Page 13 of Coty

Coty hesitates. “You two okay?”

“Oh, let me see.” I place my hand to my forehead over my eyes and scan the room. I point to the far side of the room. “Yep. The bar’s right there, where it’s always been.”

He growls and looks away for a moment. I’ll take every cheap shot I can get tonight. It ticks me off that I let him get close enough to get under my skin.

“Enjoy it while you can.” He motions between us with his finger. “Whatever this madness is, it’s ending.” He turns and follows Jack and Jay.

Lily loops her arm around mine again. “Whoa. Somebody’s serious tonight, and it sounds like he’s had enough.”

“He’s an idiot,” I grumble and pull her to the bar.

Lily settles on the stool between Granddad and Pops. That gets a little confusing to new members and guests. Granddad is Jack’s grandfather and the club’s first President. Pops is Worley Bird, our Vice President’s father. He was the club’s first treasurer and a founding member. Nobody gets away with disrespecting these two men.

I go behind the bar and tap Chez on the shoulder. “Want a break, man?” He nods. “Take at least thirty.”

“Thanks, Kayla.” Chez grabs a beer and joins a couple of members in the backyard.

“Are you sure you’re up for this?” Lily means well.

I understand why she’s worried. She had an abusive ex. Tonight was nothing like what she went through. I have fears, but Blake and Landon aren’t it.

“The guys wouldn’t have left her alone if she weren’t.” Pops taps the bar. I set a beer in front of him.

“He’s right.” Granddad nods firmly to Lily. “Jack wouldn’t have left her here unprotected if she weren’t okay.”

I huff. "I’m in the most protected spot in the room." I may not know who’s watching over me, but one of these guys is. I point to Lily. “That is, other than where you’re sitting.”

“Good point.” Pops lifts his beer before taking a long drink.

Granddad laughs and playfully nudges Lily’s shoulder with his. “We’re old, not feeble.”

No truer statement has ever been said. Both men are in their early seventies. You wouldn’t know unless they told you. Good genes run in both families, unlike mine.

Mack, the club President, slaps his hand on the bar in front of me. “You good?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Jack says you want tips.”

“I do. It would help.” I add the last part to soften the sting. The last thing anyone wants to do is get snappy with Jack’s father.

“Jack’s paying you fifty an hour tonight. That’s holiday pay. You’re getting your bonus from Bankz, too.” He sighs and softens a little. “No jar, but I won’t stop anyone from offering.”

“Thank you, Prez.” It’s more than I actually expected.

Mack gives Lily a one-armed hug. “Keep an eye on her, love. Make sure she earns her keep.”

Lily kisses his cheek. I love how Jack’s family has accepted her. “Sure thing, Dad.”

Mack looks around the Den and nods, mostly to himself. He’s pleased with how the members are behaving tonight. Without another word, he disappears down the hall toward his office. Two patched members guard the hall entrance. It means one thing. An angel arrived sometime this evening. Oh, man. What a tough night this has been for the Vikings.

The McLeod family becomes different people when an angel shows up. What this family does to protect women is brave and heroic. What doing so does to them breaks my heart. They try to hide it, just like Granddad is doing now. His little tell signs are noticeable to anyone who knows him. His jaw twitches, and he blinks more than normal. Their family will never admit it to anyone, and they’ll never stop their cause, but when an angel shows up, it forces them to relive the worst day of their lives.

Chapter 7

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Kayla

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