Stepping into the bar, Melody squared her shoulders and took in the growing, afternoon crowd. The VIP area and top bar were closed but otherwise everywhere else was starting to come alive. As the last few hours replayed over and over in her head, she really hoped Coal would be coming home tomorrow. Knowing she had to keep her mind busy, she caught sight of Samantha and started walking towards her.

                "Where do you think you are going?" Wyatt's hand snaked out to stop her forward movement. "Oak said no floor shit, otherwise he's going to chop my balls off. His words not mine." Wyatt lifted a brow at her indignant expression and kept his hand firmly in place on her arm.

           "I'm not a child. I know what Oak said. I was just going to go around and talk with everyone, alright?" Melody sighed, feeling her nerves on edge and Oak's overbearingness was pushing her limits.

             "No funny business, Mel. I'll be watching you." Wyatt motioned his fingers between them as she rolled her eyes and turned back around. She could care less about Wyatt watching her. She knew her limits.

         Catching Samantha's eye, Melody walked over to where she was cleaning up some tables and stopped behind one of the chairs.

              "How's it been going, Samantha?" She wanted to make sure all the staff felt comfortable coming to her and knew how important visibility was. Any issue and she would take care of them right away.

          "Hey Melody. It's been pretty quiet lately and no ass grabbers on my shifts anyway." Samantha smiled at her wickedly with her bright green eyes and blonde bobbing ponytail. Grabbing the rag, she flicked her gaze towards one of the bars and smirked at Melody.

             "But I wouldn't mind if he grabbed my ass. And call me Sam, will ya. My parents were the only ones who used my full name and it always meant trouble." Melody laughed as she peeked over at  Wyatt who was watching them both.

        "Oh, and just so you know, bosses orders came through before you got here. You aren't lifting a finger out on the floor until further notice." Sam shrugged before sauntering by Wyatt sitting at the bar who mildly took interest at her passing him before his eyes were back on Melody. A beer in his hand tipped her way before he took a sip and motioned his fingers between them. Flipping him off, she watched his startled face morph into a full belly laugh before he shook his head and turned back to the bar. Ricky was just on the other side and winked over at her before wagging his own finger at her.

              These people she barely knew, but already she was feeling a kinship towards them. Shrugging back, Melody moved on and met with a few more of the other bartenders and waitstaff. Afternoon turned into evening that had Melody back and forth between bookkeeping and monitoring the cameras. Chuckling to herself, Melody realized she was much calmer and felt that no matter what happened tomorrow, she would be alright.

           "Heard you had a bad fall. Hope you're doing better." His smooth voice had her skin crawling uneasily as she grabbed a nearby bar stool. With a fake smile in place before turning to face him, Melody wished his outward appearance reflected who he truly was. Or maybe he did. A devil in disguise.

        Chuck stood behind her sporting his Red Devil's Cut over a dark maroon dress shirt and leering with hooded eyes. If he wasn't actually good looking, she'd blame her feelings of dislike on awful body odor or soiled clothes. No, he had a smoldering gaze and a constant five o'clock shadow with a damn cigarette butt that was currently sparked!

          With outrage, Melody grabbed the cigarette right out of his mouth before crumbling it between her tight first, barely feeling the burn before it was snuffed out. The quick movement had her already regretting it but no way would she allow this asshole to see it. "You know the rules, Chuck." She said his name with apparent distaste that had his sneer turning into a snarl.

          "Walking in here all high and mighty and shouting orders doesn't make you top dog, sweetheart. You may want to remember your place." Chuck had closed in on her, dropping his heavy cologne around her and licking his lips. She felt disgusted and threatened all at once but most of all, angry that he felt he could throw his own weight around here.

           "And maybe you need to remember your place. You are a guest here and can be easily uninvited." Melody kept her expression serious, keeping her body rigid behind the bar stool and standing her ground. Chuck stepped back and blinked before simply throwing his head back and laughing. Cutting himself off, he brought his eyes back down to meet hers and simply placed another unlit cigarette in his mouth.

           "I'll see you around, Melody." His hooded gaze promised he would and she visibly shuddered at the thought, almost jumping in fright at Sam's voice.

           "Was Chuck being an asshole?" Melody loved Sam's straight forward attitude and could see a lot of herself in the younger woman. Pushing off the bar stool, she crossed her arms and cocked her head.

          "Nothing I couldn't handle. I promise I didn't even lift a finger." Melody winked at Sam before they both giggled. A table called out for Sam, cutting the break short before she saw Wyatt talking to Chuck at the bar. A deep frown marred Wyatt's face as he puffed his chest out and seemed to be threatening Chuck. Their expressions cut across the bar and landed on Melody as she boldly stared both of them down.

            She was in no mood for whose cock was bigger and was ready to march right over and tell both of them to get the fuck out. While she was sure she didn't have the authority to do just that, it still would have felt good to say. Instead, she saluted the pair and turned around to take a walk back to the offices. Maybe watching from the cameras would be more helpful at seeing how everyone was doing. Leaning slightly over, she walked slowly back to the office and ignored concerned looks. Already there would be plenty of stories later passing around what had happened. She had no plan to enlighten anyone either.

              An hour later, she was startled while staring over and over at the many screens following the bustling activity of the bar. A tall, broad shouldered man stomped into the bar that had Melody straightening up in her chair as she squinted to make out Oak's features. He appeared to be looking for someone when a slim, womanly figure moved into view from a nearby barstool. Her slender body was encased in designer blue jeans and a novelty baby doll tee that made her giant rack more pronounced.

         Recognizing the blonde as the same one that Oak had stated he was all set with, made her double take as he suddenly turned his attention to her. His focus zoomed in on her as he followed her off screen, making Melody scramble to follow their movements and wonder what was going on. Maybe he wasn't all done with her, maybe he realized he didn't want to get wrapped up in Melody's own mess of a life.

             She turned away from the screens, not wishing to confirm the truth by watching it play out. Grabbing some ibuprofen, she swallowed two and gulped down water before setting her head high and heading back out to the floor. Making her rounds over to Garrett and his crew, she caught him hustling a drunk into a waiting Uber and nodded with approval before blinking back tears. She had to stop thinking about Oak and what was happening with that blonde.

        It was her own stupidity for believing this whole thing had been a good idea. Yeah, get involved with your boss so when it actually doesn't work out, that will just make things more difficult and awkward at work. Melody's mind was racing as she kept her fake smile plastered on her face, hurting more and more as the minutes passed and still no sign of Oak. He probably had realized the inappropriateness of the whole situation and that his club and business came first.

        As it should, she had to remember that and be grateful for at least getting this opportunity and help when she had needed it the most. She completely understood, as soon as Oak had realized the seriousness and mess that was her life, he was all set. Blinking away the shine of tears, she smiled brightly as she passed patrons and headed to check on the top floor bar. It had opened when the night got busier and set with an intimate glow complete with shadowed corners and two top tables.
             Usually, only couples hung out up here and the area was low key. Grace was bartending lover's lane, smiling and giving a small wave before serving a patron. Melody checked behind the bar and saw she needed more ice, already turning to find a bar back. Groaning, she kept her eyes focused on the Red Devil VP patch staring her in the face as Chuck cornered her near the darkest side of the bar.

     "Told you I would be seeing you." Chuck moved his unlit cigarette to behind his ear and pushed his larger body towards Melody. Holding her hands up, she stifled a gasp at feeling her side stab painfully at the movement and continue to throb.

"Can I help you with something?" Melody crossed her arms and stepped back to give them both room, holding her hurting side gently and wishing the pain relief would kick in. His hand touching hers startled her and had her eyes flashing up to meet his.

"Seems like you need help with something." Chuck's voice was a low murmur as his hand moved over hers, prodding her side and causing her to wince. Stepping back quickly, Melody felt the danger closing in and wished there was more light to make her feel more confident. His gaze narrowed at her response before realization set in.

"Ah, that's right. You took a fall...hiking was it?" Chuck dropped his hand but remained inside her space she considered as too close. Stepping back, she was surprised when she hit the wall and looked slightly above his shoulder looking for Grace. He wouldn't try anything...oh he would!
     Chuck's hands moved to her shoulders before he pressed her against the wall. She hissed in discomfort as her sore back made contact with the wall next to the bar. Her hands balled into fists as her eyes stared up at his with fear and anger. His hand lightened as he stepped back and gave her a quizzical look.
       "I barely touched you. What's wrong with your back?" Melody scoffed in confusion as she pulled away from the wall and crossed her arms, wishing everyone would stop asking that. She also found it hard to believe that Chuck really cared.
     "Nothing, just sore from my fall hiking." She confirmed the lie he was fed and smiled as he seemed to accept her answer.
      "Jeezus, Melody, there you are! What are you doing?" Melody pushed past Chuck as she took in Wyatt's gasping form.
     "What's wrong?" Melody felt her insides tighten with complete fear as Chuck stepped up behind her.
       "Sasha just got thrown out for attacking Oak and now he's going apeshit looking for you. You okay?" He stepped forward and glared at Chuck behind her, realizing she was still hunched over and probably looked pained. Straightening, she forced a smile and began walking towards Wyatt.

         "I'm fine, Wyatt. Why is Oak freaking out?" Why would he be? She figured he would have been completely wrapped up with...Sasha. And why had she attacked Oak?

          "You know why." Wyatt furrowed his brows at her, confusion flickering in his eyes that were now on Chuck.

           "Well, let's go see what happened." Melody walked past Wyatt and down to the main floor, locating Oak near Ricky's bar, arms splayed and head hung down over the bar. His broad back was heaving and she slowed even further as she stood almost behind him.

             "Oak? Everything okay?" She'd play dumb for now as she watched him slowly turn around. Patrons were currently starring over in his direction but were soon turning their attentions back to their own drinks and conversations from his glare.

        Finally, she started to feel some pain relief as she stood gazing up at Oak, his face marked by a red mark and his tee shirt ripped across his middle. Sighing happily at being able to stand upright, she looked back at Oak who ran a hand through his hair before responding.

           "Yeah, everything's good." Pausing, Oak looked past Melody and narrowed his eyes. Melody looked behind herself and caught Chuck smirking before nodding at Melody and disappearing out of the exit.

                "Let's go back to the office." Melody turned back around to find Oak standing stiff and looking anything but friendly. What the heck was going on?

     Melody followed Oak to the office and shut the door quietly behind her as he leaned against the desk facing the wall of screens. Feeling defensive, Melody crossed her arms and waited for whatever was going on to be cleared up.

           "Not sure how much you saw of what happened with Sasha, but she tried to come in here and say I got her pregnant. When I asked her for proof, she flipped out and started hitting me and ripping at my shirt." He rubbed his face before starring her right in the eye as she hid her shock.

          "Until she shows me proof, she has been banned from this establishment as well as my brother's clubhouse." Stepping closer, he slid his hands along her upper arms and she let him. While hearing this was tough, she felt better that at least he wasn't trying to hide it from her. Maybe she should have just watched it play out, instead of jumping to conclusions.

           Smiling reassuringly up at him, she needed to know what he was expecting out of this situation. Simply that and the rest they could deal with after.

               "Alright, done. But Oak, what about us? I know what you said before but with this and my own mess, us working together...is this really okay?" She felt him tense up on her but she placed her hands loosely on his side. While she knew she wanted to see this through, she wanted to assuage her guilt by at least allowing him to have the chance to walk away. She would be respectful of that decision and would push her feelings away and continue to at least be the best employee he had.

             "This doesn't change anything between us. As long as you want this, I got you Melody." That was all she needed to hear, it was enough. Leaning up, she kissed him gently on his mouth as his hands moved up to cup her cheeks and kiss her right back. He didn't deepen the kiss but feeling his growing erection against her stomach made her realize he definitely still wanted her on that level.

               "Let's close this place down together and I'll come over. We still need to talk and then tomorrow we can pick up Coal." His husky voice had her nodding, almost forgetting about what had led up to this moment.

   "Do you think she's really pregnant?" She hated asking but needed to know how likely it was that Oak could possibly be a daddy. Maybe he already was and she didn't know. There was a lot she didn't know about Oak and she hoped to change that soon.

         Stepping back, he leaned back against his desk and stared intently at her.

               "It could be possible, I won't lie. We had been off and on for the past year right up til when I met you. A few months ago, I found out she'd been fucking Chuck and who knows who else in his club so I made sure she was aware it was never going to be serious between us. If it is true, it could be anyone's." Oak's voiced hardened and Melody knew there was more but was still surprised to learn about Chuck and Sasha's involvement. They seemed perfect for each other.

                 "Whatever comes of this, I just want you to know, I won't blame you if you feel it is too much." Melody hated seeing him going through all this and had no intention of leaving him in the thick of it.

            "I'm not going anywhere, Oak. You have already done so much for me. We'll get through it all together." She stepped up and hugged him tightly, his arms wrapped around her loosely. Inhaling his scent, Melody knew there was still so much to say but for now she was content and ready to face what came their way next.