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“Alright,” Tia muttered.
“Now, I need to swing by the hospital and check on the fellowship. You think you can handle everything for a few hours?”
“Yeah. York and I will binge watchVampire Diariesand gorge on junk food. York is totally mooning over Damon. He thinks he’s funny.”
Shaking my head, I walked away and left the penthouse.
Stepping outside, I wasted no time hailing a cab. Standing at the curb, a cab pulled to a stop in front of me. Hopping in, I heard. “Where to?”
“The Gentlemen’s Club on fifth and Market.”
“You sure, miss? That’s not a safe area.”
“I’m sure.”
As the cab pulled away from the curb, I laid my head back against the seat and sighed. I hated lying to Tia. I hated lying period, but the truth was, I already knew I didn’t get the fellowship. When I failed to respond in time, they gave it to someone else. That was why I was considering the fellowship in Charleston, West Virginia. Instead of thinking rationally, I allowed my grief and lack of residence to sway me to move with Tia. Now, I was stuck in a city with no job prospects. There were several hospitals in the city. I knew that. I just needed to knuckle down and apply. There had to be at least one hospital in the city that needed a general surgeon. Until then, I knew of one place that would give me a job on the spot.
My former boss Barney.
Looking at my watch, it was still early enough that the club would still be closed to patrons, giving me plenty of time to talk Barney into giving me back my old job. I wasn’t excited about it, but the money I could make would go a long way to support my son and allow me to help Tia out with the bills.
My only worry was that the Soulless Sinners provided protection for Barney and his club. I knew Barney paid handsomely for that protection, too. On the fifteenth of every month, one of the Soulless Sinners would walk into the club and Barney would give him a large envelope of money. Once in hand, the biker would leave.
Rinse and repeat.
Too easy. I would just make sure I was nowhere near the club on the fifteenth of every month. Shouldn’t be too hard and when I found a job at a hospital, I would never have to step foot in Barney’s again.
The cab pulled to a stop and after paying him his fare, I got out and hurried into the building.
“Bars closed. Get out!”
“Is that how I told you to greet customers, old man?”
“Tessie?” Barney’s head popped up from behind the bar with a huge smile on his face.
Smiling, I greeted. “Hey Barney.”
“Tessie!”
Greeting me with a big hug, I closed my eyes and allowed the familiar scent of peppermint and pipe tobacco to fill my lungs. Barney was one of the first people I met in the city when I came here for school. Over the years, he became one of my trusted friends and employers.
Holding my shoulders, Barney looked me over. “Damn girl, you get prettier every day. When did you get back?”
“Today. Thought I’d swing by and see my old friend and ask for a favor. I need a job, Barney.”
Barney’s smile faded as he grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the bar. “Tess, you shouldn’t be here. If he finds out, it could be trouble for the both of us.”
“I don’t have any other choice, Barney. I need a job. Until I can get one at a hospital, you are it.”
Barney reached over the bar and grabbed two shot glasses and a bottle of scotch. Pouring us both a shot, he downed his quick. “Heard rumors you were coming back. Mentioned them to him, thinking he might be interested.”
“He doesn’t recycle pussy, Barney. You know that.”
My former boss nodded. “I do, but you’re not anyone Tessa. It’s you. The one who got away. When I mentioned your name, he lost his shit. Like a full-on caged animal. He hasn’t been the same since you left. He’s meaner.”
“He was always mean Barney. You know that.”
“He’s worse. Goes through my girls like candy and treats them like trash. Word spread fast after the last party. None of my girls have signed up for the next meet and greet. Shit, Tess. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have mentioned that.”
