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Chapter 7

JOKER

Walking into Books' office, I take a seat and fold my arms over my chest until Books looks up from his desk and lifts a questioning eyebrow. “What?”

I chuckle before answering, “I want to put my name down for a plot on the compound. The one near the house Finger has built. If that one is taken the one next to that.”

Books steps over to the filing cabinet and takes out a blueprint of the compound, which shows individual plots marked out. Some have brothers' names on already, while others don’t. The area I was thinking of already has a name on it. “Shit, I’m too late,” I mumble, but I scan the empty plots and point to one two plots from Tracker's house. “That one.” I point to the plot and look up at Books.

“I can put you down for that one, Joker. But the places are filling up quickly. Pres is thinking of opening up the area at the bottom of the old compound if we run out of plots,” Books replies, but I can see he’s trying to hurry and get back to whatever he was doing.

“Buying that parcel of land was a great idea, and it’s going to make it safer for brothers' families, when they eventually have a family that is.”

Books laughs as he shrugs. “Well, Finger has made a start, and I suppose we will have to see how long it is before Truck gets Rory knocked up.”

“I’m not in a hurry. Although I wouldn’t throw my woman away if I came across her. I’d like kids before I’m too old to chase them around and do shit with them,” I laugh as I reply to Books, but I’m being truthful. I would really love to have fun times with my kids.

“There, your name is down for the plot two from Pres. You’ll be next to Cap, who as Vice President needs to be next to Tracker. You know they’ll have their eye on you living that close, don’t you?” Books chuckles.

“Yeah, but it’s okay. While they are watching me, they are not watching anyone else.” I give him a two-finger tip to my brow and walk out of his office. It’s time to get to work.

Heading to my hog I pass Ian who is heading in my direction. “Are you heading into work, Ian?”

“Yeah, I’m not due for another hour, but I was getting bored hanging around waiting,” Ian catches up as he replies, and grabs his hog. He has one that Cilla purchased for them, and he’s cleaned it up until the chrome is spotless.

“Have you seen Ghost around?”

Ian turns to look at me as he shakes his head, “No, not for a while actually.”

“Hm, okay, no problem.” I put my helmet on, straddle my girl, and fire her up. Looking over my shoulder, I pull out with Ian right behind me. We are going to the same place so it will be nice to have a ride mate for a change.

The ride to work is refreshing. It’s a pleasant morning. The breeze is warm but not hot, and with only wearing a henley and my cut, it’s about right for this time of the year.

Pulling into the gas station, I give Ian a nod as he pulls away to park at the side of the gas station where he’ll enter the building through the side door. I ride past and to the rear where I park in front of the office.

Taking my helmet off and hanging it on the handlebars, I turn to head into the office when I see Echo speaking with Briony. Now, Briony has her cart with all her cleaning equipment placed ready to head into the showers and clean. I step a little closer as I shout out, “Morning Echo, Briony. You both okay over there?”

Briony waves, giving me that small smile she gives me every time I speak to her. She pushes past Echo and quickly unlocks the shower building and heads inside.

“What the fuck are you doing, Echo?” I ask as I wait for him to walk away from the building and towards the rear of the gas station.

“I’m wooing, Joker.”

“Wooing! What the fuck, Echo? You think pinning her to the wall and chasing her ass is wooing? What about flowers, wine, dancing, and meals somewhere nice? You done any of that?” I ask him astounded, because I’m betting my next pay packet that he’s not done any of that. “You may need to claim her quickly or let her loose, brother.”

“When you have your own woman locked down, Joker, and stop fuckin’ the club women, then you can tell me how to woo my woman. Until then, fuck off and mind your own business,” Echo snarls, and storms into the rear of the gas station.

Malik steps out of the garage where Echo has closely passed and chuckles as he looks at me while giving his opinion, “Well, we could say he told you, but I would say it’s more like he’s on a losing streak until he wises up some.”

When we hear the bikes approaching, Malik and I paused to watch them come around the building. We wait for Pres and Rides to park their hogs next to my hog and approach us. “Hi, Pres,” I say as he reaches where I’m standing.

Pres gives me a nod, and Rides smirks. “Asshole!” I mumble to Rides as he reaches where I’m standing.

“Malik. I’ve given thought to the fact you are working the garage, maybe times you’ll be driving a recovery vehicle…” Pres pauses and Malik frowns while he waits for Pres to finish speaking. I know the pause is for effect, as I’ve seen him do it often enough. “With that in mind, you need to be a working prospect. So, come to the clubhouse tonight and get your prospect cut.” Turning to walk back to his bike, Pres shouts over his shoulder, “Tell Darius the same.”

I watch Malik standing with his mouth hanging open. Rides rushing to keep up with Pres, and Pres quickly hightailing it out of the gas station.

“What the fuck!” Malik exclaims.