AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I thought cat years were the same as people years, and it’s dog years that are shorter.”
Mel snorts a laugh, “It doesn’t matter, smart aleck. You know what I meant and that’s all that counts.”
Before I can answer, a woman stumbles sleepily into the bar and crawls onto another bar stool.
Mel tells her sharply, “We don’t start serving alcohol until noon. You know that, Lori.”
“You’ve only got fifteen more minutes to wait,” I point out helpfully.
The woman’s not paying attention to me. She’s glaring at Mel. “I didn’t ask for fucking alcohol,” she flings back, her voice thick with annoyance.
I point to the sign above the bar. “Rule number one is to respect the bartender or get the hell out.” That sign has been hanging there since I was a kid. My dad was an old school biker who didn’t mince words.
The woman’s unfocused eyes turn on me and she gives me the once over from head to toe before snorting a laugh. “I don’t know who the hell you are, but you’re not gonna last long around here dressed like that.”
She doesn’t have to explain, because I know exactly what she’s talking about. It’s not even noon and this woman is wearing a shirt this shows her midriff and a sequined skirt that barely covers her ass. My black dress pants, elegant ivory silk blouse and designer pumps definitely aren’t what club girls wear.
I frown at her and bring one hand up to tap my chest. “I’m your club princess, not a vixen.”
Mel stays suspiciously quiet during this interaction. Lori’s head spins around to the far wall. Sure enough, my picture is hanging there. I look younger in the photo but it’s clearly me.
She turns around, looking a little dispirited. “So, we have a club princess now and Siege has a queen?”
I nod, not terribly offended that she’s upset about having another female to answer to. “And whoever the lead girl is right now,” I remind her.
Lori’s eyes cut to Mel. Me? I can’t keep the smile off my face for anything. Mel was three years ahead of me all the way through school and we were always on friendly terms. I was absolutely thrilled when my father hired her to manage the Savage Legion’s bar in town. I say gleefully, “You are everywhere these days, Mel. You must be rolling in dough.”
A proud smile spreads over her face. “For once in my life, I’m doing really well.”
“I’ll say. You’re probably earning about what I was, as an entry level attorney in San Francisco.”
Mel nods, her smile bright. “I’m not wasting it either. I’m saving and investing every penny for my future, just like Claw lectured us about before you left.”
I roll my eyes, “My father was nothing if not financially savvy.” I gesture around the room with one hand. “He built all this from scratch.”
“Yes ma’am, he did,” A deep voice says from behind us.
I twirl around to see Rigs standing in the doorway with a lovely, heavily pregnant brunette at his side. I’m so excited that I monkey hop over to him and fling my arms around his neck. Hanging there for an instant, I let myself drop to the ground and grin up at him. “I’ve really missed you, Rigs.” Gesturing to the clearly amused woman standing beside him, I ask, “Is this the fabulous Mattie that I’ve heard so much about?”
“Yes. It’s me all right.” The woman responds. She has an easygoing, indulgent expression on her face. When she reaches out her hand for me to shake, I playfully shove it aside and give her a hug instead.
“Cleo told me all about you, and how you and Rigs have tracked down a bunch of missing kids. You two are practically hometown heroes.”
Rigs slips his arm around her and tugs her closer. I’ve never seen him this way around a woman before and it’s so sweet.
“Well, we would be hometown heroes,” she responds lightly. “If anyone knew what we were doing. We’re keeping it on the down low because drawing a bunch of attention to ourselves just makes our quest harder.”
I bring my finger and thumb up and pretend to zip my lips. “Mum’s the word.”
Mattie chuckles, “You are just like Cleo described. She and your brother are so happy you decided to come back to Las Salinas.”
“Where are they, anyway? I thought they would be here by now. They left almost an hour before I did.”
Mattie glances at the door that leads into the brother’s meeting room. “I think they’re in there. You should pop in and let them know you’re here.”
Eyeing the door, I respond happily, “I think I will.”
Although I’m eager to spend time with my brother and his family, I’m also curious to see if they’ve redecorated the rest of the building as well. I take my leave and head to the back of the bar area.
