Page 5

T he clubhouse is exactly how Casper described it to me: an old hotel converted into a clubhouse in a part of town reserved for blue-collar workers.

There are a few garages around it, plus some townhouses.

Not necessarily a place a clubhouse usually is.

We can be noisy, so clubs usually aim for places away from crowds to avoid noise complaints.

“Pretty crowded,” I say as the four of us get off our bikes.

I also note that the place isn’t that secure.

There’s not even a gate around the property.

I get that not every sister club has the same enemies as the mother chapter, but security is important.

Not only will I be cleaning house, but I’ll make a few updates as well.

“Yeah, but everyone keeps to themselves. Club’s been here long enough, and these places built around it,” Lucky says as he looks over the area.

“Club properties?” Would make sense to get some steady income coming in.

“Some,” Rooster says with a nod. “The garage next to us and the strip mall across the street at the corner are the club’s. The president before Bane had a head for property investment. Saw a way to make bank as a landlord.”

“They have much turnover?”

“Same as anywhere else. Food joints don’t last long around here, but tattoo parlors, liquor stores, even a yoga studio do all right. ”

Lucky’s mention of a tattoo parlor has my fingers twitching to get a tattoo gun back in my hands soon.

I did a full back piece less than a week ago.

Some might think I would want out of the chair after eight hours, but it just reinvigorates me to do more.

Might end up tattooing another patch on myself tonight if I can’t find a willing victim.

And that’s the best part of club life. You can always find a brother who’s wanting more ink.

Probably why I don’t have as much on me as people think I should have.

I’m so busy tattooing my brothers, I don’t have time to work on my own.

Then again, when you look as good as I do, why add color?

I smirk at my own thoughts as I shake my head and go inside.

The place is decent on the inside. Windows bring in a lot of light.

For a place that deals with having winters, no doubt not changing the windows out for solid walls is better for sanity issues.

I read once that winter is the most depressing time since the sun is hard to see when we stay inside to keep warm.

It’s one long rectangle but twice the size I expected from looking at the outside.

The bar is a decent size, wrapping around even with tables in front of it.

To the left and across is an outdoor patio, with couches and some pool tables before you get to it.

I take a walk and notice a kitchen behind the bar that’s stocked, plus another set of tables for dining.

The gym is basic, but at least they have one on-site.

The conference room has been converted into the club’s sacred room for Church.

A few brothers can fit in here, maybe everyone if we’re standing on top of one another .

But I don’t want that. I want them to come out of their rooms in a good mood, their guard down. Just come say hi. Then I want to shake things up and watch everything topple like a row of dominos.

“All right, gents. Let’s wake everyone up.”

Lucky grins while Rooster goes to the wall and pulls the fire alarm. As the alarm blares, he leans against the wall and takes a cigarette out to light. I’m tempted to ask for one.

“Not exactly what I had in mind,” I say as I shove my hands into my pockets to keep from reaching out and taking his cigarette.

Mickey answers for his man. “But effective.”

As he speaks, the elevator at the back opens, and brothers come out along with club vamps and whoever was sleeping over.

A few more brothers come into the common area from the stairs.

They’re all looking around, but not a one moves to the door to leave.

This must be a thing they’ve dealt with before.

As I note every brother who walks in, I see Bane pulling up the rear before he pushes through and flips the alarm once more to turn it off. Never thought that was how it was turned off before, and I still don’t think it is. Must be a club thing. Effective for sure.

“Morning,” Bane says as he looks around at his crew.

He’s taller than I expected. Wider too. He’s got the bulk, but his eyes still have bags under them, showing he ain’t sleeping so well.

Be it guilt or still recovering from almost dying, it ain’t a look I’d aim for.

He’s got way more gray in his beard than most brothers, but he keeps it styled in an almost square shape.

If he’s anything like General back home, he even has one of those beard straighteners.

Bet Mickey does, too, for his crop at his chin.

No way you can get a beard to lie flat like that if you don’t.

I never grow much facial hair; it just itches too much.

But when I have to go weeks without shaving, I always have parts that curl up and shit.

Looking at the rest of the crew, I see most of them have some type of facial hair. Typical for a biker. At least everyone’s dressed, even the vamps. Sure, they look tired, but it’s early. Bikers aren’t known to be early risers.

“Brothers, we’ve got a new guest.” Bane takes the reins and starts it off. He must know what’s about to come. I even think I see relief in his eyes. If I were him, that’s what I’d be feeling. Relief that shit is finally going to get worked out, and I don’t have to worry about when it’ll happen.

If I did something wrong. Which I didn’t, and won’t. I know a good thing when I have? it, and I’m not about to fuck it up. And being a chapter president—hell, being in the Hounds of the Reaper MC at all—is one of the most rewarding things a man can get in life.

Ask anyone. Well, ask my friends, who are all bikers and think like me. Outside of that, I’m sure you’d get a different response.

I lock eyes with Lucky, Rooster, and then Mickey and give a single nod to each. They don’t respond, but they move into positions to get the best view of the crew before us. We might not catch everyone right away, but we’ll notice things. Big things I’m sure.

“This here is Domino.” Bane gestures to where I stand. “Treasurer of the mother chapter out of Kansas.”

“He going to do our taxes?” a voice pipes up, and the boys around him chuckle. Even Bane smiles a bit .

“He’s here to help.” The boys settle as Bane looks from one side to the other around him.

He’s standing in the middle of the group with me just off to the side, the wall behind me.

“This club’s had some loss recently. We haven’t been the same since.

I ain’t going to sugarcoat it, boys. The club’s fucked up. ”

“Uh, boss?” A guy steps forward into the middle.

Younger than Bane, about my age. He’s got some tats and looks more like a ladies’ man than a biker to me, but his scowl speaks to rage behind the pretty face.

I glance at his vest and see the name Grim.

Not something we give to just anyone. It connects them to the Grim Reaper, a figurehead the club holds in high standards.

We deem ourselves the dogs that do his bidding. “You want the vamps to hear all this?”

I cast my eyes to Mickey, and he gives me a chin lift.

Bane catches the movement, and so does Grim.

His jaw twitches, and I respect the fact that he’s holding in his anger.

He doesn’t like what’s being said. Not sure if he’s in on it, but the threat to his president is clear.

I get it. And the kid is moving in close to protect the man he pledged to.

It’s subtle, but the way he steps close is admirable.

He’s just using the vamps as an excuse to move.

Bane looks at me, and I fold my arms as I lean back against the wall. This isn’t how I wanted it to go, but it might be the better option. “Remove them.”

I say it quietlike, though it’s not a secret. But the fact that I speak and Bane nods speaks volumes. The boss is taking orders from me. The entire group stiffens as they finally understand what’s going on.

“Vamps.” Bane speaks loud for all to hear. “You got ten minutes to get your shit and get out. ”

“For how long?” a mouthy redhead says with a hand on her hip. She’s hardly dressed, and most of her is on display. Never found that hot. I’d rather leave some things to the imagination. Where’s the fun in the chase if you already see what’s under the wrapping?

“Till we ask you back.” I don’t smile. I don’t raise my voice. It’s plain and simple, but effective, as most of the girls are already making their way to the back to go up to the rooms.

The redhead takes a beat, holding my stare in a challenge. Not a good idea. Finally, she looks away and sashays her ass to the back.

This time I do raise my voice. Just loud enough for her not to mistake my words. “But I wouldn’t wait for our call.”

Not saying that vamp or any of the other club girls are in on what happened, but maybe some fresh pussy would be good for the boys.

After they work for it for a bit. Each one is going to be put through the wringer.

Whether they like it or not, they’re all going to be fucking prospects again.

Not that I’ll say it out loud. They just have to re-earn the right to wear the leather on them.