"New girl! We're about to get a rush... buckle up for some noise. They can get rowdy."

    Liliana, the newest addition to the small pub, perked her head up quickly from the table she was clearing. Her brows furrowed when she saw the cook, Francisco, making food. Her eyes slid to the clock... It read as a quarter til' 8. What rush was coming in now? On weekdays everyone usually cleared out early in the sleepy town.

    "Gale didn't tell ya?" Francisco asked gruffly through the serving window.

    "Tell me what?" Lilly frowned softly as she came closer to the older man, resting her hands over the ledge as she peered at what he was making.

    "Tuesdays are slow, we usually lock up after the crowd finishes up, we don't let any more customers in after 10 but these folks usually linger. I'll stay late like usual, but just so you remember for Tuesday shifts."

Her brows furrowed as she felt bad. "I would stay if I could... I really have to get home on time though. It's hard enough for me taking the late shifts."

    The cook shook his head. "We all got responsibilities...But you really don't know? How long you been in town?"

    Her eyes rolled up as she counted down the days, "Two and a half weeks. Why? There some secret I got left out on?" Francisco's mouth quirked up as he looked at her pityingly, as if she had no idea what she was in for.

    "Only the worst kept secret in history of secrets. You haven't heard 'bout the bikers running town? Not about anyone by the name of Taz... Butcher... Nobody named Gunner?"

    Her dark brow ticked up, "Those are all very interesting names. Are they the boogeymen around here?"

Except Francisco didn't laugh at her attempt at a joke. The two of them had never had a real conversation before this first night shift she'd taken. Usually, she was on early morning shifts. Maybe she should keep it that way if the stoic chef was her company.

    "Pretty much, they run things around here. Not the cops, not any law enforcement like that. The biker club—the Mayhem Men—the people 'round here go to them. I'd remember that if I were you. Their own bar is under renovation or somethin'—probably a shootout that wrecked it. They've been occupying the pub for a month now. Gale is too nice to them."

Her eyes widened, a shootout? That was insane.

Lily herself had a very rudimentary understanding of what a biker group really was. Was it really possible for a group like that to be able to run an entire town? What did that even entail?

    "So which biker should I place my complaints to?" Lily tried to joke even if his warnings made her nervous.

    Francisco scowled at the young woman, "You stay away from those boys. They're bad news... You stay away from their Sergeant. Taz, blonde guy with longer hair. Some of the townsfolk say he's the one to look out for cause he's got the most experience out of 'em all." Liliana tensed, his rough tone making her shrink into her already small frame.

    "Other people say Butcher is the one to avoid like the plague. He's got this copper hair you can't miss. He's a mean sonofabitch... a loose cannon," Francisco practically barked. He didn't even wait for a response before continuing.

"But me? I say their President is who to steer clear of. Because what's a rabid dog without someone holding the leash? He's the real danger if you ask me. He's as sneaky as a snake I tell you. Charming too, he can talk someone into selling their soul I swear it. They call him that because he never misses, everybody's so scared of the lackeys but really who's more dangerous?"

    Lily had been holding her breath at the intensity of his foreboding words. Just as she parted her lips, the door slammed open. The chime of the bell was muffled by the cracking of the door against the wall.

Her head whipped over and the smell of gasoline and leather flooded her nostrils. Inhaling shakily, Lily knew after that perfectly timed story telling session that she would have to get herself together. They were just customers... That's what she told herself. And if everybody in the town listened to them then they couldn't be that bad. Right?

    "U-Um hi! Can I get you guys a table?" Immediately she recognized Taz, the older gentlemen out of all others. He was about forty amongst the other men in their late twenties to early thirties.

    "Evenin' hon," Taz grunted as he shrugged his jacket off. "We usually just set up right in that corner." He pointed to the left corner, where families usually sat during the day. "That okay with you, little lady?"

    Liliana was taken aback at the polite man, glancing back at Francisco to shoot him a glare that he didn't even see. Even if he didn't see the glare, Liliana couldn't help but think it was rude of him to talk about these bikers right before they arrived.

    "That's just fine," Lily smiled up at Taz. More bikers were filling in as all the bikes rumbled in the parking lot. She caught sight of who she could imagine was Butcher, his hair was hard to miss.

Taz met her dark gaze, shooting her a small grin. He leaned in as the other guys took over the entire space, pushing tables again.

"We'll stay outta your hair. You're new now but you'll get used to us. We don't bite," he winked at the young girl.

    Lily relaxed a bit, a nervous breath puffing from her mouth. Lily spared Taz a polite smile and watched his gaze soften a bit.

"Can I get you all a pitcher of something to drink? I've got beer or maybe coffee if you all are staying late?"

    Taz stepped away, ushering what looked to be the last of the bikers in while nodding at her.

"The beer would be great. Butcher, don't let them get rowdy," Taz scolded the others sitting down. They both looked at the group, seeing two of what looked like the youngest of the men bickering. The auburn-haired man shot them a single glare, then the fighting stopped.

    Liliana hid her smile as she turned away to get the steins she'd put on while also prepping a pitcher for them. Obviously, Francisco was almost ready with the sandwiches. He held up five fingers, signaling the wait she was working with. She was just grateful he shut his big mouth.

The bell rang once more behind her, this time Liliana didn't flinch at the sound. Like she always did with the customers, while grabbing the drinks, she turned around to see a tall blonde. He was taller than the other bikers whom he greeted with a sly smile. He laughed at something murmured, their hands clasping together as he passed by the men lingering at the entrance.

He turned just enough towards the counter Lily was walking around, their eyes slid to one another as if magnetized. The waitress paused for a single moment, her feet hesitated when his murky green eyes met her light brown ones.

This was definitely Gunner—it had to be. Even without a description from Francisco, she knew it in her gut. He was tall, he was muscular but lean in the sense that he could still be fast. He slid his leather jacket off—the one that read 'president' in stitched letters, his eyes still pinned on her as he did so.

But Lily's eyes slid down to his biceps that bulged with his movements. His dirty blonde hair was cropped and shoved messily out of his eyes, the sides were shorter than the top all the way to the back. His short beard was trimmed and she could now see his gray t-shirt that was almost sinfully flattering.

Her entire body tingled at the initial attraction she felt to this man- he screamed danger. The type that makes your hair raise on end but still draws you in regardless. She sucked her bottom lip in between her teeth for a second, Gunner watched it openly. Feeling his eyes on her, Liliana felt nervous. Behind her she could hear his breath turn a bit ragged.

"Can I get you anything?" She tried to break the tense silence he'd created. Her eyes met his unfocused ones. Tension rang between the two, it became noticeable to the point where the other bikers quieted down from their chatter.

Lily felt nerves flutter at her stomach, her feet teetering from side to side as her eyes widened up at Gunner.

"Uh... W-Wait what?"

Even more silence deafened the entire pub's ears. The other bikers all around them were visibly shocked, Liliana gave him a reassuring smile.

But all the others were still hung up on Gunner's response... Gunner the President of Mayhem Men... the smoothest talker known to man... Gunner who could convince someone to sell their own soul happily...

Did he just fucking stutter?

The bikers burst out laughing in the background. Liliana watched as the blonde president scowled deeply at his club, sneering with bared teeth but his attention was quickly caught by Lily again.

His gaze fell to her nametag.

"Food's almost ready... I can bring you something to drink, hm?"

It was clear he was clearing his throat in front of her, trying to be discreet as his face went pink. When he did open his mouth, Lily listened aptly. But only a croak came out, as if his throat was dry. 

She couldn't stifle her giggle, nodding back up at him. She turned around to get him a glass of water. Wide-eyed, he accepted the water gratefully with a fidgety grip.

Finally, he found momentary relief. "Thank you, sweetheart."

Lily nodded in response, shooting him a hesitant smile before pouring out the coffee and pitcher of water, before turning and going to retrieve the food.

***

As soon as the waitress was gone, Gunner was loudly and rudely accosted by his fellow bikers—many of them mocking his stutter and obvious blunder in front of the pretty girl. He held up his hands, smirking and making light of the situation.

But on either side of him, Butcher and Taz looked at each other sideways while sipping on their beers. All the jokes in the world couldn't hide the red still flushing Gunner's neck.

Once the bikers calmed down, Gunner couldn't help but keep an eye on their lovely waitress as the minutes ticked away. Their discussion was a serious one for the clubs sake, but he was always good at multitasking. And Liliana was a piece of art that deserved that attention. Every pickup line he had tucked away, every smooth word that'd worked for him before was out of his mind. Instead, it was a blank stare with his thoughts circling her.

"Pres," Taz snapped at him. "Get your shit together," he hissed to the biker leader quietly.

Clearing his throat, he glanced sidelong at Butcher—arguably his best friend even if the other half of the friendship wouldn't admit it—and saw a hint of amusement in the auburn-haired man's eyes. Sneering a bit, he turned towards the rest of the bikers and cleared his throat.

"Listen... we all know we're halfway up shit creek. Our guys were hit two nights ago and we're on double time covering for them while they're out of commission."

"I still don't understand what they were even doing- it was our regular route, wasn't it?" Butcher growled beside him as he leaned back in his chair. Gunner rubbed his brow in thought.

"They were minding their own fuckin' business and then there was gunshots from what I was told. I sent Jude to the scene. He's gonna ask the locals around that area if they saw anything. I'm hoping they were around."

Jude was a biker that has been in the club for a few years and quickly rose through the ranks. After a few rigorous trials and tests, he was bumped up to Vice President very recently. If he didn't keep his shit together he'd be getting the boot from the privileged position.

Gunner grunted quietly as he thought about his busy day tomorrow. "I've got some favors I'm gonna cash in. I'll get information one way or another. I want this shit open and closed." He cracked his neck as the other bikers chimed in about how they could contribute to the investigation.

Gunner rubbed his neck, just feeling grateful that none of his guys lost their lives. Just as he was counting his blessings, he couldn't help but let his eyes slide back to the new waitress. Liliana.

Now she was a blessing, even if just for his eyes. She was wiping everything down as the pub was officially closing in about 15 minutes. The bikers would stay later as usual and Gunner couldn't help but hope she stayed after hours. But he wasn't sure with how her eyes flicked over at the clock constantly.

***

Liliana felt Gunner's eyes, sheepishly ignoring them as she tampered down the butterflies in her stomach at the attention she got from the handsome man. Her common sense reminded her that Gunner was a part of a biker club—one that had a risky reputation. If she was smart, she would keep her distance.

If only she was smart.

But she didn't get to dwell on it long because the bell chimed at the door. Her breath hitched, and her wide, dark eyes shot up.

Her mouth opened to greet the customer who was cutting it too close for her liking, but her voice faltered when she saw the badge glinting in the light.

The light atmosphere in the homey restaurant suddenly became stifling, it almost choked her. She saw the officer give her a smirk, sliding his eyes over to the bikers all around. There was a look shared between the officer and the gang of bikers. Tension bled in the air.

Clearing her throat, Lily bit the side of her cheek.

"Can I help you, officer?" She pushed a hesitant smile on her face. She dropped her eyes down from the cop's buzzed dark brown hair and his tanned skin to his badge reading Daminger.

"No gorgeous I'm just makin' my rounds. Seeing if everyone's in check." His gaze shot to the bikers. "But now I can't help but show my appreciation to the beauty in front of me. You new to town?"

The cop leaned over the counter into her space, and Liliana sucked in a breath, feeling overwhelmed. The man looming over her five minutes before she was supposed to leave isn't helping. Her fingers tapped on the counter reflexively as she moved away casually.

"I'm familiar with the area," she lied through her teeth. "We're closing up though, I'm sure the morning shift would be happy to serve you."

"You don't need any help with your company overstaying now do ya? Or maybe a walk to your car?" The intensity of Daminger's eyes was making her skin slick with a nervous sweat, but Lily held her ground.

She met his gaze evenly, shaking her head. "No, me and the rest of the shift have it covered," Lily tried to allude to there being more than just Francisco working.

"You sure—"

"She seems sure, no?" Gunner stood from his chair. The large man loomed near, his frame dwarfing both Lily and the cop. He cocked his head at Daminger as all the bikers behind him shifted in their seats.

Lily eyed the two tensely, seeing how Gunner's biceps bulged as he crossed his arms. From where she was, Liliana could see something tucked in the back of his jeans, hidden under his shirt. Her blood ran cold for a second.

She stepped further away from the both of them.

"I mean look around... she's in good hands here. Obviously."

The two men stared at one another, several moments of silence passed by and Lily was moments away from cutting in before Daminger nodded. Presumably, he examined the numbers against him.

"Noted. You be careful out there... Lily. Pretty name." Daminger winked at her after reading her tag. "Never know when there's a wolf in sheep's clothing. But I'll be around this dump more often knowing you're here." Then Daminger was gone, revving his cruiser out of the parking lot obnoxiously.

Liliana and Gunner's eyes met as soon as he was gone. Liliana held her breath for a second. Her eyes fell to the ground and stayed there.

"Thanks," she finally exhaled while untying her apron. Gunner felt that familiar closing of his throat, nervousness almost making him sweat.

"Yeah," he croaked awkwardly. "Anytime, sweetheart."

"You all have a good night... It was nice meeting you, Gunner... and all of you." Lily couldn't stop herself from stealing one more glance at the biker president. The two's eyes lingered on one another before she was out the door.

"Goddamnit." Gunner slapped a hand to his forehead once she was gone. "Fucking idiot."

The bikers roared in laughter.