I stared at him, my jaw ticking.
“Fine. Not at the Jar though.”
“Why not? It’s neutral territory.”
“No, it’s not. It’s my place. And I don’t want to expose my staff to any danger.”
Cain cracked the barest semblance of a smile. For him, that was saying something.
“Heard you got a real pretty new waitress over there.”
“What?”
My hackles were up again, just like when he’d mentioned Cass.
He shrugged.
“The guys won’t shut up about her. You know I don’t give a shit about that stuff. I know what I want. I can wait.”
I nodded, instantly relaxing. I didn’t love that the guys were talking about Michelle, but it didn’t surprise me. More importantly, Cain wasn’t after her.
The truth was, Cain barely even acknowledged women on most days. I was sure he used to have a woman now and then, but it was hard to say. Not since he met Kelly, that was for sure. People talked and I listened, whether I wanted to or not.
Casual sex definitely wasn’t a priority for him.
Which was part of the reason his reaction to Connor’s sister Kelly had been so hilarious. I kept hoping that something would come of it, but so far I hadn’t heard a word.
“Talk to Connor, too. See if he knows anything.”
I shook my head.
“I can ask, but he won’t tell. He’s way too straight-laced.” I cocked an eyebrow at Cain’s stormy expression. “Kind of like you. You should talk to him.”
“That wouldn’t go down well.”
I cracked a smile.
“You afraid to piss him off?”
Cain growled at me a little and I laughed. I knew he wanted to go out with Connor’s sister. He was trying not to make things worse than they were.
Maybe Cain was in deeper than I thought.
“Don’t go there.”
“Okay man, I’ll do what I can.”
He was still glaring at me for cracking a joke at his expense but I didn’t care. He nodded and I stood up.
“Good.”
I whistled as I walked out. Not that I wasn’t concerned. I was. But I was one of the only people who could push Cain’s buttons and get away with it.
It gave me great joy, even under the circumstances.
The truth was, I was worried as fuck about what he’d told me. Not for my own safety, but for those I had sworn to protect.
Michelle, Paton and of course Cass and my Goddaughter Daniella were at the top of the list. Even Connor was on there, though I would never admit it. Hell, they were the list. The people I cared about most in the world.
I didn’t even think twice about the new additions to the list. Michelle and Paton mattered to me. Didn’t matter that I’d only known them a couple of weeks.
They were written in indelible ink on my battered old heart, and they were staying.
I had to look out for my girls.
Chapter Eleven
Michelle
I rubbed my neck with one hand while I bent forward, clearing the empty beer mugs from the table. The Jar was rowdy tonight. The crowd was full of bikers and the party hadn’t slowed down yet, and it was nearing 1 AM.
The kitchen was still open too.
I was tired but I didn’t slow down for a second. It was worth the extra tips I was getting. And Mason was helping out, running food out to tables when I got slammed.
I bussed the table, then ran back to clear another table. There were people at this one, but they needed room for fresh beer.
They were drinking a hell of a lot of beer.
But they were tipping to match, so I pasted a smile on my face and ignored the stares. I’d never been called ‘honey’ or ‘sweetie’ so much in my life.
“You alright? You can go home, you know.” Mason looked worried. “In fact, I should insist you do. It’s about to tip over to anarchy.”
“It does feel different tonight.”
Mason shook his head.
“There’s been some serious stuff going on with the local MC’s. Just be on your toes, alright?”
“Okay. I’ll just make one more pass with the checks.”
“I’ll get sleeping beauty. Do not go outside without me.”
“Thanks, Mason.”
I gave him a shy smile and returned to my tables, fetching a couple of pitchers of beer and handing out the checks.
That’s when I felt it. A hand closed over my ass, grabbing and squeezing. A big, hot hand. I squealed and jumped a foot in the air.
“Hmmm, you got a great ass sweetheart.”
“Let go of me!”
I turned around to see who was manhandling me just as thunderous footsteps echoed throughout the bar. A man with broad shoulders and a look of pure fury on his face.
Mason was coming.
The biker leered at me for a split second before he noticed the charging bull heading his way.
“Oh, shit.”
The guy looked scared. Not just worried. He looked terrified.
I almost smiled, but I was transfixed by what happened next.