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Ryker
Ryker Henry wasn’t sure how the hell it happened, but he had been voted in as the Smokey Bandit’s new club Prez—a position he hadn’t realized he wanted until it was his. Now, he wouldn’t trade it for the world, but it did take him nearly two years to get used to his new role.
When he joined the Smokey Bandits, he was just a snot-nosed kid. He wasn’t sure what he was doing or where he belonged in life until Ace took him under his wing and brought him into the MC. They were a part of the Royal Bastards and as far as clubs went, the Bastards were pretty prestigious, and he was damn proud to be a part of them. His only problem was keeping his guys in check when they were without a Prez for so long. Things got out of hand when Ace had to step down as Pres of the Smokey Bandits, to take care of his little family and the Casino that he owned. He was still involved in the club, but they were without a true leader for months until they could get a few guys to agree to throw their hats in the ring to be a leader of their motley crew. That was when his entire life changed for the better and there would be no looking back for him. His past was just that—the past and he planned on leaving it there.
Ryker sat in his office, going over the finances that were consistently going in the wrong damn direction. He had very few months that he actually saw a profit these days and that was why he ended up taking the loan on the bar. He needed to keep the Bandits afloat and there was no way that he was going to crawl back to Ace, asking him for money. So, he did the only thing he knew to do, go to a guy in town who was a notorious loan shark. Yeah, he knew what he was getting into, but at the time, he didn’t really care. Now, with guys showing up at his bar, giving him not so gentle reminders that he owed their boss a shit ton of money and he expected payment, he seemed to care a bit more.
To make matters worse, he had to hire some help around the bar—a cook and at least one waitress, or he wasn’t going to have any food to serve and no one to serve it. Things weren’t looking like they were going to change at any point, so he had to come up with a plan B soon, or he was going to lose more than his bar. He had a feeling that the loan he took out would lead to him losing his life if he didn’t come up with the money to pay it back.
First thing was first—he had a woman coming in about the waitressing job in about five minutes, so he needed to put the rest of his shit behind him and find a way to move forward. A soft knock sounded at his office door and Taz smiled in at him.
“Hey boss,” he said. He hated that Taz called him “Boss.” He wasn’t his boss. Taz chose to hang around and help at the club, doing whatever he was asked to do, never asking for compensation, and never complaining. He was honestly the best non-employee Ryker ever had.
“What’s up, Taz?” he asked.
“Um, not much,” Taz said. Ryker didn’t like the guy at first if he was being completely honest. Taz got on his last nerve. He was loud, a bit hyperactive, and just plain annoying. But then, the guy kind of grew on him and Ryker had to admit, he liked him.
“What can I do for you then, Taz?” Ryker asked.
“There’s a pretty woman here to see you,” Taz said, giving him an exaggerated wink. “She says it’s about the waitressing job. I didn’t know you were hiring, boss.”
“Yeah—just a waitress and a cook,” Ryker said, leaving out the part about not being able to afford much more.
“If you’re looking for a cook, I might be able to help out,” Taz said.
“You know a cook that might want to work in this dive bar?” Ryker teased.
“Yeah,” Taz said. “Me.”
“I didn’t know that you knew how to cook, man,” Ryker admitted. There was a lot he didn’t know about his guys, and he made a mental note to change that.
“I do,” Taz said. “Went to culinary school and all. I’d love a shot at the job, boss,” he said.
“On one condition,” Ryker said.
“Name it.” Taz crossed his arms over his massive chest and stared him down.
“You stop calling me boss and I’ll let you work the kitchen tonight—you know as a practice run. If all goes well, you’re in.”
Taz nodded and smiled, “Thanks, bo—” He stopped himself before getting the rest out. “Thanks, Ryker,” Taz said.
“Not a problem,” Ryker said. “Can you show our possible new waitress back?”
“Sure thing,” Taz agreed. “Good luck. I think she’d be great for the job, by the way.”
“I’m sure you do,” Ryker mumbled. “Since you already told me that she’s pretty.” Taz chuckled and started out of the office, stopping in the doorway.
“It’s not just that,” Taz grumbled. “I think that having a few women in here waiting tables and maybe even tending bar might bring in more customers—you know, not just the guys.” He shrugged, “I don’t know, it’s just a thought.”
“It’s a good one,” Taz said. “I appreciate the advice.” Taz had a point—bringing in more women might end up bringing in more customers. “Thanks, Taz.”
The big biker disappeared from his office and returned minutes later with a dark-haired woman. She was petite, barely coming up to Taz’s shoulder, but then, Taz was a big guy. She looked at him with the darkest brown eyes—they looked almost black and felt as though they could pierce his soul.
“Hi,” he said, standing to round his desk. Ryker held out his hand and she didn’t make a move to take it. “I’m Ryker. I own this bar now and am the Prez of the Smokey Bandits who meet here. You are?” he asked.
She finally reached for his hand, placing her small one into his. His hand practically swallowed hers whole. “I’m Harlow Eden. I’m here about your ad for the waitressing job.”
“Right, how about you have a seat, and we can talk about it?” he asked, pointing to the chair in front of his desk. He looked around her to where Taz was still standing, as if wanting to watch the whole exchange. “Don’t you have something to go do, man?” Ryker asked him.
