Page 19 of Bound by Desire
“I read people. Last night, I read you. And Schade obviously trusts you. I’m kickin’ my own ass for not thinkin’ of yousooner.”
It’s interesting that she thinks so highly of me without really knowing me, but I’ve earned it. My time scrapping as a kid is useful for something. May not have had much, but I’ve alwaysbeenme.
“How long?” I ask, suddenly letting this idea roll around in my mind. “How long till your guy Gar is ready to handlehisshit?”
Her eyes snap to mine, surprise flitting across them, which she covers quickly. Inside, I smile at having caught her off guard. Something tells me that doesn’t happen often and probably won’t happenagain.
“Indefinitely. You’re the one forthejob.”
I shake my head. “No. Three months. And you gotta know, Friday and Saturday nights, I’m atSchade’s.”
“Three months. First four weeks, you’re at X either FridayorSaturday night. It’s our big crowd.” She sits up on the couch, her attention directly on me as she clasps her hands in front of her and rests her elbows on her knees. This is negotiationPrincess.Nice.
Princess is a fuck of a woman, and I can’t help a small twinge of nervousness talking to her. No way in hell I’d let it show,though.
“Three months. The first two weeks I’ll be at X either Friday or Saturday night. But you have to pay me what I would have made at Schade’s, plus what you’re going topayme.”
She shakes her head. “I can’t believe I’m fucking negotiating this shit. Fine. But after you spend those four weekends at X, we talk again and see aboutextendingit.”
Damn, she’s tough, especially for something I don’t need. She must reallywantthis.
“Fine. And Princess?” She nods. “Don’t fuck with my job with Schade. You talk to him and try to get me fired or my hours changed, I’m out. Automatically. That goes for you and everyone else with your club. Schade is offlimits.”
She full-out grins. “Knew you had a good head on your shoulders.” She rises. “Follow me to the clubhouse. You can meet my ol’ man and the guys. They’re in and out of X, so you need to be aware of them. Not to mention they want to meet the woman I’m bending over backward to come workforme.”
“Doesn’t happen often, huh?” I ask asIrise.
“Fuck no. Try never. Like I said, I’ve got personal shit and I need someone. Let’s go.” She makes her way to the door as her cellrings.
I grab my keys and lockthedoor.
“Yeah?” I hear her as I move to my Jeep, swinging myself upandin.
“You’re fuckin’shittin’me.”
My focus goes to Princess, but I’m cut off from hearing any more as she slams the door on a black Hummer and powers out of my driveway. This is going to beinteresting.
I’ve driven by this place a few times since moving here, but never actually been here. Pulling up, barbed wire lines the top of metal gates, and a guard stands on in a parapet, his hand on a gun. Mine’s in my glovebox. What a way to meet your employer, but it’s comingwithme.
The large gates slowly slide open, revealing an enormous cement blocked building with a huge open grass area that has a fire pit in the middle and a playground off to the side. Cars line one side, while bikes like the other. Off to the right is Banner Automotive, the local repair shop. I’ve never brought my car here, but they must do lucrative business, judging from the movement inside thebuilding.
I park the car then reach over to pull outmygun.
A tap on my window has me turning to the sound to see Princess standing there. I open thecardoor.
“Don’t take guns in. My ol’ man’ll be pissed, and then I’d have to deal with his shit, which means you have to deal with his shit. We seriously don’t want to deal with a pissedoffCruz.”
I hesitate, weighing my options. I really don’t have any at this point. I’ve already agreed to work for her, so it’s not like I’m going to go in guns blazing or anything. Not to mention I have no reason to. My hands and feet can protect me plenty. They have a shit-ton of guys here, though I’m sure, if they wanted to take me out, they’d have no problem. I may be able to take on several, but all of them … I’m not fuckingSuperwoman.
Releasing the buckle, I climb out of the car, taking in a deep breath. Smells of oil and fire fill my nostrils, and my first thought is:I hope nothing’s burning. Looking around, I seenothing.
Princess begins to move, and Ifollow.
“Alright, Cruz knows you’re comin’. We’ve got family shit to deal with, so this’ll be short and sweet. I’ll introduce you to the guys that are around. The others, you’ll meetlater.”
I’m obviously going to be dismissed after my meeting with her husband, which is fine by me. My list for the day didn’t include coming to a motorcycle club and meeting the president, let alone having his ol’ lady show up at my house, offering meajob.
Whistles come from the picnic benches where several guys sit. Three to beexact.
