He nodded so I turned, rolling my eyes again and went to the dressing room. Nobody else was there yet, so I sat my bag onone of the stools and walked back to meet Butch.
He waved me to go but I said, “I don’t know where I’m going.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll guide you. Ladies first.”
I really didn’t want him behind me. It was more than the fact he was a dick. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but he gave me the heebie jeebies. Still, it was clear he wouldn’t budge, and he was head of security, and almost as high in rank as Eagle. Almost, but not quite there. That little nugget made me grin.
Even though I was pissed at Eagle, I still felt like I had to defend his honor or something. How pathetic. So what if he outranked him? Why did I care?
I flinched when Butch’s hand touched the small of my back. “Over this way.”
Moving my feet faster, I tried to get ahead of his touch, but his long legs kept pace easily. He was right behind me, the heat from his large frame towering like a bear standing tall to intimidate its prey.I was the prey.
We entered a swinging door and a few guys were back there with hairnets and aprons. Only one of them bothered to look up. “Hey, Lacy.” Did everyone know me? Geez.
Butch spoke up. “That’s Lance. You may have seen him around the clubhouse.”
Lance didn’t look like a Lance. He had a deep complexion with black hair that was neatly combed under the hairnet, dark eyes, but a warm smile with thick lips. He wiped his hand on his apron then held it out. “Not sure we officially met, but I’ve seen you there.”
“I’m sorry we never chatted.” He seemed nice enough, but I never spoke to the men.
He smirked and Butch chuckled. Lance said, “That’s kind of how it goes. But I haven’t seen ya around in a few days.”
Butch said, “She’s hanging with Jeannie.”
Lance shot his eyes to me, to Butch, then back to me. “Well…good to have you on board. First day then?”
Now everyone knew about me and Eagle.Great. “Yep. I’ll be by before I head out with some money.”
“Thanks, sweetie. Just hand it to me and I’ll take care of these knuckleheads,” he said as he tossed his thumb over his shoulder, directing it at the other two who said nothing. “Prospects.”
“Oh,” I said. “Well nice to finally meet you, Lance.”
“You like Caesar wraps?”
Shrugging I said, “Sure.”
“Come see me at your break. Or end of shift. Some of the girls don’t like to eat until they’re leaving. I’ll fix you up good.”
Smiling at the kind gesture, I said, “Thanks, Lance. I’ll see you in a bit.”
Butch’s hand was at my back again, guiding me back to the main area past the stages. We went to the bar and another member was there. “This is Jules. Jules, this is Lacy, new girl.”
Fighting to roll my eyes again, I smiled and said, “Hello.”
“You like water or soda?” Jules asked. He was ruggedly handsome with a bit of scruff, and light brown, wavy hair that was just past the top of his ears. Dimples for days. Green eyes. He should be working at a club where women frequented. He’d make a killing.
“Diet Coke and water. I like a pop of caffeine. Great to meet you.”
“Great to have you. You need anything, anything at all, you just holler or give me a wave.”
“Thanks.”
“Hey, fresh meat,” a man said from behind me. Turning, I didn’t recognize him and he wasn’t wearing a cut.
“This is Lacy. Lacy, this is Rayne.”
The tall man was muscular but not as bulky as all the bikers. His facial features were chiseled with a clean shave, large friendly smile, and short perfectly coiffed chestnut hair. He held his hand out, so I obliged. He drew it to his lips then smiled up at me. “So lovely to meet you. I’mDJRayne,” he said as he flashed his rich brown eyes at Butch.