Chapter 4

FOUR

KYLE

Bren was right.This motel is clean, and the owners are amazing. When they found out that I was going to be working at Sal's Bar, they told me to pay when my checks came in, so I didn't have to worry about paying ahead for every night separately.

Amazing.

Beyond words, amazing.

Just another reason why I think I'm in the right place at the right time—finally. I've never been somewhere where everyone has been so helpful, or maybe I'm just willing to accept the help now, so I'm open to it.

I'm not sure.

But I'm grateful for everything that's come my way so far today, and I am, for the first time in my life, excited about tomorrow. I can't remember the last time I looked forward to the morning, but I do now.

I'm not sure how long I sleep, but it's restful. I can't remember the last time sleep was that way. It's restful because even if Xavier somehow finds my car, he can't find me, at least not today.

Once I pick up my car, once I start work, all bets are off, but at least for last night and today, I'm safe. I need this break in my anxiousness and fear. I need a day off from the intense emotions that seem to fill me on a regular basis.

Lying in bed, I reach for the remote control for the television and flip it on. I'm surprised that there is full cable. I didn't think that a small motel in a little town would have cable, but they do.

I should probably get something to eat, but I do the irresponsible thing and watch a movie. Curled up with the comforter and a pillow, I take the day for myself. I'll be starting my new job this afternoon, and I'm still not sure what is going on there. I saw no women there at all, and then Bren just appeared out of nowhere.

As much as I want to be the girl who can just let that stuff go, I really cannot. I'll be lurking around corners, listening, and snooping to find out just where all the girls in that place are hiding and what they're doing.

On second thought, maybe I don't really want to know. It's probably best if I don't. The less you know, the least amount of trouble you can get into. At least, that's what I'm going to assume.

Although, this is a really small town, so I can't imagine they're doing anything too wild…

With that last thought, I decide to shower and get ready to meet back up with Sal. I am so excited to start working for him. He was so kind, and I make a mental note to pay him back for the wine and the dinner, eventually… when I'm able. I don't know when that will be, probably never, but I have the best intentions.

When I'm dressed, have my makeup done, and my hair styled, I stare at my reflection in the mirror. I can't remember the last time I was excited about anything in life. I can recall almost any other emotion, but happiness and excitement? Not likely.

Putting my belt bag on, I step out of the motel, making sure to look around for anything or anyone suspicious. I know he has zero clue I'm here, but I'm also not going to take any chances or feel too comfortable.

Moving toward the front office, I let myself inside of the room and smile at the sight of Ophelia, one of the owners, sitting behind the desk. She lifts her head from her sudoku book that she's working on and grins as soon as her eyes find mine.

"How can I help you, Kyle?" she asks.

I want to hug her. She's got short light brown hair with long gray roots. It's clear that she's trying to grow it all out. And when it does become one color, it's going to be beautiful.

"I was wondering if there was a taxi or an Uber here. I need a ride to Sal's Bar," I say.

Her brow arches, and she seems almost suspicious. "What exactly are you doing at Sal's Bar?" she asks.

I hum, unsure of why she's asking the way that she is, but I answer her anyway. "I'm going to start waitressing there tonight."

Ophelia sets her sudoku down. Then she leans over the counter before she whispers, "Is that all you're going to be doing there?"

"As far as I know…" I reply, my words trailing off because I'm not sure what she's implying, but I assume it has to do with the mystery women, like Bren, who are there somewhere in the building. "Why?" I ask.

Maybe if I can get her to tell me, it will assuage my curiosity to snoop.

Doubtful, but maybe.

"There are other positions down there. I didn't think you would want to do them, but I never know these days."

Smiling, I shake my head a few times. "Just serving beers to people in the bar," I say.

"I can take you down there."

"Oh, I couldn't," I say. "I have to get a gas can, too, and go to my car. It's too many errands to impose on you."

She laughs softly, though it's not super soft. There is a rasp to it, like she's smoked half a pack a day since she was a teenager. She probably has. I watch as she reaches for her purse beneath the counter, then stands and heads toward the door.

"But doesn't someone have to man the counter?" I ask.

She snorts. "Honey, you're the only one here right now. C'mon."

I follow behind her. She locks the office door as soon as I step out onto the sidewalk and makes her way to the only car in the parking lot. It's a big old Pontiac, gold. It's freaking perfect.

Opening the passenger door with a loud creak, I can't help but smile as I sink down in the front seat. This car is amazing, and it fits her to a T.

"I kept it long enough that it's vintage now," Ophelia announces as she starts the engine with a roar.

And then we're off.

For a moment, I wonder what it would have been like to have someone like Ophelia in my life as a teenager. I don't even know her that well, but I can tell without a doubt that she's good people. Maybe they just make people here inherently good.

I've never been anywhere before where everyone seems to be as amazing as these people, but maybe I've just found my place. I just hope that Xavier never finds me. If I can have just one simple wish, it's that that man disappears forever. However that looks, at this point, I don't think I care.

Thankfully, Ophelia doesn't ask me any questions and lets me be alone with my thoughts as she drives me to the gas station. She assures me there will be a gas can, and there is. It's also a take, fill up, and return… on the honor system.

This whole town is amazing. Pineville, Texas, is everything I've ever wanted.

GNAW

Atomic climbsonto the back of his bike. Lifting my hand, I motion to go forward. We're heading to Sal's Bar this afternoon. A one o'clock meeting to talk about his club, his ideas, and our participation in it.

And, of course, a contract to sign.

It doesn't take us long to ride to Sal's. The parking lot isn't as empty as I thought it would have been. Sure, his car is there, but there is another one as well. I don't recognize it as one of his men's, but then again, I don't know half of the people's cars here in town anyway.

I'm sure it's no big deal, but as I park next to the beat-up car, I can't help but shake the feeling that this isn't just one of his men's cars. I don't know why. I shouldn't give a fuck about a car. That feeling of something big happening consumes me yet again.

"Ready?" Atomic asks.

We brought up the whole plan with the club, put it up for a vote, and it was approved. Not one person thought it was a bad idea, probably because of the strip club in the back of Sal's, and expanding that is something they're all interested in.

Throwing my leg over my bike, I walk behind Atomic into the bar. It's quiet. No patrons have arrived yet, and as we move farther along the bar floor, I pause at the sight in front of me.

Sal is standing in front of the bar, his head tilted to the side as he looks down at the clipboard in his hand.

But that is not what has me pause.

It's who is standing next to him.

She's fucking beautiful.

I've never seen anyone so goddamn gorgeous in my entire fucking life. She's got long dark hair that has loose curls and a body for fucking days. She looks young, maybe in her early twenties.

Fuck me, but she is downright perfection standing in tight black jeans and an even tighter tank top. The top is so tight I don't even know if she's wearing a bra. But I want to find out… immediately.

"Fuck," Atomic hisses. "And another one falls."

"Falls?" I ask, not looking away from her.

He hums but doesn't elaborate. Instead, he takes another step forward, clearing his throat. Sal lifts his head, a smile appearing on his lips as he does. I don't look anywhere but at the girl. I watch as she slowly lifts her head, her eyes flicking from Atomic to me, and when her gaze lands on mine, I hold it.

I watch her as she sucks in a breath, her chest puffing out slightly, making her tits look even bigger. She presses her lips together, rolling them once before she releases them. There is a moment of silence, and I can't help but wonder what she's thinking as she watches me.

Then Sal throws up his hands. "Welcome, boys. Come to my office," he shouts. He takes a step forward, then another, before he jerks his chin toward the girl. "I'll be back in a few. Go ahead and count the beers. Make sure we have everything fully stocked in the fridge. If not, get some from the back room to load them up."

"Okay," the girl says with a soft smile.

"Now, boys, let's talk about this," Sal announces as he makes his way to his small office.

It's probably just a broom closet, but he's made it his own space, not wishing to use too much of the actual building for himself. It's standing room only for anyone who isn't him. The whole thing makes me laugh, but I know why he did it. I know he didn't want to take away any room from the gambling area or the strip club room.

"We like your idea," Atomic begins.

"You do?" Sal asks, though I don't understand why he's asking. He knew it was a good deal from the start. Otherwise, he wouldn't have offered it to us. Anyone would be stupid not to take it.

Atomic hums. "I do, but I have one bone to pick with you," he says.

Before Atomic can say what the issue is, Sal speaks. "Southern Mafia. I know. Honestly, I thought they were just going to be a thorn in my side that would eventually dissipate."

"Did you make a deal with them?" I ask.

Sal shakes his head slowly. "No, that's why I wanted this meet. They're trying to force my hand. I want nothing to do with them, but they run gambling in Louisiana and want to expand. I'm the closest, most successful in a few-hundred-mile radius, too. It's their way into Texas."

"Good," Atomic murmurs. "I don't want anything to do with them, as far as trying to fight over a deal that's already been made."

I almost, almost say something under my breath about Atomic's woman, Ryan. Because that's exactly what happened. Although, I don't blame Ryan at all for what she did or the way she did it. She had it rough as a kid and as an adult, too. But then again, haven't we all?

"Then we have a deal?" Sal asks.

Atomic holds out his hand, and I take the contract out of my inner cut pocket before I place it in his palm. He curls his fingers around the three-page, simplistic contract before he turns to Sal. Slapping it down on his desk, Atomic laughs.

"We have a fucking deal, Sal."