CHAPTER TWO
Talon
As I managed the bar at Hawk’s Landing, I tried to fill a drink order while looking over a sales report at the same time and managed to spill beer all over a piece of paperwork. I swore as I grabbed a bar table to mop it up.
Laughter behind me made me glance back. Hawk, the former club president, was leaning against the bar, waiting for the beer on tap I managed to overfill. “Are you sure you don’t want your old job back?” I asked as I handed him the beer.
“I’m good,” He said. “I needed to retire. I want to spend as much time with Ramona as I can.”
In all of the years I had known Hawk, he had always appeared invincible. He led the Hell’s Renegades effortlessly, or at least that’s what it looked like. His face was more lined now, his hair more gray. He was still strong and cut an imposing figure, but he was exhausted and ready to hand over the reins. He chose me to take over as club president. And I wasn’t sure if I was up for the role, especially after a week of managing it. “How did you do this?” I asked. “Between running the poker tables, the bar, and fighting the Demon biker gang, how were you able to manage it all?”
“You get used to it after awhile.” Hawk said. “Give it time. The men trust and respect you.” He grinned. “But you might want to hire some help instead of trying to multitask like this.”
I grimaced and knew he was right. Some help would be appreciated. Maybe Axel would like a break from debt collection to tend to the bar.
The door opened right then and I looked past the small crowd of bikers and people playing poker to see a woman in a waitress uniform come in. She looked terrified as she looked around, clutching her purse to herself. She was adorable with long dark hair pulled into a neat braid down her back. Her waitress uniform consisted of a short dress that showed her long, slender legs. I straightened up. “It looks like someone needs some directions.” It was either that or they needed to call a tow truck. Women like her didn’t come in here for pleasure unless they personally knew a biker in here. And I had never seen her around before.
Hawk glanced back at her, assessing the situation. “I wouldn’t be too sure,” he said. He downed his beer in one go. “I’m going to take a walk before I’m tempted to get involved in club business again. Good luck.”
I raised an eyebrow as he left. He nodded at the woman as he passed her. She shrank back away from him but managed a small smile.
I watched her as she approached the bar and sat down. “C-could I have a water, please?” she asked. Her eyes were fixed on the club insignia on my jacket.
“Sure,” I said.” I poured her a glass of water and watched her try to pick it up. Her hands were shaking so badly she poured water on the bar top. She quickly put the glass back down. “I’m sorry,” she said.
“It’s all right.” I looked at her, trying to figure out what Hawk easily saw with just a glance. I could guess at it. “My name is Talon. I’m the president of the Hell’s Renegades. Are you looking for someone?” I glanced at the poker tables and everyone playing. “Are you looking for a boyfriend or husband who lost track of time playing poker?”
She shook her head. “No. Um. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come here.” She moved to stand up.
“Wait,” I said. “You clearly came here for a reason. I can help you. Just tell me.”
The woman bit her lip. “I-I think I’m in trouble. My dad owed money to someone but I guess he died recently and they’re coming after me to collect. I don’t have the money.”
“Who was this person?” I asked.
“He didn’t give me his name. He just said he would be watching me and he told me not to contact the Hell’s Renegades.” She shrugged. “So I found out where you all hung out and I was hoping somehow you could help me.” She shuddered. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t important.”
I believed that. She was so scared of me, she couldn’t even look me in the eye. Whoever threatened her must have terrified her half to death. “Let’s go in my office,” I said. “It’s quieter in there. You can tell me everything.”
She looked around. “I’d be alone with you?”
I raised an eyebrow. “I’m not going to hurt you if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“I would feel better…” Loud laughter from a nearby table drowned out her words.
“Listen,” I said. “If I’m going to help you then I need to understand everything and that will probably be a long conversation which will go smoother if it’s quiet. Not to mention if someone is watching you, then they will have seen you pull up here and if they’re stupid, they could come in after you.”
Her face went really pale.
“Don’t worry,” I said. “If they come in, they’re dead. We don’t throw people to the wolves here, especially when they ask for our help. But I doubt you want to witness a shootout.”
She nodded rapidly. “I don’t.”
“Then follow me to the back office.”
I signaled Axel and told him to man the bar before I went into the back office. She followed behind me. “I didn’t catch your name,” I said as I opened the office door for her.
“Oh right. My name is Tina.”