Struck Love

Two sweet butts stroll up to the bar, getting a couple of drinks. They’d been here last night. I’m generally good with faces. It comes in handy. They both shoot smiles my way. One turns to face me, ready to make her move.

“Don’t.” Pink snaps at them before they can try to sink their claws into me. Pink can be a bit like a protective older sister. She makes their drinks and motions for them to leave the bar. It’s not a full-on party tonight. It’s more laid back.

A few members are out back grilling. A lot of the men in the club haven’t settled down and crash here instead of going home to an empty house. I find I do the same, but I work here. It makes things more convenient. My house sits empty more often than not.

“Are you really shocked that the girl last night ran from you?” Pink finally says when everyone is out of earshot. “Isn’t that part of the appeal?”

“She doesn’t need any more appeal.” I was already hooked before her ass took off on me.

“You’re the jealous type.” Pink is full-on smiling about this. “Who would have thought it?”

“Sure as shit not me,” I admit. I never thought I’d be possessive of a woman. There was never even one that sparked my interest before Olivia.

“That is the kind of girl you marry.” I start to respond but she holds her hand up to stop me, letting me know she’s not finished. “And she knows that shit too. She’s innocent, sure, but she’s not stupid. Let’s be honest, based on your outside appearance you don’t really scream future husband material. And even if she did think somehow she could get a ring and a promise of forever from you, she’d still be reluctant to take it. Thinking you won’t be the type to hold true to your word.”

“Pink.”

“I know, Pres. I know. You’re not your father. That’s clear as day to all of us but try to look at it through her eyes. Can you blame her for thinking any of those things based on what she saw here last night? She knows you're the head of this place. That you're in control of the things that go on here.” She motions to the inside of the giant warehouse.

She’s right. I know how a lot of the men around here are. Even the married ones. I’ll never be that. My dad had his good moments, but he had his shit ones too. My mom was always good. Even though my old man put her through some shit. I couldn’t have asked for a better mom, and my dad couldn’t have asked for a better wife. He didn’t deserve her.

I’ll never do to a woman what my father did to my mom. Never. That shit ate her up. I’ll never understand how a little pussy could make him do the shit he did. Or how he could continually hurt the person who was the most loyal to him in the whole world. When he died, he finally released her.

“You’re not really giving me any tips here,” I point out.

“Be steady.”

“Steady?”

“Yeah, steady.” She taps the top of the bar. “Your girl’s here.” I whip my head around to see Olivia stepping inside with a tentative look on her face. When her eyes finally land on me, they widen a fraction. As mad as she probably wants to be at me, she can’t help but offer me a smile. It’s her nature. The thought of how innocent she is has my cock hardening.

I know at this moment I’ll be whatever I have to be to make Olivia Hart all mine.

8

Olivia

Why am I smiling like a goofball at him? I’m angry, I remind myself. Livid really. I should be at home in bed reading a book or something. Not succumbing to Mr. Bossy Pants’ orders. Instead of thinking of this little trip out here as him blackmailing me, I’ve decided I’m taking back control. That I’m going to consider this work. I’ve convinced myself that I’m here to get information on Eddie—or Copper, as he’s known to everyone here.

My plan is to flirt with Jason and find out where Eddie is. Last night might not have been a total bust after all. I can turn this around. After eavesdropping on my family tonight, I learned they still have no idea where Eddie is. They are almost positive he’s here somewhere. One of my brothers even talked about sending someone to check the place out. Little did they know I was two steps ahead of them.

Jason slips off the barstool to head my way. The man exudes power. Even his walk is sexy. The girl behind the bar with pink hair winks at me before she turns her attention to a male walking up to the bar.