CHAPTER SEVEN

-:- ROCK -:-

Thursday after arriving at the clubhouse, I am called into Axel’s office where he has BS, Wings, Drag, Buzz, and Fist in attendance. Taking a stand next to Buzz, I wait for what is going on.

Axel takes his seat behind his desk before speaking. “Fist has been speaking with us regarding Destiny and her sister. We know Garrett because Fist introduced him when Carrie and Jerica were friends. He worked the door at TJs for a short time while we got things organized for Meat, Eden and Mia.

“Now, Fist is telling us about this Stone asshole, the gang he runs and the prostitution he’s forcing. Not on my fucking watch.”

Axel is more than a little angry with what he’s heard, and I’m not surprised. It is exactly what I expected. He’s going to call the brothers to arms once he has all the information he needs, I’m sure. I can see Fist bouncing on his heels. Fucking hell, he’s gonna go crazy and I can imagine Meat, Knuckles and some of the other brothers are gonna have a damn field day with this shit.

“Sunday, church, I expect answers. You and Fist, get me what information you can. You both started this shit so you are both in it up to your necks.” Axel gives us both his feral grin, showing a row of pearly white teeth, that isn’t making his grin a nice one, although I’ve gotta admit he has nice teeth.

Fist rushes to me, grabs my arm and drags me out of the office, all the while saying, “Yes, Pres. Of course, Pres. Will do, Pres.”

Shaking him off my damn arm, I turn and give Fist a nasty look. “Keep your hands to yourself, or you won’t have any hands at all.”

“Oh, fuck off, Rock. Come on, we need a list of questions Dest has to ask Garrett at the weekend when she speaks to him. We should arrange a visit with him, too.”

“I agree with all that, but you know things can change from day-to-day. Go make the list, then let me know when you’re ready to speak to her.” I walk off quickly, leaving Fist blustering behind me. Grinning because he’s not so enthusiastic now that he's been landed with organizing this shit.

Friday morning and passing Lina on the way downstairs to grab breakfast, I give her a smile in return for the large one she’s giving me. “Did you upset Fist?”

“Why?” I ask, trying to portray innocence.

“Well, he’s mumbling your name under his breath, along with a ton of curses,” giggling slightly while continuing to push her cleaning cart past me. “You know he’ll want to get his own back if you upset him, so watch your back.”

“He can try,” chuckling as I walk, then turn and ask, “You have a good vacation in Ireland?”

“ ó, is cinnte go ndearna, Rock. That means, Oh, I sure did, Rock. I’ve been learning Gaelic.”

“That’s fuckin’ awesome Lina. It's gotta be a hard one to learn?”

“It is, but I have Irish heritage, a good way back. I wanted to connect with my roots. I’m not very good yet, but I’ll keep learning, for now at least.”

“Good for you.” I give her a wink, then quickly head down for breakfast.

Arriving at the office, I check what work we have today. I can see everyone is going to have a full day, but Krylon looks to have the most to do. Fuck, he’s supposed to be taking Splash to the garage house to get settled in.

The custom job I was working on is completed and the client should pick it up this morning. If not, I’m going to be pissed because I want that bay empty so it can be cleaned and ready for the next vehicle on Monday.

“Rock, I’m going to be working late to get everything done. Can you take Splash over to the house? I wouldn’t ask but Fist has a date. Yeah I know, more like getting his dick looked at.” We both chuckle at that because Fist has always got one woman or another hanging off him. “Clay and Dice are heading out to check on the town Destiny says has prostitution going on. They’re gonna check out some bars, see what they hear.”

“Okay, I’ll take him over to the house after we’ve finished here. He’s a good fit and living at the house should help ground him.”

“Yeah, I like him. He’s always kept his nose clean, even though he’s been dealt a bad hand.” Turning to leave, he turns back to me. “Thanks, Rock, for giving him the chance.”

“Go on, fuck off, we are brothers and that’s what we do. No need for thanks…but you owe me one.” Throwing his head back laughing, Krylon makes his way out of the office fully and heads to the work bays.

Everyone is busy, and the morning passes quickly. My client picks up his cage, pays for the work, and never bats an eye at the cost.

Fist walks into my office at lunchtime, throws himself into a chair and gives me a look I’m not sure I’m reading right, but he looks pissed.

“I’ve spoken to Dest, and she’s going to be contacting Garrett tomorrow. If we go to her place we can put him on speaker and talk to him ourselves? I’m including you ‘cause I don’t want to miss telling Pres anything that’s found out.” Fist rubs his forehead.

“Let me know when and I’ll be available. We need something to tell Pres on Sunday in church. If we are going to squash this fucker, then we need to know as much as possible. Any idea how cunning Jerica is? Because, with luck, she could have buried herself underground.”

Fist leans forward in his seat, resting his elbows on his knees, hands clasped, and looks at me. “She’s clever, and I don’t think she’d be easy to catch. My worry is how much green does she have to play with, because having to work puts her on the radar.”

“We need answers before we can help find Jerica. Specs will do all the digging he can, and we may get a little information about that fucker and the prostitution he’s running after tonight, too,” I add, leaning back in my chair.

“Clay and Dice told me they are going over to do some recon. Let’s hope they find something that will show how bad this situation is. But we all know that Pres won’t sit back and allow this to happen, not so near to us.” Fist stands, rubbing his hands down his thighs. “I’ll get this job finished by tonight, even if I have to work late.”

“Okay. I’m going to look for a mechanic, a body guy and a sprayer for when we open up next door.”

“Good idea, Rock. Last thing we need is opening and not being able to do the work. You’re basically a hog man and not a cage one, but you’ve done a good job, regardless.”

“I haven’t minded helping on the cage side of the business, but my best work is with the hogs. You’ll be stepping up when next door opens because I don’t intend to be running back and forth,” I add, watching Fist flinch a little, which has me smirking at him.

“Fuckin’ hell. You know I’m not the manager type.”

“Yeah, yeah, neither was I, and look at me managing this place. Suck it up brother, life happens, then kicks you in the balls.” Laughing at the look on Fist’s face before he stomps out of the office.

An hour later, I’ve spoken to the paint supplier who sounds far too sweet to be supplying to men like us, but it takes all sorts. Siggy, as she wanted to be called, takes my next order and arranges delivery for Monday morning. That’s another job sorted off my list, I’m thinking.

Picking up my phone, I contact Kevin, who owns the convenience store with a Post Office. He has a notice board that most of the people in town check. I arrange for him to add a notice for a mechanic, a body guy and a sprayer. He knows better than to charge me, too. We did him a favor by finding his niece when she went missing. She was only three years of age and had wandered away from her mother when shopping. We found her and returned her safely, so this fucker owes us.

After work, it doesn’t take long to take Splash to the garage house, get him settled into his room, and introduced to Cora, who has been making chili in the crockpot with garlic bread on the side.

When I leave they are both eating, talking and laughing together. That’s a good sign that he’ll fit in easily, as he knows Fist, and Jig called in at the shop and met him yesterday. All is peaceful here and I hope it stays that way.

Saturday, and I’m on the way with Fist to Red’s house. I am interested to see where she lives, and how she lives. She gives me the impression she lives simply and I’m not usually wrong, but I’ll soon know.

We park our hogs outside a small house, which is well maintained. The garden is small at the front but it’s trimmed, and the flower border is neat, only showing a few weeds. Someone looks after the place well, and I’m thinking it’s more than likely Red.

The front door opens and Jessica waves. “HI,” she shouts as she throws herself at Fist, who picks her up and spins her around. Jessica’s giggling and hanging onto him with both hands.

Turning, I smile at Red, who is leaning on the door frame, smiling at Jessica and Fist. “Come on Jess, let them come inside.”

“She’s okay, Dest.” Fist grins as he throws Jess over his shoulder and carries her inside the house. Now that child is laughing herself silly at Fist’s antics, and it’s obvious she knows and trusts him.

“Would either of you like a drink?” Red asks.

“No, thanks anyway,” I reply, giving my best smile, which has her cheeks pinking somewhat, much to my amusement.

“Jess, can you go play upstairs, please? We have a meeting and it’s not for little girls’ ears,” Red gently says, kissing Jessica’s forehead.

“Can I have the TV on?” Jessica asks.

“Of course, but don’t have it too loud.”

“No, I won’t.” We all three watch her run up the stairs before walking into the small kitchen.

“I’ll make the call and place it on speaker once Garrett answers. Is that okay?” Red asks, more to Fist than myself.

Taking a seat at the small table and chairs, both myself and Fist wait while Red makes the call. I’m watching her closely and I’m sure I’ll never see her as Destiny because in my mind she’s already ‘Red’. She really is a beautiful woman, yet she doesn’t seem to know it. She has no airs or graces about her. She’s down to earth and gentle in all her mannerisms.

“Garrett, I have Fist and Rock here with me. I’m going to put you on speaker.”

“Garrett, this is Fist. How you doing in that shithole?” Fist asks.

“I’m okay, Fist. I’m worried about all my girls. Can you watch Destiny and Jessica for me?” Garrett’s voice catches with the emotion he’s feeling.

“Yeah, I will, and if that fucker comes anywhere near her, he’ll be six feet under, or meeting a gator.” Fist gives the smile that would make any man want to piss his pants.

I speak out after shaking my head at Fist. “Hi, Garrett, Rock speaking. We’ll all watch them, and if trouble comes, we’ll take them to the clubhouse where no fucker will get to them.”

“Thanks, Rock. Tell your President I’ll owe him one when I get out of here.”

“Pres won’t want anything for helping with this shitshow, Garrett. He’s already gathering intel on Stone and his prostitution racket,” I state firmly, reassuring him the best I can. “Now, have you any idea where Jerica could be?”

“No, but we discussed if she had to run she’d use the money we had saved for the down payment on a house. That way, she’d not have to work and be on anyone’s radar.”

“Has anyone checked that account? To see if she’s using the money or not?” I ask, looking at Red, who’s shaking her head that she doesn’t know.

“I’ve not with being in here. But if anyone can check, that would be a start,” Garrett says.

Red surprises us with what she says next. “I didn’t know that Garrett, as I’ve been putting money into your bank account each month when I’m paid my salary from the Fire Department. We should check that account too.”

“I’ll get Specs on it as soon as we get back to the clubhouse.” Fist states clearly, “I’ll try to get over during visiting one day next week, Garrett.”

I give Fist a nod because if he’s going to be away from Hot Hogs for a day, that means I’ll have to step up and cover for him. “We’ll find Jerica and bring her back to the clubhouse, where we can organize something. Or, Pres may get another MC we are affiliated with to watch over her. It depends where she is because she can’t stay in a place we have enemies.” I look at Red, who looks more worried than when we started the call.

“We have church tomorrow, Garrett. We’ll put all our information on the table at that point. Then we’ll make plans going forward. I will update you via phone or a visit. You won’t be kept in the dark, but keep your nose clean because you don’t want time added to your sentence,” Fist states firmly.

“Time’s up, I gotta go. Please find her,” Garrett says before the phone goes silent.

We don’t stay long after the call. Making our way to the clubhouse and a few beers while we think over the little we’ve heard. Specs is updated and is finding out about the bank accounts, which will give us a sign if Jerica is alive and living off the balance. I hope so because the alternative isn’t worth thinking about.