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“Other than housing do you have anything else to bring to me?” I ask them both.

“Nope, all is good.” “Nothing else, Pres.” They both quickly settle back into their seats, and I can see they have nothing hovering unsaid.

“Malik, are you good at the garage and stepping in with recovery when needed?” I ask.

“Yeah, no problem on my end, Pres. The garage is running smoothly, and I check every vehicle after every call. It doesn’t matter if it’s a small call or a long one, I check anyway. I’ve done two recoveries so far, and they both went well. I have no problem at all.”

“Darius?” I look directly at him, and he shrugs in return.

“Nothing to worry about here, Pres. The impound lot is running alongside us stripping the bungalow. I have law enforcement bringing work to us and I’m following up with everything as quickly as I can. I’m going to ask Briony to clean the bungalow once it’s done so both myself and Malik won’t have to waste time cleaning and can concentrate on the business.” Taking a moment, he continues, “I’m going to look at two dogs to patrol the place when I’m not around. It’ll be a deterrent if nothing else. Keys is going to make sure the place is locked down security-wise, and he’s already given me a plan of where he will install CCTV cameras.”

“Okay. Sounds good. If you need anything, you let one of us know, but Keys is your security contact. Books will help with any legal paperwork you need completing, and Coin will make sure the financials are good. Anything else?” Darius shakes his head, and I turn to the six others sitting quietly, watching and waiting.

A knock on the door causes Cap to quickly step out, and I wait a moment to see if I’m needed. The door opens and Miri steps inside, giving me a ‘sorry’ look. “What’s up, Miri?” I ask because I don’t want this meeting to drag on too long.

“I’m sorry for disturbing you, Pres.” Miri states, and I’m surprised she is addressing me as Pres because she has only ever called me Tracker up to this point. But I’m impressed she is using my title when in a meeting such as this. “I’ve seen three more houses that I can put offers on, but to do that I need the six working prospects that work for Jeremy. I know you didn’t want outsiders working on the housing on the compound, but I don’t know what to do to expand the rental operation at this point.”

Dime looks at Miri, then at me, and I give him a speak look, which he quickly takes up. “We are sick of working for Jeremy. He’s taking the piss. He comes over gives a few orders, then fucks off. We are doing everything and getting paid the least.”

The other five are nodding in agreement, and I can see they are more than a little disgruntled. “Why have you not come to me before this?” I ask giving Dime my complete attention.

“Jeremy told us this was how it was, and if we didn’t like it to find something else to do. We’ve actually started doing that, Pres,” Felix adds.

“Okay, let me get this straight. We are paying Jeremy for the houses being built on the compound, but you six are the ones doing all the work, meaning all the official shit, too?” I snarl because nothing is worse to me than paying someone good cash for nothing.

Milton snaps out, “Yes.”

“Miri, what do you want to do? We have to continue building the houses on the property. Your home is the next to be built I believe.”

Miri grimaces. “Yes, ours will be the next. I think we should get rid of Jeremy. Put one of these six in charge, and I’ll slow down the rental business at this time. We have two houses purchased. One of my four will take control of the daily organization, and everything will start on Monday. I am waiting for information regarding an extension to one of the properties, and I’ve spoken to Books who is going to follow that up for me.”

“Okay, Miri. We only have so many men, and we are spreading a little thin at the moment. But all the businesses are doing as they should, so I’m not worried about them. Only have two houses purchased at one time, Miri, until such a time as the six here can step up and work with the rental business. I’ll deal with Jeremy, and after that Dime you will step in as boss. Cap, work with Dime to get everything as it needs to be. The four vets are your men, Miri, so you deal with them. If they become working prospects, then that will change, but until then, do what you have to do.” I can see Miri isn’t upset at the turn of events. She gives me a friendly smile and quickly leaves church after giving everyone else a nod of the head.

“Are you okay with all of that, Dime?” I ask because he has been whispering with the other five.

“Yeah, we are good with that, Pres. I think we’ll get paid more, and you’ll not be paying as much, so it’s a win-win situation. We have also set up on the roof, have areas on the compound ready for when the fuckers turn up.” Dime rubs his hands together and gives such an eager grin that I can’t help but chuckle at his antics.

“If any of you have a problem or want to discuss something come to me. I am here as your president, and I don’t give a shit you are working prospects because all prospects are potential brothers and we’ve only ever had one rotten apple that I remember. Now, fuck off and have some time out before Monday rolls around again.” I watch as they leave the office, each one giving me a nod of respect before walking out the door.

“Good bunch of potential brothers we have there, Pres,” Cap says, and I give him my attention. “We’ve never had so many prospects and never had working prospects before. It looks like it could work out well. It won’t be long before Ian needs patched in. He’s working most hours at the gas station now, and from what Truck tells me he’s working well in all aspects of the station.”

Rides frowns, “What do you mean aspects?”

“I mean he’s working in the office with Rum when needed, in the front keeping the pumps clean, the yard tidy, and running off kids that want to cause trouble. He’s working in the store area these last few days and being shown how to use the register, serve customers, even shit ones that try to cause trouble,” Cap fills him in, and gives me a roll of the eyes as he does so.

“So, what’s Truck doing?” Rides asks and Cap sighs loudly.

“Okay, let’s roll out. I’ve got to get back to my office and make a call.” I don’t wait for the two of them because they can be slow at times and I have a lot still to do before supper.

Picking up my phone as I settle behind my desk, I find the contact for Trace. I quickly press call and lean back in my seat.

“Tracker?” Trace quickly asks as he picks up my call.

“Trace. Just checking if you have more information? I’ve heard they are ready to move towards Kansas.”

“My contacts are saying you have three days grace before they get to you. They have around forty men now. I’m closing the diner for now. Vanessa has had some threats thanks to Miri’s fucking stepsister, and I’ve told her she can’t stay open if she wants to keep Zack safe.”

Rubbing the back of my neck, I think for only a moment before I make an offer. “Why don’t you come here? Sell the place, come here and we’ll set up a diner in the name of the club on the opposite side of town to the diner we have here now?”