DESPERADO | Serpents of Western Rock Book #1

O N E : Leather Goddess

Ｖｉｐｅｒ:

"Done with the fucking excuses, Coleman."
The short chubby idiot stumbled backward into his office wall as I...politely...shoved him against it. His furry eyebrows almost touched his non existent hairline. His bottom lip quivered. I had this guy in my pocket.
"I promise, I-I'll get it for you," he stuttered. "I've got some chick and a band on stage in ten. I-I'll skip out on paying them tonight. I just gotta wait till the floor makes more cash. The b-band usually m-makes good money for us." He shook in his oversized grey suit as he rambled uncontrollably.
I held back a smile. This man's nerves almost have me rolling on the floor. I heard my best friend chuckling behind me while he snooped through the whiny bar owner's desk.
"Don't care how you get it, chubs. Just fucking get it," he hollered.
"You're lucky Dallas sent us to collect, Henry," I growled maliciously. "Axel and I aren't going anywhere. We want that money tonight."
He nodded anxiously, though my fist still grasped his shirt right below his thick chin. "Yes, V-v-viper."
I shot a glare his way, my eyes piercing him sharply.
"Sir!" He corrected himself, "sir, sir, sir." His whole face shook as his voice did.
I released my hand, watching him stumbled more against the wall. He reached straight out across it for support.
   Chuckling amusedly, I slowly walked passed the guy. I stopped with my hand flat on the now hanging, broken door to the hall.
   Axel stuck his face in front of Henry. He flared his nostrils and growled in the back of his throat. His big scruffy beard almost touched Coleman's face, that's how close he stood. The owner crumbled to his feet almost immediately.
Ax stepped back, laughing with his belly, rubbing the mans bald head. Coleman definitely needed the gesture of good luck. He's lucky, for one, that he gets scared so easily. Otherwise we would've taken a different route to get that cash. Henry Coleman had been paying us for protection while his old business partner was out on bail. He's now been locked up for a couple weeks now, and the shady club owner wasn't showing good on his payments. And it was my role to enforce the rules around here.
   Passing down the dark, neon red lit hallway, I noticed a few things. A few servers were in their tight black shorts and red T-shirt's cut to show their flat tummies. They were smoking butts and gossiping. A few guys were at the end of the hall tuning their guitars. Even a couple of similar looking drunk girls stumbled by us, but not without touching both our arms and fluttering their eyelashes.
Axel whistled and grinned at them in response to their touch. I didn't give much of a reaction. Girls throw themselves at us all the time. Yeah, it fed my ego, used to in more ways than one when I first got patched in, but sometimes that shit just gets old.
   However, I did notice something more interesting. A chipping white painted door to the right of us was just barely cracked open. I could see a brown haired male with a little scruff of a beard, mustache, and soul patch. He was petting the bleach blonde hair of a woman. She seemed stiff and remained turned away from him in annoyance. He pulled out a little baggy with white powder and emptied a bit onto the vanity that she was leaning against. She pushed away from it and headed to the other side of the room.

   I gave Ax a look before we could fully pass the doorway. "You see that shit?"
   He nodded, green eyes shifting around us observantly. "That can't be us—the old man said we haven't dealt white girl since The Outlaws tried to take us out for it." He kept his voice low. "It's been years." White wasn't our thing anymore, we didn't deal that shit unless we wanted a war.
   We heard a little commotion and the long haired blonde yanked the door open so quickly, we almost didn't have time to react. She didn't face us yet, so we had a moment to casually lean against the wall and light a couple cigarettes.
   "Fuck off," she hissed behind her. Clearly she wasn't interested in getting high. She had stopped outside the door and nodded to the guys playing with their guitars. They brushed themselves off and started heading down the hall towards the stage entryway.
She nonchalantly turned in her black combat boots to follow. It gave me a second to savor her tight leather pants and revealing long sleeve black shirt. Damn, did she look good. She kept her eyes on the ground but I could tell she was flustered and angry. And shit, was she quite the sight, even in her angry spirits.
   "Should we check him out?" My best friends voice snapped me out of the trance. Then is when I noticed she had disappeared down the corridor.
   I dropped my still burning cigarette on cement ground. I inhaled whatever fresh air was around me and stepped out the butt. "I don't know," I admitted. "We'll let the guys know and keep our eyes peeled. We can't be unprepared. If somebody's distributing that shit in our town..."
   "We'll find out."
   I nodded. Not to mention the trouble we'll be dealing with. And if it was the Outlaws then we were up for a turf war. We stuck to things like blackmail, protection, selling pot even here and there. Selling guns was our one major thing, aside from the little shit. But after my dad died, they spent a few years correcting the drugs he got the club involved in. Every day was a battle with other gangs and wealthy king pins. We had moved on from that, doing the small shit and eventually selling guns on the down low to other gangs and wealthy foreigners.
We began to head out to the bar. I snagged a quick last look at the guy from the dressing room. He was headed out the back exit with his phone glued to his ear.
   "It didn't work," is all I heard. The ending of Rooster by Alice In Chains snapped me back into reality.
I tugged on my cut before sitting at a high top table across from my club brother. I ran over in my head what that guy looked like; tallish, younger, white man, wearing a dark button up, black pants, black boots, and sporting a Royale beard. I had to be attentive in my line of work, so capturing my surroundings in a short amount of time was a skill I developed quickly.
"My dad just texted me," Axel said loudly over the music. "Guess who's at the clubhouse."
I rolled my eyes. "Don't tell me it's Peyton."
"Jade keeps telling me how badly Peyton wants your shit, man."
I threw my hand in front of him, pointing directly at his smug face. "Well tell your girl to shut herself and her friend up."
He snickered. "It's your fault, brother. You took her on a date and finished it off with a romantic evening," he said mockingly. "She's got Viper venom flowing through her."
I gave a small sarcastic laugh, amused by his choice of words. "First of all, no venom of mine is inside of that girl. And second of all, I wouldn't consider drinks at a pool hall and sex in a motel room romantic."
"She begs to differ. She thinks she's the one for you." He grabbed a couple beers off of a servers tray set down across from us without them noticing. He shoved one my way.
I swiftly cracked open the bottle. "She just happens to be the only girl I've recently slept with. But she's totally fuckin right, she must be the one."
"Folks, lets give a round of applause for our next performance tonight, Wild Bones!" shouted little man tubby over the microphone. He spoke hastily. I wasn't sure if it was because he feared us or because he was embarrassed that he couldn't reach the mic.
Without warning, that blonde goddess in leather was center stage. I think my dumbass stopped breathing for a hot second when she opened her mouth. That fucking voice. It was soft but even a little raspy. I don't know why I found that so sexy.
I studied her as she swayed her body, slowly and with eyes shut, holding the stand with her jewelry covered fingers. Her skin was flawlessly glowing in the midst of the spot lights.
   Again, I found myself in a trance. I couldn't even mentally slap myself for being so intrigued by this woman. I was that far gone.
"Careful," Ax advised, "I can hear Peyton getting jealous from across town."
   I didn't care about Peyton, but he wasn't wrong about having to be careful. No girl is allowed to have this effect on me. I won't let that happen.
Neither of us continued our banter because beside us, Royale Beard guy walked up and leaned against the wall. His smile was filled with menace. I began to wonder if that's really why the singer kept her eyes closed. To stop herself from seeing any horror that he may present for her. Whatever that may be. He definitely wasn't an Outlaw, I could tell by the way he carried himself, but maybe he pushed for them. Or maybe he was just a crazy druggy ex boyfriend of hers.
"Gentlemen," a hesitant voice interrupted my thoughts. "Here you are, I've got it, l-like I told you." An unsure and uncomfortable smile played on Henry's mouth. He shakily held out a thick envelope.
"Good boy, chubs," Axel noted, petting the guys bald head once again. He peaked into the envelope to count the cash.
I looked from scared little old Henry, to Ax, back up to the girl up on stage. She ran her fingers through the straight strands that fell over her heart shaped face.
"Thank you, sir," Henry whispered, acknowledging that we didn't strike him unconscious behind the building. That shake down we gave him was nothing but a conversation. If we gave him a warning or a threat, he would've ended up in the hospital.
My brother gave him a few impending comments. I was still so engrossed in this performance that I didn't hear what he was saying.
I thought to myself desperately how I just wanted her to open her eyes.
Royale Beard whistled out at the stage, his look almost eerie. I wanted to hit that fucker so badly.
Suddenly, mystery girl shot up and looked up into his direction. Those deep blue eyes looked startled and as soon as she saw the guy, her look hardened in irritation.
I caught eye contact with her when those icy baby blues shifted to our table. She stopped swaying, letting the instruments strum out their verse. She didn't move her gaze from mine. I swallowed hard. She didn't look away from me. I wasn't sure if I looked angry or surprised, but my brain wasn't connecting with the rest of my body at the moment. I had to get my shit together.
"Viper." Axel was on his feet and tapped the table in front of me with his palm. "Let's go."
   I looked to my right. Royale Beard had disappeared. Even Henry had scurried off by now.
   I couldn't possibly ask Axel to meet Dallas at the clubhouse and leave me here to make the moves on this girl. Not that he wouldn't, but he'd shit on me for staying here to listen to her sing. I mean, he has every right to do so if it came to that. But I wasn't giving in just because I found this stranger to be hot.
   "You okay, brother?" We were finally outside standing beside our bikes when he asked me that.
Yeah, I'm cool. Beside the fact that this chick I haven't even spoken to is already threatening my masculinity.
   "Yeah, just distracted," I answered. I swung my leg over my '57 Panhead and ran my hand through my greased up, black hair.
   "I've noticed." He laughed knowingly. I didn't have to tell him anything. He's known me basically all my life. After my dad died, Ax's father treated me like a son. And when I was old enough, we were patched in. Needless to say, it was the life meant for me—I'm almost positive my dad signed my name in the devil's book when I was born. He knew this biker life would get him killed. He wanted to promise me safety and security. The club gave that to me. That's what made this life so conflicting; it protected you and signed your death warrant at the same time.
   "Hi," said a daring and flirtatious voice, followed by another's giggles. I was getting really annoyed of my thoughts being cut off tonight.
The two girls from the red lit hallway stood beside us. They were both dull brunettes with tight jeans and cowboy boots. Their tank tops were two sizes too small and they wore matching denim jackets.
   "Oh, hello," slurred a very lustful Axel. "Twins," he mouthed to me in pure excitement.
   Fantastic.
   "We noticed you guys earlier and were wondering if you'd like to hit Rocco's for some pizza and beer?" Said the less shy one. The giggly one stayed behind her. Doing what you ask? Well, still giggling.
This is a prime example of why this shit got old.
   "Ah, a date huh?" Why can't my brother shut up. If he just admitted he had feelings for Jade, I wouldn't have to be dragged into these awkward scenarios. Scenarios where I'm clearly not interested but gotta play the wing man.
   "Bro," I nudged, eager to leave now.
   "Look, ladies," he proceeded. "I'm touched, truly. But we got some shit to take care of."
   They swooned over the secrecy in his tone. "Well, then," the same one continued, "can we get your numbers...maybe meet up sometime?"
   I think my eyes nearly rolled into the back of my head. And damn me, they would've gotten stuck there if I was as startled as the twins were when an angry goddess in leather slammed open the doors from the club.
   My hand reached behind me where my pistol was tucked in my black jeans. It was a reflex. And I relaxed myself when realizing she was only followed by Coleman. Whom didn't even leave the entrance doorway.
   "Screw you, Henry!" She shouted as she continued to walk away. She stopped next to a white '68 Buick Skylark that sat just outside the building.
   "Have Malcom contact me. And him and I can talk money. It's his band, sweetheart. Not yours."
   She whipped around to look at him. "I performed for you tonight, that was my money."
   He shook his head. "Sorry, girl. I do business with Malcom. You're just filling in till he gets back to Nevada. Maybe if you performed on our more provocative nights."
   I was about to get up and walk through the twins. I wanted to handle Coleman's nasty mouth myself. If he looked to the right and saw us, he would've chosen different words. But low and behold, this girl could hold her own.
   "How about I take your corrupt businessman complex and shove it up your ass, you piece of shit. And when it reaches your fucking tonsils, you'll shit up all the money you've ever stolen from your performers. Because, I promise you, whether it's that way or another, I will get my money." She unlocked her car, but didn't turn her glare away from him, waiting for him to reply.
   A shrug was all she got in return. He didn't look phased, but it was all an act. "I'm sorry, girl. I only work with Malcom."
   She got in the antique and stuck her arm out the window just to flip him off. Part of me felt bad that I didn't give this guy another day to get the money. Only so she would get paid for her show tonight. Another part of me knew that it wasn't my problem. I've got to stay unattached to the people I deal with while on any sort of run. And this only goes to prove she would be a distraction for me.
   "Well, that was dramatic," said giggly.
   "Yeah, too dramatic for me," Axel agreed.
   I took my hands up and started my bike, not even turning to the girls. "Sorry, nice to meet you ladies." I used the minor incident to my advantage to go the hell home.
   I turned my head slightly when I didn't hear them persist. They looked upset but I really didn't give a fuck. Axel started his own bike and nodded the girls off.
   I watched the blonde ride off into the night before us. I wondered to myself if I was ever going to see her after this. It's clear she's not gonna come back here anymore, and the Serpents aren't going to do business with Coleman any longer. So the ride back to the clubhouse, I pondered all the ways I could run into her.
God, what is wrong with me?