Tears filled her eyes once again, threatening to spill over.
Those few weeks she’d felt like a princess in his company. He’d taken care of everything for once. All of her life she’d been the one responsible for everything. If it wasn’t for her, Kate would have made them homeless a time or two. Sophia had gone to college in an attempt to make a better life for the pair of them.
She wondered what Kate would think of her now. Alone, working two jobs, and having kicked out a Skull. Her sister believed in The Skulls and the protection they brought. There was a time when she’d believed in Nash. His taking drugs would start the end of him. Sophia couldn’t watch him destroy his life, not another person she cared about dying through f**king drugs.
Pushing her fringe off her face, Sophia saw it was a little after five. She needed to get dressed and ready for her evening to late night shift at the diner.
Getting up from the floor, she headed to the bathroom. After a quick shower she changed into her waitressing uniform and then added a pair of tights to cover her legs. She didn’t like showing too much skin off.
Picking her bag up, she headed out making sure to lock her apartment door. She walked the distance to the diner, needing the air to clear her muddled thoughts.
He’s not worth it.
No one stopped her to talk or tried to make her feel welcome. Since her sister’s death the treatment of the locals had gotten worse, far worse.
Entering the diner she saw several of The Skulls sat at a table. Murphy was one of the men she recognized. He was looking across the diner, and Sophia saw Tate sat with several girlfriends talking.
She’d just kicked a Skull out of her life, and now a bunch of them were at the diner. Great, just great.
It was going to be a long night. Entering the back, she hung up her jacket and bag. Jackie, the owner, was talking to herself as she did the crossword puzzle in the paper.
“You’re a little early,” Jackie said. “I hope you’re not wanting to leave early.”
“No, I’m good.” There was nothing waiting for her when she got home or for her to stay at home.
“Good. With The Skulls here, things could get pretty ugly. Last time they ate in my diner I was closed for six months repairing the damage they made.”
“Why don’t you just kick them out?”
Jackie burst out laughing. “Honey, you don’t kick out the law in this town.”
“The Skulls are not the law,” Sophia said, muttering the words underneath her breath.
“Might as well be.” Jackie heaved out of her chair. “We better get cracking. The other girls are working already. I’m sure you’re needed.”
Wrapping the apron around her waist Sophia made her way outside. Molly, another of the women who worked at the diner, was shaking her head.
“What?” Sophia asked.
“I’m not serving them. You can serve them. Your sister was buds with them. I’m not having anything to do with them.” Molly left her alone.
“Great.” Grabbing her pad she made her way toward their table. People stared at her as she walked past. Ignoring stares had become easy to her.
The women or the men? She looked at the two tables and settled on dealing with the women first.
“Sophia, honey, it’s been a lifetime,” Tate said.
Kelsey, Eva, Sandy, and Angel were sat at the table with Tate. She smiled at all the women.
“What can I get you?” Sophia asked, avoiding the question.
“Are you going to make this difficult for me?” Tate was speaking louder gaining more attention.
Shaking her head, Sophia took a quick look around. Some of the customers were watching them while others were more interested in their own food.
“Not at all. I’ve got work to do.”
“Well we’re celebrating. Angel is expecting. This one is going to be great. I can feel it.”
She glanced at the beautiful blonde woman, who was blushing a deep red color. The men at the other table whooped.
“Lash is joining us soon. He’s dealing with some problems with the club,” Angel said. Her voice was so small.
“I can’t believe you don’t demand to know more about what he’s doing,” Tate said.
“It’s not my business, and I’m happy with what I’ve got.”
Tate blew a raspberry and started to order.
Sophia took down all of their orders and read them back. When she made to move away, Eva grabbed her hand. “How are you, honey? You’ve not been by the clubhouse.”
Sophia felt the emotions welling up inside her.
“Erm, it’s nothing. I’ve been busy. I’ve not got a lot of free time, and well, Nash doesn’t want me there.” Sophia thought about before. Then Nash would have wanted her there, but twice she’d pushed him away now. There was no way he would want her at the clubhouse anymore.
“Nonsense. It’s not up to Nash what you do or where you go. You’re always welcome to the clubhouse as far as I’m concerned.”
“I appreciate that.” Sophia smiled and pulled her hand, trying to get away from the group of women. They knew too much, and as far as Sophia was concerned, they saw too much.
They all knew she wouldn’t be taking up any of their offers. She’d rather be alone than having to deal with the bikers all day every day.
Going to the front of the diner, she put their orders through. As she was handling their order, Lash walked through the door. His gaze landed on her.
Her hands started to shake, and she tried to ignore the sick feeling swamping her.
“Did you do as I asked?” he asked, coming to stand beside her.
She looked behind her to see who was watching them.
“Don’t worry about them. I want to know your answer.” Lash, clearly, wasn’t a very patient man.
“We talked, but nothing happened.”
Lash frowned at her. “What went on?”
“Nothing. There is nothing going on between Nash and me.”
“There’s not?” Lash asked.
She shook her head.
He leaned in close, making her nervous. This man had killed before. All of The Skulls had killed. She’d heard the rumors, and Kate was pretty vocal about everything. Kate had told her that Lash was responsible for killing Angel’s dad. There was no way she wanted to be on Lash’s bad side. She didn’t want to be on his good or bad side. Sophia knew he loved his brother and would do everything to protect Nash.
“No, there’s not.”
“You’re wrong. Nash wants you, and he’s finding solace in drugs.”