Page 13 of Liberator

I needed to try harder. I promised myself I would.

The bar was busier than I’d ever seen it. It was as if someone had sent out messages for a party that had no actual definingpurpose. It was a party for just the sake of partying. The parking lot was filled to overflowing and the tables inside were crammed full, many patrons having to lean against the walls as they joked and laughed with their friends who had been lucky enough to grab a chair. No one dared get up in case their seat was taken, so I was spending my time rushing back and forth to fill orders.

I suppose I should have been frightened by all the men from different clubs who wandered in, but I wasn’t. I considered the fact that I was too busy to be nervous or scared, however I doubted that was the entire reason I was calm and cool about it all. I was aware that I felt protected due to the overabundance of Serpent Sinners among the crowd.

Colt, the Sergeant at Arms who reminded everyone of a gunslinger from the wild west, was guarding the bartender. No one was going to cause trouble in his area. His steely gaze was more than enough to tell troublemakers to back off.

Stretch, the Treasurer who was extremely tall, stood at the entrance intimidating those who arrived with more on their mind than having fun.

Sweet the enforcer, Ditch the Vice President, and several large male prospects roamed among the crowd watching for any arguments that might arise.

Even Prime, the club’s President, had come in to make certain no problems arose. He tossed back a few drinks and joked with everyone who dared speak to him, but his eyes never stopped tracking the movements of members of other MC’s.

I had to squeeze between a group of very drunk men in order to take the tray of empty mugs back to the bar for washing. One reached out to swing me into his arms and Prime was instantly there to intercept him.

“She’s not part of the merchandise. Keep your hands off her and the other servers or get out,” he stated in a voice that mayhave sounded casual and quiet to the nearby observers but was cold as ice.

The man held up his hands in surrender and mumbled, “It’s too crowded in here anyway. I know a place where no one gives a shit who you touch or how many of the women you take into a broom closet. Hell, you could do one on the bar and every damn person there would cheer you on.”

“Then head out,” Prime replied as he shifted the man’s stance to face the door.

“I’ve got this,” Sweet announced from behind Prime. “I’ll happily escort him and his friends out. They were cut off from drinking ten minutes ago anyway.”

I dropped the tray onto the gleaming surface of the bar that Flame kept clean and shining no matter how crowded we were. I wiped the sweat off my forehead with my arm and gave her the next order.

“Someone else is going to have to deliver that,” Prime told Flame. “I need some time with Vikki, and she needs to cool down before she passes out.”

“I’m fine,” I argued. “There aren’t enough servers as it is. I can’t leave Flame with this mess.”

“Never argue with the Prez, chica,” Flame replied. “It’s the first rule of the club. I’ll be fine. We’ve got it covered. Jamie and Marie just came in. They’re fresh and you’re not. In fact, your shift was over fifteen minutes ago.”

She handed each of us an icy beer and turned to handle the woman who’d decided it was a great idea to dance on the bar.

Nervously I followed Prime to the hallway in the back. I was afraid he was going to tell me I’d worn out my welcome and needed to find another place to live. Nothing good lasted forever. I’d learned that lesson the hard way.

“What did I do wrong?” That was what slipped out of my mouth the moment we were alone. I instantly blushed and lowered my head to where I was staring at my tired, aching feet.

“Who said you did anything wrong? I don’t remember mentioning anything of the kind. I thought I sounded quite civil when I said I needed some time with you. I apologize if you misunderstood,” he answered.

My head swung up at that. Prime didn’t normally make apologies, especially not to a waitress. If this wasn’t to be a speech about my work or a dismissal from living in the clubhouse I had no idea what it could be about. He didn’t make me wait long for an answer.

“I understand you have a request that there be a change in club rules. It’s not often that I consider making changes of any kind, so it’s a surprise to myself that I’ve been willing to allow this one to stick in my head,” he began.

Damn! He’d finally understood that I wanted to be a prospect, and this was his way of telling me it was impossible. MCs didn’t make changes to their rules lightly. I was asking for a huge one.

“I’m sorry. I should have approached you more directly. You shouldn’t have to concern yourself with figuring out puzzles, and that’s what all my comments were good for. I really wish you’d reconsider and allow women to be prospects. Things have changed over the last few years. Women want more. I want more. Flame wants more,” I dared to add.

“I’m not reconsidering anything. Once I make up my mind about something it’s practically impossible to change my mind,” he said.

“But…” I began.

He waved away my protest and stated, “I’m not saying no, Vikki. You’re correct that the woman’s place has changed in this world. I may not agree with some of those changes, but others are for the best. Flame has proven herself over and over to bejust as reliant and tough as my men. She’s held onto our secrets and faced more trouble than some of our current prospects with bravery I can’t deny. She’s leading the way for so many others, including you. However, you haven’t been around long enough or had a chance to prove anything of the sort. Therefore, it was necessary that someone speak to me in your behalf.”

“It was nice of Flame to mention my desire to you. I should have known she wouldn’t leave me out when she asked to become a prospect. She’s fair even to those she isn’t friendly with,” I replied.

“It wasn’t Flame who came to me, although I’m sure she will speak well of you when I have this same conversation with her. Rage was your champion. No matter how much I protested or found what I thought were reasonable excuses for making you wait until you’d given me more proof you were capable and trustworthy, he was able to give me a counter argument. It seems he believes I underestimate you. So, he put his honor on the line for you. Should you prove to be less than he believes, then he may find himself without the trust of our club members.”

Chapter 10

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