Page 2 of Tamed By A Knight

The two titans of our band of misfits are engrossed in their own worlds, reminiscing on the good old days. They won’t notice me step away for a second. Though I don’t move far, taking a few steps into the far corner of Knight’s office.

“Hey,” I answer casually.

“Hey. You busy?” Tara’s soft voice sends a tingle up my spine.

“What’s up?” Ignoring her question is easier than explaining what’s going on.

“I hate to do this again, but…” She trails off until loud music is all I can hear on the other end.

“You need a ride?”

“If you could? I’d be forever in your debt.”

“You know you’ve offered that up before, right? That’s a lot of forevers you’re giving up.” Talon and Knight both look over at me while I’m grinning like a fool in the corner.

“You say it like it’s a bad thing.” Tara’s casual, offhand flirtation doesn’t help when it’s just her and me alone. With them staring, I’m red as a tomato at this point.

“Give me a few. I’ll see what I can do. Where am I headed?” Clearing my throat uncomfortably, Talon cracks up in laughter.

God, the embarrassment truly is endless.

“Lavish.” She almost sounds upset at having to admit it. Probably due to the fact that I hate that place with every fiber of my being.

“I’ll pick you up inside.” Killing the call, I return to the table, where both men stare on with devilish smiles.

“You mind if I?—”

“Not at all.” Knight leans over the table to give me a firm slap on the shoulder. “New title comes with new perks. You don’t have to ask for our approval, no more.”

“Thanks, boss.” And with it, I’m off to rescue my damsel in distress.

Neon signs in pink,purple, and blue hang overhead. Some multicolored and others mono, they blink the naked female form, acting as a spotlight and lighthouse to the lonely bachelors and bachelorettes of Boulder. Their incessant buzzing makes me sick to the stomach on my approach, getting worse by the second as I square off against the seven-foot-tall brick shithouse guarding the door.

Above his head, the noisiest and brightest sign of them all, surrounded by a flickering mess of color and the words,Girls! Girls! Girls!, the club’s name holds steady. Lavish, the only club in all of Boulder, aims to please the female eye and attract lust-hungry men like flies to a fetid carcass.

“Need something?” the bouncer says after giving me far too much time to realize how much I hate this place.

“I’m here to pick someone up.” No eye contact means no trouble. I focus on his chest instead, the periphery focused on his arms. No telling what a man might do, unprovoked or not. Staying cautious of anyone and everyone is how you get far in this world.

“Don’t see anyone out here.” He scans the street, left to right and back again.

“She’s inside.”

“Yup, that’s my guess. But tell me, why would shebe waiting on the dance floor and not here?” The bouncer folds his arms over his chest, raising a brow at me.

“I told her to wait inside. Safer than out here.” He’s doing his job. I have to remind myself of that before I let my temper flare unnecessarily.

“Call her and say you’re here then.” He scoffs and shakes his head like I’m some kind of dumb ass.

“Tried. Probably can’t hear her phone over the deafening music.” It’s times like these I wish I had Knight or Talon’s tenacity.Let me in or else. That’s how they’d sort this guy out. Make quick work of it and get on with their business.

The bouncer’s face hardens, and his eyes travel up and down to inspect me. Another scoff follows, and I ready myself for whatever bullshit’s going to spew out of his mouth next.

“I’m fucking with you,” he says, shattering my perception of what’s going on. “Saw your colors as soon as you rode in. Knight Riders are always welcome here.”

“Gonna let me pass?” I start walking to the door before he answers.

“Sure, but keep whatever trouble you’ve got inside to a minimum, will ya?” His head follows me, but he doesn’t move out of his chair. “Don’t wanna have to break up any fights.”

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