Page 22 of Tex's Angel

Chapter 9

Clara

Isit at the bar nursing a drink while Tex gives Wade a tour of the clubhouse and shows him to his room. There’s a middle-aged prospect behind the bar. He’s got long, dark hair that hangs down to his shoulders. Most of the brothers here seem to have longer hair, loads of muscles, and beards. He mixes my drink and delivers it with expert precision, but it’s clear that he’s got no time to make nice. As more brothers come in, he starts to get really busy.

I look around, still trying to figure out the club culture. Near as I can tell, the prospects work hard to earn the brothers’ approval. The brothers, on the other hand, clearly come here to de-stress. It’s the weekend, so I’m not surprised so many of them come pouring through the door. Prospects bring food from the back and the bartender diligently carries out drinks. Some brothers play pool. Others gather around a large table in the back to play poker. They all have cash on the table and seem absorbed in their game.

I see a few women running around in leather booty shorts, belly shirts, and spiked heels. No matter their coloring, they all look like carbon copies of each other because of the way they dress. I can’t figure out if they all dress the same because it’s considered fashionable here, or if it’s some kind of Savage Legion uniform. It’s difficult to tell if they’re employed here but they kind of do look like their job is to entertain the brothers.

I frown as I gaze at a woman in the corner who seems angry. Unfortunately, she catches sight of me, slams her emptyglass onto a nearby empty table and comes stalking towards me. I spin around on my bar stool to face her because I don’t want her to think I’m scared of her.

She comes to a stop about four feet away and puts her hand on her hips. “Who the hell are you?”

“You first,” I tell her without raising my voice.

“My name is Brittany and I’m in charge around here.”

The man behind the bar snorts a laugh. “No, you aren’t, that’s Mel,” he tells her as he scoops some crushed ice into the blender.

She jumps up onto her toes and lands on her heels with a thud. “I mean the other club girls listen to and aspire to be like me.”

“I doubt that. You’ve been suspended three times and you’re on your absolute last chance.”

The woman tosses her bleached blonde hair back over her shoulder and practically preens. “See, that right there proves I’m special. The club officers have never given any other club girl three chances. Remember they have that three strikes and you’re out rule.”

He flashes her a knowing grin. “You like messing with people too much Brittany. It’s what always gets you into trouble.”

She stomps one foot, like a toddler. “What the hell do you care if I mess with someone, Nick? It’s none of your business.”

“I never said I cared, Brit. Just giving you your warning for the evening. If you keep trying to stir the shit with Miss Clara, Tex is gonna nail your ass to the wall.”

She actually laughs, a bit maniacally to be honest. It causes several brothers to glance over at her and roll their eyes. This and the fact that she’s been suspended three times clues me in that she might have a little main character syndrome going on. A warning bell goes off in my head, reminding me to tread softly with one.

She turns her attention back to me. “So, you’re with Tex? Well, I don’t see a property cut.”

Nick speaks her name in a warning tone, “Brittany.”

She waves him away with one hand. “Shut it, prospect. The women are talking.” Staring at me, I see some kind of mischief I can’t name dancing in her eyes.

She repeats her question, “So, you and Tex are together?”

Making a snap decision, I nod, “Yes, we’re together, so until further notice his business is none of yours.”

I immediately realize what a gigantic mistake claiming him has been, because she throws back her head and laughs, it’s an ugly cackling kind of sound that grates on my last nerve.

A deep voice comes from behind me, “Glad to see you’re as thrilled as I am with my new woman, Brittany.”

I whip my head around just in time to see Tex step up and put his arm around me. He gazes down at me, his expression hawkish and also slightly amused. “Is this club girl bothering you, honey bunny sugar pie?”

I press my lips together and nod my head to keep from laughing.

Brittany takes a step closer. “What the fuck Tex. You went and got yourself a woman?”

“Clara is my neighbor. We’re working on figuring out who’s stalking her. We kinda clicked.”

Pointing from one of us to the other, she says, “honey bunny sugar pie? Like that’s a mouthful, ya know.”

“I’ll tell you what I know, Brittany. Y’all are wasting a bunch of my time talking about things that ain’t your business. Why don’t y’all wander off and make a brother happy tonight.”

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