Saylor Chapter 5

It had been almost three weeks since my unfortunate run-in with Player in the kitchen of the Warriors' clubhouse. When Vex took me home that day, he'd been fuming mad and vowed to beat Player's ass when he got back. I had a hard time calming him down.

"Vex, you need to calm down. He's not worth you getting so worked up about. Forget him. He's an asshole."

"He was, but that's the problem. Player isn't typically like this. I want to know why he was toward you, us."

"Maybe he had a bad night. Or he was hungover. I don't know. I do, however, know I owe you an apology," I told him.

"An apology, what the hell for?"

"For implying we might've slept together. I owe your poor single brothers the same. Lord, I just spouted off to him, not thinking about what I sounded like." I moaned in mortification.

His laughter took me by surprise. "Why are you laughing?" I cried.

"Y-you think it embarrassed or upset any of us that you implied it? Shit, the guys will be strutting around trying to figure out which one you might put the moves on. You'd better let them down easy. You know how fragile male egos are. Or that's what Talia always tells me."

His teasing got me to laugh along with him. We were in a much better mood once he got me home. We ended up hanging out for the bulk of the day.

Since then, I'd been strategic about staying away from their compound despite several offers to come and hang with them. I did meet the ladies in town at Angel's Delights and once at my house. The old ladies all interrogated me about why I hadn't returned to the compound. I found excuses, although I didn't know if they believed them fully or not.

Vex and I had hung out several more times, too. He was fun, and I didn't feel pressured by him to act anything but myself. I considered him a friend but wasn't sure we'd ever be more. He hadn't asked for more, so I assumed he saw me only as one, which I could live with.

As for Player, I didn't know what exactly happened between him and Vex, but a couple of days after the incident, Vex told me Player had apologized to him. I asked if he accepted it. His answer was that he would with atonement, but he wouldn't tell me what that meant.

As for me, flowers showed up on my doorstep three days after the ugliness. I wouldn't have known who they were from, except the florist called to tell me what the card read.

I was an utter jackass. I had no right to take out my frustration on you. My words had nothing to do with you. I made it personal when it wasn't. I'm so sorry, and I want you to know you have nothing to fear from me the next time you're at the compound. When we talk next, I'll say it better in person. Player.

I had her read it a couple of times so I could memorize it. Maybe this was the atonement Vex referred to. The following Saturday, I got a call from Player. I'd been invited to the compound but made an excuse not to go. Not recognizing the number, my phone rattled off to me when it rang. I'd answered it cautiously.

I was fortunate there were smartphones made specifically for the visually impaired. Mine had a touch screen on the top half with a real keypad on the bottom. One made of physical buttons like the original cell phones. It had all the features of a regular cell phone. The keypad was divided into two sections. One was the navigation pad to the home, menu, back, and delete keys. The second half of the keypad was an alphanumeric pad made of twelve keys. It had quick access to Google Assistant, which allowed me to dictate text messages, make calls, play audiobooks, listen to the news, and more. Also, it had vision tools such as a banknote recognizer, color detector, light detector, book reader, and magnifier. You took so many things for granted when you could see. The one thing it didn't do was magically identify people it had no clue about, so that was why I answered the damn call. They should look into that technology for everyone.

"Hello, Saylor McKay speaking," I said as I answered. I thought it was most likely a wrong number.

"Hello, Saylor, it's Player. Did I catch you at a bad time?" His smooth whiskey voice came through the phone, making me shiver.

I was tempted to tell him it was and ask him to call back later. Now that I knew his number, I'd either block it or not answer. I contemplated it for about three seconds, discarded the idea, and bit the bullet.

"I have a few minutes. What can I do for you? Is everything alright at the compound?" The thought that something had happened and that he was calling to tell me had come out of nowhere.

"Nothing's wrong. Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I'm calling to apologize. You got my flowers, I know. In my note, I said I would do it better in person. I hoped to do it today when you came to the compound, but you didn't, so I decided to call. I hope you're not avoiding coming here because of me and my ignorant rant that morning."

I lied through my teeth, hoping I sounded sincere. "Player, the flowers and your note were more than enough of an apology. There is no need for you to do more. As for me not coming today, it has nothing to do with you. I'm dealing with a difficult case at the VA. It's got me worn out. I've been doing extra hours there. That's why I didn't come." What I told him wasn't a lie, but if I wanted to, I could've gone. It might've been a good break for me after the week's tension.

"Is it something I can help you with?" He sounded almost sincere and worried.

"No, it's nothing you can help me with, but thank you. I hate to cut this short, but one of the other VA workers is here. We need to get to work on a project we're developing." That was an outright lie. Not the project, just the part about someone being there to do it with me.

"Alright, I won't keep you, but I still want you to know how goddamn sorry I am. It won't happen again."

"Thank you. I appreciate it. Sorry, but she's getting impatient. Have a good day. Goodbye."

Over the past two weeks since that call, he'd called twice more. He profusely begged for my forgiveness each time and reiterated that I should not avoid the compound due to him. I lied each time, assuring him I wasn't.

Well, tonight, my luck ran out. Since I wouldn't go to them, the old ladies had informed me they would be by to get me at eight. We were going to have a late dinner, then hang out and enjoy a night of music and dancing. Before I could think of an excuse, they informed me it would not be at the clubhouse, and they wouldn't take no for an answer. Knowing I was beaten, I agreed.

Not knowing more about the night and where we were going, I debated whether to take Freya with me. Sometimes, if I had people with me, it was easier to leave her at home. She moped when I did, and she usually wouldn't forgive me for a couple of days, but I told her she deserved a night off once in a while. I went back and forth for an hour before I broke down and texted Jocelyn. She had been the one to call me and insist I go.

Me: Should I bring Freya? Will she be in the way?

Jocelyn responded right away.

Jocelyn: Give her the night off. One of us will be with you at all times. We won't let anything happen to you. Tell Freya we promise.

Me: LOL. I will. She'll mope anyway. Gives her a chance to veg. SYL.

Jocelyn: SYL. BTW, dress casual with a touch of sexy.

I'd fretted over what that meant. Maybe her idea of sexy wasn't the same as mine. It had been ages since I dressed that way. I ended up digging into the back of my closet to find an outfit I had worn for the last time five years ago.

The jeans were a darker wash that tapered to a slim leg. A small cuff on the bottom left my ankles bare, making the strappy heels I planned to wear more noticeable. On top, I had a black top that laced up the front. It was similar to a halter with the ties wrapping around my neck to hold it up. I was too big to go without a bra, but I had this backless bra I wore under fancy open-back dresses. It secured at my waist and was like a corset in the front. It would do the job nicely.

Wanting to look my best, I needed to do more than put on tinted lip gloss and jewelry. I called the young girl, Becca, who did odd jobs for me. She was saving for college. I knew from our long talks she was well-versed in hair and makeup. She watched these tutorials online all the time. She was excited to get her hands on me and readily agreed to come over and deck me out. Later, after she got there, she squealed when she was done and clapped her hands.

"Oh my God, Saylor, you look amazing. You'll be beating the men off with a stick tonight. You'll have to tell me if you get any phone numbers or date offers," she teased.

"Ah, ha, as if. Thank you so much. I know you had to have made me look a hundred times better."

"You have everything there. I just gilded the lily a tiny bit. That's what my mom says it's called. You're beautiful, you know," she replied.

"Just for that, you get a bonus," I told her, handing her double her usual tip.

"Nope. This is on me. This was fun, not work. You go have fun. Call me if you decide to stay out tonight, and I'll take Freya out."

"Get out of here. I'm not staying out all night," I told her as I pushed her away.

We laughed, and she teased me the whole way to the door. Despite trying to get her to take the money more than once, she refused. I'd slip it to her mom the next time I saw her, and she could put it in Becca's college fund. Becca was determined to go to school. She worked her butt off doing as many odd jobs as possible. I contributed to it as often as I could.

After she left, I had about a half hour, so I made sure Freya was good to go and got out my jacket. It was a short-waisted leather jacket I hadn't worn in ages. Freya was in her doggie bed, pouting. She'd gone to get her halter, and when I told her she was staying home, I was given an immediate cold shoulder.

"Freya, you'll have to talk to me sometime. I do feed and walk you, remember? Momma will be home later, and you and I will snuggle in bed, alright?"

She had her head turned away from me. I could feel it. No doubt staring at the wall, the little shit. I rubbed her head anyway and dropped a kiss on it. Christ, here I was, talking to a dog as if she was my kid and understood me. I needed to get out more.

Getting up, I slid my bank card, ID, some cash, and keys into my jacket's inner pocket. It zipped up, and all of it would be secure. I paced for maybe ten minutes, rethinking this whole idea. When I heard a car pull up, I felt antsy as I waited to see if it was them. I had neighbors on either side of me and across the road, although they weren't right on top of me, thank goodness. It might be someone for them, but it sounded like it was in my driveway.

A minute later, I knew I was right when there was a knock on the door. Freya, though mad at me, had come to stand beside me, and she alerted me. I called out anyway, just to be safe. "Who is it?"

"It's us. We're here to kidnap you. Open up, or we're coming in." Tarin cackled through the door.

I heard someone else laugh. Signaling Freya to relax, I opened the door. I was engulfed in arms and perfume. Through their excited greetings, I figured out the other one with Tarin was Devyn. I said goodbye to Freya, got them out the door, and locked it before they started in on how I was dressed. They did it as they escorted me to the waiting vehicle.

"Oh my God, you look wonderful. Not that you don't ordinarily, but you, with the hair and makeup fully done and that outfit… Hubba hubba. You'll have your pick of men tonight," Devyn said.

"Hell yeah, she will, and we might get lucky and see a fight or two," Tarin added.

"You're crazy. I bet you're all dressed way better, sexier, and captivating than me. It's a wonder your guys would let you out of the house alone."

This earned me snickers. By that time, we were at the car, which turned out to be an SUV, I think, based on the blur. Jocelyn and Ilara were waiting inside. Greetings were exchanged, and they complimented me, too. I was embarrassed, so I played it off and asked, "Where's everyone else?"

"They went in a couple of other cars. They'll meet us there. We haven't gotten a bus like they have in Dublin Falls, though it has been talked about," Jocelyn informed me. Based on where her voice was coming from, I knew she was the one driving. Tarin was in the back with me, and Devyn was up in front with her mom.

"A bus?" I asked incredulously. They had to be joking.

"Yes, you heard right, a bus. With all those kids, they had no choice. I told Bull we're there. He doesn't want to get one. I think it's because he teased the heck out of Terror when he got one. It's crazy when we have to go somewhere with the kids. We need that bus," Jocelyn insisted.

"Well, if you guys are serious, I might know someone who can give you a deal on the price. He does buses and other transport for the VA. I bet if I told him what you need it for, he'd cut you a deal."

"God, yes. We'll talk later, but I want his name and number. I'll see if I can sweet talk Bull into getting one," she said.

"Sweet talk? You know all you have to do is tell him you want it, and he'll get it. He spoils you," Devyn said with a snicker.

"Stop it. Like Ace isn't the same way with you. Why don't you bat your eyelashes at him and tell him we need it? He'll trot his ass to church and put it up for a vote," her mom shot back.

"Screw it. I'll flash Outlaw the girls tonight and tell him I'll do whatever he wants in bed, and he'll do it," Tarin boasted.

This made us all laugh. When we calmed down, Devyn remarked, "Tarin, you do whatever that man wants in bed anyway. We all do. They can be very persuasive," she said with a satisfied sigh.

"Bitches, don't go making me jealous," I remarked without thinking.

They laughed more. When they were done, Jocelyn surprised me. "You can have a biker worshiping you, too. I don't see it too far away in your future the way things are going."

"Oh no, wait. Vex and I are just friends. We're not a couple or anything else," I quickly told them.

"Who said anything about Vex? There are other single guys in the club, and none of them are blind. Sorry, no insult meant," Tarin advised me.

"No insult taken. I don't see any of them doing that."

"Wait and see. You'll be shocked when you see who is very much into our Saylor," Jocelyn wisely said, like she knew something the rest of us didn't.

As the other two tried to get her to tell them who, I thought of the one person I'd give anything to have him pay attention to me—Player. But his playboy ways would never be something I'd be able to live with. Messing with a man like him, expecting him to settle down and be faithful to only you, was a recipe for heartache. I'd had enough pain and heartbreak. From here on out, I only wanted happiness.

After she wouldn't confess, the conversation luckily moved onto topics other than me and my nonexistent love life. I got caught up on what had happened this week with them. I was in awe that Jocelyn, who had twins as young as hers, had been able to finish her law degree at the same time. She swore it was due to Bull and his support. She worked for the lawyer who gave her a job as a paralegal in Hunters Creek when she moved here. The only difference was that she was now a lawyer.

I discovered that Devyn, who was only twenty-three, was just finishing her degree to become a pharmacist. I knew that was demanding coursework. She, too, said it was all due to Ace and how he helped her pursue her degree despite her having Hayden so young. Ace was older than her but a very hands-on dad like Bull.

"So what do you do, and does Outlaw help with Melody?" I asked Tarin.

"I do a little of everything. I'm not like these two with a dedicated career. A lot of the time, I help out at Warriors' Haven. Demon has his hands full there and can use all the help he can get."

"What's Warriors' Haven?" I asked. I was still learning about all the different businesses the club owned.

"It's a refuge. I guess that's the best name for it. They help abused, kidnapped, and raped women, men, and kids. There's a plot of land not far from the compound that the club bought and secured as a place where they can safely live and get back on their feet. All the guys, at one point or another, have performed guard duty or done something needed there. At first, the residents are nervous, but after they stay for a bit, they learn they can trust us and our guys. It's great when you see them graduate, as I call it, and they get out on their own," Tarin said enthusiastically.

"That sounds wonderful. You know, if they ever want to expand or do something similar, they should think about doing the same setup, only for veterans who need help getting on their feet. There are so many who have no one or have lost their way. The ones who live on the street break my heart. As much as the VA does, it's nowhere near enough," I told them.

This caused excited chatter to break out, and they were talking over each other, discussing bringing it up to the club. Before a definite plan was hatched, Jocelyn announced we were there, wherever there was. I asked when she called to invite me, and all she told me was it would be fun, and the music was great. I tried again.

"Will you tell me where we're spending the night? You got me here. I can't escape. You can tell me," I teased.

She giggled and then filled me in. "Yeah, I guess we sorta half kidnapped you. Alright, you told us you've never been to The Dark Angel. Everyone should not only eat here, in our opinion, and it's not just because we own it, but everyone should enjoy a night when they have a band, which is every Friday and Saturday night and on special occasions. Our favorite band happens to be playing tonight. They're called Disciples of Mischief."

"Disciples of Mischief, hmm, I've heard that name somewhere before, but where? I know whoever said it raved about them as a band, so I'm excited. Come on. Feed me, then let me hear this awesome music."

They cheered. I undid my seatbelt and was reaching to find the door handle when the door was yanked open, and a hand landed on my arm. "Sorry, it's me, Jessica. I didn't mean to startle you. Let me be your guide. If you scratch my ears, I might lick your face," she said with a laugh.

She was remembering a conversation we had about Freya and her favorite scratching spot. I wiggled my fingers at her like I was seeking to do it. We were laughing like crazy women when the other old ladies crowded around to greet me and tell me how happy they were that I was joining them.

"I'm so glad I came. It's been forever since I went out to listen to music and dance. Do I pass muster to be seen with all you gorgeous ladies?" I asked.

"Turn around," Madisen said.

Jessica was kind enough to keep a hand on me so I wouldn't get confused. As I turned, I got catcalls and whistles. When I turned all the way around, they assured me I was going to knock the men dead.

"I know I can't see you, but I have no doubt you all look fabulous."

"Ahh, thank you. I've got to say, love your hair and makeup. How did you pull that off? I can barely get mine right with two good eyes," Rylan grumbled.

"I have a secret weapon. Her name is Becca. She's seventeen and lives for those online tutorials on how to do your hair and makeup. She does odd jobs to make money to go into her college fund. I find as much as I can for her to do. She decked me out but then refused to let me pay her. The little hussy told me if I decided to stay out all night to call her, and she'd go take care of Freya."

"Ooh, then we know what we have to do. Saylor needs to find someone to spend the night with," Raina yelled.

They all teased me. I was led along with them. The change in the earth beneath my feet told me we'd gone from pavement to hard flooring. The noise level and the addition of more voices told me the same.

"Well, hello. Look who's here to cause trouble. We've got your tables ready, ladies," a woman's voice greeted us.

"Hi, Taylor.,Iit's been a while. Glad to see you. Yes, we're here to cause all kinds of trouble, so be prepared," Zara chimed ny.

"I'll warn the bouncers, not that they'd dare throw you out. They'd be terrified of what your men would do if they laid a finger on you or even raised their voices. I'll let Chuck and Mark know to keep the pours healthy."

Since she said their pours, I assumed Mark and Chuck were bartenders, not the bouncers. We were swiftly escorted through a crowd of people. I could feel their presence on either side of us and hear their chatter. Jessica was still with me. She guided me to my chair. After taking a seat, menus were handed out. I took one even though I wasn't able to see it. Taylor told us our server would be with us momentarily, and then she was gone.

"I'll read through the drinks for you first, and then we can work through the menu. I wish we had a Braille one for you, but they haven't come in yet," Ilara said from my other side.

"You ordered Braille menus for here?" I asked, dumbfounded.

"Oh yeah, the guys voted on it immediately after you gave them the idea. Bear ordered them for here. He manages this place for the club, and Payne helps him out sometimes."

"We have the ones for Angel's Delights ordered, too. For the non-food businesses, such as the garage, the real estate office, and so on, the guys are ordering a few copies of their main pamphlets and such for customers," Jessica added.

I was stunned that the club had taken my suggestions and implemented them at the bakery and across all their businesses. It made me want to cry. If only others thought of their disabled customers as much.

"T-that's just… I don't know what to say. Thank you is too little. You have no idea what this will mean to people," I forced out past the lump in my throat. I was first squeezed in a side-arm hug by Ilara, then by Jessica. Those close enough to hear me all told me how much they were enjoying learning to think differently, and they were the ones who should be saying thank you.

Time flew by as we ordered our drinks first, then our food. Conversations were loud and fun. You never knew what the topic might be from one minute to the next. They were enjoying their night out to the max. I discovered who was watching the kids. It seemed the prospects were assigned to help with the kids when needed. They weren't alone with them, though. Two ladies, Lolly and Kamila, were their primary babysitters. When I'd been at the club that one time, I'd been given a tour and was told about the large room in the back of the clubhouse for the kids. They were all there tonight. It would be easier to watch them if they were all in one spot.

I noticed a change in the noise level from the area the other diners were in as time progressed. It got louder. It must be the night crowd moving in. The ladies explained the bar was open at all times, but the dining room was open only until nine-thirty. That was so those who wanted to enjoy drinks, listen to music, and dance could do so. When musical instruments began to be tuned, I knew it had to be close to time for the switchover. We'd been here over an hour already.

"Do we need to move?" I asked Ilara.

"Nope. This is our designated area. We're good where we are. Although, it looks like company has already started to arrive," she said with an amused tone.

Moments later, I understood what she meant when I saw dark, shadowy figures approach the table and heard the voices of men I knew. It seemed some of the Warriors had decided to join us—chair legs scooting on the hard floor, the calls of hello from the guys to me, booming voices, all mixed together. The energy in the room jumped even higher. I was looking forward to seeing what the night would be like with the guys in the mix.

"Hey, it's good to see you here," Vex said softly in my ear. I'd gotten good over the past four years at not jumping every time something, or someone came up to me, and I was unaware of it. I smiled as I turned my head toward his voice.

"I'm glad I came. It's been fun so far. Are you here to watch us drink, misbehave, and dance, or are you planning to do the same?"

He laughed. "I might drink and misbehave, but I won't dance. Sorry. That's all for the ladies."

His speaking to me was the signal for the other guys to come over and talk to me. I was dizzy with the flow of conversations, but I was thrilled with how the night was going. It was maybe an hour later that I heard Jayla swear.

Then I heard her mutter to Payne, "What the fuck is he doing bringing her here? He better not bring her to this table. He knows this is our night out with Saylor. Why is he doing this?" she hissed.

I was curious to know who she was talking about and who the she was. I got my answer when Player's deep, sexy baritone said, "Hey guys. You having fun?"

There were muttered responses. None sounded thrilled to answer. I heard a woman giggle, then I heard Vex whisper to someone, "I can't believe he brought a fucking club bunny in here. What is his goddamn problem?"

My stomach twisted hearing he was here with one of those women. He'd apologized to me for practically calling me a whore and for asking if I wanted to be one in so many words, yet here he was with one in the place it sounded like he knew I would be. What could it mean other than his apology was a damn lie, and he was trying to make some kind of point. One I had no desire to hear. Making sure I had a huge smile on my face, I leaned toward Jessica.

"I need to go to the bathroom. Would you mind going with me?"

"Of course not. Let's get away from here. The air stinks," she said with a growl.

My chair was pulled back. I didn't know who did it, but a man's hand was placed on my back, and I was assisted out of it. When I was on my feet, Jessica placed my hand on her arm to guide me. I walked off with my back straight, my head high, and that smile painted on. No way would he know his behavior hurt me, although I didn't know why it did. I heard whistles and several of the guys calling out, telling me how sexy and beautiful I looked. I'd been told I was gorgeous by several after they joined us. Hearing them do it now boosted my battered ego. I threw a flirty glance over my shoulder and blew them a kiss, which got them to make catcalls as we walked off. I made sure to swing my hips as I did. Fuck Player and his bunny. Maybe I'd find someone tonight after all.