Page 33 of Saving Chains

“Hey, what you doing here?” I ask, smiling at him like I’m not disappointed he isn’t a longer haired sex-god who knows how to give me multiple orgasms.

Reaper pecks my cheek quickly, walks around me and goes inside the bar.

I catch up to him and go around the other side, grabbing him a beer, I leave it on the counter for him. He eyes me as he lifts his bottle to his lips and as he pulls it away, he smirks. “I saw that look when you realized it was me. Were you expecting someone else?”

Acting bored, I raise my middle finger and tightly smile, “Screw you.”

“Hey, I’m all for it. Just be careful is all I’m saying.” I nod at him because I know what he’s getting at. “Luna, I’m talking about Pres.”Reaper says, like he has to remind me.

I drag a wet cloth over the bar top, furiously wiping it down, “Well, I don’t care what my father says. It’s not like he’s played an active part in my life the last few years, is it?”

“No, but this is Chains.”

“Reap?” I stare at him until he looks at me. “This is a bar, so drink your beer. I don’t need a therapy session and I’d rather not talk about my father if you don’t mind.” I smile at him sweetly.

Holding up a hand, he agrees and swivels on his stool, pressing his back to the bar. “I’m a big girl now, I can look after myself. So, tell me, what was all that with Neve this morning?”

He spins around at the mention of my best friend’s name, his eyes shining as he smiles wide. “Oh, fuck man, she’s a fox. How have I not actually met her properly before?”

His brow creases with deep frown lines. “Probably because I kept her away from all of you dirty dogs.” The bar starts to fill up with lunchtime patrons and I get to work serving as they rock up.

After an hour, I’m still run off my feet. I pause between customers to lean towards Reap, since he’s sitting there casually while I work my ass off. “If you’re gonna sit there then at least get your ass to work. I’m sure the customers would love a little eye candy to look at.” His cocky smirk has me smiling and shaking my head, and as I pass by him and throw the cloth at him before going off to collect some glasses.

Once the lunchtime rush is over, I’m straightening up the tables and putting it back to the way it was when I look to Reaper behind the bar. “Maybe it’s time I got some real help. I can’t run it by myself, and it’s not fair for you guys to keep bailing me out when I’m busy.”

He stops what he’s doing and turns around. “It’s what we’re here for.”

“No, it’s not. You guys have enough to do. I’ll be honest, I do like the male presence behind the bar ever since Mac attacked me, but I need more staff. Maybe I’ll put a sign on the door.” I cock my head and give Reaper a small, knowing smile. “Could you ask at the clubhouse?” I don’t beg, but I do push him to do this for me.

“No problem.” He nods and goes back to his job at hand then stops, “What happened to the chick that was here a few nights back, wasn’t she new?”

“It was just a friend of Neve’s helping out. `She wanted some quick cash and she already has a job

“Okay. Leave it with me.”

“Thanks, Reap.” I smile.

Going back to the bar, I perch myself on a stool; using the foot bar, I lean over the top and watch as he fills the fridge. “You can go if you’ve got other things to do. It’s okay.”

“You’re fucking kidding, and leave you here by yourself? Chains would kick my ass. You know he would.”

I chuckle at the tone he uses and roll my eyes just as a couple of older guys venture in. “Alright, well since I have you to use and abuse then I may go and do some paperwork.”

The two guys find a table and sit down. “You do that.” Reaper gives me his charming smile, the one that usually sweeps women off their feet, and comes around the bar with a pad and pen in his hand ready to take their order.. With my bar in good hands, I go to the office, grab everything I need, then set myself up on a table in the corner so I can do the accounts.

The next few hours fly by. I lean back in my chair, rubbing my hands over my face and tired eyes. I hate doing accounts, but right now, I can’t justify paying someone to do it for me.

A Pepsi with ice is placed in front of me, my body almost folds in on itself in relief. “You are a godsend. Thank you so much.”

Pulling the chair out Reaper sits across from me and leans back, folding his arms over his chest, and smiles. “You know if the accounts are too much you can always get our treasurer to do them.”

As much as I know he’s trying to help I’m not so sure I like that idea. “What and have my father poke his nose and see what I earn?” My brow cocks, “or don’t earn.” I mumble to myself. I need some real revenue in this place, I need to prove that I can do this on my own without him saying I told you so.

“What’s going on in that head of yours?”

I focus on Reaper as I think of what to say. “Okay, when I asked Dad to help me with this place, he kind of insinuated that I wouldn’t be able to make it work. I mean, it’s no shock that my father doesn’t think I can get on without his help. Big President of a motorcycle club, and his only child can’t even run a bar.” I’m sulking I know it, but he makes me think like this.

“Come on Luna, he doesn’t think that.”

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