A wicked grin hovered on his lips. “Kind of have to be to join this club.”
“They don’t seem that bad.”
“You’re not the enemy,” he pointed out softly, “and you’re protected. Big difference.”
I couldn’t argue that point.
Two hours later we finished trains and several card games. Cleaning it all up, I sat back in my chair and stretched. “I could use something cold to drink.”
Shadow hopped up. “What can I get you?”
“Hey, you don’t have to be my gopher like you are for the club. You’re not my prospect.”
“But I answer to the members, remember? It’s my job and for you, I’m happy to do it.”
He was too sweet. “Well, I’d like an iced tea without sugar. Lemon if it’s available.”
“You got it.”
I stood when he left and walked around the room, moving around a little since I’d been sitting for so long.
When he didn’t return after twenty minutes, I figured he must have been asked to do something for one of the other members of the club. After all, I couldn’t expect Shadow to hang around and keep me occupied every day. He had responsibilities and I was sure he’d get in trouble if he disappeared for too long.
Leaving the sanctuary of Patriot’s room, I ventured out into the hall. For most people, this wouldn’t be a big deal but I hadn’t left since the night of the party and I felt out of place. Trying to listen to Patriot and his advice, I ventured down the hall and even nodded my head in greeting to a couple of the bikers on my way.
Things were starting to look optimistic until I reached the door of the kitchen and I found Harley cleaning up from the most recent meal. She was talking to the new girl that was tending bar the night of the party. The one with the black hair and blue highlights. Still didn’t know her name.
“She hasn’t been here long.”
“Why doesn’t she leave her room?” the new girl asked, picking up a dish and drying it off before placing the plate in the cabinet.
“I guess it’s because she’s been through a lot of shit,” Harley answered slowly.
“Like?”
“I prefer not to say.”
“Come on,” the girl begged.
“Why do you want to know so much? You should be careful. You’re new, Neveah. Don’t fuck up your chance and do something stupid.”
Neveah shrugged. “I’m just curious about the club and the people here. I’ve gotten to know nearly everyone.”
They were so busy talking they never noticed my presence.
“Being a club girl is different than an ol’ lady. Opening your legs for the members doesn’t give you a free pass,” she warned.
“Damn,” Neveah laughed, “You don’t hold back.”
“That’s not the life I live and that’s my choice. Been through enough of my own shit in the past. I like my life here and I’m not going to fuck it up.”
“I understand that,” Neveah agreed, “but I still want to know what’s up with that girl. She never talks to anyone and she’s always hiding away. When she comes out, she’s always got her head down. The one time I met her at the bar all she did was give me a dirty look.”
“I think you misjudged her.”
“Why is she so weird? She won’t even eat with us.”
“Neveah.”