Page 3 of Zeus's Ruin

Zeus

Ihave zero interestin being out tonight.Scorpio is meeting with the Saints Outlaws MC alone and my blood is zinging through my veins in agitation not knowing what’s happening with my brother.We couldn’t risk the old man catching wind of what was going on, so here I am, pretending to knock back drink after drink with my club brothers and Prez.He’d fucking kill us all if he knew that in just a few short days, we’ll no longer be the Grim Raiders MC.And he’ll no longer be drawing breath, along with the other Raider’s founding four.The Saint’s Outlaws MC is our future, I just don’t like that my brother and future Prez is meeting with them alone.

I shove the untouched bourbon toward Razor.He doesn’t miss a trick, and he arches a questioning brow at me.

Razor, Haze, and Flame all know of our plans to patch over, but it’s too risky to clue in the others yet.So he knows why I’m agitated.“I need some air.”

“You need company, brother?”

“Nah, enjoy your drink.”I glance around the dinky bar and catch sight of a familiar little blonde who’s been plaguing my thoughts since our last interaction.Hell, I’ve had to fight the urge to spring a rental inspection on the house next door—or fix the fucking radiator that’s been broken for ten years because it’s fucking New Orleans and we rarely need heat—just for another excuse to see her.A smile tips the corner of my mouth.“Think I’m just gonna head on out.”

Razor follows my line of sight and chuckles.“Yeah, you head on out.Tell the plucky blonde I said ‘hi’.”

“Fuck you.”

“Good luck, brother.Somethin’ tells me you’ll need it.”

I push through the crowd of people and slide in beside her at the bar, giving her my back.I grab the bar tender’s attention and order a Bourbon neat.My tenant sighs.“Rude.”

I turn to look at her with a smile.“I’m sorry, ma’am.Did I just cut in?”

“Yeah, you did,” she gripes and then her gaze whips up to mine and her whole demeanor changes.Her cherry-red lips twist into a grin and she gets the devil in her eyes.If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she wants to jump my bones right here in the middle of the bar.

“Zeus!I didn’t recognize you.”

“Because I look so different from my usual suit and tie?”

“Funny.What are you doing here?”

I tilt my chin toward the club, taking up the back end of the bar.“Club biz.What are you doin’ here all alone?”

“Oh, I’m here with Jimmy.”

“And he’s letting you walk around the bar by yourself ...”I roll my gaze slowly over her from head to toe and back again.“Dressed like that?”

“Well, you know Jimmy.He couldn’t possibly get his own drink.”

I frown.“What are you drinking, darlin’?”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that.”

“What are you drinkin’?

“Um ...A Bud Light and a rum and Coke, please?I can pay you back.”

“I don’t want your money, Sugar.”

“Okay.Well ...thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

I signal to the bartender, who drops the order he’s currently fixing to tend to me.I order, despite the other patrons protesting.The staff here are well trained.The Boobie Trap Brewhouse is a titty bar in the heart of New Orleans and one of our more legitimate lucrative businesses.And though we’re just silent partners with the owner, Tig, we never need to wait on drinks or anything else we may want.

“Here you go, Zeus,” the bartender says.

“Much obliged.”I nod and hand Sugar her drinks.

“Thank you.Really.I’m sure Jimmy would have had a fit if his trusty bar wench didn’t get him beer in the next ten minutes.”

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