It wasn’t a full-blown commitment, but it was something. A step in the right direction. “I’ll take it,” I said, a smile tugging at my lips.
I stayed close to Tank, making sure she knew I was there for her. She didn’t push me away, in fact after we had enough liquor in us, she did quite the opposite.
Chapter 12
Tank
We gathered in the Roost for our weekly club meeting. The Hell on Heelz were a fierce and loyal bunch, but even among us, there were moments where tempers flared and lines were crossed. Tonight was shaping up to be one of those nights.
Rage, our president, was addressing the room, her voice carrying the authority that had earned her the top spot. “We’ve got to be ready for the charity run next week. Everyone needs to be on their A-game.”
Most of the girls nodded in agreement, but I noticed Nails, a newer member, rolling her eyes and muttering under her breath. I could feel my blood start to boil. Disrespect was something I couldn’t tolerate, especially not toward Rage.
“Nails, you got something to say?” Rage’s eyes narrowed, her tone sharp.
Nails didn’t get her name from the kind of nails Pix just did for me. She put out, often. Nailed anything with a pulse.
Standing tall, she defiantly flashed her painted eyes. “I just think we’re wasting our time. Why should we care about some stupid charity run when we’ve got bigger problems?”
The room fell silent, every eye turning to Nails. I felt the familiar surge of anger rising within me. This wasn’t just about the charity run. This was about respect, and Nails was sorely lacking it.
I stood up, my chair scraping loudly against the floor. “You got a problem with the way Rage runs things, Nails?”
She looked at me, her defiance faltering for a split second. “I just don’t see why we have to waste our time on this crap.”
I stepped closer, my eyes locked onto hers. “This ‘crap’ is important, not just to Rage, but to the entire club. And if you can’t see that, maybe you don’t belong here.”
Nails opened her mouth to retort, but I cut her off. “Listen here, you fucking twat. Rage has done more for this club than you could ever hope to. Show some fucking respect or get the hell out.”
The room was deathly quiet as everyone waited to see what would happen next. Rage watched me, her expression unreadable, but I knew she appreciated the backup.
Nails’ face turned red with anger, but she knew better than to push it further. “Fine,” she muttered, looking away.
“Good,” I snapped. “Now sit your ass down and shut up.”
I turned back to Rage, giving her a nod. “Anything else you need, Prez?”
She gave me a small smile, a silent acknowledgment of my support. “No, Tank. That’s all for now.”
As I sat back down, the tension in the room eased slightly. The message had been clear. Disrespect wouldn’t be tolerated, and I wasn’t afraid to be the bitch who enforced that.
After the meeting, Rage pulled me aside. “Thanks for that, Tank. Nails needed to be put in her place.”
I gave a little shrug and smirked. “You know I’ve got your back, Rage. Always.”
She nodded, a rare look of appreciation in her eyes. “And that’s why you’re my enforcer. You’re a bitch, Tank, but you’re our bitch.”
Full of pride, I laughed. “Damn right. And don’t you forget it.”
Walking out of the Roost that night, I was totally satisfied. Being a biker bitch was more than just talk. It was who I was, and I owned it. I was tough, loyal, and ready to stand up for my sisters, no matter what. And that’s what made us Hell on Heelz.
The week passed in a blur of work and restless nights. I tried to keep my mind occupied, but thoughts of Boiler kept creeping in. Every time I saw his face, heard his voice, I felt a pull I couldn’t ignore. But I was determined to remain resolute, to maintain my distance.
As the day of our charity run approached, I was a bundle of nerves. I had worked hard to make sure everything was perfect, but with the tension between our clubs, not just the Slayers but now with the riders, I wasn’t sure if anyone would show up. I sure as hell wasn’t going to beg them to.
The morning of the auction, I arrived early at the Roost to set up. Pixie, Razor, and the other girls were already there, helping with the final preparations.
“Don’t worry, Tank,” Pixie said, giving me a reassuring smile. “They’ll come.”