Romeo (Dark Knights MC/Blood Fury MC: Crossover)

Chapter 27

Chapter Twenty-Seven

I need this job. I need this job. I need this job.

She swore that was now her daily mantra.

Take it one day at a time, girl. It’ll be worth it in the end.

Hopefully.

At least that was what she kept telling herself. She could kick herself later if it turned out to be untrue and all she did was waste the last year and a half at Smith’s while taking the abuse.

Her tongue was particularly bloody today from biting it one too many times. She only stopped once Roger walked out the door and left her alone to close up.

She loved seeing his back as he walked away. It was his best side. Both for her and the rest of his employees.

Tonight, she was the last one to leave because Roger cornered her after she finished up with her last patient. As soon as she saw him striding in her direction, dread overcame her. She knew instantly she would be stuck doing some bullshit job. One she couldn’t refuse.

Roger had her trapped in his tiny iron fist and he knew it. The day that changed, she would tell him what a piece of shit he was. Most likely through an anonymous email since she couldn’t say it directly to his face without him putting a black mark on her career.

Tonight’s bullshit reason for her to stay late was to wipe down the strength equipment out on the floor. Forget the fact that the therapists sanitized each piece of equipment after a patient used it. Apparently, Roger’s excuse was that he didn’t “trust anyone to do it properly.” Funny how he trusted her to do it right?

Whatever.

He’d been slightly more of a dick than normal—Was that even possible?—after Romeo confronted him. Proof Roger didn’t like anyone challenging his ass. So now she was being punished more than normal on a regular basis.

She would’ve blown off cleaning the equipment and headed home if cameras weren’t all over the place. Watching. Recording. Like big brother.

Maddie didn’t doubt that Roger also kept an eye on the live feeds on his cell phone. The last thing she needed was to be written up again or docked any pay for “insubordination.”

Her only choice was to suck it up and get it done before leaving for the evening. Only, in the end, it took her an hour and a half past her quitting time. Time she’d never get back or be compensated for.

Because her boss was a user and a loser.

The other night she had a dream that he tripped in front of her and, instead of helping him up, she ended up kicking him while he was down. She wasn’t sure if she should admit that she woke up with a smile. Maybe she’d keep that to herself. But remembering that brought another smile to her face.

Until she stepped outside .

Before she could turn and lock the door, she saw that her vehicle wasn’t the only one parked in what should be an empty lot. Right next to her Toyota sat a Harley. And on that Harley sat a man. And on that man was a leather cut proclaiming he was the president of the Dark Knights MC.

She sighed.

Maddie hadn’t heard from him in about two weeks. Not that she reached out to him, either. The reason she hadn’t texted or called him was…

She liked having sex with him way too much.

Way too much.

She had picked up her cell phone several times in the last couple of weeks to arrange a “meet,” but seconds later she set that same phone down. She didn’t want to start relying on him. Not for protection. Not even for sex.

She also didn’t want him to think she needed him. For anything. That could be dangerous when it came to overly protective, possessive bikers.

With a shake of her head, she turned and took her time locking the front door to Smith’s. After releasing another loud, long sigh, she headed over to the man waiting for her.

A black silky do-rag covered his dark, bald noggin and dark sunglasses hid his just as dark eyes, even though the sun had begun to set.

Those glasses followed every step she took across the parking lot. Of course he had parked right next to her driver’s door. Was he afraid she’d try to avoid him?

If she had to admit it—though she’d never say it out loud—the man looked damn good straddling his badass sled. Especially with his skilled hands planted on those thick thighs.

She stopped next to him. “At least you waited until Roger left.” The man might actually have some common sense.

“Been waiting here for a while. ”

Her head jerked back. “How long?”

“Long enough to see your asshole boss leave along with all your fuckin’ co-workers. Why’d you stay?”

If she told him the truth, he would only give her a rash of shit for it and tell her that she should leave this job for the thousandth time.

She didn’t want to hear it. She was tired. She was hungry. Her feet ached. “I had a few things to finish up.”

“Like?”

“Like work.”

His brow furrowed. “What kinda work? That dick insist you stay late?”

“No.”

The big man could move fast when he wanted to. Because suddenly he was off his bike and toe-to-toe with her. With a tight grip on her chin, he raised her face so she couldn’t avoid him.

She lifted a hand to stop whatever he was about to spew. “I don’t want to hear it, Rome. I’m done explaining. If you can’t accept that, then leave.”

His nostrils flared, a muscle jumped in his cheek and his grip tightened to the point it bordered on painful.

She needed to stop him before he started in on her. If he did, she might go off on him, tell him to fuck off and the next thing she knew, he’d be telling Shade that she was having issues with her boss.

That could be a fatal mistake.

For Roger.

“I see you setting to go off… but please… just don’t,” she finished on a whisper.

That had him pinning his lips so tightly, they ended up in a slash.

“Why are you here?” Maybe she could get him off track .

“You were here a goddamn hour and a half longer than everyone else, Maddie.”

Oh, he was pissed? He wasn’t the one wiping down already clean equipment. “Tell me something I don’t know. Why are you stalking me?”

His bearded chin jerked back into his neck. “Ain’t stalkin’ you.”

“You still haven’t said why you’re here.”

“Figured you might wanna get fed and fucked.”

While that sounded tempting, taking him up on that offer would have her skidding down a slippery slope. The one she was trying to avoid. “Is that some sort of spa package?”

“Yeah. You qualify for the president’s special. Limited time only.”

“Maybe I don’t want it.”

His sudden smile wasn’t a “happy” smile, but one more predatory. When he added a deep, grumbly, “Want me to prove you’re a damn liar?” it made her toes curl and heat pool between her legs.

Damn it.

She cleared her throat so her voice wouldn’t crack when she responded, “No need.”

“Thought that’d be the case.”

“So damn cocky,” she mumbled under her breath.

His head tipped to the side. “You want my cock? That what you just said?”

“I said you’re damn cocky.” This time she said it loud and clear so there was no “misunderstanding.”

His smile grew and he shoved his sunglasses to the top of his head. Why did this man look so damn fine?

It was frustrating. If he was some ugly troll, she could easily resist him.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t .

What made it worse was he was damn good in bed.

Unfortunately, he knew it, too.

However, it was the rest of the baggage that went along with him she wasn’t so fond of…

That cut he wore proudly. The attitude most bikers had about women being property. Or the mistaken belief that anyone with a vagina was weak, helpless, and needed their protection.

“Does that president’s special include a foot massage?”

“No.”

“Oh. Too bad. That’s what I really need right now instead of an internal massage.”

He snorted. “That internal massage gonna make you forget your feet.”

“I’m not so sure about that,” she murmured. She’d been on them for too many hours today. “Do I get a refund if it doesn’t?”

“Got a no refund policy. But if you ain’t happy with the service, can make it right.”

“How?”

“By doin’ it again. No charge.”

“ Oooh . So generous. And if I don’t like it the second time?”

“Then gonna do it ’til it’s done right, and you’re satisfied.”

“How about this… I’ll pass on the president’s special and take a food and foot massage package, instead.”

“Gotta get the whole package .” He grabbed his crotch and shook it. “Ain’t a la carte.”

With a soft snort, she dropped her head to hide her amusement because his ego really didn’t need to know he was funny, too.

He snagged her chin again and lifted her face. “Don’t fuckin’ hide from me. ”

“Do you always expect women to listen to your orders?”

“Yep.”

“At least you’re honest about it. So… Where are you taking me to eat? A five Michelin star steakhouse?”

“Close. Dick’s. Got a whole damn kitchen full of shit there and cooks we pay to make that shit, too.”

“I don’t like the taste of shit, but I do have a hankering for a really good chicken sandwich loaded with pickles and a side of seasoned waffle fries. Can they make that?”

“Yeah.”

She shot him a skeptical look. “Are you lying?”

“No fuckin’ need to lie.”

“If we get there and I get frozen chicken fingers and unseasoned tater tots, I’m writing a one-star review,” she warned.

His lips quirked. “Dick’s ain’t ever gonna recover if you do.”

Maddie doubted that any bad rating the biker bar received would do any damage. Bikers went there to drink, not for the ambiance or gourmet meals. If their guts started growling, she was sure peanuts, hot wings and a cold beer solved that issue.

She eyed up his sweet Harley. “Do I get to ride on your sled?”

If she hadn’t been watching him carefully, she would’ve missed his nostrils flaring just slightly and his body tense.

Oooh. Did he never haul a woman around on the back of his bike? Did he think doing so might mean some kind of commitment? Interesting.

His seat was big enough for a passenger. Not all bikes had that. She was surprised Romeo’s did since he was determined to remain a bachelor.

“Not a good idea to keep your cage here. ”

Her eyebrows shot up in feigned surprise. “It’s not? It’s not a bad area.”

“Dontcha wanna be able to smash and dash?”

Huh. Reverse psychology. He was really using his head. The bald one between his shoulders. “That’s your specialty.”

“Coulda fooled me.” When she opened her mouth again, his twisted. “Done jawin’. You comin’ or not?”

“I would hope so. You haven’t failed me yet.”

He didn’t roll his eyes, but she was sure it was damn close. “Woman…”

She grinned and whacked him in the gut with the back of her hand. “Okay, my stomach’s growling.”

A cell phone appeared in his hand, and he tapped away at the screen.

“Are you looking for another date already?

He shook his head and continued to type. “Makin’ sure they got chicken for your sandwich and waffle fries.”

“Seasoned waffle fries.”

He finally glanced up. “Seasoned waffle fries.”

“And if they don’t?”

“Then their asses better find some before we get there.”

“Are you a dick boss like Roger?”

“Nope.”

“Should I ask your kitchen staff when we get there?”

“Nope. But I ain’t their boss. Magnum is.” A scowl twisted his lips. “Or is supposed to be.”

“As president aren’t you everyone’s boss?”

He grunted.

“Just like I thought,” she quipped.

He shook his head. “Let’s go, woman.”

As soon as she unlocked her driver’s door, he opened it for her. As she climbed into her Highlander, she teased, “I’d say ‘what a gentleman!’ but we both know that would be a lie.”

“Bet a gentleman can’t eat your pussy as good as I could!” The exclamation point on that statement was him slamming her door shut.

Once he threw his long leg over his sled, she rolled down her window. “This better not be some kind of bait and switch.” Yes, she was up for knocking boots with the sexy beast, but her stomach needed to be satisfied first.

His answer was him revving his Harley and jerking his chin toward the parking lot’s exit.

Of course he was waiting for her to drive off. She shouldn’t be surprised that he wanted to follow her to Dick’s. Most likely to make sure she didn’t change her mind and make a break for it.

Honestly, she didn’t care who led the way as long as she got her free food and uncommitted sex. A surefire way for her to forget her shitty damn day.