“I’m back in Jericho’s life, so you’ll have to get used to seeing me around. But I’m sorry about how everything turned out. I didn’t know Hawk was that kind of man, and I should have. I still don’t understand how I could have trusted someone like him and not have seen his dark side. That’s what gives me waking nightmares. I should have seen the signs early on.”
“Sometimes people cover up what they don’t want others to see,” he said, staring at my wrist cuffs. “Secrets are truths that show what we’ve been through—what we’ve survived. I don’t hide who I am,” he said, raising up both fists and showing me his tattoos. “Maybe you shouldn’t either. I want everyone to know exactly who I am and where I’m coming from. But sometimes people bury that shit deep and put on a fa?ade. Those around them can’t see the dark part of their soul they hide because it’s not something they wear on their skin. It’s a fracture that’s deep and invisible. Why don’t you show me what you’ve got.” He nodded at my arms.
I slowly pulled off one of the lacy coverings and turned my wrist over so he could see the marks on both sides.
“You should keep them off,” he suggested. “What do you think it says about you?”
“That I’m a victim, and I’m weak.”
Wheeler shook his head and gave me a crooked smile. “You’re serving these assholes whiskey and hot dogs. You know what that says to me? That you’re tough. It takes a strong woman to move on with her life after something like that—and to show it off proudly as if it doesn’t faze her? One badass bitch. You can’t sit around beating yourself up because you didn’t see it coming. Even if you’d known what he was capable of, what could you have done?”
“Called someone.”
“Who? Unless you can prove someone has committed a crime, your hands are tied. You know the Breed’s stance on slander. Without hard evidence, all you could have done was look away or walk away.”
“At least I would have had the choice,” I said glumly.
“People give signs when they want to be caught. Did he give any signs?”
I shook my head.
“Then he didn’t want to be caught. He was too far gone. They’re only careless in the beginning because they still have that thing called guilt riding on their shoulders. After a while, they lose their conscience and don’t make any more mistakes. They don’t want to be caught because they love committing the crime. It becomes less of a thrill and more of an addiction.”
“How do you know?”
He wiped his face slowly with his hand in a downward motion, speaking in a tired voice. “I’ve been around long enough. Look, that’s not what I came here to talk about. We’re not even until I pay back my dues. You hold a favor in your pocket with me. Whatever and whenever you want, just let me know.”
He rapped his knuckles on the table and took off.
I looked down at my wrists and peeled off the lacy coverings, leaving them on the table. Wheeler was right.
I strolled to the kitchen and the cook handed me an order. I proudly held that tray over my shoulder and walked to the table, giving the men my best dip as I set their glasses down.
“Here you are. Southwest burgers with extra jalape?os. Hope these are spicy enough for you. The chef uses fresh peppers—none of that canned stuff.”
I set the plate down in front of a burly man and caught his gaze. I swiveled around and set down the last plate, but the men weren’t eating. As I turned to walk off, one of them caught my hand and stuffed something into it.
It was a rolled-up fifty.
“There’s another fifty if you tell me who did that,” he said, leaning in tight and touching my wrist.
Ned was one of my regulars who had been shortchanging me. I smiled graciously. “He’s taken care of. My job is to make sure you’re taken care of, so when you need a refill on those drinks, just holler.”
I returned to the bar and leaned against it, facing the open room.
“Honey, what happened?” Rosie’s eyes widened when she caught sight of my wrists.
I leaned on my right arm to face her and lifted my chin. “Someone messed with the wrong girl.”
“Damn right,” Denver said, slamming the drinks on my tray. “She’s staying with the Weston pack, so feel free to spread the word.”
Rosie blinked. “You’re living with a bunch of wolves?”
I patted her shoulder. “Rosie, I am a wolf. Maybe that ruins it for some of the guys in here who want the fantasy of something else, but I don’t care. I should be tipped for my hard work and friendliness, not because I might be a cougar and take them home after work. You hear that?” I shouted at everyone in the bar.
The chatter died down and all eyes were on me. Crazy Izzy was coming out to play for a little bit, but I didn’t care. I was proud of being a wolf, and it was time that everyone knew it.
“Some of you have been holding back on me because I’m the new girl, and you want me to work a little harder for your attention. I get it; I’ve been around the block. Starting tonight, tip me fairly based on how I serve your table. And by the way, sorry if this ruins anyone’s fantasy, but I’m a wolf. A proud wolf.”
Three tables erupted with cheers, clapping their hands and stamping their feet.
Clearly wolves.