Chapter Eighteen: Push and Pull
Jaz
I was working at Red Stone casino now. The same casino I grifted thousands of dollars from. Now all the Rebel Saints knew about my past and they accepted me as their own, but I had to be on high alert at all times.
The first week was a big learning curve, but I got into the groove and I found I truly loved it. I only worked three days a week, just enough to keep a low profile and help the club and myself.
I clocked in at Red Stone Casino and started my shift. I’d been having a good time and felt excited to be working in another section of the casino. I’d been working on the ground floor and the energy was completely different to working upstairs. I found myself having to concentrate a lot more.
After I returned home, I realized how empty my life had been without Ink. I used to feel fine being here in my apartment before. Now, I just stared at the walls. I worked hard and interacted with the players, but there had been no sign of Ink on shift. I hadn’t meant to like him. I hadn’t meant to fall in love with him so deeply, but now all my heartstrings were attached to his and I wanted all of him. My heart was bursting as I had this realization.
I sent him a text message on my break. Hi. Miss you. Not working tonight? x
Miss you, baby. Had some things come up. Come down to Wheelz tomorrow. I want to see you.
Okay, see you then. Dream of me a little.
Always. Have a great shift. Ink
When I walked into Wheelz I noticed something strange with the door. A huge plank of plywood had been put over it held by grey duct tape. On the other side were small bullet holes. I gasped in shock. Maybe that was what had come up. The sight of the bullet holes made my heart pound.
I was greeted by Chalk's friendly face. “Hey. Saw the door huh?” he asked with a wry smile.
“Yeah, everybody okay? Those look like bullet holes.” I pointed to the door in confusion as I searched the space for Ink.
“That would be correct. No need to worry, though. It’s safe here and we won’t let anything go down while our customers are here. The door guy is coming to fix it up tomorrow,” Chalk said, shrugging.
“Wow. You’re saying it so casually.” I was freaking out just looking at it.
“We’re a motorcycle club and it’s not like we don’t have any rivals,” he explained. Chalk’s expression livened up as he saw how scared I was. “Ink’s at the bar if you want to see him.”
“I do. Thanks.”
The music played and the place was half-full with patrons already. As soon as I saw his tall, muscular frame I wanted to run up and hug him. His tattoos were on full display since he was wearing a black sleeveless top with frayed edges. He looked hot, hot, hot. He was talking to an older gentleman at the bar and the conversation looked a little intense, so I didn’t want to invade. I sat a little further away and waited for him to notice me.
I didn’t have to wait long as his eyes followed me to the stool I sat on. He finished up with the man at the other end of the bar and slid along the bar, leaning over it.
“Hi,” I said as I bit my bottom lip nervously. “You’re okay?” I gushed.
“I am, baby. I’m fine. You look so good. I got a break in a minute. Thanks for coming down. I’ll explain things soon.”
His mesmerizing eyes and his calm tone hypnotized me. If he was calm then I could be too, but I knew something bigger was up though.
I watched Ink move around the bar with ease as he served a few more customers. In between, he dropped a wine to me and touched my fingers.
This small gesture made me wild inside. How did he do that? I didn’t know if I could hold my feelings inside any longer. I wanted to come out and tell him I was in love with him. Desperately and madly. My throat felt on fire from holding it back for so long. I gulped down the wine and waited, trying to steady myself.
It felt like hours before he sat beside me on the stool.
“Ink, what’s going on?” I pointed to the door.
He rubbed my thighs to comfort me. “The cartel came through here and sent a few warning shots. We owe them coin and we made a call to pay.” He tilted his head. “They still shot up the place, so now we don’t know what’s going on.”
“This is nuts. So much is going on. I can’t believe it.” I twisted his fingers over as I looked at the man in front of me. He just seemed so strong and he’d been through so much already.
His eyes were on me as he frowned. “You look so worried. Baby, I told you it’s okay.” He gripped my fingers tighter and pulled his stool closer so his knee wedged between my legs. He kissed my lips tenderly.
I giggled when I saw my gloss on his lips.