CHAPTER 4

The party continued into the night and the music kept getting louder and louder but as the night wore on there were less people around town so it didn’t really matter. I looked outside the restaurant window a couple of times and I saw a police car stationed right across the street, obviously keeping an eye on everything that was going on. But I didn’t really care. They could sit there all night if they wanted to. We weren’t doing anything wrong and it was fun to see them watching and waiting like they had nothing better to do or anywhere else to be. I ended up sitting at the table near the wall and it wasn’t too long before there were people sitting around the table with me. The Prez’s old lady was staying clear of me but the other women that came with their men were pretty nice and they were trying to get to know me and ask me a lot of questions and stuff like that. But the tone I got from their questions gave me the impression that they were planning on staying in town. Not leave after they finished whatever business they had in the area. If they were wanted in Los Angeles then it wouldn’t surprise me if they were looking to relocate. To get those cops off of their asses. But the police cheif already knew that they were here so that was going to be a problem. “So, you live with all four of your brothers?” Angel asked. “Yeah. It’s just the five of us. Has been for a while.” i said. “Where’s your mother?” She asked. “She died when I was 4.” i said. “s**t. I’m sorry. How?” Angel asked. “My dad killed her.” I said and they all looked at me strangely. “Wait a minute. That doesn’t make sense. I mean, the boys are always talking about their mother. And what a pain in the ass she is.” Rogue said. “That’s because we have different mothers. There’s is still alive and kicking unfortunately.” I said. “I guess you don’t like her.” Angel said. “No. But it’s a mutual hatred.” I said. “Well, it wasn’t your fault that you were born to her ex husband.” She said. “There’s a lot more to it than that. But that’s a story for another time.” I said. “What are you women over here gabbing about?” Rook asked putting his arms around Angel’s waist. “Not a lot. Just the town and everyone in it. A few things about Skylar. Trying to get to know her better.” Angel said. “Good. Skylar’s a part of the gang. She has been since she was a kid and she told Blade to shove it out his ass when he was teasing her.” Rook said starting to laugh. The women looked at me strangely, almost like they were surprised that I was still alive for saying that to him. “I was only 6.” I clarified. The party went well on into the night but because of liquor laws and all that other crap we needed to leave the restaurant by midnight so we shut everything down and the place was fairly clean considering how many people were getting drunk here tonight. The guys started heading downstairs and out the front door to their motorbikes while I stayed upstairs to put beer and wine glasses through the dishwasher. Everyone had already left but I knew that someone would have to stay back and clean up. I went out the back to the storage room to put a carton of beer away and when I walked back into the restaurant I almost jumped out of my skin when I saw Drake standing there. “I thought you left with the others.” i said. “I was going to. But then I realized that you hadn’t left and there doesn’t seem to be another car outside for you.” He said. “It’s alright. I can walk. I’ve done it a million times.” i said. “You live out of town. It would take you about an hour to walk home through the forest.” He said. “I know. I’m used to it.” I said. “How much more do you need to get done in here?” He asked. “Not too much. I just need to get these glasses cleaned for tomorrow. By the way, we can’t close the restaurant again for your guys. This was a one off.” I said. “I’ll make sure the others know.” He said walking behind the bar and he grabbed a tea towel and helped me start drying off the glasses and putting them away. “So, what’s going on with you?” I asked. “What do you mean?” He asked. “Well, you used to be more party minded but tonight you stayed at the bar all night and barely spoke to anyone.” I said. “I don’t know. I guess I’m just trying to get the feel of the place.” He said. “And it had nothing to do with you staring at me all night?” I asked. “Wow. You’re really direct.” He said. “I thought everyone already knew that about me.” i said. “It’s been a few years since we’ve seen you. I’m sorry to hear about your father.” he said. “I’m not. He can rot in that place for all I care. Listen, you don’t need to help me with this. I can handle it.” I said. “You’re not walking home alone. I heard about you almost getting kidnapped one night.” he said. “That was only because my brothers pissed off the wrong people. But they didn’t get me.” I said. “I don’t care. I’m taking you home.” He said. I looked at him curiously for a moment before I nodded my head and we finished up what we were doing.