Page 3 of Skid
“No problem. I appreciate the help.” I glanced over to Luna and smiled, “Great job supervising today.”
Luna nodded, and the second Pop lifted her from the counter, she slipped her arms around his neck. The kid loved him. There was no doubt about that. Pop started for the door, and just before walking out, he announced, “I’ll be back tomorrow to help with the sandblasting.”
“I can handle it.”
“I know you can. I’ll be here just the same.”
With that, they both walked out. It wasn’t long before I heard Pop’s truck door slam shut, and his engine sputtered to life. Seconds later, I heard him back out, and then, they were gone. I leaned against the workbench and took a quick look around. Luna was right. The place was a mess. I spent some time cleaning up, and when I checked the time, it was after seven.
I had to be at the Vault by eight, and I was cutting it close. If I didn’t haul ass, I’d be late for my shift. I shut everything down and headed inside for a shower. I didn’t bother shaving. Folks at the Vault would be too busy watching the girls on the stage to give a shit about me or whether I’d shaved or not.
I got dressed, and after I put on my boots and cut, I was on my way. The weather was still rough, so I had no choice but to drive the truck. I got behind the wheel, and a half an hour later, I was pulling up to the Vault. As soon as I walked through the door, I was hit with the smell of perfume, whiskey, and too much cologne, and I knew I was in for a long one.
And I was spot on.
It was barely eight o’clock, and the place was a fucking zoo. The tables were slammed, and the girls were busy trying to fill all the drink orders. I wasn’t sure where I was needed, so I pushed my way through the crowd and made my way over to Seven. He was behind the bar, scanning the crowd like he was waiting for someone to fuck up.
His eyes were still trained on the floor when I walked over and asked, “Where do you need me tonight?”
“Private lounges.” He slid a couple of drinks over to one of the waitresses as he added, “We’ve had some issues with some guys getting too handsy. You know how I feel about that shit.”
“Yeah. I feel the same.”
“Need you to shut that shit down. If anyone crosses the line, kick their asses out and ban ‘em.”
“You got it.”
With that, I turned and headed to the back hallway. I stood between the two main rooms and watched as the girls led men in and out of there like clockwork. I got it. They were eager to make their dollar, and it was my job to make sure they made it without any hassle. And I did just that.
I couldn’t believe it. I’d actually made it through a Saturday night without a single altercation. That was a new one for me. There was usually an asshole who couldn’t keep his hands to himself or a drunken brawl that I’d have to tend to, but tonight, I got off easy. We all did.
When the lights came on, I headed back out front and helped Seven and the girls shut things down for the night. We wiped down the tables, and by the time we’d put up all the chairs, I was running on fumes and ready to call it a night. The girls had just started filing out when Cat came over to me.
She was dangling her heels over her shoulder and sporting a sexy smile. “You got any plans for the night?”
“Nah, I’m about to head to the house.”
“You want some company?”
“As tempting as that might be, I’m gonna have to pass tonight, doll.” I gave her a smile as I added, “I’m beat. How about a raincheck?”
“Sure thing, handsome.”
She gave me a wink, then followed the rest of the girls out the front door. I watched to make sure they all got out to their cars without any trouble. Once they started driving off, Seven and I locked up and headed out. The rain had been light earlier. It was just enough to make the roads slick, but the second I stepped outside, the sky opened up.
“Perfect,” I grumbled as I jogged out to my truck.
By the time I got in and yanked the door closed, my shirt and jeans were plastered to my skin. I dragged my hand through my soaked hair, and water dripped down my hands as I let out agroan. I shook my head and let out a few curses before starting the engine and driving towards the house.
I was tired, wet, and ready to get home.
But I’d soon discover that my long night was far from over.
2
LAKEN
“We need to leave in ten minutes. Go grab your things.”
