Page 4 of Fang (Lotus MC: San Antonio #2)

I remember the day I got my acceptance letter for San Antonio University.

I also applied to the other colleges in the area, but this is the one that offered me a partial scholarship.

It doesn’t cover much, but even with it only covering my books, it’s one less expense I have to pay for out of pocket.

It’s too bad they require me to stay and pay for on-campus housing.

Heading down to the admin office, I smile at Shelia.

“Hey there. Are you here to pay your next installment?” she asks.

I nod. “Sorry it’s a day late. I couldn’t make it over here yesterday.”

She gives me a sympathetic smile.“I changed the due date for you. It’ll be our little secret.” She winks at me.

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

I start to count out the $2,300 I owe for this month.

They don’t usually allow students to pay over time, but Shelia took pity on me when I gave her my essay to read that got me into the college in the first place.

The one that outlined my childhood and the obstacles that have led to me being here.

She must’ve felt sorry for me because she petitioned on my behalf to get me the payment plan.

When I hand over the money, she frowns at it. I know she can tell where I’ve gotten it from. There are some fives, tens, and twenties, but this month I didn’t have as many as normal, so a lot of it is in ones.

She gives me a tight smile as she counts it. “Waitressing going well?”

We both know I don’t waitress, but I appreciate her saying it anyway.

“It is.”

She finishes counting, filling out a receipt before handing it to me.“See you next month. Take care of yourself, Camille.”

I nod, hating that she uses my full name. Only my mother ever called me that. I wish I could erase it from the earth.

Walking out of the admin building, I pull my hoodie around me tighter. It’s not that it’s chilly, but when I’m not at work, I like to hide my body. I don’t want the attention.

Unfortunately, I still get it whether I like it or not.

“Hey, Virgin Mary. Where you running off to? The convent?”

I recognize the voice immediately. The same little asshole who dubbed me Stinky Cami when I was in middle school.

Zak Brohan.

The quarterback of the football team and my biggest tormentor.

I wanted to cry when I saw him at the school for the first time. I had hoped college would be different, but I learned long ago that hopes never come true.

“Oooh, Cami,” he calls out, his voice coming closer.

I know I’m not getting out of this without acknowledging him. I hate that men feel like we owe them something. That we have to give them whatever they want, otherwise we are the bitches.

Still, I don’t want to cause a scene, so I turn to face him as he jogs toward me, his friends following behind him at a slower pace.

“I don’t know why you keep trying, Zak. I didn’t sleep with you in high school, and I won’t sleep with you now. Give up.”

He laughs. “What are you hiding under those clothes? I mean, you learned how to bathe so you don’t stink anymore. Or maybe it’s a fish market down there and that’s why you wear so many layers. Which is it?”

“My body is mine to do what I want with it. I find it funny that you are the popular jock and yet you are so worried about what I’m doing with my body.”

“Oh, you know I’ve always wondered what it was like to fuck a mother and a daughter. I’ve fucked your mother more times than I can count. She’s a cheap, lousy lay too. Want to see if you can outdo her?”

I snort. “You wasted your money on that tired piece of pussy? Didn’t realize you were so hard up. Better go get checked out. Barbara once had the clap and gonorrhea in the same week. Good luck with all that.”

I turn and stalk off as he stutters. He was thinking his words would hurt me.

In the past, they would have, but not anymore.

I’m not in Barbara’s home anymore. She can’t hurt me here physically or mentally.

So if he wants to fuck her, that’s good on him.

I meant what I said, though. Barbara isn’t exactly clean, so he might want to get himself checked.

I’m walking toward the parking lot to my first splurge with my new job. My 2013 Toyota Corolla. It’s not much. Just a cheap car from the used lot with far too many miles on it, but it’s mine. If anything ever happens, I will always have this.

I open the back door, tossing my bag inside. I have a few hours before my first class, so I can go to the grocery outlet and grab some small snacks. I have about two hundred dollars left, but I should save it for next month’s payment.

The roar of a motorcycle in the distance has my hair standing on end.

Could it be him?

I hate that my first thought is of Fang. I’ve met many of the bikers, yet it’s always him I think of when I hear one.

It’s probably because we don’t get along too well. He likes to exude his power over us at the club while I like to talk back to him. I had my voice silenced once, I won’t do it again.

The roar gets closer, causing me to look up at the street. Could they be coming this way?

I can tell when they stop at a light, then the engine screams as they take off down the street. I’m leaning on my car, the need to see the rider causing me to pause my movements. As soon as they are in my eyeline, I deflate.

It’s not Fang.

It’s not even another Lotus.

It’s a Noche Oscura. They aren’t bad guys. They come into the club too, but I feel a sense of loyalty to the Lotus. Probably because I dance for them.

Shaking the feelings away, I climb into my car and turn it on.

Yeah, that has to be it.

“Are we ready to start the meeting?” I ask Loyal.

He nods. “Savage is already in there waiting. What took you so long?”

I sigh. “Two of the club girls got into a fight as I was leaving. Had to squash that shit quickly.”

He laughs. “You were so excited to take on the club. Is it all you thought it would be?”

Truth is, I didn’t want the club per se. I just knew Loyal didn’t, so I took it. Savage would have handled it if no one else wanted to, but I wouldn’t let my pres do that either.

So I took it on.

I rebuilt it from the ground up, even going as far as renaming it Boudoir, hoping to draw a more classy crowd.

“It’s as good as it can be,” I tell him, patting his shoulder as we walk into the room. “Why don’t you stop by and visit the girls? They would fall over themselves to take a piece of you. Young, handsome, and that baby face? You wouldn’t even have to pay them.”

He pushes me off of him as he takes his chair. I laugh, taking mine between Tiny and Crank.

“All right, let’s get this meeting going. Funds have been good this month, especially with the extra runs that Happy has been doing for us. It’s been about a year now, and I think we should vote Happy in. I’m opening the floor up to thoughts,” Savage says.

“Have you talked to Happy about it?” Crank asks. “He didn’t seem like the staying type.”

“I have. He has said his circumstances have changed. He understands if we want him to move on, but he would prefer to stay if we will have him.”

Crank nods. “He has my vote then.”

“Anyone else want to talk, or can we put it to a vote?” No one speaks up, so he asks, “Everyone for Happy joining say ‘Yay.’”

“Yay.” Echoes around the table.

“Everyone against, say ‘Nay.’”

Silence.

“I’ll give Happy the good news. Let’s get him the San Antonio patches so he can swap them out. We will have a party this weekend for it. Moving on, let’s talk businesses. Let’s start with Tires to Go. Loyal, how is it going?”

“Good. Antonio has a good handle on the business, so that part is easy. We have five members employed there. They are staying out of trouble and working hard. A good representation of our club. With their motorcycles being there, there have been less issues. The only complaint they have is they can’t wear their cut on the clock. ”

Savage frowns. “Normally, I would want them to wear them too. What is the reasoning for not?”

“Antonio brings in a lot of middle- and high-class clientele. His goal is to make the customer feel like they are family. He is worried if they wear their cut, that could negatively affect the image of the company and the bottom line. He also has strict rules on how they dress and present themselves. They must look clean-cut. If they have longer hair, they have to pin it back and wear a hairnet to keep it from falling into any machinery. Tattoos must be covered. Honestly, with the money they are making us, I don’t see why we would try to change his method. It seems to be working.” Loyal shrugs.

“I want you to show up with your cut on this week and test the waters. See how the customers react. If they seem uneasy around you, the rule stays. If not, it goes,” Savage says.

“Got it, boss.” Loyal nods.

“What about the strip joint?” Savage turns to me.

“We are still flatlined at the moment, but business is picking up,” I tell him, hating that I don’t have more positive news for him.

“I don’t understand why you cleaned it up like that. People go to a strip club because it’s dirty and nasty. Not to eat oysters and drink bourbon,” Crank grumbles.

“You’re just upset that he fired Lexus,” Tiny pipes up.

“Lexus?” I ask, confused.

“One of the old girls that worked there used to suck him off for free. She wanted a patch, and he used it to his advantage. She won’t talk to him now that you fired her,” Tiny informs me.

“If I fired her, it’s because she was doing drugs. You can do better, man,” I tell Crank.

He sighs. “I know, but damn, when she’d hit that crack pipe, she’d suck me so good I wouldn’t be able to walk for a week.”

I shake my head at him, turning back to Savage.

“I know it seems like a lot to sink into the place, but we run an MC. A sleazy strip club is exactly what they expect for us to own as a front. It’s also why we won’t ever clean money there.

It needs to be a legit business so if they ever show up, there’s nothing to tie us up. ”

“I agree.” Savage nods his head. “Sorry about your dick sucker, but Fang is doing a great job over there. It’s only been five months, but the place is already bringing in the cash. We have to be patient. Crank, how’s the garage doing?”

“Good. Business is slowing down a bit, but it’s to be expected this time of season. People are spending more time at home and not out in the heat. We are still doing better than last year, so it’s a win.”

“Great to hear. On to the PI business. Tiny?”

“It’s going well. Bails is great at organizing everything. Business has been booming. I think I need to grab another guy to handle the case load. If you agree, I’ll start interviewing some of the members today to see who would be a good fit.” Tiny nods his head in respect to Savage.

It’s odd to see the man act so different.

When I met him back when Colt was in town, he was an asshole.

I would have shot him dead on more than one occasion for his mouth.

He’s changed now, though. He’s not the kid with a chip on his shoulder.

Savage gave him purpose and helped him grow into his position.

He’s a good guy. I’m glad I didn’t act on my impulses.

“Good to hear. Take whoever you need. That brings me to my next topic. I have three applications for membership. I’ve done the research and spoken with each of you about them individually. Now it’s time to vote on it. Do we want to accept Andrew Gold as a prospect?”

“Yay,” we all say.

“He will now be known as Prospect One. Do we want to accept Keith Ard as a prospect?”

“Yay.”

“He will now be known as Prospect Two. Do we want to accept Steven Diaz as a prospect?”

“Yay.”

“He will now be known as Prospect Three. I will call them in and get them acclimated. Are there any other topics that should be discussed?”

When no one speaks, he bangs his gavel.

“Dismissed.”

I head out of the room but stop when I hear Loyal call my name.

“What’s up, bro?” I ask.

“I need a favor. Can you run and grab the bag from Tires to Go for me?”

I smile. “Why, you got a hot date?”

When his face starts to turn red, I realize I might have hit the nail on the head.

“Wait, do you really? Is she hot? I want to know all about her. You are so tight-lipped about what you like that I’m dying to know what girl caught your attention.”

“I don’t have a fucking date. Get the fucking bag for me and fuck off.”

I chuckle as I watch him walk away.

Boy’s got it bad.