Page 16 of Klutch's Kryptonite

Beast shrugs. “Don’t know about the attitude but yeah.”

“She’s off limits,” Pee Wee growls, suddenly looking very much like the deadly enforcer he used to be before becoming VP.

Beast laughs even harder, slapping the bar top. “You too? Jesus. Both of you are pussy struck.”

“Watch your mouth,” Pee Wee warns.

I flip Beast off then turn to Pee Wee and ask, “What were they doing here?”

“Looking for jobs,” Pee Wee replies, taking a sip of his whiskey. “I hired them both.”

My heart kicks against my ribs. She’ll be working here. I’ll see her again. The thought excites me for all of 2.5 seconds before suddenly pissing me off.

I don’t do this kind of shit. I don’t get hung up on women. They’re a distraction, a temporary release, and nothing more.

“Who are they?” I press, keeping my voice neutral.

Pee Wee freezes, glass halfway to his lips. “Fuck. I didn’t even ask.” He starts laughing, a deep rumbling sound that shakes his massive frame.

Despite my flip-flopping mood, my lips turn up and I chuckle. “You hired two random women without getting their names?”

“What can I say?” Pee Wee shrugs, still chuckling. “I was...distracted.”

“Pussy struck,” Beast coughs into his fist, earning another glare from our VP.

“Fuck off,” I snap at Beast. “I just thought the bitch who looked like Megan Fox was hot. I ain’t pussy struck.”

“Sure, brother,” Beast smirks. “Whatever you say.”

“Knock it off, Beast,” Pee Wee interjects, mercifully changing the subject as he trains his eyes on me. “Your fight’s tomorrow night. Are you ready?”

I nod, grateful for the shift in focus. “I’m solid. Been training my ass off.”

“He has,” Beast confirms, all business now. “We’ve been putting in extra hours. His cardio is better than it’s ever been.”

“Good,” Pee Wee nods. “The purse for this one is big. Denali’s got a lot riding on it, especially with the new clubhouse expenses.”

“I won’t let the club down,” I promise, already feeling the surge of anticipation that comes before a fight.

“Never thought you would,” Pee Wee replies, clapping me on the shoulder. “You two better get to it, then.”

I slide off the stool, Beast following as we head toward the locker room. My mind drifts back to the woman on the elevator. I wonder when she starts, what her name is, how old she is?—

Fuck. This is exactly what I don’t need right now. A distraction.

The locker room is empty when we walk in, the smell of bleach and sweat hanging in the air. I strip off my cut and shirt, hanging them carefully in one of the lockers. My boots and jeans follow, and I pull on a pair of loose black shorts.

Beast grabs the athletic tape from his gym bag and motions for me to sit down.

“You seemed off back there,” he comments as he starts wrapping my hands, the tape pulled tight around my wrists and knuckles.

“I’m fine,” I reply, flexing my fingers as he works.

“If you say so.” He doesn’t sound convinced. “Just remember, no pussy is worth losing focus over. Not with this fight coming up.”

“Says the man who can’t keep his dick in his pants for more than a few hours,” I snort.

Beast grins, unashamed. “I fuck ‘em and forget ‘em. You looked like you wanted to put a leash on that bitch and take her home.”

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