Page 44 of Property of Heart

Anyway, living means not being afraid of change and any other complications life throws at your feet.I think Lina has had an overload of change and complications and is still processing shit.The look she’s giving me, though?It’s lacking the conflicting emotions of the weight pressing on her shoulders.

Yet, she’s wringing her hands as she steps closer.“Can I ask you something?”

“Anything and always,” I reply without a second thought.

The corner of her mouth twitches.“Okay.Well...I...there’s...”She huffs out a breath and suddenly blurts, “Would the club go into business with a woman?”

My head rears back.I wasn’t expecting something like this, and I have no clue what her intentions are.

She purses her lips and mutters, “Judging from your reaction I’m guessing no.”

I shake my head.“Your question came out of nowhere.I’m just surprised, okay?Come on, let’s find Fatal and you can hear it straight from him.”

The way she closed the doors of her shop when the shit started almost four weeks ago, and hasn’t opened since?I’m guessing this is about her maybe asking us to help her or something.Sucks that Karev warned her about selling used shit, and in the end, it was exactly the reason what brought trouble to her doorstep.

If we would help her there will be a brother in the store at all times.Something that would definitely soothe my worries, knowing she’s protected.So, it’s safe to say Lina will always have my ear and my vote with anything she wants or needs.Lacing my fingers with hers, I give a gentle tug.

We walk toward church together and I let her know, “Male or female isn’t what makes the decision.Most proposals are run by me or prez, and we discuss it before laying it out to all the members.Then we vote on it.”

Fatal and Norie are sitting in church.Fatal is leaning back in his chair while staring at his old lady.Norie is sitting next to Wesson, both of them are staring at the screen of his laptop.

“Prez,” I rumble.“Lina was wondering if the club would go into business with a woman.”

Wesson’s head whips up, and I catch Norie giving Lina a grin.This tells me my old lady might have talked to Norie about whatever she has planned.Those two have become friends, and head into town together a few times a week for lunch or whatever it is they do.

This is also a huge change for her, with Lina steering clear of relationships all her damn life.Makes me proud as fuck to see how well those two get along.It would definitely suck if they didn’t.

Fatal leans forward and places his elbows on the table.“Depends on the type of business, not the person bringing it to the table.So, let’s hear what you got to say.”

She purses her lips, and I can tell she’s thinking about how to start.I give our still joined hands a gentle squeeze to let her know I’m right here.

“I’ve sold the store along with all my inventory.Well, the papers are being drawn up and I just received a message to sign the papers this afternoon.Which is why I wanted to invest in the brewery.Not to interfere, but I want to be a part of something.Like...supporting you guys.I’m not doing it to be in charge or anything.I...maybe help with thinking up new flavors?Or maybe a line of flavors with zero alcohol,” she rambles on in what sounds like one breath.

I’m still stunned about the first sentence she threw out.Her business is none of my business, and yet I feel a little...very fucking much...out of the damn loop.Norie claps her hands.No surprise there.Yeah, she clearly talked about it with Norie.

Dropping her hand, I cross my arms in front of my chest and meet Fatal’s gaze.I might feel as if she stepped on my cock, but I still support her.It’s why I slightly incline my head.

“Swade,” Fatal bellows.“Get your ass in here.”

My prez turns to his old lady and shakes his head at her enthusiasm.Swade, who owns the brewery, wanders into church.He was married to a bitch who tried to take the brewery from him and had been stealing from him for years.

Recently we forced her to sign her rights over and from that moment on we became partners with Swade.Still, Swade is the one in charge while we use the brewery as cover for our gun running business.

“Sit,” Fatal tells him.

Swade glances at Norie who fuckin’ smiles and nods.Those fuckers talked, I just know it.Fatal also doesn’t miss the slight interaction and narrows his eyes.

“Are we the only clueless ones?The three of you clearly discussed this shit already,” I grit and turn my attention at Lina who winces.

I grind my teeth and take a deep breath.The harshness in my voice might have been a bit unnecessary, but I feel sidelined right now.

“Asshole,” Norie mutters under her breath and I shoot her a glare.

Swade throws a glance over his shoulder in my direction.“We were talking the other day, and Lina made a great suggestion for a non-alcoholic flavored beer.I happened to like the suggestion and made a comment about hiring her.Norie was the one who suggested the investment boost instead of hiring, making it a good deal for all of us.”

“Makes sense,” Fatal states, and I shift my glare to him.

Fatal shrugs.“His explanation makes sense.Besides, he’s the main man when it comes to crucial decisions.If he thinks she made a good suggestion, it’s better to have the investment than hiring her.Besides, Norie does the books, so if she thinks it’s good for everyone?Then why not?”