Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Titan

LAST NIGHT TRIPP and a few guys went to Brothers for a few hours. When they got back, Tripp didn't hesitate to make his way right over to me with a weird look on his face. There was a girl tucked under his arm that I've never seen before too. She was confused why he was making his way over to me instead of whatever they had planned. Not hard to figure out considering Tripp doesn't ever bring anyone back to the clubhouse with him for any reason. If he's out and finds someone to fuck, he fucks her wherever they are and then moves on with his life. It's how he's always been. So, I'm really not sure what the fuck is going on here.

"Titan, we need to talk. Tomorrow I'm gonna need you to set some time aside for me to let you know somethin'," he says as the girl with him looks up at me with narrowed eyes.

"Okay. You can't just tell me what's goin' on now?" I ask him, trying to understand what the fuck is going on.

"I mean, I can. But I think Emmie will have more to say than me once she puts everythin' together," he says, taking a deep breath before looking down at the girl with him. "I need you to keep quiet because you don't know the situation. Don't go off on Titan okay?"

"Okay. I don't know what you're even talking about, Tripp," she says, her voice barely above a whisper as she looks up at him.

"So, when we were at Brothers a little while ago, I was watchin' Emmie and her friend while they were dancin'. This fucker came up to Emmie's friend and tried to force her to dance with him. It didn't work. She got out of his hold and then they exchanged some words. The boys and I were already up and on our way over there. Before we could move through the crowd, this fuckin' girl put the fucker on the floor before squashin' his nuts under her foot. She was fuckin' badass. I used that as my chance to meet Emmie when they were over by the table they'd gotten for the night. Turns out the badass in question is a woman named Dallas. I don't think there are too many women in Clinton City with that name, Titan," Tripp informs me as my heart starts racing and the need to check on Dallas overwhelms me to the point that I have to grab ahold of the table next to me not to tear out of the clubhouse.

"Wait. Are you Adam?" Emmie asks, glaring at me as I give her my attention.

"Yeah, that's me. I get your friend doesn't want anythin' to do with me, but she doesn't know what truly happened that day," I tell her, trying to get myself under control so I don't lash out because I have no clue where to find Dallas.

"So tell me what the fuck happened. Why the fuck would you stand up an amazing woman like Dallas when she gave you all of her focus and attention? Until the two of you started talking she was in a damn rut. The second you messaged her, she started smiling every day, didn't put her entire focus on work and moving toward her goal, and she had a better reason to get out of bed each day. If you were just gonna fuck her over, you should've left her alone completely," Emmie says, putting her hands on her hips and staring me down as if I don't have over a foot of height on her and well over a hundred and fifty pounds of muscle.

"One of the ol' ladies went into her labor. Her twin brother was supposed to leave on club business. Because of her medical history, everyone knew his head wouldn't be where it was needed. So, he was pulled from what he was supposed to be doin' and I was sent in his place. I sent Dallas a message as soon as I found out askin' if we could get together a different time. I didn't blow her the fuck off or anythin' like that. I was upset about havin' to cancel on her last minute and didn't have any other way to reach her but through the datin' app. When I was able to check my phone a few hours later, I found out that the message never sent to her despite me hittin' the fuckin' arrow to send it.

"By then, I'd already gotten her message about not givin' me another chance and some other shit. I tried to write her back the second I read it, but found out she'd already blocked me. I haven't talked to another woman, fucked anyone, or done anything for the last six months because Dallas is still all I can think about. I'll show you the fuckin' message I was tryin' to send her if you don't believe me," I tell Dallas' friend as she slowly loses her attitude and holds out her hand for me to show her that I'm not lying.

Opening up the dating app, I go into the message thread with Dallas and hand over the phone. Emmie reads what I last tried to send her and smiles before handing it back over. I don't know what the hell she's smiling about. There's nothing funny about this situation if you ask me.

"Okay. I believe you. Dallas has been burned in the past all because she's not the skinniest girl in the room and she doesn't put much value on how she looks. She is who she is and won't change for anyone. I think she felt with you as if that wouldn't be a problem because you'd accept her no matter how she looked. The pictures on her profile aren't fake or any of that bullshit. I'll put in a good word for you, Adam. However, you have to know that she's feeling all kinds of messed up right now.

"Like you, she hasn't been on the dating app, hasn't gone out, or done anything since the day you two were supposed to meet up. I mean, I convinced her to go out tonight, but it was short lived and she really didn't want to be there to begin with. Dallas is a homebody and would rather spend all of her days and nights somewhere quiet with very few people instead of surrounded by a crowd," she states, her voice still barely above a whisper as she looks around the clubhouse while moving closer to Tripp's side. "The best advice I can give you is to live your life how you normally do. She'll sense if you change shit up for her and won't like it."

"I can do that. But, I won't talk to another woman. I haven't even looked at one since the first message I exchanged with Dallas. But, I can start goin' out with the guys again and all that shit. I mean, it's not what I wanna do. Tripp will tell you that I don't really like to go out either. I do when things get borin' around here, but that's about it. I prefer to go on a long ride by myself with no destination in mind than be sittin' in a packed bar with a bunch of women who don't know what the word no means," I tell Emmie as Tripp agrees with a nod of his head to let her know I'm being serious. "I mean, tonight it sounds like there were some guys in the bar that don't know what the word no means. Sucks that a few stupid fucks have to ruin shit for everyone around them because they feel some kind of entitlement to take what they want regardless of what anyone else wants or thinks."

"I agree. Now, Tripp has already told me that the guys have a night out planned to go to Entice. I think you should go. The way you react will tell me all I need to know about how you feel about my girl. Dallas is like a sister to me and I'll do everything I can to make her happy and protect her from assholes. Don't make me regret helping you out," Emmie says before Tripp turns and leads her from the common room.

"What the hell was all that about?" Cash asks, coming over and taking a seat with me while handing over a bottle of water.

"That was Dallas' friend, Emmie. Apparently the girl you all watched put a man on the floor at Brothers was Dallas," I answer him honestly as life starts looking brighter once again with the thought of Dallas giving me another chance.

"Are you fuckin' serious? She's a fuckin' badass, Titan. If you don't fuckin' want her, you better step the fuck aside because we were all lookin' at her tonight and she didn't have a fuckin' clue. Tripp was the only one not lookin' her way. But that's because he was focused on the girl he brought back with him. I was lookin', but not for the same reasons as everyone else. Saw Tripp's interest in the girl and wanted to make sure they were protected since both girls were gettin' a lot of looks from the assholes hangin' out around the edge of the dance floor. You know the twatwaffles I'm talkin' about," Cash says, his voice full of laughter as Eagle joins us.

"Dallas is mine and the first person I even think is goin' after her will get a fuckin' beatdown from me," I growl out, downing half my bottle of water in one drink.

"That's what I thought," Cash simply states, taking a drink of his beer before letting his eyes wander around the common room toward the bar area.

He's not fucking subtle at all. Everyone in the club knows he wants Rebel, but he won't make a move on her. Rebel doesn't fuck anyone here. She lives here and we know she's working through some personal shit. Instead of fucking the guys like the rest of the Fallen girls, Rebel chooses to clean, work hard, and remain at the bar every day. Her working the bar alone means the Prospects are free to do other things for the club.

I sit with the guys for a while longer before heading for my room. After taking a hot shower and relaxing under the water for a few minutes, I climb into bed with thoughts of Dallas filling my mind even worse than it has been. Once again, I'm letting myself dream of having a future with her and of us building a life together. Something I didn't believe would ever happen since I wasn't just gonna fucking go invade her life to get her to talk to me. With a woman like Dallas it would only serve to upset her and piss her off more than what she currently is. Hopefully Emmie knows what the fuck she's doing because I need all the help I can get.

It's been a few days since I met Dallas' best friend Emmie. Tripp has been seeing her almost every day and they talk when they're not together. My best friend is happy and he deserves it. Tripp is one of the best men I know and he'll make Emmie happy if they choose to continue moving forward with their relationship or whatever they have going on right now. So far, I don't know if Emmie's had a chance to talk to Dallas about me or not. I'm not gonna bother her or Tripp about it either. Dallas and I will figure out a way to talk if we're meant to be. I'm not gonna say I believe in all that soulmate shit, but I don't not believe in it either. Not after the connection to Dallas.

Tonight I'm heading to Entice with a few of the guys. Tripp isn't going with us. It's the first time my best friend has willingly skipped going to the strip club we own. It honestly tells me all I need to know about how he feels about Emmie. I can guarantee I won't stay there long. When I was younger, Entice was one of my favorite places to be. All the tits and ass on display I could want to look at. What guy wouldn't enjoy spending his time watching women dance seductively while they strip? I mean, it held its appeal for a very long time for me. Especially knowing we don't touch our strippers. There was a certain fantasy about it because we could all look and think about what we'd do to the women if we got them in our bed, but knew it would never happen. I actually like that we can't touch them because it makes for less drama.

I really don't want to go to the strip club, but Emmie told me to live my life the way I normally do. After getting ready to go out, I meet Cash, Eagle, Kidd, Rubber, and Jay in the common room. Jay's been busting his ass around here and we talked Reaper into giving him the night off. He'll be getting patched in soon and we want to show him that he's more than just a Prospect in the club.

"Let's get on the road," I say, walking past the group as I feel Cammie's eyes on me.

So far, she's left me alone since that day I called her out in front of everyone and Alex got on her ass. I really don't anticipate her leaving me alone for long, but the reprieve is nice and I'll take it while it lasts. All she's been doing the last few days is watching me no matter what I'm doing and following me around with her eyes. Though, I have noticed her in the common room more.

We all climb on our bikes and take a minute to put our helmets and shit on before starting our engines. Motioning for the rest of the guys to pull out before me, I hang back with Jay as we leave the compound and head straight for Entice. The ride is fast as I keep an eye on the men riding in front of me. Jay tries to hang back behind me as normal, but I motion him to my side. Tonight he's not just a Prospect, he's a friend and I'm not gonna have him riding behind me. I want to keep an eye on him and make sure nothing happens to him on the short ride. Not that I anticipate anything going wrong, but you never know. It takes a split second for everything to get fucked up and change everything.

Pulling into the parking lot of Entice, I take in all the cars parked out front and smile. Business is definitely good. There really isn't another strip club in the area so ours is always packed whenever the doors are opened. We're always happy when our businesses are doing well. We all park right in front of the building where no one else can park their cars or bikes and shut our engines down. Usually, Eagle and I would be here working but we've both got the night off. Panther is here and he won't let anything happen that we don't know about. He's a good man and if Eagle ever wants to step down, I'd vote for him to take over the strip club. Panther has learned everything at Eagle's side and would do well running the club for us. Eagle feels the same way.

"Let's see how business is tonight," Eagle says, rubbing his hands together as we all make our way to the front door and enter the club.

Connor is on the door and he nods at our group before stepping to the side. He won't be collecting the door fee from us because we don't pay to come in our own club. Everyone else has to pay a fee to enter. It earns them one free drink at the beginning of the night. They get a ticket they have to turn in to get the drink so they can't try to confuse the bartenders when they're busy and keep getting free drinks. It's a system that took time to perfect, but we got it where we need it to be and it makes everyone here happy.

We make our way to the front table by the stage that's always free for members of the club. No one sits there and if anyone attempts to Panther and Connor make sure to boot their asses. I typically work the back door when I'm here to make sure no one fucks with the girls and that they all get to their cars safely at the end of the night. We haven't had any problems, but we're not willing to risk our girls because we're too lazy to take a few minutes to ensure they get to their cars and leave the parking lot.

By the time we're all seated around the table, Sloan is on her way over to us with a tray full of shots and our drinks of choice. Most of us are creatures of habit so it's not hard to know what to bring us when we show up. Vada is on the stage doing a new routine I haven't seen before. My eyes don't linger on her because I've seen her dance a million times over the years. She's a good dancer and knows exactly what to do to get the men in here going. Vada's one of the favorites which pisses Sadie off to no end. Sadie wants top billing and to be treated as if she's the best dancer we have here. Eagle and I have had to set her straight more than once. She's actually on her last chance here and knows it.

Vada finishes her dance and leaves the stage. Panther goes up and collects all of her money that was left behind before the music for Fawn fills the club. Fog fills the front of the club as she shows up on stage and starts her routine. She's also performing something new tonight. It must be why the guys wanted to come here. Most of the single men in the club show up on the nights they know the dancers are gonna perform a new routine. Eagle and I started asking them for help when we first opened because we needed to ensure the routines were as enticing to the men as we thought they were. I mean, I know what I like but it doesn't mean everyone else will like the same shit. So, having the guys come in to give us their opinion helps ensure the dancers do something for each men's taste.

By the time Fawn's done with her dance, I'm ready to leave. Standing up after tossing some money for my unfinished beer and the shot I didn't touch, I look around the table and nod at Eagle when he turns his attention to me. Like me, Cash and Eagle aren't paying attention to anything on the stage in front of us. I look at Kidd and make my way over to him. Telling him to make sure Jay has a good time and that he gets back to the clubhouse, I head out with Cash and Eagle following me. Being here is doing nothing for me. My mind is locked on Dallas and I have a feeling she wouldn't appreciate me being here. So, I'm not gonna remain somewhere I don't want to be just to prove something to the guys or whatever.

By the time we get back to the clubhouse, I walk in to find Emmie and Tripp sitting at the bar. Emmie looks down at her watch and a smile lights up her face. She turns to Tripp and holds her hand out. My best friend grumbles something before pulling out some money and handing it over to her.

"What the fuck is goin' on here?" I ask, walking up to them as Rebel hands me a beer.

"We bet that you wouldn't last twenty minutes at the strip club," Emmie informs me, her smile only growing larger. "Well, Tripp said twenty minutes. I told him you wouldn't last ten if you really wanted Dallas. I was right. So, he owes me the money he just handed over and a week of doing whatever I want him to."

I can't help but burst out in laughter. Trying to think of the things my best friend will have to do because of Emmie only makes me laugh even harder. Sitting down with them, I spend a while in the common room as we drink, talk, and have a good time. Emmie is a funny girl and fiercely protective of her best friend. I'm glad Dallas has someone like Emmie in her life. It's not long before I make my excuses and head for my room. I'm ready for bed and to forget even going to Entice tonight. It was nothing more than a waste of time that I didn't need.