WOLF: An Evil Dead MC Story (The Evil Dead MC Series Book 4) by Nicole James Page B

first started working the bar at the clubhouse. She’d been alone one afternoon, setting up for another Friday night, when Wolf had come in and taken a seat at the end of the bar. She’d looked over and smiled.
    “Hey, Wolf. Can I get you a beer?”
    He’d nodded.
    When she’d brought it over to him, he’d had a cupcake sitting in front of him. She’d frowned at him, eyeing it as she’d slid the beer on the bar. He’d given her a sly grin as he’d stuck a candle in it and pulled a lighter from his pocket and flicked it. His eyes connected with hers as he brought the flame to the candle and lit it. Then he’d pushed the cupcake toward her.
    “Happy Birthday, Crystal.”
    She’d sucked her lips in and felt her eyes start to sting with tears. No one at the club knew it was her birthday. And she’d meant to keep it that way, letting it pass quietly. But then she’d stared down at that cupcake, and she’d realized how nice it was when someone knew, when someone cared enough to do something like that to let you know you mattered. She’d whispered, “How did you know?”
    He’d winked at her. “I have my ways.”
    She’d frowned at him.
    He’d shrugged. “I do security setups. I run backgrounds on every potential prospect… and every employee.” He’d waggled his brows. “I know everything about you, babe. Down to your bra size.”
    She’d stared at him, and then a smile had broken out on her face. “Oh, really?”
    He’d grinned. “Really, babe. Now you gonna make a wish and blow out your candle?”
     
    The phone rang in the tattoo shop, shaking her from her memories.
    She picked up the receiver. “Good morning, Brothers Ink . How may I help you?”
    “Crystal?”
    She frowned. “Shannon?”
    “How are you?”
    “I’m great. God, it’s so good to hear from you. How are you?”
    “Good. Angel and I were sitting here having coffee, and we just realized it’s your birthday this weekend.”
    “Oh, God, don’t bring that up.”
    “What’s the matter? Not wanting to turn thirty?” Shannon teased.
    “I’m staying twenty-nine forever.”
    “Sorry, kid. It doesn’t work that way.”
    “Rats.”
    “So, anyway, we’ve decided a girl’s weekend is in order.”
    “You’re coming here?”
    “No. We were thinking bigger.”
    “Bigger?”
    “Vegas, baby.”
    “Vegas? Are you insane?”
    “Nope. I already made reservations. And don’t worry about the cost. It’s on us. Your birthday present.”
    Crystal bit her lip. “I appreciate the thought, but I can’t. I have to work this weekend. Pretty much every weekend.”
    “No excuses. You’re coming.”
    “Really, Shannon, my boss would never let me off.” Crystal noticed someone out of the corner of her eye and turned to see the man himself standing with his arms folded looking at her. And he wasn’t happy.
    Shannon’s voice sounded in her ear. “That’s why we already asked him. I’m betting he just walked over to your desk, didn’t he?”
    “Yup.”
    She heard both Shannon and Angel giggling through the phone. “Pack your bags, sugar. He said yes. Oh, and by the way, he was a little pissed you didn’t mention your birthday.”
    “I hate you.”
    “You love me.”
    “I’ve got to go.”
    Shannon giggled. “I bet you do. See you tomorrow night. I just emailed you all the info.”
    Crystal quickly said her goodbyes and hung up the receiver, her eyes on her boss. “Sorry about that. Did you want something?”
    “Were you going to tell me?”
    “Tell you? Tell you what?” Crystal played dumb. He looked pissed. At her. Oh, God, what had Shannon done, going straight to her boss like that? Crystal wanted to crawl under the desk in embarrassment. Not only had Shannon called him, but then he comes out and catches her on a personal call. Shit. But it had been the only one since she’d been here. He couldn’t possibly be upset about that, could he? Although, she had to admit, he had a temper, a true Irish temper. She’d seen