Leaning back in my chair, I sighed as I rolled my neck. Today had been a long day. It had been over a week since I became a resident at the Highway Jokers clubhouse. And for that whole week, I had been on edge.
From what my stepbrother and Thrasher had told me, the people who were trying to hurt me were even worse than them. I had gotten to know pretty much all the members of the Highway Jokers by now. There was Vinnie, the treasurer, Blackout, the secretary and the club’s tattoo artist, and Mage, one of the last founders of the club.
8ball was the sweetheart of the group; he was also the club’s hacker. There was Gravel, the SAA, Redback the road captain, and of course Skitzo…he was a quiet one, but also the club’s psycho.
Some of the guys had gone on a run a few days ago. Gravel, Redback, Skitzo, Blackout, and Daniel, aka Stone, were the ones on that run. After Daniel stormed out of my dorm a week ago, I had barely seen him.
I wanted to be the one to break the ice between us. I wanted to apologize to him, but I was either at work trying to sort out everything around the coffee shop or he just didn’t want to be found.
Getting my coffee shop back up and running was an endeavor. I had to order new furniture, and new artwork for the walls. I had a full-on week to keep this place alive. New glass windows were put up only yesterday, and a new coffee machine was installed this morning before I opened.
There were still heaps of things I needed to get, like a dessert display cabinet, plants, and more tables and chairs. Even though I had barely seen Stone this week, I was happy that his connections with companies around town had helped me get my store up and running so quickly.
I still hadn’t heard anything from the police. It had me wondering if maybe Daniel and his club were right to insist on helping me.
Over the past week, I had my regular customers come up to me, asking about what had happened and when the store would be open. I had a deadline to have this place open and running, and I achieved it. I was so happy, but tired at the same time. I just wished I could speak with Stone and thank him for what he had done to help.
Finally, standing from the office chair, I shut down the computer and pulled on my jacket. I turned off the lights in the office and made my way out to the main area of the coffee shop. Much of the furniture that was by the windows was damaged, so I had them all replaced as quickly as possible before I reopened. It had been great the last few days getting back into things. I always loved my grandmother’s coffee shop.
While my grandmother was alive, she kept the place modern. Eventually, she gave it to me. So, instead of completing university with a doctor’s degree, I became the owner of it. Little Aussie Cafe. She would make the best lamingtons cakes with jam inside and they would sell out immediately. They still do.
When I walked out to the main area of the coffee shop, Vinnie and 8ball were sitting at one of the booths eating all the shop’s leftovers from the day. I couldn’t help but smile, shaking my head at the two as they stuffed their faces like they hadn’t been fed all day.
“Have you eaten today?” I asked them both.
“Uh-uh,” they both mumbled with their mouths full.
“How did you make these?” Vinnie asked once he was done chewing the lamington.
“That’s a family recipe.” I sent him a wink.
I turned around to clean up a little around the coffee and the milkshake machines, but I couldn’t help but look up at the photo that hung on the wall. Grandmother was standing in front of the store on opening day. She was so happy, and I couldn’t help but smile. I had to replace the frame as it had ended up on the floor, broken.
Once I was finished tidying up around the place, the guys walked out the back door to answer a phone call. The bell over the door rang, signaling that someone had walked into the store. Assuming it was just another club member, I glanced over my shoulder. But I stood up straight when I noticed it was two people who didn’t wear a Highway Jokers kuttes.
They wore patches for the Devil’s Riders.
My pulse raced. I looked over my shoulder, hoping that Vinnie and 8ball were almost done and would be back in here any second. When I turned back to face the tattooed men, they looked annoyed with me. Had they asked me something?
“I am sorry, do you mind repeating that for me?” I said to them as I slowly made my way behind the counter.
They looked at each other and the shorter one laughed lightly. “That’s all right. We were wondering if you were still open. We need some coffee and something to eat before we head out of town.”
“Oh…um…” I glanced at the back door again, hoping the guys would come back. “Yes. I-I am open. Ah…just take a seat and I’ll fix you something up.”
They took a small table near the counter. The taller one kept watching me.
I turned the coffee machine back on and started to make the Devil’s Riders their order. Not that they had asked for anything special, but I had to do something to buy time for Vinnie and 8ball to come back.
Pouring the coffee into mugs, I set them on a tray. I shakily placed a few cakes onto some plates and tried not to rush the full tray over to their table.
“How long have you had this place for?” The guy who asked had “Gunner” patched on his kutte.
“A few years,” I said, falling into my customer-service voice, desperate to seem calm.
“We have been trying to come here for a week now, but the place was shut down,” Gunner said. “I hope nothing serious happened,” he said it with a smile on his face.
“Oh, nothing too serious.” I gave them both a smile. I had to act like I didn’t know who they were. “Enjoy your coffee,” I said, swiftly walking out of arms reach. My hands were shaking by the time I got back behind the counter.
I felt their eyes watching me as I took my time cleaning the counter again. I tried not to look at them or to tremble, but these men had already trashed the two places dearest to me.
They could harm me.
They could harm Stone or Vinnie or 8ball. If they trashed my shop again, I didn’t know if I could financially recover from it without being indebted to the Highway Jokers.
“Do you happen to know the local MC around here?” Gunner asked when my back was turned. I stopped what I was doing and swallowed hard.
“Sure.” I turned to face them. “Everyone knows them,” I said, trying to keep my voice light.
Gunner narrowed his eyes. I knew exactly what he meant, that he thought I was with the club, but I couldn’t show it. I focused on taking even breaths.
“That VP has a gorgeous old lady.” He chuckled as he stood from his chair. The other one made his way to the front door.
“Oh? I didn’t know that,” I said.
But Gunner stopped at the counter and gave me a slimy smile. “It would be a shame if something happened to her.”
The best I could do was meet his gaze, even as my skin crawled.
He set some large bills on the counter. “Keep the change.” He gave me a wink and followed his friend out the door.
I took a step back, and once I saw them walk away, I was finally able to breathe. I jumped when I heard Vinnie and 8ball come in through the back door.
“What the fuck took you so long?” I fought to stay calm.
They both gave me a strange look. “Thrasher called about something.”
I shook my head and started to clean up the mess that the Devil’s Riders left. My fear shifted to anger.
“Yeah, well why does it take two guys to answer the phone?”
They sat annoyed at their table while I cleaned the dishes.
“The Devil’s Riders came in while you were out.”
“What!” 8ball jumped to his feet.
“They think I’m someone’s old lady!” All I could do was shake my head as I readied the shop for lock up. I was about to lock the door when a man pushed it open.
“I am sorry sir, but we are closed for the night,” I said to him, just wanting the night to be over.
But then the man pulled out a gun.
