Page 9 of Fang (Lotus MC: San Antonio #2)

T his is ridiculous.

I section off the next piece of my hair and begin to crimp it. My hair almost looks like I stuck my finger in a light socket and got electrocuted. After I’m done, I’ll have to tease it and put it in a side ponytail.

I don’t know what’s worse, my hair or the neon lime green outfit I have to wear on stage.

I should recommend we do nineties night next time so we don’t end up having to do eighties again. At least then the outfits were a little better. By the time I’m done with my hair, I have a cramp in my hand, which, honestly, feels a little fitting.

After unplugging the crimper, I grab my bag and pull out my outfit.

Instead of lingerie, I found a skintight lime green-and-black sports bra and panties that go way up high on my hips.

It’s not the sexiest thing I’ve worn, but it’s time appropriate.

That and I can do with a break from all the lace.

Once it’s on, I tighten my ponytail and look myself over in the mirror.

That’s as good as it’s going to get.

When I step out of the dressing room, Happy pushes off the wall.

“Hey, how are you?” he asks.

“I’m good. Thanks, by the way,” I tell him, my cheeks heating.

“For?”

I fight the urge to roll my eyes. Men. I should have known he forgot.

“The flowers.”

He frowns but doesn’t say anything.

“The ones you sent me along with the cake. It was you, wasn’t it?” I ask.

He looks confused but doesn’t respond. I huff. It had to have been him, but maybe he didn’t want me to know.

“How’s the crowd tonight?” I ask, changing the subject.

He tilts his head from side to side. “More than normal. Fuller than I thought it would be, honestly.”

“That’s good for both of us. Hopefully I can make them happy.”

“I’m sure you won’t have an issue with that,” he deadpans, making me smile.

When we get backstage, Danny smiles but doesn’t say anything as we wait.

“Don’t exit off the back of the stage once you’re done. I’ll meet you off to the right of the stage, and we can head back to the dressing room,” Happy says softly.

“Why?”

Exiting off the side of the stage isn’t abnormal in general, but it’s not typically something I do.

“Venus comes on after you.”

That explains it. We don’t have time tonight for her bullshit.

I nod and step forward after the last dancer exits. Taking my mark, I wait for the music to start. Once it does, I fight the urge to roll my eyes.

I feel cheesy as hell dancing to this one, but it was one of the only ones I could come up with on short notice.

“Pour Some Sugar on Me” by Def Leppard starts bounding through the sound system.

Suckers . I can’t help but think as some guys whistle as I dance.

By the time I’m done, I’m breathing hard.

Instead of getting up off the dance floor, I sit on my butt and slide my legs out in front of me before hopping off the front of the stage.

Happy wanted me to exit off the side, but I could see Venus already on the stage waiting.

I refuse to cause a scene tonight. I smile at the table of men in front of me, but I don’t linger. Turning, I go to meet Happy.

“Hey, beautiful, why don’t you stick around?” someone says.

I ignore them and take a step forward, but before I can take another one, someone reaches out and grabs my arm.

“Hey, I was talking to you, hot lips. Now how about you give me a lap dance?”

Saliva pools in my mouth as my stomach rolls.

Shit.

Why didn’t I listen to Happy and get off on the side of the stage? Venus is the lesser of two evils here.

Goddammit, this is why I like exiting out the back.

“Sorry, I don’t do those.” I pull my arm out of his hold.

His eyes narrow. “How about just this once? It’s my bachelor party.”

Of course it is.

“I’ll send one of the other girls over.” I smile weakly.

I can hear Venus’s music startup, and I know she is dancing behind me. I hope she captures this man’s attention.

He smiles creepily at me.

Disgust mingles with my fear.

“Come on.” He reaches for me again, but before he can touch me, someone steps between us. Looking up, I expect to see Happy, but I’m surprised to see Fang.

Fury rolls off of him in waves.

“Are you okay?” Fang asks without looking away from the bachelor.

“I’m fine,” I tell him quietly.

“Good. Go get ready for your next dance.”

For a split second I contemplate staying. For some reason I want to see what he’s going to do to the asshole. As tempting as it is, though, to stay, I do as I’m told.

“You okay?” Happy asks as he falls into step next to me.

“I’m fine.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there sooner. Baby spilled a drink down my back right when you finished.”

“You’re fine. It’s not a big deal,” I say with a weak smile.

It is a big deal, though. By the time I get back to the locker room, I’m questioning everything.

The only good thing about this place is Fang and knowing that if I need something, the club would step in and help. Otherwise, this place is my worst nightmare come to life.

While I don’t mind the dancing in general, I hate the eyes on me. I hate the fact that taking my clothes off for married men and dancing is how I earn my income. It makes me feel gross. I hate the girls I work with and how they are willing to do anything for a dollar.

I hate it. I hate it. I hate it.

At my vanity, I lean forward and look at myself in the mirror. The fear and disgust are clear as day in my eyes. My skin is paler than when I went out onstage.

Shit. I look like death.I don’t know how much more of this I can take.

I should walk away. Maybe get a job at a fancy restaurant. One that tips out the ass. Maybe I should go find Fang and put in my two weeks.

No, you can’t do that. Not until you have another job lined up.

Let’s be honest, though, I won’t leave. Not anytime soon. Not unless something else happens. My hands are tied until I graduate. Once I have that piece of paper, I can walk away.

One question keeps rolling through my mind, though.

Will I make it that long, or will this job kill me before I make it that far?

Lights are turned on all the way so it’s as bright as a supermarket in the club. A whistle cuts through the air, making everyone turn toward the bar.

“It’s closing time, gentlemen. I don’t care where you go, but you can’t stay here! Pay your tab and get the fuck out,” Erin says through a megaphone.

The crowd groans, but they start to move.

Late nights are just part of the MC life. Something I’m more than used to at this point, but by the time the club closes at night, I’m fucking beat. I don’t know what’s different between the clubhouse and here, but there’s definitely something.

Either that or I’m getting old.

Moving behind the bar, I grab a wet rag and move to wipe down the tables and chairs. Anything to get out of here just a little bit faster.

“You good, brother?” Happy asks as he comes up next to me.

I shake my head. “I’m good.”

“What was it you needed me to do?”

“Savage called and asked if I could spare you. Something about the cameras at the back of the tire shop not being on or being blocked?”

He frowns. “Yeah, I can take off once I help get the girls to their cars.”

I shake my head before he even finishes. “Nah, head out now. I got it.”

“Are you sure?”

I raise a brow. “Do you think I can’t handle making sure everyone walks through the parking lot safely?”

He shoots me a look that says I’m full of shit. “We both know that’s not it, and you know it.”

“I’ve got this. Go.”

“Cool. See you back at the clubhouse later?” he asks as he takes a step back.

“Sounds like a plan. Ride safe.”

“You too.” I watch him weave through the tables and head toward the back door.

Fucker.

I won’t lie, when I first met him, when he was a nomad, I didn’t know about him. I didn’t know if he had what it took to make it in a club and not on the road on his own. He seemed like a lone wolf. He had no idea what he was getting into with joining the brotherhood.

Then he went and surprised me. He’s fucking flourished in the club. He’s made himself invaluable. I’m proud to call him a brother.

“Hey,” a voice hesitantly says.

I look over my shoulder and see Cami. She’s in a pair of loose jeans and a baggy sweatshirt with her duffel bag over her shoulder, straps clutched in her hand.

Fuck me.

Even while covered practically head to toe, she’s gorgeous. Hell, she’s even prettier now than she is when she takes the stage at night. Then again, right now she looks more natural than when I normally see her.

I have the sudden urge to pull her into my arms and bury my face in her hair as I hold her.

“Hey, you okay?” she asks.

I shake my head. “Yeah, what’s up?”

“I was wondering, do you know where Happy is?”

“He left. Why?”

A little line forms between her eyebrows. “He was supposed to walk me to my car when I was ready.”

I toss the rag onto the table and stand up straight. My back aches something fierce.

“I’ll do it,” I tell her.

“Are you sure? I’m sure someone else can.” She bites her lip and scans the room.

“It’s no problem. Really. Now come on.”

She studies my face for a minute before she turns toward the back door. Instinctively, I rest my hand on her lower back. I can’t help but look down at where my palm rests.

My hand looks right on her.

Before my thoughts can turn, I clear my throat.

“Are you okay?” I ask gruffly.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” she asks as we step outside.

“That asshole earlier,” I remind her.

Cami winces, and for a second, I feel guilty for bringing it up after she forgot.

“I’m fine. I hate it, but it’s part of the job. I’ve learned to deal with it as best as I can.”

“I hate that for you,” I mutter.

It’s bullshit that she has to deal with men like she did tonight or the fucker from a while back. She shouldn’t have to be around assholes just to get by.

What I wouldn’t do to be able to bundle her up and take her away. To solve all of her problems for her.

That’s not what she wants, though.

Shit, if she knew my line of thinking, she would put me in my place.

“I won’t stand for it,” I say quietly.

She starts to slow down as we approach her car, so I turn to face her.

“Stand for what?”

“For you being disrespected.” Her eyes widen.

Dammit, that sounded more messed up than I meant it to.

“For any of you being disrespected,” I amend.

“I’m thankful, you know,” she says, catching me off guard.

“For what?”

“The way you’re protective of all of us. I hate doing this.” She winces. “I hate it more than I’ll ever admit, but working for you makes it a little easier. It’s nice knowing that someone has my back.”

“I always will, you know that, right?”

“Sure.” She shrugs as she takes a step toward her car.

I want to tell her that I’m serious. That as long as I’m around no harm will ever come to her.

She doesn’t need someone like you, remember.

I take a couple of steps forward as she unlocks her car and open her car door for her.

She pauses before getting in. “I’ll see you later?”

“I’ll be here,” I confirm.

I wait until she’s inside the car before I speak again.

“By the way, happy belated birthday.”

Her eyes widen, and her mouth pops open.

“How did you know?”

“I have my ways. Get home safely.” I wink as I shut her door.

I take a few steps away from her car and cross my arms over my chest. I wait for her to turn on her car and until her taillights fade into the distance before I head back toward the club.

Goddamn, I wish I was going home and crawling into bed with her.

I’m fucked. Totally fucked.