Page 7 of Vex

“Your wife would disembowel you for even thinking of another piece,” I laugh back at him.

“Yeah and with a huge smile on her face while doing it,” Rod agrees with a slight grimace.

I spend a few minutes chatting with Rod and letting him know to keep an eye out for other bikers around the club. I also tell him about the biker and Taja incident. After that, I do a round through the club then make my way to a barstool and take a seat. Within a moment, Taja’s standing in front of me.

“Hey Vex. What can I get you?”

“Beer, please.”

After setting the beer in front of me, I ask, “Been quiet so far tonight?”

“Not really. It’s been kind of loud with a bachelor party here. There’s a lot in their group, so it’s been busy so far. Makes the night go by faster though.”

I carefully look her over and note that she looks exhausted again. I know her shift only started two hours ago, so I doubt that’s why she looks so drained. Too curious about her to mind my own business, I start with the questions.

“Are you working both clubs right now?”

“No, I don’t work at Zero again for a few days yet,” she answers.

“You’re gorgeous, Taja, so don’t take this wrong, but you look exhausted. Everything okay?”

“Thank you. I am exhausted. It’s been a long couple of weeks, and I haven’t gotten much sleep. Nothing’s okay at the moment, but it will be. Thanks for asking, Vex,” Taja says softly before walking away.

It’s been a few hours since speaking with Taja. The club is hopping tonight, and I’ve been busy keeping the patrons in line. I’ve kept one eye on my job and one on Taja. She’s not stopped moving and I know she’s not taken any breaks yet. Freddy has even helped behind the bar, and I was glad to see she had him there. When things slow a little, I make my way over to the end of the bar and signal for her.

“Take a break, Taja. Take fifteen or twenty minutes and get off your feet. If you go outside, stay in sight of Rod at the door. He’ll be standing outside if you’re out there so no worries. Okay?” I tell her when she stops in front of me.

“Freddy left, so there isn’t anyone to cover the bar,” she tells me.

“Ash and I’ll cover it. Go take your break.”

I’m gifted with a grateful smile as she grabs a Coke and disappears out the front door with Rod stepping out behind her. I wave Ash over, and the two of us get busy with drink orders.

A few minutes into Taja’s break, Pigeon, Toes and Horse Nuts take a seat at the bar. Pigeon is a club brother, a fully patched member of the Devil’s Angels MC, as I am. Toes and Horse Nuts are both prospects but getting close to the club voting them in or out. My guess is that Horse Nuts will definitely have the vote go in his favor. Not sure about Toes yet though.

“Hey, Pretty Biker Boy! Drinks over here please!” shouts Pigeon with a shit eating grin on his face.

“What’re you ladies drinking tonight?” I ask as I make my way down the bar to them.

“Beer and Jack. Line ‘em up,” Pigeon states.

I glance at the prospects and both nod in agreement. I set a bottle of Jack Daniels, three shot glasses and three beers in front of them. It doesn’t take them long to dive in.

After swigging down a good portion of his beer, Pigeon speaks up again.

“Who’s the hot piece standing outside with Rod?”

I like Pigeon. He’s a great brother and he’s always the first to volunteer to help out whenever one of us needs something. But his comment sets my teeth on edge. I bite back my first thought and take a breath before answering.

“Name’s Taja. She’s temporary. Just filling in for Suki tonight.”

“I’ve seen her before but I’m not sure where,” comments Horse Nuts. “Not easy to forget a face like that.”

“Or that bangin’ body,” adds Toes.

I feel my temperature rise a bit and again have to bite back the first thought that comes to mind.

“She works at Club Zero. Maybe you’ve seen her there,” I murmur.

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