Read Online G-Men: The Series by Andrea Smith - Free Book Online Page A

Thursday or Friday as I worked my usual shifts. Some of the other bikers, along with their girlfriends, had been in the club, acting extremely rowdy. Janine had kicked them out for the evening, after taking a bunch of shit from them.
    The biker chicks seemed to bring out the nastiness in the guys. Their behavior was much more belligerent, except with their men. They were fairly subservient to them. They would stand while their men sat, fetch their drinks, and speak only when spoken to. It kind of reminded me of my life with Jack, only without the sex and leather.
    I’d done pretty well in tips this evening, bagging $585. I’d been tucking my tips away at home in a metal lock box. I wasn’t sure what had prompted me to do that because Jack was never home. I guess I considered it part of my secret life; the one that I had locked away from everyone else.
    I’d changed into a pair of tight, ragged jeans, a pullover sweater, and leather boots. I grabbed my sweatshirt hoodie from the hook, shrugging it on over my head. I slung my shoulder bag over my arm and headed out.
    I didn’t see Vince or Ethan on the floor. The other bouncer, Jay, was busy keeping some guy who was totally wasted from climbing up onto the stage where Emerald was dancing. Emerald was twenty-two years old, black, and extremely petite. She’d relocated from Detroit with her boyfriend, Ivan, about six months ago. Ivan had lost his job at one of the automotive plants. He was currently working as a millwright at one of the factories here in Indy. I knew Emerald missed her family terribly. Margo and I’d both taken to mothering her. There was something very fragile about Emerald.
    Jay seemed to have the situation well under control, finally grabbing the drunk by the scruff of his neck and escorting him out the front door. This had brought a series of booing from his cohorts, who were still ogling Emerald. Jay saw me as I approached the door to leave.
    “I’ll walk you to the bus stop, Diamond.”
    “No, that’s okay. You need to stay here and keep an eye out for Emerald. I have a feeling those idiots over there are going to make it tough on her, since you booted their buddy. Where are Vince and Ethan?”
    “Ah, fuck, there was a major fight over on the other side. Some of those bikers were roughing up their chicks. Vince and Ethan are waiting for the cops to show.”
    “Really, I’m good,” I said. “Keep your eye out on things here, okay?”
    “Be careful, babe.” With that, Jay turned his attention back to the floor, and I made a swift exit out into the dark night.
    It was clear out. For late November, the weather had remained above normal temperatures. It was cold and chilly, but well above freezing. There was no cloud cover so the stars lit up the night sky.
    I was nearly to the corner where the bus stopped when I heard the loud and vicious sound of a motorcycle next to me. I kept walking, looking straight ahead, even as I heard the engine slow down to a not-quite-so-loud idle. Undeterred, I continued on my way and, finally, I heard the engine shut off completely.
    I didn’t slow my pace, and I ignored my peripheral vision. I finally heard a male voice call out.
    “Diamond, hey! What’s your fucking hurry? Got to get home to that violent, piece-of-shit old man of yours?”
    I stopped and looked over into the beautiful, totally amused blue eyes of Slate. He was untying his do-rag, shaking his hair free. I noticed then that he had a pierced ear. It was totally sexy.
    I glanced over at him impassively, shrugging my shoulders.
    “Maybe I am. You wouldn’t want to hold me up now and make him mad if I miss this bus? It’s the last one.”
    “So, you’re telling me that the rat bastard doesn’t even bother picking you up? You ride a freakin’ bus home?”
    “Who’s to say he isn’t watching our three kids?”
    I watched as a slow grin spread across his handsome face as he contemplated what I said. His muscular arms were crossed in front of