“Thanks for the warning,” I grumble at Ravage. “You mind if the grown-ups have a conversation? Or you gonna interrupt me again?”
Brothers cough or laugh under their breath. Ravage grins at me. “Just tryin’ to help a brother out.”
“Yes, Grinder,” Rock says, ignoring the sideshow. “I’d appreciate it if you joined us.”
Teller suddenly seems fascinated with the table as he slowly sinks into his seat.
“T and Dex.” Rock’s gaze runs the length of the table. “I want you with us too.”
Teller groans and rolls his eyes but doesn’t question Rock today.
“Why?” Ravage moans. “None of them are gonna sample the goods.”
“That’s the point.” Rock’s tone is full of patience born from repetition. “I don’t need distractions.”
Z raises his hand. “Since I’m here anyway, I’ll tag along too. I owe Loco a favor, so if he’s asking you for help, I should be in on that.”
“Appreciate it,” Rock says.
“He give any hints about what he wants?” Rooster asks.
“Nothing,” Rock sighs. “He loves the cryptic spy game bullshit.”
“He just needs a friend, Prez.” Wrath grins. “It’s nice he’s bonded to you.”
“Careful, wiseass,” Rock growls without turning Wrath’s way. “I’m not done deciding who’s coming with us.”
“Please?” Ravage bounces in his seat and waves his arms around.
“Pick me! Pick me!” Stash mocks in a girlish voice.
“Damn right, pick me,” Rav answers.
“He probably wants to borrow some extra muscle for outcalls,” Dex says. “Malik says Loco brought on new girls. They’re meeting dates outside Loco’s place. But he wants a driver for the girls. No one goes alone.”
“While I can appreciate that he wants to keep his girls safe,” Rock’s jaw tightens with irritation, “we have enough things to handle without adding bodyguard chores. If it’s a one-off, we’ll see what we can do for him.”
Jigsaw raises his hand and lifts his chin at Z. “If Loco needs help this weekend, I’m around.”
Z nods.
“Thanks for stepping up, Jigsaw,” Rock says.
Jigsaw’s mouth curves into a sly grin. “If I’m gonna be listening to someone going at it this weekend, it’d probably be more fun if it’s strangers and I’m gettin’ paid for it.” He jerks his thumb toward Rooster.
“You could just,” Rooster strokes his hand over his beard, “oh, I don’t know, not be a fuckin’ creep.”
“I don’t think you understand how loud you two are,” Jigsaw protests.
“I mean, Shelby is a singer.” Ravage shrugs. “But I haven’t heard anything—”
“Careful, Rav,” Rooster growls.
“It’s not her, it’s him.” Jiggy elbows Rooster.
“Shut the fuck up.”
“Oh my God, all of you, shut the fuck up.” Wrath’s voice shakes the windowpanes.
“Sparky, when will you have some product for Loco?” Rock asks. “I know he’ll want an update.”
Sparky squirms in his seat for a second. “Well, boss. Production is a little low. I diverted some of the last harvest to our edibles division.”
Rock grits his teeth. “How’s that going?”
“Good, good. Willow knows a guy who distributes to a few of the college campuses in the area. We’re setting something up.”
“Okay,” Rock says slowly. “But it’s easier to wholesale our harvests to Loco, isn’t it? You’re getting tied up baking and making edibles and now distributing them instead of growing.”
Sparky slumps against his chair like Rock just told him unicorns don’t exist. “It’s a new outlet for my creativity,” he protests.
Rock, Wrath, and Z share a look, then Rock’s inquisitive eyes turn Teller’s way. Teller shrugs.
“All right. Is it making you happy, Sparky?” Rocks asks.
That right there is why Rock’s probably managed to stay president for so long and earned the brothers’ undying loyalty and respect. Not many bikers would tolerate Sparky’s eccentricities.
“Yeah, boss. And I’m providing treats for the clubhouse too.”
“Yes, you are, bro.” Rav leans over and offers Sparky his hand for a high five.
“Is this exposing us to more risk?” Rock asks.
Sparky scratches the side of his head. “I dunno. I don’t think so. It’s legalish now.”
Teller leans forward and scribbles something on a notepad in front of him, then turns toward Sparky. “Catch me afterward.”
Rock lifts an eyebrow. “You gonna have Charlotte look into it?”
“Yeah, but I want to get a clearer picture first.”
“Thanks.” Rock scans the table again. “All right. Bricks, you’re opening CB today, right?”
“Yup.” He nods. “You’ll let me have Dex later, though, right?”
“I’ll be there,” Dex promises.
“Anyone else have business?” Rock asks. When no one raises their hand, he nods. “All right.”
Murphy clasps his hands together and turns his gaze toward the ceiling. “Thank you, Jesus.”
“Don’t go thanking your magical sky daddy yet, I got plenty of work for you,” Wrath warns.
“When’d you find religion, brother?” Bricks asks Murphy.
“Probably when he started praying that Heidi’s baking a boy in her oven,” Ravage answers.
“Don’t talk about my wife’s oven…or anything else,” Murphy snarls.
“Are we done here?” Teller asks, scowling at Ravage.
“Yeah, everyone can go.” Rock nods at Teller. “Let’s meet up outside.”
“You got it.”
The volume of chatter in the room rises as brothers shuffle out of the room. Rock stops Ravage with a quick, short whistle.
“Rav.” He curls his fingers in a “come here” gesture.
Rav’s eyes widen and he glances over his shoulder.
“We only got one of you, get over here,” Rock says.
Rav jams his hands in his pockets but lifts his chin and squares his shoulders as he approaches Rock’s end of the table.
“Prez, I was only kidding around,” he says in the most serious tone I’ve heard the fucker use since I’ve been here.
“No, you’ve got a point, crude and annoying as it is,” Rock adds.
“That should’ve been his road name,” Murphy says. “Crude and Annoying.”
Rav grins and flashes his middle finger Murphy’s way. “Fuck off, Ginger Yeti.”
“Great, glad that’s sticking.” Murphy shoots a glare across the table at Wrath who grins at him.
Rock pulls Ravage away from the table out of earshot. Doubt whatever they’re discussing affects me one way or another.
Chapter Six
Serena
A new day is your opportunity to make it better than yesterday.