Page 20 of Liberator

He tilted his head and let a small grin escape. “You’ve got more spunk that I would have thought considering you’re all but naked and unarmed. Yes, I warn the male prospects, but not about women’s duties. They get those, but more often they’re forced to defend sudden attacks from out of nowhere, lift things that can’t be lifted, or repair bikes and trucks with nothing more than a hammer and screwdriver. There’s usually a lot of fighting, broken bones, and blood involved. I think things will be slightly different for you. The club members may not be sure how to deal with you, but we shall see. Get dressed and start scrubbing the bathrooms.”

“How is that supposed to prove I’m good enough to join the club?” I asked.

“It doesn’t. It’s to prove obedience. Hurry up!” he commanded.

I dressed in sweats and found an old pair of gloves under one of the sinks. From the looks of the first bathroom the men had purposely made them filthy just for me. I knew all the others would have trash tossed on the floor, wads of toothpaste in the sink, hair shavings everywhere, and a sudden lack of a man’s ability to hit the toilet when they aimed. It stunk more than I believed possible.

I wondered where Flame had been sent as I picked up several used condoms strewn over the floor and even in the shower. I hadn’t been told nor had I seen her. I gagged when I found a dead rat behind the toilet, obviously put there purposely since none where ever seen in the club.

I smelled just as much as the bathrooms once I’d finished scrubbing them. I was covered in bodily fluids of every kind and wanted a shower more than food. But it wasn’t going to be allowed. Ditch came toward me with a large bucket, a mop, anda rectangular scrub brush. He was followed by Doc who carried a small sack and a bottle of water.

Doc looked sympathetic when he handed me the sack and the water, but all he said was, “You have ten minutes to eat.”

Ditch added, “You start on cleaning the floor of this level after the ten minutes is up. The scrub brush is for the corners. It’s been a long time since those have gotten the attention they need. Flame has the next floor down, and we have a male prospect dealing with the bottom floor, so don’t start getting your hackles raised over women’s work.”

He didn’t have to explain himself to me, but he had. He was helping me understand the need to remain calm. Somehow that made it all worse. I doubted he’d explained anything to the male prospect, and probably not even Flame. I felt inferior. My face reddened and blazed with anger.

I ripped open the bag that held a sandwich and a cookie and began to eat with my filthy hands. I glared at them in defiance. They grinned at me and walked away.

My hands were aching, and my back felt as if the muscles had been torn. Two thirds of the floor was clean and shining, including the corners where some nastiness I couldn’t identify had resided for what had to have been several years. Obviously, no male prospect was ever commanded to get down on his knees and scrub, at least not in recent history.

I decided to start on the stairs where I could sit instead of wearing out my knees and back. However, I’d only gotten to the sixth one when large, muddy feet appeared over my shoulder. More than one club member stepped over me leaving muddy tracks mixed with grease or oil. I realized they’d come from the garage where the trucks and bikes were being repaired or had maintenance done. They’re owners were seeking a shower and showed no concern over screwing with my clean floors.

“Damn you all to hell!” I cursed at them, wanting to spit on them.

My words brought out some cruel laughter and the derisive announcement, “I guess you’ll just have to start over.”

“I wouldn’t sleep too deeply tonight if I were any of you assholes,” I declared. “I might come in and slice your fucking throats!”

Chapter 14

I refused to cryor show how terribly their actions had affected me. I remained stiff and dry-eyed. I wasn’t going to let them see that I was too exhausted to move. Instead, I continued to move the scrub brush across the stairs in a circular motion, mixing the mud with the soapy water.

I wiped sweat off my brow with the stinking, splattered sleeve of my sweatshirt. Blackened water dripped from my raw fingers because I’d ditched the gloves due to the stinging sweat that had built up inside them.

A calm voice that held some compassion reached my ears from below. Prime ordered, “Vikki, you need to stop for today. You’ve done enough, more than was expected. I’m sorry I was away and just now discovered that you were still working.”

“I can keep going as long as Flame or any man!” I defiantly announced.

“I’ve sent Flame and Maxum to the showers as well. It appears the club members became too enthusiastic in their enjoymentof giving orders. It won’t happen again. You are also relieved of duty from the bar tonight,” he stated.

My chin rose high, and my eyes darkened with a determination that my poor body didn’t agree with. I argued, “I can do my job. I don’t want any special favors.”

“Take what Prime is offering!” Rage bellowed as he rushed up the steps. “Why the hell are you all being such assholes? She’s doing her damnedest and you all keep screwing her over. Keep it up and you’re going to answer to me!”

Instantly, I had the strength to stand. Anger gave it to me. I rose from my place on the steps and confronted Rage. My hands were clenched, my heart pounded, heat filled my cheeks, and I was panting.

“Don’t you dare speak for me! I don’t need you to get between me and the others. I’m not a fucking child! This is my fight, my test. Back off!”

“I have to speak up. These assholes are taking it too far just because you’re a woman. They think you should have more to prove than any man. It’s not fucking fair! I’m not going to back off! I can help. They all know better than to challenge me,” Rage ranted.

“Don’t you see? You’re the asshole! You’re acting like you own me, and you damn well better understand that you don’t! I’m in control of my destiny. Not you! Not Prime! Not any of these men. Only me! I intend to be seen as their equal, your equal. Your actions are making me appear weak and pathetic. I won’t stand for it! Leave me the hell alone!” I screamed until I grew hoarse.

“But you are a woman,” Rage astounded me by saying. “We shouldn’t be as harsh on you as we were the male prospects. I can’t allow this to continue.”

“YOU CAN’T ALLOW IT!? Who made you my master? It certainly wasn’t me. A few kisses don’t give you control. I’ve kept that for myself, and I won’t be relinquishing it to you any timesoon,” I argued. I didn’t care that everyone stood by listening. It no longer mattered what they knew about me.

“It was more than a few kisses,” Rage declared.

---