Page 7 of Property of Mercury

“Well, that’s good because I don’t think that would be particularly pleasant,” I tease. “If you’re sure it won’t be a problem, that might be the best thing for me. I don’t know if they’re aware I’m still alive right now or not, but them having all the information to know where and how to find me kind of creeps me out, to be blunt.”

“Blunt is always good. I don’t think it’ll be an issue whatsoever,” he promises. “I’ll bring it up to the guys when we next have church.”

I feel my brows raise as I sputter out, “Church? None of you inspire thoughts of an altar or hymnals, Orion, just saying.”

“It’s what we call our meetings where we talk about club business. Oh, you might wanna get used to that phrase because you’ll hear it a lot, I’m sure.”

“Why do you say that?” I ask.

He gets a smirk on his face then says, “Just a theory I’ve got that I’ll share with you at some point. Now, if you’re good for now, I’m heading over to the hospital. Don’t worry about a thing. We’ve got you, Finley. When I get back to the clubhouse, I’ll get all the shit I need and will bring it to you so you can start working.”

I can’t help the giggles that burst through as I look at my left arm to the IV that’s attached to my wrist. “Really? Is this how we’re going to start this working relationship?”

“Start as we plan to go, woman. We’ll stay on the same track as the one we begin on. Actually, you staying at the club is a good idea because we’re going to be attached at the hip.” When I glare at him, he throws his hands up and says, “Not like that, Fin! I do not poach on my brothers. Period.”

With that he leaves, promising to come back later today. Meanwhile, I’m left wondering what he meant by he didn’t poach on his brothers. What the hell does that mean? As I try to puzzle through it, the pain meds start coursing through me and I’m grateful I hit the button several minutes ago when the pain became intolerable. At least if I’m sleeping, I’m not spiralling needlessly.

CHAPTER

FOUR

Mercury

Taking care of Finley’s lease at both her apartment and the shop she worked at before those jackasses got their hands on her, allowed me to release my pent-up anger. They thought they were gonna spew some bullshit at me and I’d cower, but if my cut didn’t prove that theory to be inaccurate, my fist to their faces did. I can take a lot before I lash out, but those two fuckers spouted off some crap and I lost my temper.

“Are we gonna be sued, Merc?” Gemini asks with a grin on his face. “I really hope we are because I’d love nothing more than to watch them cower before a judge once all of the facts are released.”

“I dare them to take me to court,” I say, harrumphing. “At least I got them to issue her last few paychecks, since she went missing the day they did payroll, then of course, she missed the next one as well. She’s square with them as far as that goes. Now, her landlord is a bastard, and wouldn't give her security deposit back because, ‘her being gone so long meant a deep clean had to be done to get rid of the rotten food smell’ as if she asked to be abducted!” Stupid fuckers thinking they could try to put one over on me because Finley was a woman. Fuck that!

“Did you tell them what happened to Finley?” Midas asks, lounged back at our kitchen table munching on an apple.

“I gave them the CliffNotes version. They aren’t her family, I told them what they needed to know to release her shit,” I reply. “Still didn’t make a difference to her landlord, but I took satisfaction in getting her security deposit out of his face.”

Pisces snickers while Gemini shakes his head. “I see you’re still trying to learn how to win new friends and influence folks, huh, Merc?” he asks.

I shrug but stay silent. My cousins know how I am by now. I may not lose my temper often but when I do, it’s best to be on my side.

“Not to change the subject, but I emailed all the photos you sent me of what you were able to recover, she says nothing’s missing,” Orion inserts.

“Good to know. But, brother, you gonna be able to handle having her working in the shop with a blinged-out toolbox?” I question.

“Why not? She’s a beautiful woman, might as well have something pretty to put her tools in,” he says, shrugging. When I step toward him, unaware that I’m even doing it, he throws his hands in the air and yells, “Not poaching, asshole, just making an observation. Who the hell cares what color her toolbox is or even her actual tools as long as she knows how to use them? I definitely don’t.”

“Keep it that way, O,” I order. Not sure why I feel so protective over her, it’s not my norm. It could be because I saved her from death’s door, or it could be for another reason altogether. I’m not a psychologist, the reasons don’t matter to me. Like my cousin, when my instincts kick into overdrive, I listen to my gut and don’t question the reason for it.

“Not interested in her in that way, Merc,” he snaps, gritting his teeth at me. “I need a good employee and she has all of the qualifications I’m looking for. As a matter of fact, she has more certifications under her belt than I do and that’s impressive as fuck.”

“Sounds like finding her is going to be beneficial to all of us,” Gemini muses. At my glare, he adds, “In more ways than one, asshole. She’s going to help bring in money for the club once word gets around, plus, she survived those fuckers and gave you some invaluable information so you can keep digging around.”

“You’re right,” I concede. “I’m sure her being a woman might put some people off as far as working on their rides, but honestly her reputation precedes her. One of her former coworkers said the reason the big boss was so mad was because when some of their customers found out she wasn’t there, they took their business elsewhere.”

“Hopefully to us once the word gets out,” Orion giddily says, rubbing his hands together. “Told you she’s not just a pretty package, Merc.”

“Wanna keep those teeth in your mouth, Orion?” I ask, my fists tightening at my sides.

“Why? You jealous that mine are pearly white and yours aren’t?” he teases.

“All you’re gonna have is gums if you keep yapping them lips of yours,” I threaten.