Page 32 of Shadow's Surrender
“Yeah. I waited for a bit just to make sure.” Gary grabbed a bar towel and wiped the counter.
“I’d have taken her back, but I know I would’ve ended up beating the shit outta her pimp or worse.” He pressed his lips into a thin line. “And the fucked up thing is, if I’d done that, she’d be all over me, screaming and kicking to defend her piece of shit.”
Gary nodded to one of the waitresses when she recited an order. “We’re fuckin’ slammed tonight.”
“Yeah,” Shadow muttered, his mind still on the woman at the motel. When he and his mom used to live in the trailer park, there were two women who always sported black eyes or busted lips. They’d service a few of the lowlifes in the park, but what he remembered the most was their “boyfriends” yelling and punching them when they didn’t bring back enough money. He’d always wanted to run over and help them, but his mother had made him promise never to get involved with any of the personal shit that went on in their neighborhood.
“You can’t save them all, dude,” Gary said, clasping his hand on Shadow’s shoulder. “It’s just the way it is sometimes.”
Gary’s voice dragged him back from the past, and he looked at the bartender and nodded slowly. “Yeah … you’re right about that. Life can really throw a bunch of shit in your face. Do you need me back here?”
“No—four of us is the limit, otherwise we just get in each other’s way.”
“Okay. If you need a break or anything, find me.” Shadow walked out from behind the bar and strolled over to Helm, who stood against the left wall, his eyes scanning the room.
“Hey, bro. You’re not needed at the bar anymore?”
“Gary’s back. How’re things on the floor?” Shadow zeroed in on the group of suits who had tables in the front and were throwing money on the stage.
“So far, so good. The girls are pulling in a lot of dough with private dances and tips. A good night for all.” He motioned Tiffany over. “A generous glass of Jack for me and Shadow.”
“Sure, honey.” She winked then disappeared into the crowd. “Honeysuckle’s already asked about you.” Helm’s eyes kept scanning.
“She’s dancing real good now,” Shadow replied.
“She and Diamond seem to be popular with the rich frats. We gotta make sure the fuckers behave, you know.”
“Yeah.” Shadow kept his gaze on the dude from the parking lot, who was currently leaning over the stage and trying to hand Diamond some money. Shadow jerked his head toward the dancer. “I gotta stop that shit right now.”
Helm’s eyes fixed on the dude who was practically climbing on stage. “Go for it. When you get back, your Jack will be waiting.”
Shadow put his hand up when he saw Jax stalking toward the guy. He gestured that he had this one and Jax stopped in his tracks.
With one fluid movement, Shadow grabbed the guy by the back of his neck and dragged him back.
“What the fuck are you doing?” he yelled as he tried to break away.
“Leave him alone, asshole!” another man shouted.
Protests in agreement resounded around the table, but Shadow ignored them and plopped the guy down on an empty chair.
“Stay the fuck off the stage. You can’t touch the dancers and they can’t take the money from you when they’re dancing.” His eyes narrowed dangerously.
“You gonna let him talk shit to you, Jonah?” one of the frat boys asked in a slurred voice.
Jonah’s gaze locked with Shadow’s, then recognition spread over his face. He looked down at the table. “I was outta line. Sorry,” he said.
“Fuck that! The bitches are strippers and we’re paying money to do what the hell we want,” a guy with short brown hair and an expensive dress shirt said.
Shadow gripped the big mouth’s shoulders and pulled him out of his seat. “You’re outta here.”
The man struggled to get away and several of his buddies stood up. Jax, Helm, and Rock rushed over, and the men sunk back down in their chairs.
“This asshole doesn’t know how to respect the club, the dancers, or me.” Shadow shoved him toward Rock. “His ass is outta here.”
One of the men stood up and smiled at the glaring bikers. “My buddy’s drunk as hell, so he doesn’t know what he’s saying.” He took out his wallet. “I’m Warren Huntington, and I’m prepared to make this right.” The guy glanced around the table. “We’ll make sure he doesn’t make trouble.” Warren opened his wallet and withdrew several hundred-dollar bills.
The dude looks familiar. Shadow racked his brain trying to remember where he’d seen this asshole, but it escaped him.
