Page 44 of These Deadly Vows

“Women like her aren’t anyone’s friend. She’s out for numero uno.”

“You’re not wrong. How’d you end up here, anyway?” I take another hit, followed by a shot.

“With the club?”

“Yeah.”

“Condensed version. I ran off with loser boyfriend number one to chase him while he chased other women and a heroin addiction. He took off and left me stranded and penniless, so I hooked up with this biker and he dropped me in Chicago. Got a job as a stripper in a dump and met Goat. I think he felt sorry for me and offered me a place here. What about you?”

“Did some dumb shit and am currently banished to this club until I wear out my welcome or decide to move on to somewhere else.”

“You’re a wealth of information.”

I snuff out my joint and shove it in my cigarette pack for later. “Gotta keep the mystery alive.”

“We’re never going to happen, are we?”

“I’m not looking for love, but if I were…” I leave it hanging here.

“That’s probably the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

“You didn’t ask for my advice. I’m gonna give it to ya, anyway. Word to the wise. Stay away from bikers unless you want to be heartbroken. We care about two things. Riding and getting our dicks wet.”

Boo returns, appearing ten shades of pissed. I tried to tell her. The bitch climbs up on the bar holding a bottle of tequila in the air as she shouts, “Who wants to do body shots?”

I shove back from the bar. I’m not that desperate.

“Do you want to get out of here?” Stray asks as other brothers crowd around to take Boo up on her offer.

“I can’t give you what you want.”

“I’d rather be sad than lonely tonight.”

Chapter Thirteen

Fat, hot tears plop onto the landing of the stairwell.

“They’re trying for a kid.” Axe’s words are like acid dissolving my soul.

Why does hearing that over seeing Ghost with his wife the other night hurt worse than anything that man has ever done to me? I’ve always prided myself on being able to handle this life.

I thought I was prepared for the worst. Him choosing someone over me. I guess I’ve always had it in the back of my mind that my only competition for this man was his duty to the club. Love the man, love the club. That’s the way of this life for whores and ol’ ladies. It’s the one thing that we have in common. Knowing we’ll never be first as long as we’re never last.

His standing me up tonight cements things are changing.

And not for the better.

Maybe Axe is fucking with me. Being a dick for whatever reason. Not that he needs one. From the moment he arrived, he’s had it out for me. Like he thinks he’s too good to fuck club pussy. The way he acts toward me messes with my mind. Men have always made moves on me. Some women too. Not Axe, though.

There’s only one way to know if what he said was true.

He’d tan my ass if he knew I was doing this, but I have to know if Ghost is choosing her over me tonight. Fucking Axe. I take the elevator up to their apartment and let myself in with the key he gave me for when I clean for him.

Quiet as a mouse, I crack the door and peer inside. No one is in the living room or dining area. Sweat slicks my palms as I tiptoe down the hallway to where the spare bedrooms are.

They must be upstairs and I’m insane for stooping to this level. Disappointed with myself, I decide to leave. I’m halfway to the front door when I hear her.

“If you’re looking for Ghost, he’s upstairs. I’m grabbing him a beer. You can deliver it to him if you want to speak to him.”

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