Separated MC (The Nighthawks MC Book 10)

by Bella Knight

  He designed the curriculum based on getting a motorcycle license, per the state of Nevada. Then, he expanded it, with Bonnie’s help, to go into all things Harley. Maintenance, and how to begin a motorcycle club and keep it going, how to choose rides, even how to choose a kit to build or have it built for you. He went over to the people who ran the other motorcycle licensing class, and was highly impressed with their operation. He explained what he was doing.

  “Catch” Lorenthal, who ran the program said, “Dude, we do these fifty weeks a year, barring high winds or some other shit. There are only so many spaces in our classes, and they’re full. So, have at it. Trust me, you won’t be taking business away from us. If you could take away some of our waiting list, then more power to you.”

  So, the Nighthawks Harley Instruction Club was born. He talked with several local hotels, and when he found out that most of his clientele were coming from out of state, it shocked him.

  “Bonnie,” he said, catching her with Specialist, Tea Rutan. They were knocking out a build. “Sorry to interrupt.”

  “You gonna let me move in over there?” asked Bonnie. “Didn’t think I’d get kicked outta my own shop, but I’m real tired of doing three-wheelers, but Ghost and Killa love them. Can open up, add three new ones off da list.”

  “Last case of tools came in yesterday.”

  He was able to buy the tools from a bike mechanic’s widow. The mechanic had died doing what he loved —riding. He’d been on a ride in the desert when his big heart gave out. His widow was delighted that ex-soldiers would be using the tools.

  “Good,” said Bonnie. “Let’s finish this build, Tea. Then we’ll get moved,” she said. “Get us some Nighthawks,” said Bonnie, pointing at Henry.

  “Will do,” he said. “Did you want to go over the class list, or the schedule?” He was terrified of the next day, despite David’s repeated attempts to reassure him.

  “Well, hot-damn,” said Bonnie, looking at something with her thumb, and while her other arm was wrist-deep in Harley guts. “Got two new ones. Didja get hotel space for them all?”

  “Found a little hotel, not far from here, no casino in it. Nice place, even has a pool. And a hot tub.”

  Bonnie laughed evilly. “They’ll be needing the hot tub,” she said, pocketing the phone, and turning her attention back to the bike. “Go on, git. I’ll call when I need help.”

  “Okay,” said Henry. “See you later.”

  Bonnie didn’t answer. Henry knew he’d interrupted a surgeon in her operating room, and slunk away.

  He walked back to the Nighthawks’ clubhouse. Ivy was there with Danger. “I’m telling you,” said Danger, “Off-road is best. We loved the Great Divide trip, didn’t we?”

  “Well,” said Henry, chiming in, “we’ve only got about twelve done. Almost twelve, Bonnie has her hands in the guts of one.”

  Hu ran out of the back classroom and grabbed his arm. “I’m finishing off the project with Grace. Keep me from killing her, Grandfather!” Hu was back to finish off several art projects, get her violin which had normally been stored in the classroom, and finish off several projects with other students.

  “You have a project with David, and with Ming,” said Henry. “And with Kurt, if I remember correctly. Your one with Grace should be nearly finished.”

  “It’s drying, and it’s over, but she won’t let me back off and work with David,” said Hu.

  “I’m on it,” said Henry. “And, off-road is a good addition to the curriculum across the street.”

  “I’ll teach it,” said Danger. “Take them out to the desert.”

  “Write something up,” said Henry. Hu had his arm and was leading him down the hall. “See you.”

  Grace was looking mulish, her eyes on a collage, hung up and drying. “Cycle into your next thing,” said Henry, to Grace. “Get started.”

  “I…” she said.

  “No argument,” he said. “Hu, go finish the beadwork with David.”

  “Yes, Sir,” Hu said, and scooted over to David. David helped her thread the needle, and they worked on the beadwork of Hu’s T-shirt (the one she’d learned to sew herself).

  David pulled up two different math games for the math module. He sent them out, and smiled down at Grace. “Which game do you choose today?” he asked.

  “Red,” she groaned. “Blue Too has us making measurements of the parking lot and using maps to create more spaces. Yawn,” she said, faking one.

  “Red it is then,” said David. He waved at her standing desk.

  Grace stared, slit-eyed at the collage of desert plants, then sighed and went to her desk. She put her tablet in its clamp, and began work. She kicked the jump rope tied up at the base of her desk savagely, but did the work.

  “Thank you,” mouthed Hu.

  “Anytime,” he mouthed back.

  Grace was on a campaign to prove she’d changed, and that she was using her ADD tools to learn better, and to stay out of other people’s work. But, she was obviously having trouble with the adjustment.

  Kurt ran over. “Can Hu help me with the painting now?” he asked, smock on, a worried furrow on his brow. “I don’t understand how she can use a palette knife rather than a paintbrush, and I want to watch her do it.”

  “When the bell dings,” said Henry.

  “I’ll code,” said Kurt. “I’ve got the blue guys to circle around the green ones.”

  “Excellent,” said Henry.

  He had no idea what Kurt was going on about. He had been designing his own science game for over a month. The boy wanted perfection, which was actually an impediment in this case. Henry had been teaching him to do to eighty percent, and then test on an audience. They would direct the other twenty percent. That would keep him from the endless not-finishing cycle he was often caught up in. His essays were brilliant, but far too long. They had to keep him to two to four pages, not write books, unless that was the assignment he chose.

  Henry did a quick clean-and-declutter, and soon had things to rights. Even Grace had been putting things back in the labeled bins and boxes correctly, lately. Hu smiled at David, and David helped Hu carefully put away the shirt. David would help Hu complete it at home. The timer dinged, and the students finished putting away their projects and went for water, a bathroom break, and a stretch break. Then, the students either chose to return to their current project, or switched to another one.

  Hu stretched, and went over to Kurt. He gave her a smock. She put it on, and mixed the paint onto the palette, until it stood up in grooves. Then, she painted with the tip of the palette knife, making both sweeping arches —and little dots. She sang while she worked under her breath, a little ditty about a plum tree. She kept changing the angles of the knife, applying the paint like frosting to a cake. Soon, she had an entire seascape, from the picture pinned in the top corner. Boats floated at a dock under a restless sea, moonlight tinging the edges of the waves. It was beautiful.

  “Whoa,” said Kurt.

  “You drew it,” said Hu. “Send me your designs and I’ll paint them. I’ll sell them, and give you half.”

  “Done,” said Kurt, and they shook on it.

  “Be careful,” said David into Henry’s ear. “Kurt will sneak away to become a Wolfpack member.”

  “Fear not,” said Henry. “Now, he doesn’t need to. She will paint his work and make a mint.”

  “Get this one something like it,” said David, flicking his eyes to Grace, whose pretended disinterest showed a world of jealousy. “She’ll be too busy making money to cause trouble.”

  “Getting her to light up about something is the problem,” said Henry. “Once she finds her passion, watch out!”

  “She’ll find two, and switch off from one to another,” predicted David.

  “No bet,” said Henry.

  Henry came out after herding Hu through another task. Xu Lan, an exchange student hired by Bao, so Bao could get more work done on her eBook business, showed up to teach the Chinese lesson.
He took a picture of the painting and showed it to Ivy, who was sitting with Lily, going through the Nighthawks’ books.

  “Wow,” said Lily.

  “My other daughter,” said Ivy. “Still comes over all the time, bless her. Grace is trying to prove she’s not disruptive. I can physically see her trying to restrain herself.”

  “Good,” said Lily. “What are you doing with that boondoggle?” she asked, pointing across the street.

  “Making lots of money.” Henry called up the list of deposits.

  “Four hundred a class?” asked Lily. “At that rate, good, but it will still take you ten years to pay off the cost of the demo and reconstruction.”

  “And?” said Henry.

  “Man has a point,” said Ivy. “If it’s your dream, go for it.”

  “I will,” said Henry. “Plus, the Soldier Pack are going to get trained, create or fix their own bikes, and get paid for actual orders. Pay rent. If they want to stay and help run Harley camp…” His eyes grew vacant.

  “Where the fuck are we going to house them?” asked Ivy.

  “We need another apartment house to refurbish,” said Henry.

  “With what money?” asked Lily, exasperated.

  “Got a rich Texan, ex-military,” said Ivy. “Henry’s gonna ask Otto, isn’t he?”

  Henry gave a quick nod. “And Stella in Martha’s Vineyard, also ex-military. And Gustav. Ex-military, from wherever the fuck he’s from.”

  “Good,” said Lily. “Because we can’t take another hit. We’re doing fine on the school side, got a waiting list. Adding that new lady, Xu Lan, from China helped, and Renee Driver just got her teaching credentials, K-12. Her kid’s Kurt. Anyway, we are covered… for now.”

  Ace entered through the door. Lily ran up and gave him an uber-kiss. “Wait, who’s watching the kiddies?” asked Ivy. She hugged him as well.

  “Wolfpack,” he said. “Got certificates of completion of a babysitter course and all. Anyhoo, thought I’d take my wife to lunch before work.”

  Ivy glared at him. “Got no one to take me.”

  Henry snorted. “And I suddenly do not exist?”

  Ivy smiled sweetly at him. “Steakhouse.”

  “Done,” said Henry.

  “Where are you taking me?” asked Lily.

  “Italian,” he said. “Unless Ethiopian? Thai?”

  “Graciliano’s place,” said Lily. It was a hole in the wall called Ponzio’s, and it had the best tortellini.

  “Done,” said Ace. He grabbed his wife, held her close, and planted a kiss on her that melted her toes.

  “Hey!” said Ivy. “There are children in the building!” Ace laughed. They left for their date.

  Graciliano took one look at Ace and Lily who were beaming at each other, and he took them to a lovely table that showed off the tiny patio. He said, “Would you like menus?” as they sat. He knew better, but he had to ask.

  “Caesar salad, dressing on the side, to share. Gnocchi with pesto, tortellini with Italian sausage and cheese —and the rose cream sauce, two little plates. Two Cokes,” said Ace.

  “Perfect,” said Lily.

  “It is so nice having a little time,” said Ace, as Graciliano bustled off to get their Cokes, water, and little squares of herbed bread with dipping oil.

  “Lovely,” agreed Lily. “Bringing on Jaci brought in money and time. Smartest decision of my damn life.”

  “And an admin,” said Ace.

  “Esmi. Phillipines. Smart lady, with tons of accounting experience,” said Lily.

  Their bread came. Lily cracked the black pepper over the olive oil, then she tore off one of the corners of the bread, dipped it in the oil, and groaned. “I love it here,” she said happily.

  Ace nodded. “As do I.” They laughed, and ate. Their salads came, and they enjoyed them.

  “I love Caesar salad,” said Lily. “So, how have you been?”

  Ace laughed. “I do sleep with you, you know. And, fine. The Horror House is gone, and I got kicked off the site once the painting was done on all the buildings. Bartending is still fun, you know. Get to serve our people, so it’s good. Hear the stories, and the talks about trips. Hear Ivy hitting those notes.” He speared some romaine topped with grated Parmesan. “And you?”

  “Henry needs to refurb another apartment building,” said Lily. “First, he needs to find one, and apparently some people specifically want to help out the Soldier Pack.”

  “More incoming,” said Ace. “I feel like a dork. I didn’t think about that part. Just figured the old ones got jobs and moved out.”

  “Much harder than that, I’m afraid,” said Lily. “First and last month’s rent, or first and security deposit, are legal in this state. That can easily be a thousand dollars or more.”

  “Forgot about that, too,” said Ace. “Now I feel like an idiot.”

  Lily touched his hand. “That’s the last thing you are. So, once it’s bought, I expect that I’ll lose you while you help out.”

  Ace tilted his head. “Do you really see it as losing me?”

  “Actually, no,” she said. “It makes you happy. You always come home singing. The babies love it. You sing and dance with them. They laugh.”

  “Nonstop laughing,” said Ace. “They have the greatest laughs.”

  “So, no. And, as I’ve already said, I’m getting huge segments of my work taken off me. Lots of little niggling accounts that were giving me fits. Jaci took to those like a duck to water. Even got Emma Phipps straightened out.”

  “That woman needs to be straightened out,” said Ace.

  Lily laughed. “She’s not that bad.”

  “She hides vicious jabs in her compliments,” said Ace. “She’s a southern witch.”

  “And, apparently, Jaci is her cup of tea. Turns out the woman grew up in Texas until she was twelve, so she lapses into Southern by accident when they talk. You should hear them. Seriously. They laugh up a storm. Anyway, she’s got the beauty supply shop orders running like clockwork. You know the inventory and supply tracking program I’ve been trying to train her to use, and she says she doesn’t want to bother her pretty-little-head thinking about? Well, Jaci went over, installed it, trained her and the staff, and now the woman won’t stop raving about it. Found all sorts of ‘missing’ inventory while they were at it. Turns out an employee was stealing it to use in her own home-based business. Jaci got the woman to pay back every dime, threatened to go to the police. Ms. Phipps was delighted. We got three new clients —or, actually, Jaci did, after that little scene.”

  “Would have liked to have been a fly on the wall for that one,” said Ace.

  “Hilarious,” said Lily. Their salads were taken away, and they were consumed by dividing up the entrees and eating like pigs.

  After the meal, they both got affogato, ice cream covered by rich espresso. “I’ll be awake my whole shift now,” said Ace. “This is the strongest espresso —ever.”

  “I need it,” said Lily. “I’ve actually got one more client to see before I head home.”

  “Which one?” asked Ace.

  “Tito and Nico,” said Lily.

  “You know they split offices, right?” asked Ace.

  “Yeah, but they only use one version of the accounting software. Things look good. I just want to run some numbers past them, get some feedback on an investment opportunity.”

  “The only investments they make,” said Ace, “are real estate.”

  “This is a real estate investment trust,” said Lily. “An REIT for short. There are two public ones and one private one they might like.”

  “You can try,” said Ace. “But, they like liquid assets to be ready, to buy another building to rehab.”

  “Now you sound like me,” said Lily.

  Ace laughed. “Wish I did. You are the smartest woman I know.” They kissed, tasting espresso on each other’s lips. “Tonight,” said Ace. He grinned. “I think I can get someone to close for me. Be home by ten thirty.”

 
“You rascal,” said Lily, grinning back.

  “Damian, the new guy, he’s after me for more hours. He’s closed with me a couple of times. Bet he’ll do fine with Bella.”

  “Sound like a plan,” said Lily. They kissed again. Lily paid the bill, and they went out to their Harleys, laughing like children.

  Ace arrived at the club just in time to get a beer delivery. He signed for it, opened the door, loaded the cart, and put the beer in the storage room, and several cases in the walk-in. He prepped the bar, from beer to limes. He said hello to Julio in the kitchen, prepped his fake beer bottle with apple juice, and prepared for a Tuesday night. Damian came in, and filled up his cart. He grumbled over Ace already having put in the ice.

  Ivy came out and squawked. “Stop whining,” she said. “I bet if you asked very nicely, Ace might let you close.”

  Ace nodded. “Thinking about getting out by ten,” he said.

  “Not that I’m arguing or complaining,” said Damian, “but, where’s the fire?”

  “His wife,” said Ivy. “Get you one of those, and you’ll be heading home early too. Like I am. You and Bella can close. I’m out by eleven myself.” She pointed a finger at him. “You both make the deposit, you hear?”

  “Will do,” said Damian.

  He had a slight build, but he did parkour, loved to run the city. So, he had strong arms and a strong back. He could lift three cases of beer at once, astonishing both Ace and Ivy. He had dark hair, cut in a military brush on top, with wide ears, and a huge smile. He could charm the pants off a lady, and often did. He worked days repairing bikes. He was building his own bike and couldn’t wait to join the Nighthawks.

  “Good,” said Ivy.

  She headed off to receive yet another liquor delivery. She sang under her breath. Ace laughed when he realized it was ZZ Top’s Tube Snake Boogie. He hummed the song himself. Soon, ZZ Top’s Best Hits Album came over the sound system. The band came in, set up, and did some of the most famous riffs and drum bits. Bella came in, and danced her way through setting up her smaller bar. Ivy came up, and they all shouted the lyrics to Sharp Dressed Man, Tush, and, of course, Tube Snake Boogie. The last one resulted in an actual boogie. The dancers dressed, got on their plinths, and danced in their boots, camisole tops, and black shorts. Even Cesar, Julio, and Delia came out from the kitchen and danced.