Page 5 of Colton (Raging Barons MC #17)

-:- NYX -:-

Turning I give my employer the middle finger.

“Shove the job. It’s a deadbeat job, anyway.

” I quickly step out of the store before the stupid bitch can say anything more to me.

I’ve been doing a sixty-hour week for the last four weeks, and she’s tried not to pay me extra.

I’m not having that. She didn’t like the fact I threatened that I’d speak to someone about her employment history.

Or lack of keeping employment and history records correctly.

After arguing with her for an hour, I got a cash payment from her for the extra hours. I’ll be making sure never to shop in this place for anything. Shoes are something that I can get at other stores, or I can shop on-line. The last thing I need is to put money into her pocket.

Picking up my phone, I make the call to Blake. She’s a woman I met at the Swap Shop. I was taking in clothes that were too small even though new, and she was helping Hannah, the lady behind the counter, for the afternoon. No response from Blake so she’s obviously busy at the moment.

It was strange as Blake works at the cleaning company, yet was helping the Swap Shop! Nope, I didn’t ask; I have enough to do without getting into other people’s business.

Walking back to my small apartment I aim to shower, change and head quickly out to Helping Hands Cleaning business.

I’m hoping they have a vacancy because I’m going to need a job fast, or I’ll struggle to pay the next month’s rent.

Reaching home, I lift my hand and wave at the single mom who moved into the house two houses down, four weeks ago.

She seems nice, yet has a sad aura around her.

I don’t know her story, but if I see she needs help, I’ll give it if I can.

Changed and ready, I grab my pocketbook, which I keep near the front door.

It will only have a small amount of cash, a paper tissue, and the apartment keys inside.

I don’t need to carry much. Oh, dang, I rush to the kitchen drawer and take out the small stun gun I purchased from an online catalog.

I’ve seen the kids starting to hang around in gangs in the neighborhood, and I’m not putting myself into a situation I can’t at least try to get myself out of.

Tucking it into the back pocket of my jeans, I lock the door as I leave and walk swiftly towards Helping Hands.

It takes twenty minutes to reach the business and I ring the bell, which states clearly ‘ Ring here for assistance.’ It makes me smile reading that as they may have people, well kids ringing that bell and doing a runner just for the heck of it.

The door opens, and a man gives me a slight smile and lifts an eyebrow. “Can I help you?”

“I’m hoping you have positions open, as I’m here to apply if there are any?” I find myself a little befuddled, as I’d expected a woman to answer the door.

“Ah, come on in. My name’s Alf, Alfred Burgess in full.” He gives me a grin before continuing, “I’m part owner of the company, and manager. We are always short at least one good worker. Let’s go into my office where we can talk.”

I follow Alf into an office, and he points at the chair in front of his desk. Now it’s a nice chair. I think they call them captain’s chairs because of the rounded back rest on them.

Taking my seat, I look at Alf and he leans forward, elbows on the desk, but his forearms are relaxed as he clasps his hands lightly together. “Okay. Tell me your name and something about yourself.”

I sit a little straighter and start to speak, “My name is Nyx Broadhurst. I’m mixed race, as you can probably tell.

My mother died when I was nine, and my father remarried when I was fifteen.

He and his wifey live in Europe, and I didn’t want to leave here so stayed.

” I take a deep breath and continue, “I have worked at quite a few places, serving meals at a diner, supermarket, and lastly a shoe store. But, I enjoy cleaning, and I enjoy meeting different people. I think I could do a good job as I am a bit OCD when it comes to cleanliness.”

Alf sits back in his chair, nodding more to himself than to me. I remain quiet while he thinks about what I’ve said. I didn’t want to over spout all my shit to him, so kept it to a minimum.

“Did anyone tell you about coming here for a job? Anyone that can speak up for you?” Alf asks.

“Well, I know Blake. She told me to stop by here and ask if you had a position vacant. I’ve known Blake a while as we met at the Swap Shop when I was taking things in for them to either sell or give to someone in need.

We kept in touch, even had a coffee or two.

” I shut up because the last thing I want is for him to think I run my mouth off all the time.

“I have a new contract starting and you may be a good one for that. It’s a four-bedroom house that four ladies have purchased between them.

They are all widows of military personnel.

They didn’t want to end up in an old folks' home, so they decided they’d get a house and look after each other.

Even if they were to need nursing, they’d make sure they got all the care they needed.

” Alf looks proud of these women as he’s relaying the information.

“They all four have nothing to do with their kids since they grew up, got jobs, and had families of their own. I’ll not tell you the details.

It’s their story, not mine. But they need someone to clean and maybe make a meal or two at times.

Do laundry and maybe run errands. Do you have a vehicle? ”

“No. I’m sorry I can’t afford one. Is that going to be a deal breaker?”

“Where do you live?” Alf asks, leaning back in his chair, rubbing his chin in thought.

“Mayberry Close…” Before I can complete my sentence, Alf nods.

“I know where that is, and the house is only a block away from you. It is within walking distance. The only issue would be running errands, but then it would not be often you’d need to do that.”

“I could organize a day a week where I’d do errands outside the house for them, or every second week.

Something like that if they wanted me to do that.

” I give him what must be an eager look because as he nods I don’t miss the small tick of his lip in amusement.

“I’ll be honest with you. I just told my last employer to shove the job.

I was working sixty hours a week, and she wasn’t paying me the extra time I worked.

I got it in the end after a huge argument, then I ditched the job and came here.

So, I really need the work, and I’m a good worker, honest, reliable… ”

“Okay, okay, I get it,” Alf laughs. “I’ll put you on a month's trial. But first we’ll go see the ladies to make sure you gel with them. If not, then it’s a no-go.”

I give Alf a smile and nod in agreement. But dang, I’ll make sure the ladies like me, no matter what. I need this job and it won’t take me long to walk to it either. It’s way nearer than the darn shoe store.

Two hours later, I’m back home after Alf dropped me off on his way home from work.

I feel optimistic as I loved the ladies and got along with them really well.

They were amusing, and it wasn’t anything like I imagined it would be.

They were just family to each other, not like a care home or anything, just family living in the house supporting each other.

Gosh, if more did this the better some people’s lives would be.

When my phone pings I pick it up from the kitchen counter and roll my eyes.

Ruth: Do you want to meet at Club Whisky and we’ll have a meal?

Nyx: OK. What time?

Ruth: 7?

Nyx: OK. I’ll see you there

I’ve not known Ruth long. She was working at the shoe store when I started, but she was only there three weeks before being got rid of, well fired, for always being late for her shift.

She’s odd, and her friend Zoey is a slut, in my opinion.

She’s been with four men in the last week or two that I know of, and she brags about wanting to have been with a hundred men before she dies.

Well, the way she’s going at it she’ll reach that number before she’s thirty, or die from some horrendous disease she picks up. Makes me shudder thinking about it.

This time, I'm wearing black pants, a short-sleeved white t-shirt, and a black leather jacket. This jacket is something I've been saving for, for almost two years, and I absolutely love it. Smiling, I glance in the mirror. I’m bronze-colored, as if I’ve had a nice tan.

I'm of mixed race, my mother's race being a minority and my father's being white. The combination, I think has left me perfect. I smile at myself, loving my black hair, which has some curl to it, but it’s not like my Momma’s.

I inherited a lot of my father's genes, particularly his hair texture, while my mother gave me my hair color.

Shaking myself mentally to get moving, I slip my feet into ankle boots with a small heel and head out to the club. I’m going to walk as I’m saving as much as I can. I don’t want to stay in this small apartment forever, and if I want to improve myself I need to be in a nicer area.

Tucking my pocketbook under my arm, stun gun in my hand, I lock up and head out. It’s going to take thirty minutes of power walking to get to the club if I’m going to get there around the time we arranged.

I give the man on the door a smile and can’t help but think he’s darn good looking. I see Ruth sitting at a table with Zoey. Shit, she never said she was coming!

“Hi,” I state as I take a seat next to Ruth.

"Hi, Nyx." While Ruth offers a greeting, Zoey's dismissive gaze speaks volumes. Yeah, I can’t stand you either is what I’m thinking.

“I’ll get a drink and come back.” I stand again to head to the bar. As I do, I notice that the atmosphere at the table is not great. Not sure what’s going on, but I want nothing to do with it.

“Grab me a shot,” Zoey snaps.

“Not happening. You want a shot? Get it yourself,” I snap right back at her. I notice Ruth cringe, but as always she keeps her mouth firmly closed.

“Why are you even here?” Zoey continues.

I smirk as I reply, “Well, not to see you that’s for sure. ”

“You know, Ruth’s been my friend since pre-school. You’ve known her five minutes…”

Shrugging, I look at Ruth, but she’s got her head down, looking into her lap.

Right, I’m done. “Yeah, you’re right. I’ve known her five minutes.

But that’s how people make friends. But friends watch each other’s backs, and don’t allow people to be causing shit for no reason.

” Now, I’m looking right at Ruth as I’m speaking, but she doesn’t look up once.

“With that said, I don’t consider either of you friends from this point, and you know Ruth, if you want to make new friends away from this toxic bitch it’s time to do it.

Her splitting up marriages for the fun of it makes you just as bad, because you watch it happening.

She is nothing but a whore, and you’ll get labeled in the same manner. ”

Zoey jumps to her feet but I point my finger right in her face, “Yeah, do it, let’s make this real.

” I show her my teeth in what I hope looks like a feral grin.

What neither of these two know is I’ve had to fight at times, and I know how to take down someone in five seconds if needed.

But I have my trusty stun gun still in my hand I realize, which makes me grin even broader.

The doorman walks over and looks at each of us, then settles his attention on me. “What’s going on here?”

“Death of a friendship, due to lack of commitment,” I spout, looking right at Ruth’s shocked face. But, again, she says nothing.

“You shut your fuckin’ mouth. I’ve been watching you for weeks, and you’re nothing but a whore.

You only come here to find your next victim, and I’m going to speak to Silver who manages the place about barring you from here and TJs.

I can ban you now if you like?” The doorman growls at Zoey, giving her an evil scowl .

Zoey slams herself into her seat. Ruth looks down again, and I huff as I turn to head to the doors out of this place. I love being here and having a meal, but not today. I’ve had enough and need to go have a glass of wine and put my feet up, alone at home.

“You okay?”

Turning toward the voice, the doorman is right behind me, giving me an appreciative look over. “Yeah, I’m fine, but thanks for asking.”

“She’s a piece of shit, and you’re good to get rid of her and her friend. One is riding every dick she can find, and the other is a moron who sits around watching and waiting. For what, I’m not sure, but she’s getting the same reputation just by being around the other asshole.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t need that happening to me. I’m happy to get rid of them, and I’ve only known them for a short while, so it’s not a problem to ditch them. Thanks again for stepping in. I’ll see you around.” I give him a smile, before heading back home where I’m glad today will be done.