Page 25

“So, you are Joker’s old lady, Miri, and the bitch's stepsister. Are you going to be good to call her out?” Pres questions Miri.

Miri is sitting so upright it’s a wonder her spine doesn’t snap, but I have to give her credit, she doesn’t shrink at Tracker's question.

“I can call her out if needed. I can do whatever is needed. I’ve never been close with Geri. We were stepsisters who did what was needed to support each other as family. Never friends. Never what you could call a warm relationship. We just were. That stops now,” Miri is firm in her reply.

I can see the respect on Pres’ face. He can read a person better than anyone I know, and he’s read her, put her in the slot he wants her, and he’s happy with where she is. “Okay. I’m looking forward to meeting this so-called president,” Pres rubs his hands together, then seems to notice the meals on the table. “Oh, just in time for supper.”

Cap has hardly said a word, but he’s eating a fair share of the meal. Eventually looking at Vanessa, “Thanks for supper, we were both ready for a hot meal.”

“Thank, Trace, he’s the chief cook and bottle washer around here. Mostly, anyway,” Vanessa grins as she points her fork at Trace.

The conversation is simple, jumping from one subject to another. “Darius has two communication officers he worked with, and they are working the stations in the vehicle rescue office, Joker. They seem like good men. Not been out long, but solid. We put them up in a trailer near Darius. But I’m thinking maybe it’s time we started having properties we can rent out,” Pres throws out from nowhere.

Although surprised I give Pres a more than happy reply, “That’s good because to be honest, Pres, I’m fed up of working in the office all the time. I enjoy being out on the road, rescuing anyone who has broken down. I’m not so keen on clean-up after pile ups, mind you.”

“Not sure anyone enjoys cleaning those, Joker,” Cap adds, and I know he’s helped us on a couple if he was around when the call came through.

Rides asks, “You met these two, Pres?”

“Yeah, I went over when he interviewed them. Tank gave them a glowing reference. Apparently, he knew them before,” Pres says no more, but we know he’s trying not to scare the shit out of everyone.

“If Tank is giving the go-ahead, then I’m good with working with them, Pres. We need more men to step up for the businesses. You just said about having rental properties, but we don’t have the brothers to cover something like that. Not since the cleanup and eight brothers went to Montana,” I reply while thinking about how short we are on brothers at the moment.

“I’ve made these two working prospects. Jay Hughes and Tripp Murphy they’re called. In time, we may need to give them road names. They both have hogs, and I was impressed that they bought them within hours of leaving the service,” Pres looks at Cap who is chuckling.

“First thing I did too, Pres,” Cap chuckles again.

“Well, that’s a good move, Pres,” Rides pushes his empty plate away and gives Vanessa a nod of thanks. “We can get brothers and find good men.”

“I reckon I could send some vets your way if you’re interested. You’ll meet some tomorrow when we do the meet with Geri and her man,” Trace adds.

Pres looks at him with interest. “I’ll be pleased to meet them.” It’s all Pres has to say about that, but then continues, “I’ve pulled in the six of Jeremy’s as working prospects. Not losing them, they are too good to leave hanging in the wind. They are living at the clubhouse. I got them locked down.”

“That’s eight new working prospects. Let’s add Malik and Darius. Then the five prospects we already had, plus Scribe who is a working prospect at the tattoo studio. I reckon we are pumping up the brotherhood, Pres,” I grin because it’s not taken Pres long to rope in new prospects, and damn good ones. I think everyone can see the smug look on Pres’ face, but none of us are brave enough to comment.

Two of Trace’s men are sitting together near the window. Three others are sitting alone in positions that can block the diner's door and kitchen easily. Pres and Cap are in the kitchen waiting for the opportunity to step in if things get hairy.

Vanessa is standing behind the counter doing her best to look busy, and Zack is upstairs with a two-way and is speaking with his friends. Trace is doing his thing in the kitchen but has a huge cleaver near his hand I noticed the last time I was in there.

I’m sitting next to Hot Rod and Miri who is wearing my cut. I told her what it means, what it represents for her as an old lady. I feel naked without it, but I have to admit I’m thinking maybe this is fate. I’m texting Cilla while I’m waiting for the assholes to arrive.

Joker: I’ve claimed Miri, what do you think of that?

Cilla: Well, good for you.

Joker: No other comments? No, this is meant to be, or anything? Come on, Cilla, is she mine or not?

Cilla: You tell me? But tell Hot Rod his woman is about to be taken, and he best not mess around or he’ll miss her.

Joker: What the fuck, Cilla!

When she doesn’t respond, I pass my phone to Hot Rod who has remained sitting next to me. A simple show of force because, as mentioned, you’d not see one brother without another, especially if out of their territory.

Hot Rod looks at me with such a scowl on his face I know he’s read the messages between me and Cilla. “I don’t know, Hot Rod, but we need to find out what the fuck is going on with your woman. You need to message Cilla and find out more.”

Hot Rod starts messaging Cilla, and I look at Miri who is watching all this with a puzzled expression. I don’t explain, I just shrug my shoulders and then nod at the door where the fun is going to begin it seems.

The door opens and Geri, looking like a two-bit hooker, steps through the door, along with the roughest, dirtiest looking assholes I’ve ever seen.