by T. A. Chase
Jeanette motioned for him to let Clay go. “He’s drunker than a skunk, honey. He won’t be any trouble, no matter how badass he thinks he is. Just keep an eye on him for me.”
“Certainly, ma’am.”
Nash let go of Clay, shoving him a little. He grinned as Clay pin-wheeled his arms to keep from falling over. Folding his arms over his chest, Nash spread his legs slightly and waited.
He’d been around men like Clay all his life and he knew the drunk wouldn’t let a slight to his manhood go. Little did Clay know that Nash had been the sergeant-at-arms for his club and had dealt with men far bigger than Clay.
Of course, he regretted everything he’d done as the enforcer for the gang, and he no longer got any enjoyment out of fighting or hurting others. Still, he wasn’t going to let Clay disrespect Jeanette again.
Clay telegraphed his punch and Nash easily dodged it. He threw his first punch, pulling his power somewhat. He felt the bones of Clay’s nose crunch under his knuckles. Clay’s head snapped back and blood splattered over their shirts and the floor.
Surprise slowed him down a little when Clay shook off the blow and came after him again. Most of the men Nash had hit like that would’ve been down for the count, and he hadn’t hit the man with all his power.
“Clay Turner, you stop right there. Don’t you go after that man,” Jeanette yelled from behind the bar.
“Fuck you, Jeanette, and fuck this asshole. Who does he think he is? Hitting me and thinking he won’t get his ass handed to him.”
Clay dove at him, and Nash went down, hitting his head on the floor. As he shook off the stars, Clay nailed him in the ribs. Pain shot through Nash and he roared, putting his hands in the middle of Clay’s chest and throwing the man halfway across the room.
“Who taught you manners? You don’t talk to a lady like that,” Nash yelled as he came to his feet.
“Jeanette ain’t a lady. She’s just some bitch who thinks she’s better than other people.” Clay spat in Jeanette’s direction.
While Clay was distracted, Nash raced forward and wrapped his hand around Clay’s throat. He tightened his grip, lifting the man off the floor and shaking him.
“She is better than you, that’s for sure. Now apologize to her before I rip your head from your shoulders. I’ve fucking reached the end of my patience.” Nash bared his teeth at Clay.
Nash almost dropped the man when Clay went limp. Had Clay passed out or something? Nash checked, and Clay peered down at him with a rather submissive expression on his face. He gave the drunk another hard shake before setting him on his feet.
“What do you want me to do with him, Jeanette?” He didn’t take his gaze off Clay. He didn’t trust the sudden change of attitude from the man.
“Clay, sit your ass at that table and stay there. Carter’s on his way to get you.”
“Ah, Jeanette, you know I didn’t mean anything by it. I’d never hurt you,” Clay whined.
Nash snorted, while Jeanette rolled her eyes.
“I’ve heard that lie too many times, and not just from you, Clay. I’m done with your attitude and your drinking.” Jeanette waved Nash back to the bar. “I owe you another drink, son.”
He took a breath and his entire body screamed from the pain. He ground his teeth together to keep from yelling. Nash grabbed the edge of the bar, gripping it so tight he thought he might break it.
Jeanette stared at him, worry clear in her eyes, but she didn’t say anything. He was glad about that. No point in letting Clay know Nash was injured.
“I’ll take a rain check on the drink, Jeanette, though I’d love a glass of water.” Nash turned his back to Clay and dug his bottle of painkillers out of his jacket pocket. He shook one out, popping it into his mouth before putting the medicine back.
“Here you go. Why don’t you sit? I’d like to talk to you about taking Clay’s job.” Jeanette set the glass in front of Nash.
He picked it up and swallowed the pill, along with some water. After finishing, he handed the cup to her.
“I’m not staying here long. Just taking a break for a while, then I’ll be moving on,” he warned her.
“That’s all right. I can probably find someone to take your place when you’re ready to leave. I just don’t have time to find anyone who’ll stand up to Robinson at the moment.” Jeanette shook her head. “Bastard’s got the entire town scared.”
“Even the sheriff?”
Carter hadn’t struck Nash as being a guy who backed down from bullies, but he was new in town, so what the hell did he know?
“Carter tries, but with no one to back him, it’s a little difficult to get anything done.” Jeanette folded her arms over her ample bosom and glared at Clay. “Robinson and that pack he runs with have been ruling things for a while here.”
Nash snorted. He knew all about gangs. Most tended to be full of bullies trying to gain power through hurting those weaker than them. For most of his life, he’d been one of them, but his time in the hospital had got him thinking about where his life was headed.
“I can’t give you any references,” he admitted. “There are a lot of people back home I don’t want to know where I am.”
“Fine with me.” Jeanette didn’t seem concerned about his past.
“And I’ll be honest with you because I know the sheriff will probably be telling you all about it soon enough, especially when he finds out you hired me. I’ve been in and out of jail since I was sixteen. Mostly assault charges. I’ve never stolen from anyone and I don’t plan on doing it now.” Nash rubbed his fingers over the letters etched into the top of the bar.
He could feel Jeanette studying him. He’d done everything he could think of to erase any clue to his having been in a motorcycle club. His cuts were stuffed in his saddlebags, and he didn’t plan to wear them anymore. The leathers he wore were plain black, without any sign of what club he’d been affiliated with. It would keep him from getting his ass handed to him while he traveled.
“You were part of the inner circle?”
Startled, he tensed. “What makes you think I was part of a club?”
“You weren’t just part of a club. I’m betting you were in a trusted position.” Jeanette flashed a small grin. “I’ve seen a lot of bikers come and go over the years. You’ve got the look of being in charge. No one in a club gets like that unless he’s part of the inner circle.”
Nodding, Nash met her gaze. “I was the sergeant-at-arms. I’m not proud of what I’ve done, but I’ll own up to it. No one’s to blame for my past except me, and I’m the one who has to deal with it when the time comes.”
“True, but as long as you’re not looking to cause trouble here, I don’t have a problem with what you did before. Also, it’ll help if things get out of hand around here. I have a couple of guys bouncing for me, but once in a while, they need help.”
The door opened and Nash turned to see Carter stroll in, an annoyed look on his face. Jeanette pointed at Clay, who had napkins pressed against his nose to stop the bleeding.
“He started it,” she said.
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About the Author
There is beauty in every kind of love, so why not live a life without boundaries? Experiencing everything the world offers fascinates T.A. and writing about the things that make each of us unique is how she shares those insights. When not writing, T.A.’s watching movies, reading and living life to the fullest
Email: [email protected]
T.A. Chase loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.pride-publishing.com.
Also by T.A. Chase
Out of Light into Darkness
From Slavery to Freedom
The Vanguard
Two for One
Where the Devil Dances
Stealing Life
Hearts on the Line
Voice for the Silent
Threadbare Gypsy Souls
The Four Horsemen: Pestile
nce
The Four Horsemen: War
The Four Horsemen: Famine
The Four Horsemen: Death
The Four Horsemen: Peace
The Beasor Chronicles: Gypsies
The Beasor Chronicles: Tramps
Home: No Going Home
Home: Home of His Own
Home: Wishing for a Home
Home: Leaving Home
Home: Home Sweet Home
Every Shattered Dream: Part One
Every Shattered Dream: Part Two
Every Shattered Dream: Part Three
Every Shattered Dream: Part Four
Every Shattered Dream: Part Five
Rags to Riches: Remove the Empty Spaces
Rags to Riches: Close the Distance
Rags to Riches: Following His Footsteps
Rags to Riches: Anywhere Tequila Flows
Rags to Riches: Walking in the Rain
Rags to Riches: Barefoot Dancing
Delarosa Secrets: Borderline
Delarosa Secrets: Snap Decision
Delarosa Secrets: Cold Truth
Merging Violently: Fall into My Kiss
The Blood and Thorn Ranch: Bulls and Blood
Unconventional at Best: Ninja Cupcakes
Unconventional in Atlanta: His Last Client
An Unconventional Chicago: No Bravery
Unconventional in San Diego: The Unicorn Said Yes
Unconventional in Kansas City: New Vocations
Semper Fidelis: Always Ready
Aim High: Possibilities
What’s his Passion?: Mountains to Climb
What’s his Passion?: Climbing the Savage Mountain
