CHAPTER THREE
-:- CORK -:-
Hammering on the wine shops back door wakes me up.
Glancing at the clock, I see it is only nine o’clock on a Sunday morning, for heaven’s sake.
If this is one of the brothers’ idea of a joke, it’s not funny.
I roll out of bed and throw on my jeans and tee shirt making my way to the door as I dress.
Before I get there, the door bursts open and Ava rushes in.
“I’m so sorry, Cork. I was supposed to get here before the workmen arrived so you were not disturbed.” Ava looks mortified that she has me out of my sick bed.
“Don’t worry, Ava, I was due to be up now anyway.” I lie to try to make her feel better, but I know she can see right through me.
“You’re such a sweetie, Cork, but you couldn’t lie well even if your life depended on it.
I’m told they’ll be done in six hours with no unforeseen issues.
Then it’s just the security that will need beefing up tomorrow, and we’ll be as good as new, though hopefully better.
Coffee?” She walks past me into the kitchen and starts making coffee.
“I may have to get rid of this apartment and find somewhere a little less occupied.” I turn back to my room and head for the shower.
Ten minutes later I feel almost human again. Sitting at the table, I watch Ava as she works on her laptop, frowning as she does.
“You know what, Cork? I can’t be one hundred percent certain because of all the damage from that robbery, but I am as sure as I can be, they only stole the Barons Bordeaux.
How strange is that? It’s not even our most expensive item.
” Ava takes her mug in two hands and sips at her coffee, looking at me over her laptop.
“They can’t expect to sell it at any great profit, and to be honest, it’s well known locally that we brew it and sell it. Are you sure of your theory?” Why would someone go to all that trouble for a few bottles of Meat’s jungle juice?
“I matched the cases damaged when they burst through the door to the empty space in the racking. They never got into the lock-up yet they emptied the shop of all the Barons on sale. I think that was the type of bottle that you got hit with too. They are some of the heaviest and sturdiest bottles we have.” Ava gives me an apologetic look as though she was the one that hit me.
“I’ll be going over to the clubhouse shortly, so I’ll mention that to Axel.
I don’t know if it’s of any significance but I know one thing, Meat will be interested in that snippet of information.
If someone is going after his creation either for free consumption, or to sell it on at a profit, he won’t be happy.
” Rubbing my hands together, I can’t wait to see his reaction.
“One question for you, Ava. How did you get that guy out here so fast yesterday for a quote, and then have his team working on a Sunday?”
“Everyone thinks of me as sweet little Ava, butter wouldn’t melt and all that, but I grew up in a family of eleven kids and I was the middle kid.
I had to fight for it all. I had five older brothers, and wearing their hand-me-downs was never an option I gave my mother and father.
Younger than me were four sisters and another brother.
They wanted my stuff as soon as I got it.
Being the middle kid taught me not just how to get things, but how to hold on to them, too.
Believe me, Cork, when I say I want something I generally get it.
” Her wistful smile tells me that although it may have been tough, she loves her family.
“How about your family, Cork? Any siblings?”
“No siblings, no, and no parents who gave a damn, either. Sorry, Ava, but that’s it for my family backstory but don’t worry though, you don’t miss what you never had.
Anyway, how about you show me exactly what we’re having done at the shop?
A good dose of talking about work is just what the doctor ordered.
” Giving her a wink, I head towards the door, open it and wait for her to pass through before following her down the stairs.
Those guys have been here for an hour and made three hours' worth of mess.
The old door and frame are out, and it looks as though the new frame is ready to go in.
The man I assume to be the supervisor walks over and speaks to Ava.
He obviously recognizes authority when he sees it, I think to myself.
“We’re making excellent time, Miss Ava. The building is far more solid than most around that age.
A lot of the preparation work we usually have to do isn’t necessary.
We’ll be able to knock off quite a piece of our original quote.
” He looks pleased with himself, even though he’s doing their company out of money.
“The bonus will still be reflected by the original quote. I’m not skimming your bonuses after you’ve outperformed yourselves.
You let them know that I keep my word.” Ava gives him a dazzling smile, and it’s a wonder he doesn’t throw himself at her feet, he looks so besotted with her.
As he walks away, I don’t think his feet touch the ground.
“Don’t think for one minute, Miss Ava, you’ll ever have that power over me. Uh, uh.” Smiling at her I see a look I don’t like. Damn. She’s pulled one over on me already.
“Oh, Mr. Cork. I wouldn’t dream of such a thing. Although I was grateful that time…”
“You just shush right there. I don’t want to know if, when, or how many times you’ve…just shush, alright! I’m heading out to the clubhouse. I’ll get back before you leave so I can tell you what a wonderful job you’ve done getting this work completed in record time.”
“Why, I’ll just be waiting here for you, all goose pimply and southern belle like.” She says that with such a Southern accent I can’t help but burst out laughing.
-:- DALLAS -:-
I had to forgo my lovely hot bath and settle for a cold invigorating shower instead.
I’ve had a larger breakfast than normal, and it’s sitting heavily.
I’ve been toying with the idea of taking a good run and helping it settle before we start this training, whatever it is.
It’s apparently to help the women in the club, so I hope it isn’t leotards and yoga with alpacas or goats or something. Sheesh.
Arriving at the clubhouse in my truck, I sit and wait.
There is an enormous metal gate but no one manning it.
A voice crackles from the wall to my right.
“Come in, Dallas. They’re warming up already at the back of the clubhouse.
” The gate slides open almost silently, and I drive into the compound.
Locking up the truck, I jog around the side of the building and am met with cheers and some comments about being late.
A woman approaches and her smile is totally infectious. “Dallas, welcome! I’m Mia, Axel's wife, or Ol’ Lady. It’s lovely to meet you, Knuckles said that he had invited you to join us for our Sunday romp.” Taking my arm she walks towards where all the women have congregated.
“If that’s an invitation from Knuckles, I dread to think what it’s going to be like when he orders me to do something!” Looking around, I don’t see him present. If he doesn’t show up…
“Are you ready for this? It’s tough on everyone for the first few weeks, but don’t worry. We’ve all been through it and we’ll support you whenever it’s needed.” Mia walks me into the middle of the group and starts throwing names at me.
This is a bunch of good-looking women, so I sigh and think to myself, ‘Where are the damn alpacas?’ Looking around the group, there are some fit-looking women, but I’m drawn to two little ones who are chatting away happily.
If it comes to hand-to-hand combat, I’ll play it crafty and take on one of those two.
I have a height and reach advantage that will prove useful, as I don’t want to look a fool even if it is my first time here.
Some enormous man dressed in a beaver hat, fur shorts and carrying a spear shouts that it’s time for our warm-up run.
Once he has everyone’s attention, he takes off like a gazelle and from out of nowhere, a similarly dressed woman joins him.
She does have a fur bra on with her ensemble, I’m glad to say.
Only thirty seconds into the run and I’m in last place. Goddamn it, I’m better than this, I think to myself. Just as I’m going to put on a sprint and gain a few places, one of the little women drops into pace beside me.
“Hi, Dallas. I know you won’t remember names for a couple of weeks, so don’t worry.
I’m Raven. I can run with you if you’d like.
First week is always daunting. By week four, I’ll bet you know everyone and your competitive spirit will be screaming at you to win everything.
” She isn’t out of breath one iota, and I’m thinking I may be glad that I haven’t gotten in the ring with her, so to speak.
I try to subtly move up the pack, but there’s no fooling Raven. She notices the speed picking up and whispers, “C’mon Dallas. Let’s show them what we’re made of.”
She takes off like a greyhound, and I take a few strides to get into pace with her.
The women bunch up with us and then we’re amongst the men.
It’s quite clear that the men see this as all a bit of fun, until four of us women are certainly gaining an advantage in distance.
Catching up to the costumed pair, the male looks at each of the women around him and gives each a nod, or a chin lift.
When men start to overtake us, we just stay in pace and let them run off.
Seeing the men running ahead doesn’t sit well with furry man, and he looks to his partner who seems to ignore him.
As the men get further ahead, furry man grunts to his woman and if I didn’t know better, I’d think he was pleading with her.
Raising her finger to a cheek, she gets a quick kiss from him, then he gives a loud grunt that seems to say thank you, and she yells, "First place and you get to choose".
What he gets to choose I have no idea, but he obviously does because he’s through the pack in seconds and bearing down on the front runners like a cheetah after a meal.
“That’s my Meat!” the furry woman mutters and positively glows with pride.
I have no idea what to say to that or what it even means. We’re nearing the finish line now, and Raven pokes me with her elbow with a nod and wink to go with it. That’s enough for me and we take off with everything we have left.
We manage to pass a couple of the men, but they just shake their heads and speed up. Twenty yards from the finish and two women, one with jet black hair the other with red, fly by Raven and I as though we are standing still.
Having passed the finish line we slow down and catch our breath.
“The one with black hair is Winter, the other is Kya. Competitive does not describe those two. If you want to know how to win anything with a weapon, Winter is your go-to-gal. I swear she can hit any target, at any distance, with any weapon. She teaches at the shooting range with Target, her man.”
“Target? She knew what she wanted in a man then?” I laugh at the coincidence in his name.
“We’re being summoned to the arena. You don’t get much time to draw breath on a Sunday morning.” Raven laughs as I roll my eyes.
Knuckles has appeared from somewhere after all.
There he stands all tall and tattooed, pierced and manly.
He’s a good-looking guy but so not my type.
I’ve heard the stories at work about him and his woman, Jo.
She doesn’t look big enough to take that on in the bedroom, but apparently it doesn’t have to be the bedroom, or even in the dang house.
I don’t know whether to believe the stories or not.
“DALLAS! WAKE UP! You’re up with Cora. You attack, she defends. Move it,” Knuckles states.
Ooops. Got myself caught woolgathering there.
Stepping up, I glance around for my opponent and then remember I don’t remember most of their names.
Seeing someone warming up I almost shout for joy.
She’s one of the smaller women I saw earlier.
YES! At least even if I lose it will be fifty-fifty.
Nip in… Grab her… Feet off the ground… Job done.
We step up, and she introduces herself, and we touch hands.
Shooting forward, I go to grab her, but she’s not there!
OOOF! I’m on my back looking up at the sky and have no breath in my lungs.
Seeing a helping hand, I take it and feel myself almost lifted to my feet.
My boxing days didn’t prepare me for this type of fighting.
Standing for a moment, I think I’ll try another tactic.
Circling to the left, I rush to my right side and find nothing!
Something sweeps my feet from under me, and there’s the sky once again.
Jumping to my feet before the humiliating helping hand hauls me upright, I take stock of this little whirlwind in front of me.
She reminds me of a calf we had on the ranch once.
He was a feisty little fucker. He didn’t like being roped one bit and was as skittish as can be.
Holding my hands out in front of me, I ask for a short recess. Running to my truck I grab one of the lassos that’s always handy on the truck bed. Running back to the arena, I smile at her. “Okay, now we’ve done it your way, let’s play my way.”
Shaking out a small loop, I start to whirl it gently while moving to her left again. My taking a sudden step forward has her backpedal. WowWee, that suits me fine. My loop shoots out, and five seconds later, she’s hogtied just like a dogie for branding.
Untying her and helping her up, I offer no apology. She has far superior skills when it comes to hand-to-hand combat, so I figured I just leveled the playing field a bit.
“That’s a nice move you have with that rope. You should take it on patrol with you.” Laughing, she brushes herself down.
“That ain’t a bad idea, Cora.” I think she has a point there.
“I’ll tell you what, Dallas. You show me how to do that rope stuff, and I’ll help you with my combat stuff. How does that sound?” Cora looks up at me, and damned if I don’t believe I just made a new friend.