Hawk tapped the hammer on the steel block and silence descended.
“We celebrated with our brother on Friday but I just wanted to put it on record. Beast, brother, congratulations on getting your girls back. They are a part of the Iron Dogz family and we will all make sure they stay safe."
Beast nodded his head in thanks as his brothers howled their agreement and thumped the table. He didn’t need to say anything, they knew how he felt.
With one sharp slap of his hand on the table Hawk had everyone shutting up and looking at him.
“I’ve heard from Wrench’s parents over the weekend. He’s recovering well and wants to come home. His mother’s words. And let me tell you she was pissed that he called the clubhouse home.” Laughter erupted. Those of them with family knew what that was like because they had been there a few times themselves. Not Beast though, he had no contact with his fucking sperm donors.
“Ice and River are going to take care of getting him back here. Once he’s home and we’re sure he’s well enough we’ll go ahead with patching him in. Can’t do it if the man can’t party on his big night.”
Again laughter rang around the room. Patching in night was legendary. Hopelessly too much booze and plenty of pussy. They would make sure he was well enough to enjoy his big night.
“Now, on to more serious business. Jagger, what do you have for us?”
As usual Jagger didn’t look happy. The brother had been grumpy as hell for a while now. “The eyes on our compound and our businesses have increased. But we expected that. We’ll keep observing them and we’ll be ready for them when they make a move.”
He looked a little happier talking about their dogs. “The guard dogs are finally ready and will arrive at the end of the week. Those of you who have gone through the training with your assigned dog will be required to work shifts to secure our perimeter. The dogs will live with their handlers as discussed during training. The family dogs have gone through exactly the same training. Ice and River’s dog while still a guard dog, has been trained around children so Duncan and the boys will be safe with her. The same with Beast and Rider’s dog.”
He suddenly grinned. “Just a warning to everyone, DC’s dog is not friendly, like not at all. There is only one person he likes and that’s DC. He tolerates the Prez but only because he belongs to DC. He is very well trained and won’t attack but he will growl if you get too close. So give him space until he decides you’re okay. Prez’s dog is a honey. She likes people, is playful but she is his guard dog, so no sudden moves when she’s around.”
Looking around at the brothers he gave them more. “If anyone else wants to look into getting a dog for themselves or their family come see me after church. Having alarms, electric fences and gates and burglar guards are not enough. Think about adding a dog to your defences.”
He tapped the table indicating that he was done then sat back in his chair.
“Thanks, brother.” Hawk moved on immediately. “Ziggy, can you give us more on these bastards watching us?”
“Ja, Prez, they are not affiliated to any club in the country or outside the country for that matter. They are foot soldiers in the Maingarde Organisation. I have been able to identify a few of them.” Clicking on his open laptop the screen against the wall came on and he clicked through several faces with names underneath. “These are the ones we identified, the next lot I haven’t yet, but I will.” Again he clicked and they watched the faces on the screen. None of them would forget any of those faces.
“I’m working with Skelly to identify these bastards, it’s only a matter of time before we know who they are.”
Hawk nodded before he turned to Spider. “Brother, how are our businesses doing?”
Spider dragged Ziggy’s laptop towards him and clicked through some programmes until he had what he wanted on the screen. Spread sheets for the different businesses showing their earnings.
“We’ve had a few minor setbacks with the trucking company but that was because of the strikes last month. Our guys didn’t go on strike but it wasn’t safe for them on the roads so we pulled them over to wait it out. Luckily we don’t transport perishables so we didn’t have loads rotting on the side of the road. Everything is back to normal again and we’re running at full capacity. We still have armed brothers riding along with the long distance cargos just to be on the safe side. The depots and yards are performing well and we don’t have any problems there either.
“Our strip clubs are bringing in profits and we haven’t had too many problems. We’ve had to fire a couple of the girls because of drugs and turning tricks with the customers. But we all know that it’s part of the business, so I’m not worried. Layla and Jaycee have the girls back under control at both venues.”
Spider closed the programme then returned the laptop to Ziggy.
“I have an idea for a new business venture but I’ll get back to everyone on that when I know more. We have some high risk loads coming up that we need to keep a sharp eye on and a big one for Dom at the end of the month. We need to be ready for anything.” Spider said as he sat back.
Hawk nodded his agreement. “Kid and Beast will keep watch over those loads, as always. They will select the brothers who will be working on this one with them.”
Strangely it looked like Kid was about to argue but one look from their Prez and he kept his mouth shut. What was going on with his brother? He had hardly seen him around the clubhouse lately. He always disappeared early but not with any of the women. Beast had been so deep in his own shit show that he had lost touch with what the hell was going on around the club. He needed a chat with Wolf, and soon.
“On to some better shit.” Hawk looked at Bulldog then at Ice and grinned.
“Gail is about to have her babies any day now. Dizzy, brother, I want you and Dollar staying close to her just in case we need to get her out of here in a hurry. I don’t trust Bulldog or Ice not to fucking panic when the time comes. So it will be up to you two to keep the bastards calm.”
Dizzy nodded and tried very hard to disguise his grin, but he didn’t do it very well. Neither did Dollar. Bulldog just grunted and Ice looked pissed. Beast grimaced as he remembered the birth of his babies. He had been anxious when his girls had been born but it had had nothing to do with the bitch. It had been about his babies. Only his babies.
He pulled his attention back to his prez as he continued to lay it out for them.
“We will keep to the schedules that Jagger drew up. That way we all know exactly where we’re needed. If you have guard duty at the clubs keep your eyes open and stay sharp. The same goes for those who have duty at our other businesses and here at the compound. We have ordered new ATV’s for the perimeter patrols but delivery is still a month away, so don’t fuck up the ones we have before they get here.” He warned.
“Ice wants to start work on his house this month and unfortunately it means we’ll have to have a building crew on the property. We’re looking into starting our own crew, so if you have experience or not and you’re interested speak to Ice after we’re done here. You will have permanent work if you join the crew, Ice’s house won’t be the only building going up.”
Drumming his fingers on the table Hawk looked around the room, his eyes sharp as he checked us all out.
“Anyone have something they want to add?”
There was silence and a few heads shook, no.
“Right. Then we are done.”
Hawk smacked the steel block and shoved his chair back but he didn’t stand.
“All the officers stay behind for a few minutes.”
Fuck. What now?
Hawk waited until the chapel doors closed behind Wolf who, as always, was the last to leave. The brother was taking his duties as lieutenant to the Enforcer very seriously.
His first words had Beast frowning. Still more shit he had fallen behind on.
“How is our guest, doing? DC said she becoming restless being locked in the room all day.”
And what
do you know. Kid was the one who answered. Was this the reason why he had been so scarce around the clubhouse?
“She’s restless, that’s true, but she knows it’s the safest place for her. Her physical therapy is going well and she should be able to walk without using a cane or the brace sooner than what the specialist thought. The bruising to her face has faded so it’s hardly visible at all. DC said her body is recovering as well. The girl is working fucking hard to get her strength back.”
Jesus, she’d been attacked? Must have been fucking bad for them to risk taking her to see a specialist.
Hawk sighed and nodded.
“Have we had any word from Dom about the shit going on in his city?”
“Ja, he contacted me last night with an update. He found his rat and it has been taken care of, but, he wants her staying up here until he’s eliminated all the threats against her and Pixie.”
Ziggy took over from Kid. “He said he’s working on clearing her with the old bitch and will let me know when it’s safe for her to go home.”
Hawk shook his head angrily. “Fuck. When are we going to be free of that evil bitch? Okay, let’s carry on the way we’ve been doing. Sam stays with her and DC will take care of her PT. Maybe get the TV in the room hooked up with Netflix and all that other shit. That should keep her entertained.”
Kid laughed. “Brother, that girl is used to working long hours every single day. It’s having nothing to do that’s making her restless.”
All this bending over backwards to keep Maingarde’s bitch happy was bullshit.
“Why the fuck should we care that Dominick Maingarde’s stripper bitch is getting restless? Tell her to shut her fucking trap before we tape it shut for her.” Beast snarled angrily. This shit was pissing him off. It felt too much like the shit the bitch had put him through.
He didn’t anticipate Kid launching himself at him with a fist cocked back ready to smash into his face. Hawk was on him in the blink of an eye and pulled him away from Beast.
Beast was surprised at the sudden violent anger.
“You don’t say another fucking word about the woman in that room. She’s no fucking stripper and she’s not Maingarde’s woman either. You stay the fuck away from that room or I will take you down, brother or not.” Kid’s blue eyes were wild and raging.
Jesus. What the fuck? Beast held his hands up next to his shoulders and backed away.
“Sorry if I overstepped and offended you, brother. Didn’t know she belonged to you. I’m sorry.”
Kid shook his head as he subsided back into his chair. “She’s not mine, but I have claimed her as my family. She had been beaten so badly she could hardly move and still she escaped before they could rape her. She’s unlike any woman I have ever met, fucking strong, snippy as fucking hell and sweet as can be. The kind of baby sister I have always wanted, so that’s what I made her. My baby sister.”
Holding his hand out to Beast he kept talking. “I’m sorry I jumped at you, brother. I’m just over protective of her.”
Beast shook his hand and nodded. He could understand Kid’s protectiveness of someone he considered his family.
“So when do I get to meet this baby sister of yours?” He asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Not this week. She’s in pain every fucking day because of the physical therapy and the work outs she insists on doing. It makes her very short tempered, so let’s give it some time before I introduce you to her. I don’t want you pissing her off.”
Everyone laughed and Beast shrugged. It was the truth. He pissed most women off when he first met them because he didn’t disguise the fact that he didn’t give a shit about them. And he would be too busy catching up on club business and taking care of some personal business to waste time on meeting some bitch his brother had claimed as family.
“Prez, is it okay if I send two of the prospects to collect the special sand we need for the sandpit at the house?”
“You’ve got a sandpit? Since when?” Bulldog suddenly became more interested in the conversation.
“Rider and I bought some swings and shit and built a sandpit this weekend. We made it big enough for all the kids to be able to play without fucking fights breaking out. We’re planning on building a climbing frame, a fort, and a dollhouse as well. The way the house is built you can’t see the back yard from the road. We’ve talked about enlarging and enclosing the entire back yard behind high walls and turning it into a safe space for all our kids. I’m not comfortable with letting my girls go to a nursery school where that bitch or her boyfriend can get to them. So they will be staying home for the time being. Maybe it’s time to investigate employing a teacher for our kids. But that’s something we can discuss at a later date with all the parents and see what they think.”
“That’s a fucking good idea, brother.” Ice said. “River and I will definitely support you on that one.”
“I know Johan and Gail will be interested as well now that they’ve decided to move here permanently.” Bulldog added.
“I’m with you on that one.” Kahn nodded. “Vash and I have decided to move here as well. My old lady and kids are vulnerable every time I leave the house so it makes sense to move them here where they will be safe.”
Hawk laughed. “We are definitely going to need a teacher. Fuck, we’re growing babies at an alarming rate. Now I just need to talk my old lady into letting me knock her up before I’m fucking forty.”
Everyone howled with laughter because there was no way DC Michaels was going to let anyone talk her into something she did not want to do.
“Get the fuck out of here you bastards.” Hawk waved off their laughter with a smirk.
Taking Hawk’s direction they pushed their chairs back and walked out and down to the common room. Some of the patched brothers were still hanging around the bar and Beast found Wolf at the far end talking to Spook and Boots.
“Hey, brothers.” He greeted as he joined the small group.
“Good to have you back again, brother.” Wolf greeted. “You need me for anything?”
Beast could see the anticipation in his eyes and nodded. “I need an update on what’s been happening around here while I was gone. Do you have time now?”
Wolf nodded. “Yes, sure. Let’s talk about it at the back. I need some fresh air.”
They walked through the clubhouse together and headed out the back towards one of the picnic tables set in the shade of the trees. They had scarcely sat down when Aunt Beryl came out with two mugs of coffee and set it down in front of them with a heavy clunk.
“I don’t want my boys drinking so early in the morning. It’s not good for you and you have some heavy responsibilities now.”
She didn’t give Beast a chance to answer as she left them with their mouths hanging open. That was weird, Aunt Beryl did not serve anyone coffee outside the kitchen.
“That’s one of the confusing things around here, brother. She’s been a bit uptight lately and I can’t find out why. I’ve seen her taking trays of food upstairs and Sam has been up there almost constantly. They have someone locked down up there but no one is saying anything. It has something to do with Kid because he’s up there any chance he gets. The brother hasn’t been the same lately. He’s strung so fucking tight he’s been driving the prospects and the brothers crazy with his fucking demands.”
Beast had his elbow on the table, his hand covering his mouth as he listened to his lieutenant. The man was sharp, very fucking sharp. He trusted him implicitly but he did not have his prez’s okay to let him in on what’s going down. Fuck.
“I can’t tell you much. Just that what’s going down is big and it involves Kid’s family. That’s why he’s so fucking short tempered.”
“Do we have that fucking crazy bitch of a sister of his up there?”
Shit.
“No, brother, she’s not up there. And that’s all I can tell you without Hawk fucking me up for talking outside church. Now let’s get back to business. What has been happening while
I’ve been sorting my shit?”
Wolf nodded and immediately started to give him a rundown of problems he had taken care of.
“We had a couple of problems at Iron Kisses with some fucker distributing shit to the dancers. Jaycee called me in and I took care of him and the dancers who were using. He won’t be back. I took a look around Moonlight as well just to be sure we’re running clean and Layla assured me they were.”
“You checked that none of them were turning tricks with the customers, right?”
“I did. The bitches who were involved with the dealer had been approaching customers who were interested, Jaycee fired them. They made a lot of fucking noise about it until I got involved. They left damned quick once I told them to beat it or get beaten. I visited their fucking Johns as well and after ensuring they understood exactly how pissed off I was I informed them that they have been banned from both venues.”
Beast’s lips tipped up in a small smile. “You don’t beat up women, Wolf.”
“They don’t know that.” He winked and gave an evil little chuckle.
They sat drinking their coffee in silence for a little while, just enjoying the brew and being outside.
It was as he was taking a sip of his coffee that he caught a flash of movement in one of the upstairs windows. It was there and gone so quickly he wasn’t really sure he had seen movement at all. He stared up at the window and Wolf turned to look up at it as well.
“I caught someone watching me from that window yesterday when I was sitting out here drinking my morning coffee. Whoever it is, she’s small but I didn’t get a good look just noticed her size before she was pulled away from the window.” Wolf spoke softly as he picked up his coffee and sipped.
Fuck. He’d have to warn Kid that his charge had been seen. Thank fuck it had been Wolf and not one of the other motherfuckers, they would never have kept their mouths shut. She needed to keep her fucking ass away from the windows.
Thank fuck she wasn’t his problem. That was all on Kid. All he had to do was warn his brother about her spying out the windows.
Black Heart And Red Redemption (Iron Dogz MC) Page 10
