Page 30 of Devil to Pay: Cutter

We take the truck today because she put in the time to fix her hair and makeup. As I help her up inside the truck, what with nerves and everything, I figure she needs to hear how hot she looks. If I’m not mistaken, Dusty’s staff wears scrubs, but for the interview Aja wanted to look professional. Today she has on these silky black slacks that hug her every curve, a white button down blouse with these tiny pearl buttons and she says the sleeves are called cap sleeves? Hell if I know. That with the super high black heels I plan on fucking her in, she’s a vision. “If I haven’t said so yet, you look fucking gorgeous.”

Again with the smile. “Thank you.”

“Dusty’s going to love you, baby.”

She lowers her eyes, like she’s uncomfortable with the compliment. “Let’s get lunch.”

This is a big day for her, so I let it slide, but we need to work on how she thinks about herself. She’s not her past actions. She’s better than that.

A half hour after we left the clubhouse, we arrive in Middlesboro and I take a few shortcuts to get to the strip of stores whereCocina Autenticais located. Reaper told me that Dusty’s favorite dish is chili rellenos, but we order a shit-ton of food so she can choose whatever she wants.

It takes the staff twenty more minutes to prepare our large order and bag it for us. Aja and I sip on icy drinks, a Coke for the both of us, while we wait.

Have I said I hate waiting? Especially when the dining room smells so damn good. My mouth waters.

Finally, they take pity on us and call our order. Aja and I carry the bags—and there’re like seven of them—back to the truck. Before we leave, I text Dusty that we’re on our way. It takes us maybe five minutes from the Mexican place.

Betty locks the door behind us, putting up the ‘Closed for Lunch’ sign on the glass panel. “Dusty has to finish up with a patient and then we can eat.”

“Thanks, Bet,” I say. Betty is good people. Always keeps her salt and pepper hair pulled back in a severe bun because she was in the military, and then a surgeon or something back in Russia or wherever it was she came here from. The woman has a hardness about her, the kind even bikers would think twice about fucking with her, but she loves us. We’ve had her up to the club on family nights several times. “This is Aja.”

“Hi.” Aja holds out her hand for Betty to shake. “I’m Aja de la Cruz.”

The nurse cocks her head. “Filipino?”

“How did you know?”

“I spent a few years over there.”

“Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you. It’s by ancestry alone. I’ve never been. My mom was born here. I have no idea about my dad or even his ethnicity. I never met him. Mom didn’t know who my father was, though I assume he’s white. And poor. And probably on drugs. Given the town I grew up in.”

Betty cuts her glance at me and I subtly shake my head. She nods once then points to the door that leads to the exam rooms. “You can go to Dusty’s office. We’ll be in shortly.”

I get us moving over to the door. “Did I say too much?” Aja asks. “I feel like she shut down. Small talk isn’t my strong suit.”

“You did fine, baby.”

At the far end of the hallway, we enter Dusty’s office and start pulling containers out of the bags, placing them on the table she has opposite her desk. It’s not two minutes later when Dusty walks in wiping her hands on a piece of paper towel. She tosses it in the trash, smiling at the both of us. “Cutter, you brought me chili rellenos! They smell so good my mouth is watering.”

“Know you like ’em.”

“You keep spoiling me like this, then you and Reap will end up brother-husbands.” She winks.

Aja coughs like she’s choking back a laugh.

“I appreciate the offer, Dus, but I’ll leave you to Reap alone. This is Aja, by the way.” Not that you could blame a man for wanting to share her. She’s gorgeous. Her parents met in med school or something, Reap said. Her dad is African American and her mom is white. Dusty takes after both. She’s got her mom’s blue eyes and her dad’s curly hair that she’s wearing loose and wild today. Before having a woman as beautiful as Aja in my bed, I use to wonder how Reap got any work done during the day with a womanthathot. It’s a wonder either of them are able to make it out of bed.

Dusty whips her head around to hone in on Aja. “Damn, Cutter,” she says to me before turning back to Aja. “You are more beautiful than they said. I’m so totally jealous.”

“They?” Aja asks.

“Nic. Then Greer. And after her, Rae.”

“Oh.” She should’ve known. Those women can’t keep their mouths shut for anything.

“They told me how beautiful you are, that you’re sweet, sarcastic, and funny as hell. All qualities I hold dear—well, except beauty is subjective. But the others, damn straight, I hold them dear.”

“Thank you?”

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