Policy of Truth (Sacred Heart Continuum Series Book 1)

by Scarlett Holloway

  Sting wasn’t upset at having the boys as back up. They could handle business with the best of them. They may be a Diamond 13 club, but they backed all their shit up. A one percent group wore the diamond patch with a “1%er” in the center, their support clubs wore the diamond patch with the numeric thirteen in the middle. Some suggested the thirteen represented the letter “M” for murder, others thought it was for motorcycle. It all depended on the day and who answered on what the meaning would be.

  Standing in the club set Sting on edge. No doorman, no type of security, unless Stiletto and Viper wandering around keeping an eye on things counted. Sting didn’t like that one bit.

  Grinding his teeth together, he almost growled as he motioned for the boys to ‘mingle’ about as he wandered over to the bar. The club was interesting in its set up. He’d never seen anything like it before.

  The outside was wooden like an old barn or shack. Once inside, it was a mixture of country meets biker meets café. The floor was a deep oak with actual cattle brands burned into the area. Lace was smart and had it glazed over to seal in the singed look. The pillars around the dance floor also had brands on them, and there were classic bikes lined against the walls. Each one looked like it was in complete working condition.

  Around the dance floor were comfortable couches and chairs for patrons to sit in and chat, tiny end tables next to the furniture to place whatever drink they had on it. Regular and bistro tables were littered about for those who didn’t want the cozy comfort of home and preferred more of the club scene.

  The bar was sculpted redwood, richly stained and pristine. There was a custom-made barista station for coffee, lattes, and cappuccinos. Biker’s loved their coffee and Lace was smart to provide it. Rock music pounded through the speakers as some couples danced, others lounged and drank coffee, and some had beers. Lace ran a full-service bar as well, catering to every type of customer she could get into the building.

  Thank God his Wranglers and boots fit in, though the tight t-shirt was drawing some hungry looks from college girls as he sauntered by. Finding an empty stool at the bar, his ass planted on it, looking around for the tender—may as well get a drink if he was babysitting.

  He wasn’t expecting the bar tender to be the girl who laid the smack down on Chico.

  She sashayed out from the back with bottles of sweet-and-sour, dropping them into the well and turning her attention to him. “Can I get you something, cowboy?”

  How about a remedy for the insta-wood he got just looking at her?

  Tight-ass jeans, boots, and a tank top that left little to the imagination? Yeah, she was looking mighty scrumptious and he was a hungry man. Her hair was pulled back out of her face, revealing the soft brown eyes that reminded him of a cup of hot cocoa. She barely wore any makeup, but with her milky complexion, she had no need for it.

  “How about you surprise me with something?”

  Her laughter was like wind chimes on a midsummer’s day, light and cheerful. Infectious. “You’re brave.”

  “I don’t think a tall glass of bartender is on the drink list, is it?”

  “Oh, good one.” She nodded, plucking up a glass from the side of the bar. “I think you’ll get a Durty Special.”

  His brows shot up. “Durty Special? I’m almost afraid.”

  “You should be.” She winked at him as she grabbed the black rum, pouring some into the glass after some ice was dumped into it.

  “Name is Brett, what’s yours?”

  “Tamra, but most everyone calls me Durty.”

  “Nice to meet you, Tamra. Or maybe I’ll just call you Durty T.” Sting chuckled as he watched her add grape schnapps then layer green apple schnapps over it.

  “Cute. Never been called that before, Cowboy Brett.”

  Rolling his eyes, he lifted the drink, a bit scared to even try the damn thing. It was surprisingly good. The spice of the black rum canceled out the sweetness of the schnapps, but the flavors mixing was amazing. Who’d have thunk it?

  “No, what would be cute, would be you up on the bar dancing for me.” Sting bounced his brows as he patted the bar top.

  Glancing into the mirror behind the bar, it wasn’t hard to spot his brothers. T-Rex stood out like a sore thumb with his rockabilly style. Copper and Duke blended in, wearing their jeans and boots just like Brett. The coast was clear on the Warrior front.

  Attention was drawn back to Durty as she actually jumped up onto the bar as Dirrty by Christina Aguilera, was the song pick of the moment. Leaning back to catch a better view of the little hottie before him, his brows rose slowly as her hips slowly rotate in time with the music.

  Down boy, down!

  Sting had to blink a couple of times and sit back in his seat to try and cool his jets. Durty put the tease in striptease, but without any article of clothing coming off. Her body undulated and rocked with the beats of the song, her head falling back to expose her long neck line. Sinking to her knees, she parted them as her hands ran up her thighs, her hips writhing as her hands made their way up her chest, then her throat, until they tangled in her hair, pulling it free of its hold.

  He cleared his throat, glancing around him, almost paranoid at his own body’s reaction to the show before him. No one was paying attention to them, giving him some relief on a mental level, though he needs to have a date with his left hand at this rate.

  He swore a tiny moan rolled past her lips as she felt herself up, which was more of a turn on than her dance. Sting reached down to adjust himself, not caring if she saw him do it or not. She got the reaction she wanted with her little show.

  Durty hopped off the bar as the music ended, gathering up her hair and placing it back into its ponytail. “Cute is for puppy dogs, by the way.”

  Sting cleared his throat, then picked up his glass and finished the drink. “Point taken.”

  Durty winked at him, grabbing his now empty glass. “Refill?”

  “No, one’s good. I’m driving. I do have a question for you though.”

  “Shoot.”

  Taking out his cell phone, he opened his contacts and set it in front of her. “Put your hot self in my phone?”

  Durty smiled, her tongue sweeping across her lips as she picked up the phone and punched in her numbers. Handing it back to him, she leaned against the well of the bar. “All saved.”

  “I’ll be calling you.”

  “I’ll be waiting.”

  Sting nodded, laughing under his breath as he rounded up the others and headed out. They’d be closing soon, and there was no need for them to shut the place down. No one would be making an appearance tonight.

  Opening his phone, he looked at her saved information and burst out laughing. She’d given him a number all right—867-5309. The song would play in his head all night long—good luck sleeping.

  Chapter 5

  I’m Too Sexy

  It had been a long week.

  Durty was worn out working the realtor’s office by day and the club by night. She didn’t have to, but she wanted to. It kept her busy and sane. That was what mattered. She’d stock piled money like a madwoman, her savings growing beyond anything she could’ve imagined.

  The latest church meeting proved slightly productive after much arguing with Lace. She was a stubborn woman and hated asking for help unless it was absolutely necessary. The time had come.

  “We need more males in Domino.” Durty eyeballed Lace from across the table as Lace snorted. “Admit it.”

  “I’m not admitting shit, Durty. How long have we done this without testosterone around?” Lace shook her head.

  Viper scrunched up her nose, glancing to her twin, who nodded. “Durty is right, Lace. We’re sitting here on pins and needles, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Taking on Jenny brought us a shit-storm of trouble. We all know it.”

  Stiletto chimed in. “Viper is right. The Warriors will retaliate, and I know we don’t take shit from anyone, but let’s face it. The
y are men. Our strength only goes so far.”

  Durty pointed toward the twins. “See, even our own Xenas are telling you a man around here might not be a bad idea. That should speak volumes right there.”

  Flames bounced her brows as she snapped her teeth playfully. “Let us have some fresh USDA meat to drool over, girl. Hell, I’d take a bite out of that fine ass that was flirting with Durty the other night.”

  Durty laughed and shrugged. “Always appear available, but never be available. That’s the key to perfect bartending.” She leaned forward and laid her arms on the table. “He was pretty hot though.”

  Stellar pouted. “I always miss the good shit.”

  “He had blond hair, the most amazing blue eyes ever. They were almost like a Daytona blue. He was the perfect height, at least a foot taller than me. Scruffy.” Her hand moved around her face indicating a beard.

  “You’re leaving out the tight ass he had.” Viper nodded, making squeezing motions with her fingers.

  “I’d lick the ink right off him.” Stiletto bobbed in agreement.

  “How long has it been since you guys have gotten laid? Dear God.” Lace burst out laughing, brushing her pink bangs out of her eyes.

  Stellar’s face lit up as she pushed forward in her chair. “I totally watched some old porn last night and got it goin’ on with my vibe. Does that count?”

  Durty stared at Stellar in total disbelief, and then burst out in a fit of laughter. “I don’t think that counts, Stellar.”

  “Why not? It’s considered penetration,” Viper retorted, single brow quirking.

  Stellar pointed at Viper. “See? It’s considered getting laid.”

  Durty shook her head, still laughing, unable to stop. “Dude, no it’s not. Getting laid means, you have a warm body touching you and,” she looked pointedly at Viper, “penetrating you. Not some three-speed jackhammer.”

  Viper snickered and smacked the arm of her chair as she laughed. “Only three speeds? Shit, mine has at least ten.”

  “What old porn was it?” Lace interrupted.

  Stiletto cackled, wagging her finger at Lace. “Only you.”

  “Damn skippy.” Lace scoffed and looked back to Stellar. “Well?”

  “Deep Throat.”

  That was it. Durty couldn’t take any more. She nearly fell out of her chair doubled over with laughter. “Homuhagwd!” She gasped for much needed air, wiping her tear-filled eyes. “Seriously? Ron Jeremy is like the hairiest fucker out there. How could that possibly be a turn on?”

  Flames cleared her throat as she climbed up onto the table, scooting her jean-clad ass to the very edge. Spreading her legs open, she placed her feet on the arms of her chair. Leaning back on her elbows, she grabbed Stellar’s cigarette. In the best sultry voice, she could muster, she spoke like Linda Lovelace, “Do you mind if I smoke while you eat?”

  Yup.

  Done.

  Durty howled with laughter, along with Lace, at the famous porn quote. Flames had fallen back onto the table in her own fit of hysterical laughter, Viper and Stiletto staring at the trio like they’d lost their minds.

  “All right, all right, all right,” Lace spoke up, taking in a deep breath as she wiped her cheeks free of tears. “Let’s get back to business. All in favor of hiring male bouncers say aye.”

  It was unanimous.

  Chapter 6

  Bodies

  So far, every guy they had interviewed, got his ass kicked by Viper.

  Durty didn’t know much of Viper’s past, but what she knew was enough to never to piss the girl off. Viper was ex-military and one of the most lethal women she’d ever met, next to Lace. She wouldn’t want to be the one betting on that fight, if the two women ever got mad at one another. Her specialty was close hand-to-hand combat, but she’d trained in firearms and was an expert in that field as well. After the military, she trained for the MMA, but something happened, and here she was, running the underground fight club Lace owned and operated. Viper even got in the ring and whooped that ass a time or two.

  Part of the interview was to spar with Viper and get her down on the mat, which was spread out on the dance floor, or out the door. Not one male had succeeded. It was as if they were afraid to hurt her, which looked like it was pissing Viper off even more.

  Durty knew how women were in a fight—they were vicious, but men perceived them as fragile things and didn’t want to put their hands on them like they were breakable. This was a biker bar, all in all. The women who frequented the bar weren’t so easy to break up in a fight.

  “Only two more left,” Durty grumbled, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Maybe these two will step up to the plate.”

  “Pffft,” Viper blew a raspberry at Durty. “Bitch, please. This town is full of wanna-be Road House bouncers.”

  “As long as they look like Sam Elliot, I’m okay with this.” Durty snickered as she clicked her pen. Viper had a point. They were muscle bound meat heads who thought looking big equaled being tough. They had a couple who gave the old college try, but Viper had them on the mat in no time flat, tapping out like little bitches.

  “Ew, old much?” Viper shuddered, wrinkling her nose in a grossed-out look. “Who wants a wrinkled old man?”

  “Oh no, honey.” Durty shook her head, feeling a bit sorry for Viper. “His voice alone makes women’s panties drop. And not all of us are cougars like you.”

  “I’m not a cougar, I’m a panther. Get it right.”

  Lace came out from the back, a stack of paper in her hands, clucking her tongue at Viper. “Quit using my lines.”

  Durty giggled, but defended her sister anyway. “But they’re good ones.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” She slid onto a chair at a table, laying out the papers to look over them. “Don’t let me interrupt. Oh, and by the way,” Lace lifted her hazel eyes, the corner of her lip lifting, “Sam Elliot’s voice is like slow, sweet honey on a hot biscuit.”

  “Nuh-uh. No food jokes right now. Fat girl is hungry.” Durty patted her belly. “Let’s get these two done so I can grab lunch.”

  Viper rolled her eyes. “Quit with the fucking fat jokes already. You’re not fat.”

  “No, you’re right, I’m not. I’m pleasantly plump.”

  “Stop already or it’s your ass I’m kicking next.”

  Durty chuckled. She knew she wasn’t fat by any means, she was healthy—and proud of it. She just liked to tease with the girls. “Lay off, Viper. I’m playing, okay?”

  “I don’t like you playing that way. Uncool. Got it?”

  Durty saluted Viper, not arguing. She could tell Viper was getting frustrated at the interviews and couldn’t blame her. Durty knew one of the first men that could best Viper in any form of sparring, was going to be the man Viper fell for.

  “Is this where the bouncer interview is?”

  The young male voice caught everyone’s attention.

  Looking up, Durty’s brows lifted. The guy wasn’t what she expected. He looked like he was straight out of a Calvin Klein underwear ad. Close-cut blond hair, tanned skin, emerald-colored eyes, high cheek bones with full lips and a body to die for. Not too big, but muscular enough to catch your attention.

  “Uh, yeah. You are?” Durty coughed slightly, glancing sideways at Viper, who had an odd look on her face.

  “Xander Meyers. I’m your eleven o’clock interview.”

  “Well, Xander. Nice to meet you. I’m Tamra, that’s Mynda,” she motioned toward Viper as she gave out their real names, keeping their road names on the down-low for now, then to Lace. “And that’s Lace, the owner.”

  He lifted a hand in a slight wave, shifting his weight. “Nice to meet you.”

  Viper rocked her head from side to side, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “Let’s just get this over with. He’s a pussy. I can tell already.”

  “Excuse me?” Xander looked at Viper confused.

  “You have to get her out the door if you want t
he job,” Durty stated as she leaned back in her chair with a sigh. “If we have an unruly patron, you ask them to leave. If they don’t leave, you remove them. Women can be very squirrely and evil bitches who don’t play fair. So, handle it.”

  “That’s it?” Xander turned his head enough to look at Durty.

  One shoulder lifted, her eyes never leaving his, though she caught Viper’s movement in her peripherals.

  It happened so fast, Durty wasn’t sure what the fuck happened. Viper was attacking, and then she was laid out, flat on her back, staring up in shock at Xander. He hadn’t even broken a sweat.

  Durty had to replay what she witnessed in order to process it. Viper lunged at Xander, who side stepped and back, arm shooting out to deflect her attack. As she stumbled, Xander moved toward her, his hand around her throat as his foot swept hers out from under her, while he lifted up. He slammed Viper down on her back, his knee on her breast bone.

  She could see the anger seeping into Viper’s face. Figuring she’d warn Xander before Viper played ‘Smear the Queer’ with his cute butt, she said, “You might want to think about movi—."

  Viper rotated her double-jointed ass, hooking her leg around his throat, scissoring him back, easily putting him in an arm bar.

  Durty was going to say something else, but Xander took her by surprise when he lifted Viper up by his legs alone and slammed her to the mat again, forcing the air out of her lungs and her to loosen her grip. It was enough for Xander to shimmy free and pop back up to his feet.

  Durty shook her head as Viper rolled into a ball, only to spring up onto her feet, facing Xander once more. Movement turned her attention toward Lace, who seemed to be halfway watching as she looked over the books. Clearing her throat, Durty was about to call the fight, but that was quickly squashed when Viper grabbed a chair and swung.