd met her last night but couldn't remember her name.
The employees moved closer to her. Dinah picked up one of the chicken fingers and strained to eavesdrop.
"Roar's supposed to come over." The blonde checked her phone. "I mentioned to him how we need another server, and he wants to talk to you and Monica."
"What about Kelli? Maybe she can work part-time." Coco looked over her shoulder and then turned back to the other waitress. "Is she still with Peer?"
"No." The woman frowned. "Even if she was around, she's going to have the baby in a month or so. There's no way she can be on her feet and serving customers that late in her pregnancy."
She looked at the bartender serving customers at the other end of the counter. So, he was single now, but his ex was having a baby. She doubted that was the kind of info Tony wanted.
Roar walked through the kitchen door. His gaze went straight to the blonde, who stepped over and kissed him, pulling him toward the other women.
Monica joined the small group. Dinah gazed down at her plate, taking her time eating. All her attention centered on the president of Slag.
"Lizzy mentioned we need another server to help take the load of you ladies," said Roar.
Dinah sipped her water. Lizzy. That was the name of Roar's woman.
"At the least, someone to work Fridays and Saturdays. There are more customers coming in every weekend, and then there are the regulars we can count on being here. As it is now, we're not able to give all our customers special attention and Peer struggles to keep up with orders, which draws me off the floor to help bartend. We either need another server or someone to work alongside Peer," said Lizzy.
"Another bartender would be better than a server. Is it possible to have one who serves drinks to the floor? Like a rover? I think that would keep all of us on track," said Monica.
Dinah glanced over at the group. She had bartended before she worked at the car dealership.
Roar cupped the back of Lizzy's neck. "I'll put an ad in the paper tomorrow."
"Isn't there anyone within Slag who can fill the position?" asked Coco.
Roar shook his head. "Nobody who can make more than a handful of drinks. Besides, most of the women have jobs away from the clubhouse, and the men are busy doing other shit."
"Bummer. It'd be nice to get someone who fits in with the rest of us, and we could skip the whole training period." Coco stepped away. "Hang on, I need to help Table Seven."
Monica glanced around the room. "I wonder if that one guy who used to come in here looking for a bartending job has been back. Does anyone remember him?"
"I know who you're talking about." Heather held up her hand, cutting a line in the air. "He was short, right?"
Monica nodded. "He probably got a job by now."
Dinah slid off the stool before she thought of what she was doing or the consequences. "Excuse me."
The three women and Roar turned toward her. She moistened her lips. It was a stupid idea, but it would put her closer to Slag Motorcycle Club and also give her money to send directly to the apartment manager for rent to make sure she had a place to go to when the job for Tony was over.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't help overhearing." She raised her shoulders. "If you're looking for a bartender, I'm looking for a job."
"Girl." Monica looped her arm behind Dinah's elbow. "You would be perfect for the job." She turned to Roar. "I'll recommend her. While I don't know her skills, she's awesome and friendly. Oh, and she lives close by. Right on the other side of the train tracks."
Roar's gaze narrowed. Dinah stood solid in front of him. His doubts and suspicions rolled off him. His scrutiny made her want to turn away and walk out of the bar and forget her crazy idea of earning money while doing Tony's stupid job.
"You're qualified?" said Roar.
"I worked two years at a sports bar in Idaho. I was responsible for not only pouring drinks but serving the customers on the floor. The customers...well, once they were in front of a screen watching a game, they weren't going to walk up to the counter to wait for their drinks." She looked at the area inside The Fire Ring. "It has been a year since I've tended bar, but your employees do a great job handling the customers now. It wouldn't take me long to get up to speed."
Roar grunted. "Care to put that to the test?"
"Now?" She swallowed.
"You'll be paid." He pulled out his phone and tapped on the screen. "Put in four hours, and I'll have a decision for you when the bar closes."
She nodded, speechless. Tonight had ended differently than she thought it would.
Monica squeezed Dinah's arm. "I'll introduce you to Peer. He can get you started."
"Thank you for the opportunity." She smiled at Roar before she chickened out.
Led behind the counter, she stopped to wash her hands in the sink while Monica handed her a full-frontal apron. With no time to get nervous, she listened to Peer's instructions and starting working.
Before she knew all the rules and procedures, she could only follow orders. Not knowing where the bottles were located, she examined each one, trying to get her bearings.
In a rush with no prep time to familiarize herself with the bar, she forgot the recipe for several popular drinks. The failures made her nervous.
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she glanced around the room for Roar, needing to know what he thought of the job she was doing and found Brage standing by the front door staring at her.
She almost dropped the glass. Quickly putting the tumbler on the counter, she worked out what to add while her skin overheated. Without looking, she could sense him wondering what she was doing at the bar.
During her other visits, she'd never seen him come in. If he had, she would've known. There was no missing a man that sexy.
"When you're done with that drink, it goes to Table Three. That's near the pool table on the right side," said Peer.
"On it." She picked up the drink, stepped away, and stopped. She'd forgotten the number one rule that everything going out on the floor was carried on a tray.
Everything from breathing and walking was harder with Brage in the room.
Chapter 3
Dinah carried two empty trays behind the counter and returned to Peer's side. Brage texted Roar. He wanted to know what the hell was going on.
When Roar contacted him to come to the bar and oversee a possible new employee for The Fire Ring, he expected—hell, he had no idea what he'd expected. Certainly not to see the woman he'd fucked upside her J
eep trying to get a job through Slag.
"Ja?" answered Roar.
"I have problems with the woman wanting to work at the bar." He opened the door for customers leaving the establishment.
"Speak."
Waiting until he'd stepped back inside, he said, "What brought her here?"
"She lives nearby and is one of Monica's friends."
"Since when?"
"You'd have to ask Monica. I do know she and Joel brought her to the open Slag party. I'm willing to give her a shot if she can do the job. I don't have time to spend interviewing others while we're on high alert."
"Damn," he muttered. "I hear you."
"Tell me what the problem is?"
Dinah glanced over at him. He stared back at her. "I fucked her."
There was no other way to describe his encounter with Dinah. They took what they both were looking for that night. He wasn't looking for anything more. To have her in the bar working wouldn't disrupt his life. He could stay away.
"You're going to have to give me more than that," said Roar.
Dinah looked away from him and walked out onto the floor and picked up empty glasses left on recently vacated tables. Unable to see her with the fire pit in the middle of the room blocking his view, he ran his hand down his beard.
"Brage?"
"Yeah, I'm here. If the bar needs more help and she's taken the load off the servers, she's doing fine for her first night." He walked across the room and pushed through the swinging door into the hallway. "I couldn't find any faults, besides the obvious of not working here before. She's a quick learner. I'll step out to the alley and talk to you."
"Hang on, I'm at the back door already," said Roar.
Roar walked into the back hallway and lowered his phone from his ear. Brage slipped the cell into his pocket, no longer needing to talk over the device.
"I'll let you make the decision." Roar stopped in front of him. "Will she benefit the bar?"
He nodded.
"Are you going to have a problem with her on the property?"
"She's her own woman if you think she's sincere about the job and not trying to hang around bikers." He pulled a cigarette out of his vest pocket and stuck the unlit smoke above his ear for when he could get outside. "It's not like I don't see a woman I've slept with every time I turn around in the clubhouse."
