CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

-:- ROCK -:-

It’s Thursday morning and I can’t wait for the weekend because at last I’ll be claiming my woman, although she’s still nervous about the fact. But she’ll get over it, and will be a damn fine Ol’ Lady, or better still, wife.

I check out the restroom and it’s exactly as we’d wanted. The addition of a shower will help if any of us are not heading to the clubhouse or wherever we may be living. We introduced lockers so personal items and clean clothing can be kept safely. It’s perfect, and they have done a good job of it.

Raw finished the floor tiling, and made sure everything was as it should be so we can call the office finished. I send a text message to PT letting him know the office can now be furnished, and to let Specs know we need the security and computer system set up. Specs had already added security for the outside of the building, but with a large wall safe, the office needs to have extra. I’m going to speak to Hammer about building a bookcase on that wall, so the safe will be behind it and concealed. It should be easy enough to do. It’s only like having a door but with shelving on!

The crew is working in the kitchen now, and it looks like it’s going to be flashy. The cabinets are black rather than white or cream and I think they are outstanding. I’m eager to see what the kitchen looks like when it’s finished, I have to admit. Walking through the building, I think it will make an ideal starting point for the cages business. Starting point? Obviously, I’m being optimistic that we’re going to be an immense success, and need a bigger workshop in the future.

Looking up at the large front doors, I wonder when Splash is going to get started on the artwork he’s so keen on. I think he’ll make a great job of it. I overheard him talking to another artist on his cell the other day about giving him a hand. I was surprised when I realized he was bouncing ideas off Siggy. I’d never thought of her as a graffiti artist, though it would explain her knowledge and interest in paint.

Taking a coffee outside where I always stand or rather lean on the wall to people watch, I notice a homeless man shuffling my way. I’ve seen him speaking to Target, so he may be one of his informants.

“Can’t get hold of Target.”

Nodding slightly, I don’t look directly at the man. I dig into my pocket and take out my wallet. “What’s goin’ on?” I ask as I take out a Benjamin and hand it to him while wrapped around my coffee mug.

“You need men at the college. I overheard four guys saying they needed three young women for a new brothel opening in Nevada. Those fuckers are gonna snatch girls from the college.” He says no more, turning to shuffle away while drinking my fuckin’ coffee.

“What’s your name, so I can tell Target.”

“Just say SS, he’ll know.”

Walking inside Hot Hogs, I quickly head into my office, push the door closed and contact Axel. As soon as he takes the call, I don’t give him a chance to speak. “Pres, one of Target’s informants, just came to me. We have four guys at the college that are waiting around to grab three girls for a new brothel opening in Nevada. What do you want to do?”

“You stay exactly where you are. Then if the guy was followed, it’ll look like he was just begging. I’ll get on this.”

Pres has gone before I can say anything else, but fuck, I wanted in on this shit, and contacting Target feels right.

Rock: SS brought me info. I saw him right with some green.

Target: What info?

Rock: 4 guys waiting at college to grab girls

Target: You tell Pres?

Rock: Yeah. He said he’d deal.

Target: You want in if I can fix it?

Rock: Yeah, Fist too, I’m sure.

Target: OK

Walking out of the office while I wait for Target to find out what the fuck is goin’ on. I step up to the side of Bren, who’s working on the computer system.

“Did Makala like her hog?” Bren asks.

“Sure did, and I reckon we’ll get more celebrity work out of it. She gave us permission to use a photograph of her hog and she gave us her signature to authenticate it.”

“Damn, Rock, that’s big. You may end up moving again to a place even bigger than this.”

“Fuck, I hope not. I like it here, and with the place next door, it’s enough to cope with.” I lean down and check out the monitor and grin. “Is that the new system that will link up next door?”

“Yes. Specs had it all set up and I’m transferring information that is needed. By the time you start to work next door, it will be synced perfectly.”

Chuckling, I point at the screen. “I see fuckin’ Grease is booked in as first job when we open next door.”

“Yeah, he contacted me and asked me to book it in. He can’t do the work or Raven will see it, and he wants it as a surprise. She’d nag him if he took it and told her it was for someone else. He’d never hear the last of him missing something that good.”

“That’s fine. It’s here already, so it’s not a problem. We have had them fired up. They both need work done as they sounded rough as hell. But we had to move them so we could clean where they’d been standing all this time.”

My phone vibrates, and I see it’s Axel so quickly take the call. “What’s up, Pres?”

“You and Fist get to the college, go to the east side. Buzz and Wings are on the west, and Drag is with me on the south, but fucking hell Meat and Star are on the North, dressed as fuckin’ cowboys. They even have a lariat over their shoulders. I need you to get into position fast, as we can’t see the assholes yet. That’s why we need all sides covered.”

“On it, Pres. I’ll be out of here in five.” I stop the call and run out and shout at Fist, who is shocked to see me rush past. “FIST, MOVE IT, YOU’RE WITH ME.”

We don’t bother with helmets, just firing up and shooting away. Fist sticks to me and we make it to the college in no time at all. Jumping off my hog, followed by Fist, my eyes searching for a van and the four men.

“Look for a van and four men. They’re here to grab girls for a fuckin’ brothel that’s opening in Nevada. We’ll take them down no matter what.”

“Damn straight,” Fist snarls, and we both search the parking lot, and then the surrounding buildings. Nothing out of place, nothing that pulls a red flag. I’m thinking we’re on the wrong side of the college.

When my phone vibrates I quickly see its Axel.

Axel: Got them.

Rock: You want us?

Axel: No. I’m taking them to see the wildlife.

Showing Fist my phone, he chuckles, and we both laugh, knowing these fuckers are going to be gator food before bedtime.

“Garrett wants someone to contact him. Can you arrange that with Pres?” I ask Fist.

“Yeah, I can do that. I’ll go see him because I think he may need a friendly face.”

“Okay. Keep me informed of what’s happening because I don’t want Red having too many shocking things thrown at her,” grinning to myself.

“What shocking things?” Fist asks, with more than a little curiosity.

“Well, I’m claiming her on the weekend. Told her, and not leaving her any wiggle room either. She is more than interested ‘cause I can see it in her eyes. She’s just nervous with all this Jerica shit going on. She has Jessica to look after, and that’s an enormous responsibility.”

“Good luck. I’m not ready to settle down yet. I’ve not met one that makes my heart race or want to kill for her,” Fist tells me and he’s not melancholy about it at all.

Back at Hot Hogs, we fill the guys in on what was going down. Not one of them hold back their anger. We need to clean the streets, but they are hiding well. I think it’s time the informants started pulling their weight and I’ll mention this in church on Sunday.

End of the day and I’m back at the clubhouse, showered and changed. I’m ready to eat and then see Red. Walking into the kitchen, I look over when I hear my name called, and see Axel beckoning me over.

I grab a plate as I pass the island, give Meat a nod of thanks and take a seat next to Axel and across the table from Mia, who is cleaning up Carter.

“I’ve had word from Ryker. He’s picked up Jerica, and she’s not a happy woman. She’s kicking off something bad, but Ryker doesn’t give a shit. He’s gonna make her work the bar in the evening and help prep meals,” Axel laughs, and his eyes are sparkling with amusement. “I’ll get Fist to contact Garrett, and I reckon from the little bird that’s been tweeting in my ear that he’ll be out early.”

“That would be good news. Red is tired, but she’s not saying anything. You can see it in her face, though.” My eyes shoot open before I frown and curl up my nose. “What the fuck is that?” I snarl, watching the green slime pouring out of Hunter’s mouth. If I was squeamish, I’d be gagging at this shit.

“God. They don’t like green vegetables. It doesn’t matter what it is, if it’s green they don’t like it,” Mia tells me, but shoots back in her seat when Carter grabs said blob of green slime and throws it, which lands on Mia’s forearm.

“Stop!” Axel says sharply, and both boys freeze.

But Christ on a cracker. They both have green, snotty slime everywhere. I’m not even going to ask what vegetable caused that, and I slide my plate away from me because I’m just not hungry anymore.

Mia wipes up the boys quickly and so efficiently I’m more than a little impressed. “Meat!” Mia shouts, and he appears like a fuckin’ genie. “Can you help me take the boys home? They’ve had enough for today, and if I’m honest, so have I.”

Meat picks up Carter and holds him out in front of him. Carter has his legs dangling and his eyes are huge, and rounded, right before he busts out laughing and kicks his legs for all he is worth. Meat grunts, and Mia follows with Hunter in her arms, shouting that she’ll see Axel in a short while.

“I’ll won’t be long,” Axel replies and clears the table with my help.

“We going to see about finding these assholes?” I ask as I slide my dinner plate to the side of the sink.

“Yeah. I’ve told Buzz to up his informants. We are going to be visiting a town that needs to know what an MC presence feels like.” Axel’s feral grin is on full display and every brother in the kitchen, seeing it, is now on alert and wanting in on any action that they know is coming.

After spending the evening with Red and Jessica, I filled her in on the news about Jerica, which she found highly amusing. We had to discuss it after Jessica was in bed, because we have to remember it is Jessica’s mother.

We make out for a while and I’ve gotta say it’s difficult to not take it a step further, but it’s nice to hold her and kiss her. She is passionate and yet sweet at the same time. I can see myself loving this woman until my days on this earth ends. I just hope she will feel the same.

Just before midnight I pull into the compound and squint at the red lights that seem to be on all the hogs. Shining my headlights across them, I kick out the stand and walk over to the line of hogs. Holding my hand over my mouth, I know shit’s gonna hit the fan when the brothers see the LED lights that are attached to their wheels. Wings, this has gotta be Wings, because I remember the asshole liking Jessica’s shoes lighting up. He had that gleam in his eye at the time, which said he had an idea forming. Thank God I had my girl with me!