CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

-:- ROCK -:-

Hammer’s second crew has arrived this morning and they are checking out the roof of the new building. I’m hoping they find nothing too wrong with it because Axel won’t be happy if the place starts to rack up green.

I order the next load of paint we need, as the custom cages are using a ton of the stuff. I’m relieved we got the recommendation from Splash to use Siggy, because she really is reliable and mixes exactly what we ask for. I can see we’ll be good customers for her business in the future.

My phone vibrating on the desk catches my attention, and picking it up, I see confirmation from Siggy that she’ll have the paint over here in two days. She says 48 hours after ordering, but most of the time she gets it to us the next day. I’m never sure if it’s because she doesn’t have much work to do, or if she works through the fuckin’ night!

Hammer’s second crew finished their initial inspection and are now working on the roof. I’m heading over there to check how everyone is getting on. I don’t want any accidents happening. Raw, Griff and Splash are doing anything they can to help, and I noticed Raw speaking with Hammer first thing this morning, but didn’t hear their conversation.

Striding into the cages building, as we’ll probably always think of this side of the business, I look up and note nothing looks amiss. Griff walks over and gives me a chin lift. “Morning, Rock. The roof is in decent condition, only needed a small amount of attention. The crew are going to start the restroom next but we are going to put a new dry wall up in the kitchen area, then we can give it a lick of paint before the new cabinets and sink are fitted.”

“Okay. Has Fist been over here?” I ask while giving Raw and Splash acknowledgement.

“Yes, you just missed him. There is nothing he can do here. He has a job that he needs to get finished, and Splash wants to speak to you about the design for the doors. Looks good, but he needs your okay before he starts.” Griff waves Splash over before he walks away, leaving the two of us to talk over the design.

“Morning, Rock. I’ve been thinking more about the design I talked to you about.”

“Morning, Splash. I thought you’d already decided on the design?”

“Let’s close the doors, and then maybe we can visualize it a bit better.” He walks over to the doors and closes them after telling me to wait outside. Walking out the pedestrian door, he comes over to me to describe his latest vision.

“As I remember, Splash, you were going to do it in two halves. One side classy and photo quality. The other side more cartoonish and colorful. That right?”

“Yeah, that was my original idea. Make it stand out and eye-catching. Draw some attention to us.” He’s not looking at me at all, as he has all his attention focused on his blank canvas. “I think we should drop the cartoons and stick to all classy. We want to attract any business we can, but we’re ultimately going to be going for high-end clientele, like Mikala with her hog.”

“So, what are you saying now, Splash? Spit it the fuck out.” I don’t have the time or patience this morning to be going through his ‘artistic license’ crap.

“I think we should have a word with Mikala and Grease. Get their permission to use their vehicles as advertising on the doors. Before and after type of thing. First half could be before and after with the Cobra and the club logo. That way, if we have the doors half open for any reason, the club logo will be on display as much as possible.

“Second half, we could have the Apache that Grease wants done for Raven. He’s told me what he’s thinking and I reckon he’s nailed it. I know it’s cages rather than hogs, but I think Mikala’s transformation will still be a good advertisement of our work. Anyone that turns up with a hog, we just send them next door.

“Get the first half done and I’ll chase down Mikala and Grease.” Leaving him standing there, I head back to the Hot Hogs workshop.

Walking into the bay where Krylon has finished working, I check over the hog that looks eye-catching, to say the least.

When it came in, it was gleaming black all over apart from the chrome work. It looked pretty standard to be fair. Straight off the showroom floor. Now though, it looks custom, individual, and something special. It is matte black instead of glossy. The wheel rims are now matte black instead of polished aluminum. The seat has a backrest that would be a godsend on long journeys. The leather has been hand-stitched and has the initials MM under a Harley logo. There is no pillion seat anymore, instead there is a black rack. Leather panniers with tassels hang down either side. The drive belt system looks like it belongs. The improvement over the old chain and sprockets is the dog's doodahs. The dog’s doodahs? Christ, another of Star’s ‘Britishisms’, I think to myself. The engine has a huge conical air filter sticking out the side and there is something else, but I can’t put my finger on it right off. Overall, the whole thing looks exactly like what Harley Davidson should be churning out.

“It looks awesome! You have abso-fucking-lutely nailed it. It is so much more than she asked for. Did we come in on budget?”

Looking worried, Krylon states, “Well, we didn’t actually have a budget. Hopefully, she’ll like everything and won’t query the cost. I think the supercharger was the most expensive single item.”

“Man, that was what I didn’t pick up on. I knew there was something. Fingers crossed then, Krylon. You all done now?”

“Yeah, nothing more I can do with it. You can call Mikala and tell her to pick her up in 24 hours or right after that. I know it's usually around 12 hours, but I want to be sure. It’s important that this dries perfectly. I’ll leave the heater on it until I’m positive and let’s hope this brings us more celebrity work.”

Krylon wipes his hands on a dirty rag before throwing it in the trash, and walking to the rest area, where he’ll more than likely grab himself a cold drink. I follow behind him, as there is nothing I can do here. I have a hog to start later in the day or in the morning. This one is not a rush job as the owner is out of the country for the next three weeks, so when it’s done we’ll be storing it until he returns.

My phone vibrating in the top pocket of my coveralls grabs my attention and taking it out, I frown as it’s Siggy sending a message.

Siggy: Is it OK to bring the paint delivery?

Rock: Yeah, anytime.

Siggy: I’ll be an hour.

Grinning to myself, I send a text and know I’m risking Axel reaming my ass.

Rock: You want to meet Siggy? Be at Hot Hogs in an hour.

No reply to the text, but I’d bet all the money in my bank the fucker will turn up.

Yeah, as expected, an hour later a hog rolls up, and Jig walks into the building. “She here yet?” he eagerly asks, and I can’t stop the chuckle.

“No, but she’ll not be long.”

A few minutes later, a van stops in front of the building, the lettering on it stating clearly, ‘Siggy’s Mix’. Simple and nothing girlie, which has me smiling because the last thing she’d do is to have something with flowers and shit all over it.

Again, she has her bandana on her head, plus the baseball cap on backwards. I think that’s to keep her hair out of her face, but it leaves her face clear to get a good look at her.

“Fuckin’ hell, she’s stunning,” I hear at the side of me and grunt because what do you say to that, other than yeah she is.

“Morning darlin’, can I give you a hand to carry it in?” Jig asks as he saunters over to her.

Now, Siggy gives Jig a look from the top of his head to his feet, then back to his face. “Nope.”

I cover my mouth with my hand because Jig sticks his chin out, followed by his chest, and the look of determination follows. “Too bad, I’m helping.” Grabbing hold of a large can that Siggy had dragged toward herself to pick up.

Leaning on the door frame, I give Siggy a nod as she passes. “Morning, Siggy.”

“Morning, Rock. I’m going to be out of town for three days. But if you need anything, let me know and I’ll make it my priority when I get back.”

“Okay. Is everything alright?” Now, I’m asking that because she looks hassled, and that’s not how she normally looks. She usually has a smile and a joke with us.

Krylon walks over and throws his arm around Siggy’s shoulders, kissing the top of her head. Hearing a growl, we all turn and look at Jig. “Like that, is it?” Krylon asks with a huge smirk.

“Yeah, it fucking is,” Jig replies.

“Good luck.” Krylon throws his head back, laughing, then kisses Siggy once more before heading to the restroom.

Jig helps Siggy carry our supplies into the storeroom, and she’s giving him the cold shoulder. I can’t help but smile because Jig has the worst luck with women. He’s a brilliant brother and when he gets his woman, he’s gonna be the best thing for her, ever. She’ll want for nothing and he’ll die to protect her. But for some unknown reason, he can’t seem to get and keep hold of a woman he’s interested in.

“Will you stop following me and leave the cans alone?” Siggy snaps while picking up another can from her van.

“No can do, darlin’. I said I’m helping, and I am,” Jig responds, but he’s doing it with a grin on his face.

Siggy looks over at me and squints, showing me that she’s not amused, but I wink and continue watching how this is going to play out.

“You want to go out for dinner when you come back?” Jig asks politely.

“No,” Siggy responds, and I can see she has some pink on her cheeks. Interesting.

“Aww, come on, give a guy a chance,” Jig continues.

“I said, no.”

“Well, I’m not taking no for an answer, so when you get back I’ll be seeing you until you agree.” Jig throws her a wink before turning and walking toward his hog.

“Fuck off,” Siggy shouts, and I burst out laughing before heading inside and deciding to make a start on the hog.

Later in the afternoon, I call it a day, leave instructions for the brothers and head to the clubhouse, where I clean up, change and make my way over to Red’s place.

Knocking on the door, it only takes a minute before it’s opened and Jessica gives me a smile. “Hi, Rock.”

“Hi, Jessica. Can I come in?”

“Jessica, how many times have I told you not to open the door? We have to check who is knocking before we open it,” Red berates.

“I’m sorry, Aunt D.” Jessica doesn’t sound sorry to me, so I give her a look with a hint of stern to it.

“Your aunt is right. It could have been anyone. It’s not safe to just open the door. How about you look through the spyhole if we put a small chair you can pull up and stand on?” Looking at Red to see if she agrees, now I’m thinking I may have stepped over the line so I add, “but only if your aunt agrees.”

Red gives me a look that tells me she knows exactly why I added that in the end, and she’s amused by it. “We can find a stool for you to stand on, but you never open the door until I reach the door, too. I’m not playing with you, Jessica. You do that or you don’t answer the door at all. Ever.”

Tapping Jessica’s nose, she smiles, and the upset is over. She’d been on the verge of crying and I hate to see women or girls cry. “Okay, let’s have your aunt make one of her teas, and you can tell me how it was at school today.”

For the next half an hour, I listen to Jessica tell me all about her day, the friends she’s made and the one who has been bullying her. Now this kid needs a good talking to, and I’m about to say just that when Red speaks.

“I’ll speak to the school, and if it doesn’t stop, I’ll speak to the mother. Then, if it continues, Rock can sort them out.” I give Red the grin I’ve been practicing. It’s the feral grin Axel has, and it’s perfect for this situation.

Jessica goes off to watch TV for a while, and I sit at the kitchen table with Red. “You know what’s going on with this Stone and his gang, so I’ve scheduled you lessons with Winter at the shooting range. You need to get licensed to carry and be able to protect yourself. You have to protect Jessica too, and Red, you can’t not do this. Jerica isn’t here to protect Jessica. You are. Garrett is relying on you and the MC to make sure his daughter is safe. If you don’t think you can do it, then you’ll have to move into the clubhouse and stay in the compound until this is cleared away.”

I watch and wait. I can see Red’s mind flying as her emotions are clear on her face. Going from horror of hurting someone, to resignation that she’ll do what’s necessary.

“Okay, I’ll do that. When do I start?”

“Tomorrow morning, you turn up when you are ready. Winter leaves Saturday free so the Ol’ Ladies can pop in and practice with her if they want. If you drop Jessica at the clubhouse, Amelia, Bitty or Sybil will watch her. Or all three, depending on what they are doing.”

“Thank you, I’ll do that. How much will it cost?” Red asks me, not understanding that she’s mine yet.

“Red, how many times do I have to tell you? You're mine. That means you pay nothing because you are family to all the brothers and women in the club. Now, you have two weeks before I claim you, so you best get your head right.” Stepping over to her side of the kitchen table, I place my hands on either side of her face and kiss her thoroughly. Leaving her with a glazed look in her eyes and a beautiful rosy hue on her cheeks.

“You kissing Aunt D?” Jessica giggles, appearing out of nowhere.

“I sure am,” grinning at her, and it’s obvious she’s finding this exciting as she’s jumping around and clapping her hands together.

“Can I be a flower girl at your wedding?” Jessica stops jumping and asks.

“You sure can,” I respond, leaving Red with her mouth open and closing in shock. Me, I’m whistling all the way to my hog thinking, this has been a hell of a good day.