Page 16 of Angel’s Claim

"So, everyone in this town knows you," I say.

"Most people."

"And they're all going to assume I'm your girlfriend because I'm wearing your cut."

"Probably."

"Does that bother you?"

Angel looks at me over the rim of his coffee cup. "Does it bother you?"

I think about it. Yesterday morning, the idea of being someone's girlfriend made me want to run screaming. But that was Chase. That was a life I didn't choose.

This is different.

"No," I say. "It doesn't bother me."

"Good," he says.

We drink our coffee, and I work up the courage to ask the question that's been bouncing around my head since I woke up.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah."

"Do you know anyone in town who's hiring? I need a job."

Angel sets down his coffee cup. "You planning on staying in Millhaven?"

"I think so. I don't really have anywhere else to go, and—" I hesitate. "I like it here. It feels... safe."

"It is safe. Especially for someone wearing that cut."

"Because of the MC?"

"Yeah. Iron Phoenix looks out for its own. And you're wearing my prospect patch, which means you're under the club's protection whether you meant to be or not."

"I didn't know that."

"You do now."

Donna returns with our food before I can respond: a massive stack of pancakes with perfectly crispy bacon and scrambled eggs for me, and what looks like a western omelet with hash browns for Angel. I pick up my fork and take a bite of pancake. It's perfect. It’s fluffy, buttery and sweet, and I make an involuntary sound of appreciation.

Angel's mouth twitches into almost a smile. "Told you."

"Okay, you were right. These are amazing."

"About the job," Angel says, cutting into his omelet. "There's a flower shop in town. One of the brothers, Diesel, the club mechanic, his girl June works there. Owner's been looking for help for a few weeks."

"Really?"

"Yeah. It's called Petals and Stems. About a ten-minute walk from here. I can take you over after we eat if you want."

"That would be—" I stop, trying to keep my voice steady. "That would be really amazing. Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet. You still gotta get the job."

"I will," I say, and I mean it.