Page 8 of Venom's Sting

She chuckles and gives me an amused look. “Then I guess I’ll be seeing a lot of you in the near future.”

I take a step back towards the door and lift my cup into the air. “Thanks for the java. Hope the assholes stay away.”

Jesus, I turn and bolt out the door before yet more stupidity falls from my lips. I have never in my life been tongue-tied around a woman. I mean never, until today. Dammit, she was flirting with me, and I didn’t shoot my fucking shot. There’s something about this woman that turns my world upside down. She’s beautiful to be sure, with long black hair that flows down to her waist, pale blue eyes, and skin so snowy white that it makes me think of what Snow White would look like if she were a vampire.

I shake my head, hoping to shake some sense into myself. Thank God, none of my club brothers were there to witness that blundering mess. I get on my bike and get back to my assignment of putting more drones in the air to look for those vans. While it’s been all quiet near exit 408, I still think they were using that exit for a reason, so I keep concentrating my efforts in that area.

As I ride along the highway, the pretty woman at the coffee shop is still taking up space in my head. But now that I know where to find her, the thoughts aren’t nearly as intrusive. It’s strange that the old man had his dogs chasing her down, and now there are assholes harassing her at her workplace. I can’t help but wonder if the south is just asshole territory in general, or if this harassment is targeted at her for a particular reason?

Rolling that around in my head, I continue to search for vans with my drones. After a couple of hours, I’m lucky enough to catch sight of one, but it’s traveling towards the onramp to the interstate from parts unknown. I capture the footage and send it to Zen, like our club officers have instructed.

After a few more hours, I pack up and head to the clubhouse. At least the day wasn’t a total bust. As I pass by the coffee shop, I notice that it’s heaving. The windows are huge, and I can see three other employees and at least forty people inside, all laughing and worlds happier than I feel.

***

I’m one of the few brothers who lives at the clubhouse full-time. I’ve actually snagged myself Rigs’ old suite. Since he moved out, it had been used for guests, but such prime clubhouse real estate was going to waste, and Siege finally said that as the most senior resident I could move in. I could probably get my own apartment now as my drone side-business is doing okay, but I like living here, onsite. I have a bedroom, a small living room, a kitchenette, and a bathroom. After stashing my drone, having a quick wash, and changing the dish of water in Guivre’s tank—she’s my ball python, she’s currently shedding so has to have a humid environment—I meander out to the bar and start making drinks. Prospects have been assigned to run the bar now that Mel is more focused on her baby and her other business. Mel and Tracker bought the bar in town from our club and spend most of their time there. The problem is, the prospects can’t seem to mix a good drink to save their fucking lives. I lend a hand whenever I feel like it, because my club brothers deserve a nice drink after a long hard day.

Also, since I can’t pour drinks and fuck, the club girls aren’t on my tail constantly if I’m behind the counter. Brittany tries her best, though.

She slinks over the bar in a low-cut belly shirt and pouts. “Do you have to tend bar again tonight?”

“I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to do, Brit. You should know that about me by now.”

“Then why don’t you come out and play?” Sticking her surgically-enhanced tits in my face, she purrs, “I’ll make it worth your while.”

“I guess your last turn on my cock must have been magical, because it’s left you craving more. Am I right?”

Her expression turns cagy, and she glances back at Haze and Anna who are cuddling up at a table, chatting and drinking with Vapor and Trix. “You could say that. I wouldn’t disagree.”

“Look Brit, I’m not your emotional support animal, or part of the dog and pony show you trot out to make Haze jealous.”

She makes a disgruntled sound in the back of her throat. “It’s not like that. Why do you have to be so difficult?”

“I know you like to cozy up to one brother and that your goal is to end up in a property cut. There ain’t nothin’ wrong with having goals. I just need you to know that you’re barking up the wrong tree with me. I’m not looking to settle down and I don’t do relationships.”

She jumps to her feet and flings back indignantly, “There is nothing wrong with me.”

Staring her straight in the eye, I tell her, “I never said there was. You’re beautiful, smart, and know how to go after what you want. You’re gonna make some guy an outstanding old lady. That man just isn’t going to be me and might not end up being any man associated with this club. Just hang tough and your time will come.”

Her shoulders relax. “You’re real nice, Venom. I wish you and I had a spark.”

“Yeah, me too,” I fib. “I guess it’s not in cards for us to end up together.”

She leans over the bar and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “You’re good people, Ven.”

I glance around and realize no one is paying us any attention at all. I respond jokingly, “Don’t go spoiling my moody loner image. I worked hard for that shit.”

She pretends to lock her lips with one hand. “My lips are sealed. If anyone asks, you’re the biggest, meanest biker in this club.”

“Attagirl, Brit. Now go stalk your next crush like a big game hunter.”

She twirls around and off she goes. Rage slides onto a barstool out of nowhere. “Shit’s not funny, Ven. You just pumped that girl up to prey on one of our club brothers.”

I laugh out loud. “Have you forgotten where you’re at, my friend? Half the brothers come here desperate to be preyed on by one of the club girls.” I gesture around the room. “Notice how there are six or eight brothers for every woman? That’s a lot of fucking brothers going not getting sex every night.”

He shrugs, “Yeah, just because I think she’s a nuisance, doesn’t mean every man in this club does. Who knows, she might luck out and end up with one of the brothers?”

I slide him a whiskey sour across the bar, like all good bar tenders I know what all my club brothers drink. “All I know is the brothers are grown ass men. They’re capable of saying yay or nay to a club girl all on their own. They don’t need you issuing an early warning every time she approaches someone.”

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