Page 29 of Sinful
Behind it, another prospect.
I take a stool at the end, away from the main crowd but where I can see both the front door and the connecting hallway.
"What can I get you?" The prospect wipes down the bar in front of me. "Whatever's on tap. Local if you've got it."
"We've got Proof, from Tallahassee. Good stuff."
"That works." He pours it perfectly, no excess foam, and slides it over. "You're the guy from Texas, right? Shotgun Saints?"
"Word travels fast."
"Small club. Everyone knows everything." He grins. "I'm Njal. If you need anything while you're here, just ask."
"Appreciated."
"How's Texas? Never been."
"Hot. Dry. Big."
"Florida's hot and wet. Everything grows too fast, rots too fast." He gestures around. "But we like it."
"Seems like a good setup here."
"Runes runs a tight ship. Good leadership." He lowers his voice slightly. "Been crazy lately though. Los Coyotes causing problems. Road Captain got taken, tortured. His daughters are a mess. The whole club's on edge."
“Heard about that. Part of why I'm here."
Yeah, well. Hope you guys can figure something out. Can't keep losing people like this."
A group at a table calls for another round, and Njal excuses himself.
I nurse my beer, watching the room.
The dynamics are different from Texas.
More mixed—club members and civilians intermingling in a way that wouldn't happen at Sharp Shooter.
But maybe that's because this is a business, not just a clubhouse bar.
Needs to appeal to regular people, make money, maintain cover.
The front door opens, bringing in the last of the daylight and the smell of gasoline and hot asphalt.
I glance over automatically, cataloging the new arrival.
Then I stop cataloging and just stare.
She's in full racing leathers.
Not just a jacket thrown over jeans, but the real thing—full suit, armored at shoulders and elbows and knees.
Black with subtle red accents, fitted like a second skin.
The kind of gear that costs serious money and says serious rider.
Her helmet's under her arm—full-face, matte black with a visor that's probably seen some speed.
But it's not the gear that stops me.
