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“That’s interesting,” Rum replies, nodding in thought. He surprises me when he picks up a notepad and writes down the information I gave him. “How much do they charge for the use of the shower stall?”

“Fifteen dollars I think, but I could be wrong,” I reply, adding the last because it’s only from speaking to someone that they told me about the shower stall thing.

“Hm, I’ll look into that, Briony, thank you,” Rum says as he closes his notepad.

Before he can say more the door opens, and Joker who had been standing just outside it, steps in. “It’s all clear now, Briony. The asshole has gone, so you can get back to whatever you were doing.”

“Oh, okay, thank you,” I quickly jump to my feet and head outside. I check to see if Echo is around because honestly, he is like a shadow I cannot get away from.

“Echo has gone to the clubhouse, so you are all clear, Briony,” Malik's amused tone tells me.

“Thank you, Malik.” I quickly head to the shower block and get to work on the shower stall the asshole had used, and finish cleaning the rest because I have to get to the MC and work at Tracker's house.

Later that same day, I finish placing items into cabinets and drawers. I am disposing of the packaging in the dumpster out back of the house, too. I didn’t realize cleaning would involve unpacking new items and organizing the house. But while I’m doing that it makes a change from having a mop or a duster in my hand.

I wave at the young man on the gate and start the walk home. It’s going to take me longer than usual because I’m bone-tired. I am thankful that I had carried my espadrilles in my bag this morning, because the shoes I work in must be getting old as they are slipping off my heel as I’m working, and it’s causing a blister to form.

I look up when a vehicle pulls up alongside me, and I don’t even try to stop myself from rolling my eyes. “Jump in, Briony,” Echo says from the driver’s seat.

Now, I would usually tell Echo I’d rather walk, but just this once I’m going to indulge my tired legs and feet. I climb into the SUV and settle back. “Thank you, Echo. Do you know my address?”

“I know where you live, Briony,” Echo smirks and looks forward through the windscreen as he drives. How he knows I’m not sure, but probably through the gas station files!

My head drops and I shoot it back up, but it isn’t long before it’s dropping again. I’m fighting to keep my eyes open, but the motion of the vehicle is making me sleepy. Echo for once is keeping quiet, and it’s only a few minutes before I fall asleep.

Waking slowly, my eyes flutter and close, before fluttering again while realizing I’m laid down. Opening my eyes fully, I am laid in my bed, at my house, with freaking Echo asleep beside me.

I glance to the side and see it is two in the morning. Do I go back to sleep? Although I realize I’m fully dressed, or do I wake the idiot and demand he leaves. Before I can make my decision Echo grunts, leans forward and kisses my forehead, mumbles, “Go to sleep, baby,” and does just that himself.

Before I can make a move, Echo wraps his arms around me and settles me against him. It feels good, and for once I take that comfort, close my eyes, and sleep.

Chapter 12

JOKER

Walking downstairs this morning, I’m feeling like I need a kick up the ass. I’m sluggish and I’m going to drink lots of coffee. I need a large caffeine intake to get me into the land of the living. Fuck, maybe I shouldn’t say that with Bono, Pyro, and Tank still around!

Sitting in the common room, I close my eyes and take my second sip of coffee. Bliss, sheer bliss. Right up until I hear Finger shout, “Church!”

Fuck me, it’s Wednesday morning and we don’t usually have church until Friday evenings, so something urgent must be happening. I don’t hang around. I take my coffee with me and head into church. I drop my phone in the box outside church and quickly take my seat. I continue drinking my coffee while I wait for my brothers and Pres to appear.

Pres walks into church with Finger and Cap. They take their seats, and everyone quiets down, ready for whatever this meeting is about.

Pres looks from one of us to another. “Ghost is on his way back because he has been compromised. He has been following the rogue MC for a few weeks, as you know. He overheard a conversation one was having in a strip club with a stripper. Luckily, Ghost was able to get close enough to hear clearly what was being said. They are not coming directly here anymore. They have been dodging states. They started in Oregon, then progressed to Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and back to Wyoming, through South Dakota, then into Nebraska, and negotiating with an MC in Colorado. Which from what extra he heard isn’t going well, and it won’t be long before they head into New Mexico, or back into Nebraska, but they could head here into Kansas.”

“Fuck, Pres. They are just dashing from one place to another. They don’t seem to have any plan of what they are doing, or going to do?” I snarl as I look at brothers who agree with me. “Do you think they’ll come right here?”

“Not right away. I think our reputation will have them hang back as long as they can. They will know they will have to go up against us, and they are not professionals in any form. They are scum that have ganged together to steal what they are not willing to work for.” Pres taps the table in front of him, then continues. “Ghost also stopped one of them trying to drag a woman away from the club. He jumped in and beat the shit out of him. Which any of us would have done, I’m sure. Rides got the woman home and told Ghost to get back here because the one he beat up had seen his face and would look to get retribution if he could.”

“Yeah, I would have beat the crap out of the fucker, too,” Whistle states while cracking his knuckles and grimacing.

“We need a volunteer to go be backup for Rides. Not an officer. It will mean shorting a business of a worker, but I’d rather that than leave Rides with no support,” Pres looks around the room and a few of the brothers have their hands up showing willingness to support Rides. I stick my hand in the air and see Bull roll his eyes for a moment.

Bull surprises me when he speaks. “Well, Pres, you can have Joker. I’m interviewing two of Darius’ friends tomorrow. They are newly out of the service and as they were communications officers, they’ll find our system simple.”

I look at him with a deep frown and studying his expression, the fucker is enjoying this. “I can head out today if you need me to, Pres.”

“Leave after church. I want to know what the assholes are doing. Where have they been? Where are they heading next? I want enough warning if they head our way. We will finish them, unlike other MCs that have let the fuckers leave,” Pres snarls and shows his teeth as he does so.