Grasping For Freedom (3 page)

"Are they really going to have time to squeeze in another drink?" She studied the crowd.

Bruce laughed. "You must not spend a lot of time around bikers."

"No, not really," she said.

At least ten guys lined the bar. Each one grabbed a mug and without stopping, downed the whole drink. She almost laughed at the hooting and hollering that went up from each one after they finished. Fascinated, she watched each one of the men throw their arm over the closest woman and head for the door.

She whistled softly and grinned at Bruce. "That puts a whole new meaning to hooking up at the bar, huh?"

"You'll see a lot of that here, but only when Tori's not around. She doesn't put up with the girls hanging around the bar anymore." Bruce slid his fingers through the handles of the mugs and deposited them in the plastic bin behind the counter. "Most of those women are bitches, and—"

"Excuse me?" She raised her brows. "Not very professional of you to call them a derogatory name. They're customers."

Bruce grinned. "Nah, they're bitches. A few of them live in the biggest cabin in the back...three doors down from the cabin you claimed. They're here for the Bantorus men. We've got old ladies who keep them minding their manners inside the bar—he pointed at Pauline. Then there's Kristen, though she was born into Bantorus MC, she's now my old lady. Slade's wife Taylor and Raul's old lady Crystal all keep the peace around here. But the single women who only want to be hangers and sleep with the men are bitches. They're not the kind you want to trust in a relationship. The girls know their role while they're on Bantorus land, and mostly follow the rules. Not one of them would go up against an old lady or you, so you won't have any problem with them."

She couldn't help searching for Torque to see if he left with one of the single women. She found him putting the chairs on the tables. "So, that biker earlier who called me a bitch thought I was available?"

"Yeah. His mistake. He won't do that again. I'll have Rain take the subject of you working here to the table when he gets back." Bruce picked up the loaded bin. "Word will get around. Everyone will protect you, and that includes Torque—he stepped out of line tonight, and it won't happen again."

Warmth flooded her neck and she nodded. Her behavior was inexcusable; even more so than Torque's reckless kiss because she was working.

"They also protect the bitches, but there's a fine line that can't be crossed around those in Bantorus MC, and that includes you as Bantorus property seeing as how you're working for Rain. It's called respect." Bruce patted her shoulder as he walked behind her.

Alone behind the bar, she understood what Bruce told her about the way Rain ran the bar. The anarchy wasn't much different than with Los Li. Except here, she wasn't a bitch. Not that she'd chosen to sleep around with any of the members of Los Li, but that's because she could work for them here instead. She picked up the rag on the bar and tossed it in the other bin for dirty laundry. At least within Bantorus MC, the protection they offered her helped settle her nerves.

She went through her tasks to close for the night step by step, and deposited the money in the office the way Rain instructed. In the hall, she yelled, "Bruce, I'm heading out."

Bruce pushed through the swinging doors from the kitchen and held up his hand. "Hang on, and I'll find you a chaperone."

She shook her head. "I'm good. I'll see you tomorrow."

Taylor smiled goodbye and Ginger shrugged and turned away when she waved goodbye to the other employees. She picked up her leather bag out of the backroom and walked out the backdoor. Determined not to let the other girls' attitude bother her, she shook off the coldness left over from their treatment. All they had to do was work together, not become best friends.

Outside, the cool damp air tickled her bare arms. She paused, tilted her face to the sky, and inhaled the fresh air. Running a bar was something she was good at and had come second nature to her. By the time she was eight, she was serving dinner, wiping tables, and pocketing the tips the customers left her while working in her parents' bar. When she reached her teen years, she'd taken over for her mom when she became unable to run the business. Then shit happened, and she put everything she had into keeping her head above water. She scoffed, shaking her head at the turn of events and bad luck.

A motorcyclist rode past her and stopped at the cabin on the end. She walked across the gravel parking lot, ignoring the activity. Once the motorcycle shut off, the sound of footsteps in the gravel behind her came closer. She sped up, not wanting to come face to face with one of the bikers.

"Hey," a male voice said.

She glanced behind her without stopping and found Torque following her. "Work's over and the bar is closed."

He kept coming toward her. Her heart raced. Ten more feet and she'd hit the porch of the cabin. Thankfully, she left the light on like Rain suggested or she'd be stuck out in the dark with Torque.

She had her key out of her pocket and in the lock before Torque joined her on the porch. She squeezed the life out of the handle trying to get inside, but the door wouldn't open even though she'd turned the key.

"Dammit," she muttered, jiggling the handle.

Torque's arm came in front of her and he banged his fist on the door right in front of her at eye level. The door swung open on its own. She exhaled and turned to look at him. "How'd you do that?"

"Doors warped. Press up high and turn the handle at the same time." Torque reached in and flipped the light switch. "It rains a lot here and the doors made out of cheap wood. I'll talk to Rain tomorrow, and have a new door installed."

"Oh, no, that's okay. I'll figure it out." She stepped inside and turned around, blocking him from following her into the cabin. "Was there a reason you followed me home?"

"Just protecting Bantorus property." Torque shoved his hands in his back pockets and stepped off the porch. "Night."

She stood in the doorway, watching him walk away. Unsure if she was impressed with his manners or disappointed that he didn't try to kiss her again, she said, "Hey, Torque."

He turned around not saying a word. She shrugged. "Thanks for, you know, what happened in the bar."

Torque's head tilted. "The kiss?"

She moistened her lips, wanting to smile. "No. For punching that guy who called me a bitch and making him apologize. You didn't have to do that, but it was...nice."

"I'm not nice, sunshine," he said, turning around and this time he kept walking until he disappeared out of view.

She inhaled deeply and closed the door. He was probably right, but she didn't see anyone else standing up for her in the bar or kissing her until she lost her breath. She leaned against the cabin door. Her emotions were playing mind games with her. Normally, she wouldn't be attracted to Torque.

Even though he was gorgeous and bossy in a way that made her feel special for being singled out, she had bigger things to worry about. And she definitely didn't have time to waste thinking about the opposite sex. She tapped the back of her head against the wood, trying to knock some sense into her overstressed head. He might be an asshole, but he'd protected her when it mattered. She had to admit, right or wrong, she needed all the protection she could get.

Chapter Three

After three days of drizzle, the clouds finally parted and the sun warmed the air. Torque grabbed his leather coat off the chair in the lobby of Shift's Garage and pushed his way through the door. Once he arrived at Cactus Cove, he'd have a wet ass from the spray coming off the back tire of his Harley. That and the fact that Brandy would be at the bar soured his mood.

He'd almost succeeded at pushing Brandy out of his head, until last night when he tied on one too many with Remmy and heard the talk about the bets between some of the other Bantorus men who were waiting around for Rain to give his okay for them to make their move on the new manager. Then shit got real.

He used the sleeve of his jacket to swipe the wetness off the seat of his Harley. Water ran in droplets over the edge of the leather. He was ready for sunshine and the calm he found hanging around the bar. This time of year was tough for a biker in the Pacific Northwest. The rain meant less days straddling the bike, and more days inside.

He steeled himself for the onslaught of moisture that remained and sat his bike. Without waiting, he started the engine and pulled out onto the street. Rain would be in the office, and he had to discuss what he planned to do about Brandy and the guys who planned to use her for their own personal challenge.

Bantorus rules forbid anyone, biker, employee, acquaintance, from messing around with Gladys. The rule shouldn't change because Brandy was young, available, and asking for attention.

Five minutes later, he parked his motorcycle in the lot of Cactus Cove and hopped off. He ignored the uncomfortable dampness on his ass and the obvious strip of wetness on his lower back from the road spray, and strode through the backdoor of the bar.

He knocked on the closed office door. He stared at the wood and not down the hallway where Brandy would be.

"Yeah, it's open," Rain said from inside the room.

Torque opened the door and shut it behind him. Not one to waste time, he said, "We've got a problem. The guys are throwing down bets on who can get Brandy first."

Rain let the paper in his hand fall to the desk and leaned back, placing his boots on the corner of the furniture. "It's bullshit talk. They're allowed to let off steam without bothering her."

"Are the rules changing? Gladys was protected, just like any other daughter, sister, mother, old lady is protected." He stepped forward and remained standing. "Brandy's an employee of Bantorus MC."

Rain grinned. "Gladys became an old lady a week after I bought the bar. She remained a Bantorus after Willy was killed. If you haven't noticed, she's in her sixties. Love her to death, but she already played her wild times out and let everyone know she was through spreading her legs. If the same rules apply, then Brandy's free to—"

"You know what I mean. Brandy's, what...twenty-eight—"

"Twenty four," Rain said.

Shit. Twenty four? She had no idea what she was doing at that young of an age.

"I'll talk with her, but I doubt she'll want to throw in with the bitches." Rain put his feet on the floor. "If the men step out of line, I'll deal with it. What's your real problem with Brandy, besides the talk of you sticking your tongue down her throat...which I take isn't going to happen again."

He could give a rat's ass if Rain knew what he did. "She doesn't belong here. Anyone can see she isn't used to being around bikers. How well did you check her out?"

Rain stood. "Are you questioning my decision? Because the last time I looked, I owned the fucking bar."

"Right." Torque scoffed.

Rain rounded the desk and sat on the top in front of Torque. "You've been through a lot the last year and I know shit piles on you, so I'll ignore the asshole in you coming out. Do you need time away? Bantorus has a run coming up, and it'll take two weeks. I'm trying to set up an agreement to transport cars down to Lagsturns on a regular schedule."

Torque braced. "Chops?"

"Not on our end. What they do with them afterward, it's not on our back." Rain studied him. "That bother you?"

There was no question that Lagsturns Motorcycle Club would use the cars in an illegal activity and send them back on the road containing parts of stolen vehicles. Torque shook his head. "No problem."

He had no love for the outlaw motorcycle club, and preferred to stay far away from them and anyone doing business with them. The last time he played too close, Los Li shot him on two separate occasions. Dealing with anyone who went into business with Los Li, a gang formed in the penal system in California under the leadership of the Mexican mafia, was bad news.

"Are you up for the job?" Rain asked again.

He'd like nothing more than to take a break and come back with his head screwed on straight. Though it was having his thoughts in the wrong place lately that could affect his judgment and put Bantorus at risk. "Let Remmy take the run. I'll pull his shift at the garage."

As Sergeant at Arms to his president, he floated between club business and wherever Rain needed him on the outside. He enjoyed the lifestyle. Whether he was doing construction at the hotel, fixing cars at the garage, or repo'ing vehicles for non-payment, the array of jobs within Bantorus MC community kept him busy and away from growing stagnant.

"Good." Rain clapped his hand on Torque's shoulder. "Why don't you talk to Tori in the next couple of days?"

"Why?" he asked.

Rain shrugged. "She's worried about you. You know how she gets when something bothers her."

"There's nothing going on for her to get wound up," he said.

"Tell that to my old lady." Rain's grin disappeared. "Don't bullshit around what's going on. I've known you over twenty years. I've watched you, worried about you, and fought with you. You're heading into a dark place, which is understandable considering what you went through. Bantorus is here. Hang on to us, and keep your head. You're a free man."

Rain wasn't giving him advice, but an order. He'd sank low, fighting to outrun his past and letting anger build, enough in past years that he was given round the clock watch. After the fact, he hated having his brothers involved in his personal life. Not one of them knew why he continued to fight demons, except Rain. He could handle his past on his own. That's the reason he refused to settle down like Rain or Slade or the other members who put their care into someone else's hand. He didn't want anyone's help.

"Tell Tori I'll stop by the house tomorrow, and see her and Lilly." He cleared his throat, turned for the door.

If there was one person who helped him just by being in the same room, it was Tori. Her calmness and nurturing came from the heart, despite the hell she'd lived through growing up. Hell, her goodness penetrated every hardened member in the club.

A knock, followed by the office door opening and Brandy sticking her head inside, stopped Torque from leaving. He stepped back and regretted looking the second Brandy's eyes fell on him. Her cheeks flushed. The base of her neck pulsed and he found his own blood pumping faster at the sight of her reaction.