“Well,” Law states, “I was thinking, that if the club members became investors in the truck stop, all the financial burden wouldn’t land on the club itself. Everyone would have voting shares and be able to make individual profits to tuck away.”
“So it would be different than the townhouses and trucking company,” Capone says. “I mean, we all get a piece of those two businesses and many of us work elsewhere.”
“I think we should open it up to prospects and spouses. But keep it in the family,” I say.
“We should discuss the spouse’s aspect of the spectrum,” Law says. “We need stipulations in place, that if for any reason there should be a separation, the spouse would sell their shares to the club.”
“Why are you bringing up separation, none of us are with people we don’t see ourselves with in the future.”
Law sighs, “I’ve been meaning to bring this up, but have had to let it settle in first. Ava and I split up, I don’t want to talk about it, but it isn't’ pretty. Things have been intense, and the separation has been brutal.”
“Just know we’re here if you need us,” Axe tells him.
“I’m glad you brought that up,” Law says, and all of our heads swivel his way. “Once I have everything cleared up, I’d like to take a leave of absence. I need to get away for awhile.”
“The kids?” I ask him.
“That’s one of the cases I need to clear off my desk.” I nod in thanks.
“Speaking of the kids, I need to let y’all know I claimed Trinity last night as my old lady. I also asked her to marry me, and I plan to adopt Claree and Shelby. Because of that, we’re going to have the judge that signs off on the adoption, marry us first, so we can all leave that day with the same last name.”
“Another one bites the dust,” Smokey states.
“Yep, they’re dropping like flies,” Bandit replies.
“Do I need to get cuts ordered?” Twisted asks, breaking into the Laurel and Hardy twins.
“Yeah, but I wanna do that when we come here for the reception if that’s okay?” I ask. Now I’m feeling a bit uncertain, and I don’t like that feeling one bit.
“Sounds like a plan to me. Are Trinity and the girls going to plan the reception?” Axe asks.
“And probably Nan.” Hatch puts his two-cents in.
“Fuck. Be prepared, brothers. She’s angling for more windows in the kitchen for her herb garden,” Axe mutters.
“Tell her she’s on probation,” I mutter, “the woman is going to break us with all the ‘home improvements’ she’s doing to the club.”
“We’ve got it, and it makes her happy, so as long as someone keeps her in check, we should be good,” Twisted states. We all look at Axe and he groans.
“Cha-ching, can you hear the money dwindling?” Smokey asks, “Y’all are some whipped motherfuckers.”
“Yeah, they are,” Bandit agrees with his twin. “Soon we’ll have a parking lot filled with yellow buses.”
“You and your obsession with yellow buses,” Hatch mutters.
“Just you wait, y’alls time is coming,” I say with a grin on my face. “When you least expect, she’ll show up.” It’s not a secret that the two are looking for one woman to share.
“Nah, it would take a special kind of woman to deal with the trouble twosome,” Axe states.
“Yeah, because we know they like to share their women,” I say, causing the room to break out into laughter.
“I’m gonna stop drinking the water here,” Capone replies. “Y’all have gone nuts in my absence. First Axe, then Hatch and now Chief. I’ll stick to bottled beer, thank you very much.”
“Okay, we’ve covered the truck stop, and I believe we’re all in favor. Let’s keep it to club members and prospects for now. And prospects can only buy in once they’re nearly ready to be patched in. If we think we need the wives, we’ll add them, but the less we have the women involved, the better,” Axe declares. “Now, the trucking company is still going full-bore and we’ve added ten new drivers, which is why you’re seeing my ugly mug, around here more often. And we hired an assistant for DJ, since she now has four kids to oversee. She still handles the payroll, and banking aspects of the townhouses, but other than that, she’s free to write and be a mom. Speaking of, how is their adoption going?”
Hatch says, “We’re waiting on the final sign-off to make it official.”
“Sounds like a good reason for a party,” Twisted replies. “How much longer?”
“They’re on the calendar for next Friday,” Law says. “It’s another case I want wrapped up before I take off.”
“Twisted, you still coaching soccer?” Hatch asks. Fuck, here we go again. Our meetings are worse than a woman’s book club, I swear.
“Yeah, man, why?”
“Got four kids who wanna play.”
“Lily and Luca wanna play too,” Axe states.
“I’ll check and see if Claree wants to play,” I say. If I can’t beat ‘em, may as well join them, right? Plus, I’d give that girl anything she wants. Wait a minute, “With the age differences, would they all even be on the same team?” I ask, curiously.
“No, they’d have to be on age appropriate teams, I’m sure we won’t have any problems putting two different teams together,” Twisted replies.
“How’s the littlest one doing, Shelby, wasn’t it?” Capone asks.
“She’s only had one seizure since she came home, but Trinity has to monitor everything.”
“Can she still work?” Twisted asks, his face curious.
“Her job has actually been modified and she’ll do the majority of it from home.”
“That’s good. Do we have anything else to discuss?” Axe asks.
“I hope not,” Smokey states, “I feel like we’ve all lost our dicks, and turned into June Cleaver or something.”
“Speak for yourself, but my dick is swinging just fine,” I say to him. Thank fuck the hard on deflated.
“Then we’re adjourned. Law, get the paperwork going on buying the truck stop, and Smokey, I want you overseeing the project.”
“Aye-aye, captain,” Smokey says, saluting Axe.
“Smartass,” Axe says to him.
“Nah, not a smartass, a wiseass,” Smokey replies.
“Nothing wise about your ass,” Law tells him, earning himself the middle finger, which he returns with gusto.
“Meeting adjourned,” Axe calls out. As we leave the room, he puts his hand on my shoulder and says, “Stay for a minute, got something I wanna ask you.” I sit back down and wait for the rest of my brothers to leave.
Once everyone is gone, I look at him and ask, “What’s up?”
“Well, Cara wants to plan a girls night out, but I wanted to make sure you’d be okay keeping the kids. One last girls night before the babies arrive. She won’t have much time to spend with the girls once they arrive.”
“Don’t see why not, as long as I don’t have to work,” I tell him. “Do you know when they wanted to do this?”
“In the next week I think. I know she can’t drink but she wants some one on one time with her posse.” Her posse, more like a bundle of dynamite, waiting to explode.
“So you need me to let my guys know, that the women will be out on the town, prowling too?” I ask, a grin on my face.
“Prowling my ass, I can’t even imagine why it is they need to even go out on the town. They could have a girls night at one of our places while the guys stay at another. I don’t like her being out and about as big...I mean as heavily pregnant as she is,” Axe says.
“Ommm...I’m telling, you called Cara big,” I tease Axe.
“Remember who you’re talking too, fucker,” he growls out at me, as if that fazes me in the least. I’ve known this fucker for a long time, he doesn't cause me to shake in my boots.
“Let’s check with Trinity first, before the girls go making plans. She has a hard enough time leaving Shelby as it is. She may insist on having a girls’ day at one o
f the houses.” I’m going to try my best to make her think that’s her idea too. I don’t like the thought of her out and about while tipsy or drunk.
“I hope she’s not in the mood for a girls night,” Axe says.
“What did Hatch say about this girls night?”
“He’s working on DJ, but we’ll have better luck with our women. They aren’t so fucking hard headed as that spitfire is.”
“Spitfire isn’t the word I’d use for DJ,” I mutter out loud.
“Be nice,” Axe tells me.
“That is me being nice,” I tell him with all seriousness.
“Be a normal, non-grouchy person nice,” he tells me.
“Nah, no fun being like the rest of the world. I’m an individual you know.”
“Individually malicious.”
“That’s my father’s heritage coming out in me, piss me off and I’ll scalp your ass.” Which causes Axe to grin.
“Got your machete ready to go, do you?”
“Just freshly cleaned it the other day,” I see his body shiver at my words.
“You freak me the fuck out, man.”
“Then my job is done here,” I tell him standing up from my chair. “We done with this shit now?”
“Yeah, we’re done. Why don’t you head out and scare some old ladies or something?”
“Nah, would rather scare the shit out of some teenagers, they’re more fun to watch piss their pants,” I reply with a smile, as I head out the door.
“I feel sorry for Claree when she begins dating,” he calls out to my retreating back.
“You have no idea, but since she’s not dating until I’m cold in the ground, we should be good,” I call back over my shoulder. Ha, like my girl will be allowed to date! Fuck that shit, I know how teenage boys think and there’s no way I’m letting my girl become some jerk-off’s conquest. I wonder if they still sell chastity belts? Note to self, search google to find out. I’ve got that membership where shit shows up in a day or so, plenty of time to make sure she’s safe.
Pulling up to the parking lot of the station, my phone rings. When I pull it out of my pocket and see Trinity’s name, my face lights up.
“Hey, baby.”
“Hey, was sitting here waiting for you to call me. How did it go?”
“How did what go?” I ask, knowing exactly what she means.
“Tuuurrrkkkk…” she draws out my name. “Don’t play with me.”
Chuckling, I say, “We’ll be playing later, woman.”
I hear her growl of frustration before she asks, “Are they okay with it? Me being your old lady?”
“What do you think? Of course they’re okay with it, sweetness. We’re gonna let you women and Nan coordinate the reception, but first, y’all can plan the party for Hatch and DJ finalizing the adoption of the boys. Law said it’ll be in the next week or so.”
“Yeah, got the call from Deanna this morning. She said that even though my role has changed, since I was their caseworker, I would still be there. I’m so excited for them!”
“I know you are. Just think, soon it’ll be us, sweetness.”
“Oh, while I have you on the phone, DJ called and we’re apparently doing a girls night out this weekend. Can you stay with the girls or should I check with Nan?”
Well, fuck me sideways, that woman is always ahead of us men, “Are you sure y’all should be doing that with Cara being so pregnant? Maybe y’all should do it at one of the houses instead.”
“Nope, we wanna get dolled up and go out. I’ve got a little black dress that’s never seen the outside of my closet. It’s not like we’re not all seeing someone.” I growl at the thought of her wearing a little anything, let alone a little black dress? Oh hell no. Not on my watch. I can see all those lonely, single men checking out her ass and legs. It makes me utterly homicidal.
“Why can’t y’all just wear jeans and shit and go to Cara’s or DJ’s houses? We can keep all the kids at the clubhouse and let ‘em watch movies and shit.”
“We can go out and y’all can still do that with the kids, Turk,” she says, her voice sounding sensible and logical. As if I’m anything but those right now.
“Then you and I need to go shopping during my lunch break,” I tell her. There’s no way in hell she’s going out on the town in any skimpy outfit without my ring on her finger. “I’ll be there shortly, you get Shelby ready.” Since Johanson was arrested, the jewelry store is under new management and we’re heading there as soon as I run in and make sure my deputies know what they need to take care of.
Trinity
What in the everloving hell? I look at my phone, to see he’s disconnected the call, then look down and realize I’m still in my pajamas. Once I got Claree off to school, Shelby and I had a bit of a lazy morning, something I’m learning to enjoy. For so many years, I’ve worked my ass off, and being able to stop and smell the roses is a nice change of pace. “C’mon, Shell-bell, seems he’s on his way over and we need to be ready.” For what, I have no clue. She grins up at me and holds her arms up. What in the world could we be going shopping for? I already have my outfit, and I’m not changing my mind on what I’m wearing.
Twenty minutes later I hear the front door open and Chief call out, man he was not playing on being quick. It takes at least ten minutes to get here from the station. “What in the world are you up to, Turk?”
“You’re not going out on the town all dolled up and with all those single men out there without my ring on your finger. When they look your way, I want them to know you’re a taken woman...my woman.” I used to think he was so sweet and kind, I’m changing my mind since we got together. I guess what they say it true, once you’re caught, the true person comes out to play. At least he’s not violent, or completely off the rail...right?
“You’re crazy, you know that, right?” I ask, walking up to him and leaning up on tiptoe to kiss him.
“Yeah, I am, crazy about you, woman,” he murmurs back before kissing me breathless. “Now, let’s get this show on the road,” he says, leaning down and picking up Shelby. “You got everything you need for her?”
“Yes, over here,” I say, pointing to the diaper bag that’s sitting by my purse and keys.
“Then let’s hit it.” I don’t like it when his asshole side comes out to play.
“Calm down, what’s the damn hurry?”
“We need to make sure you find the perfect ring, baby. Because once it’s placed on your finger it’s never coming off again.”
I see what DJ means when she calls them Neanderthals. Right now, I can visualize him with a club in one hand while he beats his chest saying, ‘My woman, mine!’ over and over. Tarzan has nothing on my man. Giggling as I grab the bag and my purse, I follow him out the door being sure to lock it behind me when he gives me a look. Guess Mr. Serious doesn’t think there’s anything funny about this situation, I however find it hilarious.
“You like that one, sweetness?” he asks me, looking at the ring that’s currently sitting on my left ring finger.
“It’s beautiful, Turk. Are you sure it’s not too big?” I ask.
“Woman, if I could, you’d have one that covered your entire hand.” I lightly smack him, earning a smirk before he leans down and says, “It’s perfect for you, sweetness. Let’s look at wedding bands.”
The salesman shows us bands and I find one that’s a perfect match with the engagement ring we’ve picked out. Then, I find one I like that suits him as well. “I like that, baby,” he says when I tell the clerk which one I think will work best.
We’re nearly done when Shelby squeals and points, saying, “Pretty!” Glancing over, we see a display with charm bracelets. The light from the sun shining in must be what caught her eye, because the area is sparkling. We walk closer and he looks them over.
“You like this one, Shelby?” he asks her, making me squint my eyes at him. She’s a little too young for something like that.
“Turk?” I begin, but he shuts me down.
/> “Are they ours?”
“What?”
“The girls, are they ours?”
“Of course they are, what are you going on about?”
“Then let me give them things, we can have this sized to fit her, so it won’t fall off. Trust me, sweetness, let me do this.”
“If she loses it, that’s on you, not me.”
“Whatever, I’ll just get her a new one,” he says, making me gasp. These things are not cheap! What is he thinking? He finds a few charms to add to the bracelet and when I try to protest, he shushes me. Shushes me! “Turk...” I start.
“Nope, not listening, woman. These girls are ours and we can add charms for special things. I’m just making sure they have a few to get the bracelets started.”
I look over and see an Indian headdress charm, “Only if we get this one too, to show their dad’s heritage,” I tell him. He winks at me and grabs the charm. Then we find Claree a bracelet and pick out her charms. She’s going to be so excited.
The man sure works fast, within two hours, we’ve found rings, he’s gone crazy buying the bracelets and a ‘few’ charms for the girls, and I’m back at home waiting on him to carry Shelby into the house. She fell asleep since we went out during her morning nap time and even though she’s still underweight, she’s quite heavy, and he won’t let me carry her when he’s around. He walks in and carries her to their room, gently laying her down on her bed before he covers her up with a throw. Coming back out to me, he pulls me close and proceeds to kiss me breathless. “Wish we had time right now to celebrate that ring on your finger, but I’ve gotta get back to the station.”
“And I have a girls night to get ready for, the weekend will be here before you know it. See ya later, handsome,” I say with a smirk, causing him to slap my ass in return.
“Since when did you get so sassy?”
“Since I got an overbearing man, I have to stay on my toes with him.”
“I’ll have you on your toes later tonight, you can count on that, woman,” he says walking out the door. I imagine what he means and excitement bubbles in my chest, bring it on, Chief, bring it on.
Chief: Rebel Guardians MC Page 10