But then I’d have to see Skully every day, and I don’t think I can handle it.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea. Skully wasn’t happy with me being here. I don’t want to upset him further.”
“Doll.” He lets out a low sigh, leaning forward in his chair. “Sometimes us men will push the people we care about away because we don’t want to see them getting hurt.” It’s what everyone told me when he kicked me out of the hospital. “Skully’s been going through some real shit, and it’s been really fucking hard for him. I can guarantee that the only reason he’s so adamant about you not being here is so you don’t get dragged down into his mess with him. I know how that man felt about you. And I know that those feelings didn’t just disappear the night he got shot. His pride is hurtin’, babe. You seeing him bound to a chair is not what any man would want. But in my opinion, I think you could be the cure he needs. I think he could use a bit of sweet in his life. Now, what do you say? You interested in the job?”
My gut had told me the same thing—that Skully didn’t want me seeing him suffering, but the coldness felt so real. I don’tthink I can do it. I think the cure for him is for me to leave and never come back.
“Salary will be two hundred.”
Two hundred a day is more than I’d make at any of the stores I applied to. Wait…he said salary.
“Do you mean two hundred a day?”
“Nah, Maddy Cakes. We aint’ gonna shortchange you. Two hundred thousand a year. But that does come with full discretion. We don’t want one word of our business dealings leaving this clubhouse. Understood?”
Two hundred thousand. Oh my freaking heavens. That’s even more than I’d make if I were the CFO at my father’s company. That’s more than I ever thought I’d be able to make, period. That’s enough to not only get me my own place, but I could also afford a house. I could get out from under my parents’ roof within a few weeks. That’s crazy money.
“You look shocked.”
“I am shocked. I think you’re overpaying, Ripper. I literally just graduated. Fifty thousand would work.” That’s all I thought I’d be able to make. According to my dad, I’d be lucky to get that with my grades as they were. Maybe I should tell him what my final grade point average was. He might rescind the offer altogether.
“Hell no, Mads. We’re paying you what we paid Rubble. I don’t have a single doubt in your abilities. Skully ranted and raved about how amazing you were doing at that fancy college of yours. And even if it takes you a moment to learn your way around, the fact that I won’t have to do it anymore will be worth every dime.”
“I didn’t do as well as I wanted this last year, so my grades weren’t that good. This year was…um…a little rough.”
His shoulders drop as his eyes fill with that same look I saw on Dagger’s face, and Shayna’s, and everyone else’s the moment Skully spoke to me. Everyone feels sorry for me.
“Doll, we all get hit from time to time. Life can take us down. The fact that you’re standing in front of me, even willing to be here talking with me, speaks to your strength. I’m not worried about no grades. If you think it’s something you can do, the job is yours. If you’d rather pour drinks, we’ll get you a job at the bar instead. The choice is yours.”
“No.” I shake my head. “I’d love to handle the books and get all the finances in order. Numbers are my specialty.” Pouring drinks has never been something I’m good at. I’ll be making messes right and left with my clumsy hands. “But, Rip.” There’s just one thing I need to check before I agree. “Will you make sure it’s okay with him? If he’s already having a hard time, I don’t want to make things worse.”
“I can tell you the man isn’t in his right mind to know what’s good for him. I think you being around is exactly what the doctor ordered. He needs to be reminded of how good things were. He needs to see there’s something worth fighting for. But yeah, Mads, I’ll talk to him.”
That seed of hope has been implanted again, wondering if I could truly be the cure. If there’s a chance Skully still has feelings for me, I’ll fight for him until death. I will never give up on him. But the choice is his. If he tells me to leave, I’ll go and never return. If he says I can stay, then I’ll figure out how to bring him back to life.
“Thanks, Ripper. And thanks for the offer. It’s been really hard living with my parents. We just don’t see the world the same way.” All they see is wealth and status. And if you don’t have wealth, you don’t belong in their world. And because I fell in love with a man who was covered in ink and ran around with a “motorcycle gang,” I no longer belong in their world either.It didn’t matter that Skully was brilliant or kind or that he’d worked so hard to overcome adversity and make something of himself. All they saw was the dirt on his hands and the Savage Knight insignia on his leather jacket and it was enough to cast their judgement. “This will give me a chance to get my own place.”
“You need a place to stay? We’ve got a room for you here in the clubhouse. You say the word and it’s yours.”
For as much as I want to be out from under my parents’ hold, I don’t know if I’m quite ready for that. I need to see if I can handle being around Skully first. I need to see if I can breathe inside this clubhouse before I move in.
“Thank you. I think for now it’s best if I give him some space. But if he’s okay with me being here, I’ll take the job.”
“I’ll talk to him, doll, and let you know. Now, why don’t we go grab a drink from the bar. I know everyone wants to catch up with you.”
Except for the one man who matters most.
5
Skully
Knock! Knock! Knock!
“What is it?” I bark out, practically scratching a hole through the paper I’m drawing on. Black flames over blue eyes filled with fucking pity.
Ripper comes walking in, looking pissed. He’s not the one who should be angry right now.
“You want to explain why you’re treating that sweet girl like that?”
