Stryker’s Fight by Erin Osborne
Chapter Five
Sally
DESPITE SOMEONE FOLLOWING me home a few days ago, I’m determined to find a job. Rich is staying with us and today he’ll be going from one potential job to another. I don’t really care what I do, and have no experience doing anything other than spreading my legs. Not exactly high prospects for someone with my past. However, with Natalia and a new baby on the way, I need to find something in order to support us. I refuse to depend on anyone more than I already have. It’s time for me to finish letting things go and do something for my small family.
My first stop this morning is dropping Natalia off with Kim and Gwen. They’re going to watch her at the clubhouse while I’m job hunting. Rich follows me and runs in to grab a few more things to bring to the house while he’s staying with us. There is no reason for him to have to wash his clothes every day or us to come back to the clubhouse when he can pack a bag and toss it in my backseat until we’re done for the day.
Part of me wants to see Stryker, while the rest of me wants to avoid him. I haven’t figured out how to tell him I’m pregnant just yet and no one knows. It’s not something I’m going to be able to hide for long because these things do have a way of making themselves known to anyone who sees you. I’ve already started getting a belly and my chest has definitely grown. It’s just a matter of time before I can’t hide the visible changes to my body. I’m also not sure about seeing him because I don’t know if he’s been with anyone while he’s staying at the clubhouse. He has every right to use the house bunnies or any other women he finds attractive. I’ve never held a claim on him like that. Stryker chose to be with me and only me. The same as I’d be with him. I don’t sleep with just anyone now; there has to be some type of feeling there for me to take that step.
Pulling up by the door to park, I don’t see Stryker’s bike here. The breath I didn’t realize I was holding releases in a whoosh as Natalia’s excitement level amps up. My daughter loves spending time at the clubhouse. She loves seeing the guys and playing with the other kids. Like most of them, Natalia considers them her cousins and not friends or anything of that nature. These children are all close even though not many share family blood between them.
Shutting my car off, Rich runs inside so he can pack a bag while I’m dropping Natty off. I grab her bag of things while she stands at my feet waiting for me. With bikes and other cars coming in and out of the compound on a regular basis, I’ve taught her to remain right next to me, so nothing happens to her. I know everyone pays attention to what they’re doing, but things happen, and Natalia would race to one of the guys or ol’ ladies coming in faster than any of us could blink. It’s just easier to teach her to remain at my side until we’re inside.
Walking through the door, I take in Gwen and Kim sitting at one of the back tables. They look up as I get closer. Each woman is holding one of Kim’s triplets. Looking around I don’t see little Kingston. Either one of the other ol’ ladies has kidnapped him or he’s with his daddy. Fox is such an amazing dad from what I’ve seen so far. Kim is a tremendous mom too. They love their little ones with everything in them.
“Where’s Kingston?” I ask Kim as I get closer to them.
“He’s with daddy. Fox is workin’ in his room here for a while today, so he’s got him in the room with him. It’s their bonding time since the girls in our home now outnumber the men,” Kim responds laughing her ass off.
I nod my head in response because Fox would spend time with any of his kids, but he takes Kingston as much as possible. All of the men here spend time with all the kids, but they always try to spend time with their boys as much as possible. In ways, they’re grooming the next generation of the club. However, most of the boys around here are absolute mama’s boys.
“Well, as soon as Rich is done gathering his clothes and things, I’ll be leaving. Thank you both so much for watching over Natalia for me,” I tell them, giving my girl a smile as she sits next to Kim looking down at one of the girls.
“You’re welcome. We’ll always help you when you need it,” Gwen replies. “Do, um, do you mind if Stryker spends time with her if he comes back in before you get back?”
“I don’t mind at all. Look, I’ve got a mixed-up head about us. I really do care about Stryker and want him to be as happy as he can be. Natalia is free to spend as much time with him as he wants. I’m sure she’ll be more than happy to tell you guys all about having dinner with him and then playing at the park. They had fun,” I assure them.
Before anyone can say another word, Rich enters the common room and heads directly for us. He lets me know he’s ready to head out whenever I am. Giving my girl a kiss and hug, I leave her sitting at the table with my friends and the little baby girls. Natalia will spend as much time as possible with them. She loves babies and everything about them. As long as they’re not crying or have poppy diapers on. Then, she hightails it somewhere safe until the crying has stopped and the smell is gone. It’s funny as hell to watch her run away.
Leaving the compound, Rich follows me into town. I pull up at the end of the block where the bakery and a few other stores take up space. If nothing else, I can grab a tea from the bakery before moving on to the next spot in hopes of gaining employment. Amelia is the woman who owns the bakery. I don’t have a resume or anything else to show her, but I’ll do what I can to get a job somewhere.
“I’ll wait right out here,” Rich tells me as he stands just on the side of the door.
For some reason I don’t know of, Rich never goes in the bakery. Other than when it first opened up, he remains outside if the guys go in and never goes there for any of the ol’ ladies. The guys don’t make him go inside either. I’m curious about what he doesn’t like about the bakery or Amelia, but I’m not going to force him to talk about things. He’ll talk about it when he’s ready or he’ll keep it to himself. Personally, I always thought he had a crush on Amelia, but I don’t know if that’s the case here or not.
“Welcome to Sweet Treats! I’ll be right with you,” Amelia calls out as I walk up to the counter.
I stand and take in the bakery. There’s a long counter only broken up by the display cases. She’s got a coffee and tea station on the back counter where various boxes and bags fill the space. Cups and lids also take up room on the back counter. I’m standing next to the register when Amelia comes walking through the double doors from the kitchen area. Turning my attention toward the harried looking woman, I watch as she slides a tray of overly large cookies into the display case. The smells coming from the kitchen make my mouth water at all of the different goodies Amelia makes on a daily basis.
“Hello Amelia,” I say as she stands up straight from the case. “How are you today?”
“I’m doing well. What can I do for you today?” she asks, pushing some of her hair back that’s come loose from her bun.
“Well, I was wondering if you were looking for any help? I’m looking for a job so I can move out of Stryker’s home,” I ask her, my voice soft and strong.
“Actually, I am looking to hire someone full time. When can you start?” she asks me, a smile lighting up her face.
“I can start today as long as Kim and Gwen don’t have anything going on,” I answer her, knowing I need to tell her about the baby. “I should let you know that I’m pregnant at this time.”
“Congratulations! We can work around your pregnancy. Make your calls and we’ll get everything else taken care of,” Amelia tells me as happiness and excitement fills me.
Walking away from the counter, I pull out my phone to call Gwen. She answers immediately.
“Everything okay?” she asks, her voice sing song as if she’s playing a game with the kids.
“It’s perfect. Um, can you watch Natalia longer than I anticipated? I got a job at the bakery and Amelia asked if I could start now?” I ask her, my voice full of anticipation.
“Of course, I can. I’ll take her to the house just before dinner and we’ll hang out there until you get home,” she responds immediately.
“Perfect. Thank you so much. I have to let Rich know now and see what he says,” I tell her before we hang up.
Walking out the door, I let Rich know I just got hired on here and have to start now. He’s clearly not happy or impressed with my news. I don’t know what to tell him though. All I can say is he can take it up with Slim if he’s not happy with watching over me on days I’ll be working here. For now, I leave him outside the bakery while I go back in to find Amelia. She’s in the kitchen when I walk through the doors. Looking up from the cupcakes she’s frosting, her ever-present smile is still in place.
“Everything set?” she questions me.
“Yep. I have to say, I have no experience with working at all. This is my first job,” I warn her.
“That’s perfectly fine honey. I’ll show you everything you need to know. Why don’t you walk out to get used to where everything is behind the counter? You can store your purse or other personal belongings under there too. I’ll be out in just a few minutes, and we’ll talk things over. You can look at the register too. All of the buttons are clearly marked with what they go to,” she tells me, as I nod my head in response.
Walking back out behind the counter, I place my phone under the counter. I didn’t bring my purse with me today for some reason. If I need it, I can hopefully get Rich to head to the house to pick it up for me. I’ll bring it with me from now on. Especially once I begin earning a paycheck. I’ll need it in case something comes up and I need money. Or an emergency creeps up. Plus, I’ll be able to get lunch on days I forget to bring something of my own. Kind of like today. Well, today I didn’t know I’d walk in here and have a job this fast.
As I look at the different sized cups and everything else Amelia has here. While I’m wandering around, the bell above the door rings out letting me know someone has entered. I look up to find three large men wearing cuts. They’re not men from the Phantom Bastards as they leer at me. These men are as unkempt as the man who followed me appeared to be. They saunter up to the counter and lean heavily against it.
“Well, look at the beautiful woman we have here,” one of them says, a crooked, evil smile playing on his face. “I think we made the right decision to move in here.”
“How can I help you?” I ask, trying to keep my tone neutral.
“I want you with a side of coffee and one of those cookies,” the man states continuing to lean on the counter.
“I’ll get your coffee and cookie. I’m not on the menu,” I state, letting my voice turn hard.
“Everything in here is on the menu. Especially when we take over and you’re paying us for protection,” he says as if it’s a forgone conclusion.
“Not happening. Either order or get the hell out of my bakery,” Amelia cuts in as she makes her way out of the kitchen. “I’ve already told you I’m not into filthy assholes who ride bikes. In fact, don’t bother getting them anything. they were just leaving.”
“Bitch, you better learn some fucking respect. I was talking to my new ol’ lady,” the same biker states.
His cut is so dirty, I can’t read the patch with his road name on it. This man’s hair is dark but I’m not sure of the actual color because it’s so greasy and unbrushed. Eyes so dark they’re black stare back at me as a shiver runs through me. He is not instilling anything other than fear into me. The other two men with him are just as nasty looking with no pride for their cuts. Looking out the corner of my eye, I find Rich on his phone. He’s remaining outside, but he’s close to his bike in case these guys decide to take off.
“I’m already under the protection of the Phantom Bastards,” Amelia mouths off. “They’ll be here quicker than shit and you better be gone.”
“Is that so? Those pussies can’t protect you even if you’re paying them to,” the same man smarts off as if he knows the club.
“Those guys are actually men who value the lives of those around them and in this town. They respect their cuts and bikes more than you’ll ever know how to do. No one in Shadowville will ever bow down to your demands when there’s already a club in town who more than takes care of us,” Amelia continues to tell them as she stands closer to me behind the counter.
“We’ll be seeing you two. Real soon,” he states as if he’s the King of this town.
I’m literally frozen on the spot as they slowly prowl out of the bakery. Just before leaving the storefront, they knock over several chairs and two of the tables. Rich is on his bike, still on the phone as they straddle their broken-down looking bikes. They ignore Rich as he sits on his bike. Their bikes roar to life, snapping me out of my stupor as I take in the damage they’ve done. The men leave my babysitter alone as they rumble away from the curb. If it were the men of the Phantom Bastards, the bike would be leaving with thunder of their pipes in their wake. Not these assholes.
“I’m so sorry Amelia,” I tell her, not sure exactly what I’m apologizing for.
“You got nothing to be sorry for. Those assholes come in here once or twice a week as if they own the joint. I’m not going to bow down to their demands when I know one way or another Slim’s club will handle them.”
Walking from behind the counter, I head to the tables and chairs that have been knocked over. After everything is cleaned up, I head back to get a crash course in what I have to do while working. Looking out the window, Rich is no longer waiting. I’m not surprised. The guys would have wanted him to follow the bikers who were in here. It’s also not surprising when Killer, Slim, Playboy, and a few other guys storm in the bakery. Stryker is among them as his eyes remain locked on me.
“Are you guys okay?” Slim asks, looking between Amelia and me.
“We’re okay. It wasn’t any different than the other times they’ve come in here.”
Stryker takes a step toward me since I’m on the customer side of the counter. I don’t move away from him as he stalks me like he was a predator. He goes to reach out for me but pulls back at the last second. I reach out and wrap an arm around him. We both need the reassurance I’m okay. It’s not going to hurt either one of us to give into one another for the comfort we need after an encounter with these vicious bikers.
“We’re gonna head out,” Slim says after a moment of talking to Amelia. “Need you at the clubhouse in a little while, Sally.”
“Okay. I’ll be there. Killer, you want to let Gwen know? She was planning on taking Natty back to the house in a few hours.”
“I’ll tell her.”
Nodding my head, I watch as they all walk out of the bakery. Accepting the wash cloth from Amelia, I walk down to the tables that were knocked over and begin wiping them down. The rest of the day goes by smoothly as I learn everything I can from Amelia. We agree that once or twice a week I’ll come in early to help her in the kitchen with making things for the display cases. Other than that, I’ll work the front end so she can focus on her baking and making everything ahead of schedule. It will also let her add on to her business for more custom orders. Orders she’s been turning away because she’s only one person and can’t do it all while still finding time to spend with her son Derek. Overall, it’s going to work out perfectly for each of us.
