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Sitting in church, I listen to brothers reporting on club business. My mind switches off for a while and only comes back when I hear Miri’s name mentioned.

“Miri is going to manage the rental properties that we purchase. She’ll decide what we keep and what we flip. I’m happy to put it to a vote that she has complete authority for the first six months and we see how she copes with being the boss.” Pres smirks at me and looks at Coin. “Are you okay with the financial side of this, Coin?”

“Yeah. Miri has brought me enough paperwork to show that she knows what she’s doing. She just needs a team of men who don’t mind having a woman tell them what is happening,” Coin smirks at the thought of men not liking a female boss. “She’s got some brass on her, and she’ll not suffer fools. I’m good with it, Pres.”

Pres speaks again, “We have four of the veterans that Trace spoke with. They are at a loose end and looking for somewhere to put down roots. I’ve spoken to him and to them this morning. They will be here in a week, ready and able to start. I won’t consider them working prospects until we know what they are like. We can’t take on more just to bulk up our numbers, but they are okay with standing with us if trouble hits.” We all nod in agreement with his comment and continue to listen. “Hot Rod is on his way back. The woman he saved has told him she is leaving the U.S. and moving to Canada. Cilla said she was his woman, but the signs show she’s not the one he will end up with. I’m not sure what that all means, but I’m not getting involved either. Hot Rod is on his way back and will be here sometime in the next forty-eight hours.”

Now, I feel somewhat sorry for Hot Rod. To find his woman and then she doesn’t want him isn’t good and I can bet he’s going to be like a bear with a sore head when he gets back. I think I’ll stay clear of him for a while.

“Next business is the impound lot. We have the lot, it’s all in our name now. Toby took the money, moved out, and fucked off somewhere. The problem is that he left us with a mess to clear out. Darius is already at the lot. He has two dumpsters into which he’s throwing everything from the house. Malik is helping as and when he can. If any of you want to head out and help that would be great. The sooner that bungalow is sorted and Darius along with Malik can get moved in, the sooner we’ll start getting proper business running from the lot,” Pres picks up the gavel but pauses. “Anyone got any comments or other business?”

When nobody responds Pres smacks the gavel down, tells us to fuck off, and we all head out of church. Looking at the time, we’ve only been in church an hour. I run up to our room and find Miri sitting behind the desk in front of her laptop.

“It’s time to get dressed and get on the back of my hog. We are going out,” I rush into the bathroom and get cleaned up quickly. I know I surprised Miri, but she’s already closed the laptop and is waiting to get into the bathroom as I head out of it.

An hour and a half later, we are sitting inside the steakhouse enjoying our evening. There is dancing and loud music, but the place is buzzing with couples enjoying the evening.

“Is it always like this in here?” Miri asks me after swallowing the mouthful of steak she’d been chewing.

“It’s busier on the weekend. They have live music, games, and line dancing. It’s a hub for locals and anyone who wants something fun,” I reply as I look around at the couples enjoying a meal.

We talk about our lives in general. Growing up and funny incidents that have happened to us over the years. It’s sweet, and the more I learn about Miri the more I want to keep her.

“My house has an offer on it,” Miri tells me out of the blue.

“Really? That was fast,” I reply, and I can see she wants to say more, so I wait.

“I got in touch with a lawyer. I‘m not sure if I told you. Anyway, he has evidence from a man he uses that the IP address used to empty my savings account wasn’t mine. He also found from the bank's camera that Geri had gone into the bank saying she was me. With all the evidence, he is handling the sale and will take the money back when the sale is completed. If Geri causes trouble, he will take her to court. If that happens, she’ll be in a lot of trouble that she can’t handle.”

I take hold of Miri’s hand as I reply, “Damn, that’s something. But you know you haven’t done this. She has. Let’s hope she has the sense to remain quiet and then you can move on from her.”

“I know, but it’s sad that the last family member I have has done this. She’s not the person I thought she was. I’m not sure she’ll get away from the man she’s with, even if she wanted to.” Miri is hanging onto my hand, and it tells me she is finding this whole situation difficult.

I want to get her mind off Geri and the difficulties she brings. I’m going to ride around a while and let Miri enjoy the peace a ride brings. “Come on, let’s go home.”

Chapter 20

MIRI

For the last two days, since our date night, I’ve been giving Joker kisses on his cheek, the corner of his mouth, and generally giving him the come-on type flirting. His restraint is impressive, and since the club women have backed off and are now staying out of my way I feel easier around the clubhouse.

After fixing myself a coffee from the pot in the kitchen, I settle at a table in the common room. My notepad is full of things I have to make sure are covered when we get to the point we can put a place up for rent. I’ve checked with the local city government and we don’t need a housing license, but we would need to have periodic safety inspections. That is not a problem, as the rentals will be more than safe, as I intend they are above any type of inspection that could be held.

Selecting the realtor’s office that I favor using, I collect my things and head outside. The prospect Jet is near the gate spraying weed killer around the entrance. I smile to myself because he has a bottle strapped to his back, a mask, goggles, and a white paper suit on. If I had not taken a particular look at his hair, I wouldn’t have known who it was. I give him a wave and he returns it but I cannot see if he’s smiling back or not.

Parking my car outside the realtor’s office, I look around Main Street. It’s a great town and I’m more than happy to settle here. I send Joker a message and smile to myself as I press send.

Miri: Thinking about you is making it really hard to focus.

I put my phone away in my purse and head inside not waiting for Joker’s reply. A woman looks up as I walk in and gives me a bright smile. “Good morning.”

“Good morning. My name is Miri Stephenson and I’m here to make an appointment to view two properties you have for sale,” I speak as professionally as I can without sounding too formal.

“Okay, Miri Stephenson, I am Liv Peterson, and I can book a showing for you if the properties are not already under contract.”

“There is a three-bedroom house on Lark Avenue. It looks to be in fairly awful shape, so the price needs to reflect that, or I’ll throw it out before I view it. The other is on 2nd Street and is a large four-bedroom place. That one looks interesting to me,” I look at Liv, and she pulls up the information on her computer monitor before heading to the printer where she has the details printing out for me to look at.

My phone pings, and that is a sign that I have a message. I'll ignore it for now, but know it will be Joker replying to my teasing.