Maybe it was just better to turn a blind eye to the club and the troubles that went hand in hand with it. If the cops wanted to harass her, so be it. She would just toughen up.
She loved Dev already. As time went on she was realizing that she wasn't even close to done falling for him. In fact, she couldn't think about anything else but him, and the way he'd made love to her that afternoon at the club.
Her cheeks were still flushed when she walked to Mae's to do the night shift. She had been glad for an excuse to get out of the club. She needed the distraction of work. She'd needed time to think and clear her mind.
And now she was almost certain she'd made her decision. She was sticking with her man, no matter what. Whether it was the right decision or not was hard to say.
She retied her apron over her pink polyester uniform and got back to work. It was busy tonight which was a blessing. It kept her mind off of… other things.
Her mind was in overdrive, with images of Dev and Grant were swapping places in her mind with intensely different effect on her. The things she’d done with Dev made her feel woozy in a good day, but then Grant’s leering face would pop into her mind.
She went from feeling very warm and gooey to wanting to run out back and upchuck all over her tennis shoes.
So being busy was great. It was neccessary. It was even working, keeping the demons at bay. Until he walked in.
Officer Grant.
Her stomach felt like it dropped right into her shoes.
The big officer was looking around the place as if he owned it. He caught sight of her behind the counter and his expression changed to one of unconcealed lust. He oozed his way toward the counter like the slime ball that he was and sat down in front of her.
He rested his big meaty hands on the counter. She had trouble looking away from them for a minute. It was hard not to imagine him touching her, in all the ways he said he was going to.
Officer Grant was a huge man. Tall and strong but also getting close to thirty and starting to get fat. His hands looked pink and swollen laying there on the counter like two uncooked chicken cutlets. If he ever touched her with them she'd scream.
Then again, she had a feeling he might like that.
"Well, if it isn't my favorite little waitress. How are you doin' tonight honey?"
She flipped over her pad and stared at it, pen at the ready.
"What can I get you Officer Grant?"
A disgusting smile crept over his face as he pondered the question. It was obvious that he was thinking about things that were not on the menu.
And never would be!
"I don't know, doll face. Do you have any specials tonight? Maybe something leftover, like sloppy seconds?"
She swallowed the bile rising in her throat. Was he kidding with that nasty talk? Suddenly she started hoping that Dev would do something to the guy. Not kill him but… something bad.
Maybe she was cut out to be a biker's woman after all.
"Let me know when you're ready to order."
She slapped the menu down in front of him and walked away. She didn't see Donnie outside on his bike making a phone call.
Chapter 32
Devlin
“I ORDER YOU TO LET ME GO!”
Devlin was being held down by three guys. He'd taken the call from Donnie and ran out of the clubhouse before anyone could stop him. It was Jack who wrestled him off his bike to the pavement and then got a few other guys to help him hold Dev down.
Grant was at Mae's.
Bothering Kaylie again.
Donnie had said she looked upset. That was it. Dev saw red. He stopped thinking. He just ran.
Dev’s guts twisted at the thought of that pig talking dirty to his sweet girl. She'd lost her virginity less than a week ago. She was still so innocent. And she was already dealing with this crap?
It made his blood boil.
Enough so that he was ready to break the agreement of his release. If he left the clubhouse compound his ankle bracelet would go off and that would be it. Guaranteed jail time, even though he was innocent.
Then he wouldn't be able to protect Kaylie at all. Or touch her.
Fuck.
He nodded curtly and the guys eased their weight off of him. He stood and brushed himself off then stalked back inside the club. He got up on a chair and put one of his boots on the bar.
"Listen up! We are having a club outing. You are all going to Mae's for banana splits."
A couple of the guys moaned amongst all the cheering.
"I'm lactose intolerant, Dev!"
"Whatever-get what you want, Lennie. The point is, that pig Grant is in there right now, messing with my old lady. I can't go anywhere. But you guys can."
Dead silence.
Then with a roar all all the guys ran for the door.
In unison.
The sound of 40 something hogs revving up and hitting the road was like music to his ears. He climbed down and reached behind the bar for a beer. Even the guy manning the bar had gone.
Grant was going to love this.
Chapter 33
Kaylie
Kaylie could hardly believe her eyes.
Mae's was full of leather. Kaylie stared around as she rushed to take everyone's orders. There were at least fifty bikers in the diner, all coming within the last few minutes.
She noticed that Donnie and Jack had taken seats on either side of a suddenly very nervous looking Grant.
She was worried about getting all the orders straight until she realized they were all getting the same thing. Banana split. Extra nuts.
Well, all except for one guy who ordered sprite, mumbling under his breath 'food allergies.' She felt tears welling in her eyes. Dev couldn't have sent a clearer message to Grant.
Or to her.
She was his. He would protect her. No matter what.
Donnie was leaning in toward Grant and whispering something in an urgent manner. Jack said nothing as usual, but was following the conversation closely and nodding.
When Kaylie brought Grant his check she looked at him proudly. Sloppy seconds didn't get this kind of protection. She was one of them, for real.
"Anything else, Officer Grant?"
He shook his head no and reached for his wallet.
"No, thank you.”
Jack grabbed his hand, twisting it hard while Donnie grinned up at her and winked.
“I’m-uh- sorry for not treating you like a lady."
She nodded at him regally.
"I accept your apology. Just see that it doesn't happen again. To any woman."
He nodded eagerly while his wrist was slowly wrenched underneath the counter.
"And tell Dev-"
She cocked an eyebrow at him.
“The charges are dropped."
Jack released his hand. With a whoosh of air he stood and dropped twenty bucks on the counter. In less than 30 seconds, he was gone.
A huge cheer went up from the crowd, bikers and staff alike. And then one of the prospects came behind the counter to help her dole out ice cream for everyone.
The only thing missing was Dev.
Chapter 34
Devlin
He was waiting for her when she walked into the clubhouse. It was after midnight but he’d already talked to mama.