Page 17 of Ripper's Redemption

And as I move further behind the bar, the thought of Ripper lingers.

What am I getting myself into?

I know why—to get back at my father…but fuck if I don’t think I want to get a little enjoyment out of this charade.

I’ll keep my feelings out of it, but that doesn’t mean I won’t go seeking pleasure.

As I clean up the bar area, the clubhouse is getting busier with every passing minute.

The only reason I’m here is because Bambi is sick and would usually man the bar. I wasn’t about to pass up the extra cash.

Apparently, a woman named Jugs is going to relieve me before the party starts.

I glance at the clock on the wall—still hours until the party.

Jordyn's voice snaps me back to reality as she saunters over with Stiletto and Poison in tow. “Hey Tara! I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Their presence is a welcome distraction.

Jordyn comes into Tart a lot, probably five or six times a week. I joked with her last week about picking up some part-time hours and she ended up filling out an application.

Jordyn takes a seat at the bar, “You get a chance to look over my application?”

I force a laugh, “That’s Kelsey’s job, not mine. I’m sure you’re a shoe in for the last position we have open, though.”

Jordyn smiles softly, “Poison, Stiletto, you remember Tara, right?”

The two ladies both nod at me.

Poison is like a biker version of a Barbie with big tits and a big ass, blessed in the genetics department. Meanwhile, Stiletto is a gorgeous bi-racial Chinese woman with cherry red hair.

I don’t know much about either of them, but I do know Stiletto’s sister is Siren and they came here together.

I raise an eyebrow at the ladies. “Come over here for a girl’s chat?”

“Absolutely,” Poison declares, hopping onto a barstool. “We needed to get away from those old fuckin’ men. I swear, they gossip worse than the women.

I laugh, not exactly sure who they’re talking about.

I scan the clubhouse, settling on a group of four men. Three of them are older, and one of them is maybe ten years younger. “I’m going to bet it’s them.”

Poison doesn’t even bother glancing behind her. “The circle with three chatty Cathy’s and Bull, yep.”

Jordyn cocks her head to the side, “They did say something interesting, though. And I don’t know about you two, but I’m curious.” she looks at Poison and Stiletto.

I furrow my brows, knowing all too well it’s probably about me and Ripper. “What are you curious about?” I feign dumb.

Jordyn stares into my eyes. “I’ll cut right to the chase—are you and Ripper together?”

Inhaling sharply, I force a smile. “Well, word travels fast around here.”

Jordyn cracks up, “Not really. Ripper told Bama, and Bama doesn’t know how to keep anything to himself.”

I roll my eyes, but a grin tugs at my lips. “Ugh, and here we were trying to see if it went anywhere before we made it public.”

“Spill it, Tara. I want to know all the nitty gritty details.” Stiletto demands, leaning forward with a conspiratorial smirk. “Honestly, we‘re all dying to know how it happened.”

“Fine,” I concede, setting down the glass and turning to face them. “I’ll tell you everything, but only if you promise to help me finish cleaning up after.”

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