Page 2 of Bitten By Zombie

Sherry gathered her clothes but turned to speak. “Zombie, I—”

He slashed his hand in the air, cutting off her words. If she uttered one more fucking syllable, she was gone.

When she closed the door quietly behind her, he breathed a sigh of relief. Not slamming the door nor continuing to talk back went a long way to cool his temper.

He finished his routine. Preparing his stump was still emotional, even after all the years he’d done the exact same thing. He was lucky. He’d lost his limb just above the ankle, so he had a decent amount of function. Most people didn’t even know he had a prosthetic, they just thought he modified his sled to a bang shift style for shits and giggles. He rolled on the sleeve, donned the foot, and finished dressing.

Grabbing his cut, he closed the bedroom door.

By the time he made it to the front, he was fully dressed, cup of joe in hand, and ready to start the day.

Outlaw was there in a suit, which meant he was headed to the Royal Guard or court for the day.

“Court?”

“Not today, but I am meeting with Dale’s cousin over at holding.”

“Our Dale?”

Outlaw brushed his suit and adjusted his cuffs. It never ceased to amaze Zombie how different his veep looked when he went intolawyer mode. Which wasn’t often. He only went to court or holding for a brother or as a favor to one. While Dale wasn’t a brother, he was a damn good manager who the club trusted with the sole running of the Metal Shop.

“If by ours you mean our bar manager, then yes. He asked me for a favor. I figured it must be pretty important since he hasn’t asked for a damn thing in all the years he’s run the bar for us.”

Since the bar and live venue made them a handsome profit, it made sense to back the manager who held that all together.

“Well, you go play fine upstanding citizen, and I’ll hold down the fort here.”

Outlaw left after a quick nod.

Zombie turned to the reception desk. “Looks like it’s just us today, Squatch.” He slapped his enforcer on the shoulder.

“At least until Hook gets back from a tow.”

The big fucker reached out and took his coffee, raising the mug in salute. “Thanks, prez. I was just thinking I needed a caffeine fix.” One sip and Sasquatch spewed it across the counter. “What the fuck is this shit?” He peered into the cup. “Did it come with a poodle in a designer bag and a vagina?”

Zombie snatched the mug back with a grin. “Fuck off, Squatch. Serves you right for stealing my coffee.” Zombie made his way to the corner desk and propped his shitkickers up on top.

“I hate to break it to you, prez, but that’s not coffee. That’s flavored creamer, sugar, and a thimble full of something that may have been considered coffee at one point.”

They shared a laugh over it and then sat in companionable silence. Broken only by the phone calls. The office served not only Outlaw Tow & Salvage, but it was also their Royal Bastards clubhouse and the call center for Eureka Cleaners. With three different land lines, there seemed to always be phone calls.

“So, what’s the deal with Sherry?” Squatch asked casually, but he was prying. Most likely out of concern for his president. For an enforcer who didn’t blink when doing what had to be done, he had the soul of a nurturer. Which as big and hairy as he was, made for a ridiculous juxtaposition.

“There is no deal, Squatch. We fucked, now we don’t.” Zombie’s gaze fell to the monitors behind reception. Hook was coming through the gate.

Squatch swiveled his chair around, making intense eye contact.

“But why? You guys were hot and heavy for months, to the point the other brothers backed off, and now you’re done? Just like that? If she’s a threat in any way, a heads up would be nice.”

The storm raging in his enforcer’s dark eyes said everything he needed to know about the man. If he knew nothing else, the exchange proved he had a soft heart but would harden it for his brothers if needed.

“Be at ease, Squatch. We aren’t in the business of hurting women, and we don’t plan on starting anytime soon. Sherry has a place here as long as she respects that she and I are done and none of the brothers pop issues with her.”

Squatch’s fists relaxed, and he shrunk a good three inches as his shoulders dropped. “But what about you, prez? Whatcha going through that made you toss her aside?” He spun back around to shuffle papers. “Is it that townie you hook up with? Gettin’ serious?”

“Nah, I haven’t hit that in weeks. I’m just over the whole—”

Before he could finish the thought, Hook came rushing in. “Squatch, grab the kit while I take a leak. We’ve got secrets to discover.”

---