CHAPTER 14
Shar
Sitting with Zara in her bedroom, I talk her through what she will need license-wise for the business, and all the intricacies that would be involved. The plan starts to take shape, but Zara is more worried about who would manage the salon, who would be the second stylist and could she trust them to run the place as it should be.
“You have to put some trust in place, Zara. We both know shit could go down, but you have an MC full of brothers behind you that would make sure nothing happened to you or the business. Can you imagine the drama that would go down if anything untoward happened?”
Zara gives me a tiny smile, which really only lifts her lips slightly, “Yeah, and you know Dad is closer with me now. We do a lot together and he’s home more now. I don’t live at the house much, but if I go home, so does Dad.”
“He seems much better than he used to be, well, from what Mia has told me. I’m really pleased to hear that you and he have a good relationship now.”
I run my hand down her forearm, before giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
“Dad is better than he used to be. I didn’t like him when he was with the witch. What happened with Mia will always make me feel guilty. I should have spoken up…”
“Zara, stop. Mia has left that part of her life behind, and you have to, as well. You know she doesn’t hold it against you anymore. She’s more than happy that you are both in touch and she calls you Auntie Zara to her kids. Stop beating yourself up, learn from it, move on, be a better person.”
Nodding at me, Zara turns back to the paperwork, but I don’t miss she has watery eyes. “We need to get this finished, Shar, so we can give it to Uncle Sharp.”
I grin at the Uncle Sharp comment, because I just can’t see him in that light. He’s a rough, tough biker, and being a gentle uncle just blows my mind.
We get our heads down and finish the plan, give each other a high-five and rush to clear the desk where we have been working. This is a good plan, and with the information Bank and Zip supplied, it’s a solid plan that should bring profit to Zara and the club members.
“Why don’t you take this to Sharp and talk him through it? It will be good business practice for you.”
“Okay, but if I get stuck, will you come?”
Zara gives me a pleading look, and I nod to reassure her I will. “Thank you, Shar.”
“You are welcome. Now, off you go, and get this done.”
I collect my laundry together in my room, tidy the ensuite and get ready to go down to the utility room where the washing machines and tumble dryers are. A knock on the door has me dropping the laundry basket and opening the door.
“Sharp wants you in the office,”
Brawl says and turns to walk away, before noticing my laundry basket. Pushing past me gently, he grabs the basket and walks away with me trotting behind him after I lock my bedroom door. “You go to Sharp and I’ll get Lira to do this for you.”
“Okay, but I don’t want the club women to touch my stuff,”
I tell him with more than a little force in my tone.
Walking into Sharp’s office after knocking, I smile at Zara, who looks excited. She’s beaming, in fact. “Take a seat, Shar,”
Sharp says but keeps his head down, looking at the paperwork we supplied. The plan is a good one, and the financial information that Bank provided holds up.
I take a seat and wait, because I’m not even sure why I was called here. Zara takes the seat next to mine and gives me another huge smile. This has to be a good sign that the plan is holding up under inspection.
Placing the paperwork down, Sharp looks at Zara, and then at me. “The plan is good. I’m happy to put it to the brothers. But, you will need to find a woman that can manage and be trusted with the place. She needs to be able to do everything required, but be able to get you through all you need to get qualified.”
Without giving either of us a chance to speak, Sharp continues, “First we get the place purchased, get it cleaned out and ready to go. We need a name that suits, but the club logo will be situated on the window and the sign above. It doesn’t have to be large, it just needs to be visible, as that is the guarantee that the place is off limits to any assholes who want to cause problems.”
Zara nods. “Yes, that’s a good move. I’m okay with doing that. You know I love the club and am more than happy that people know I’m associated with it.”
Nodding in return, you can see the pride Sharp has for Zara, and it chokes me a little, watching it. “I’ll make sure I’m involved, Uncle Sharp. I’ll work with Bank, Zip and Pen.”
“I’ll help where I can. But remember, I’ll be leaving. I don’t mind staying a little extra to make sure you are set up, Zara, but I want to move along. I have places to go, things to see.”
I am not going to put my plans on hold for long. I paid my dues to society, as they say, even though I should never have been in prison. But I’m not going to dwell on that. It’s the past and it can stay in the past where it belongs.
It doesn’t take long for us to get things moving in the office, and Zara takes the plan with her to speak with Bank. They need it on paper for the next church meeting so the brothers can have a vote. I don’t think there will be a problem with the business happening, as Gunner will buy it outright if the club votes it down. Either way, Zara will get the salon.
Two hours later, I walk into Dance Mecca with Sharp, Trip, Crack, Brawl and Atlas. It was great to see them all on their hogs, I have to admit, and I would have loved to have jumped on the back of one, but that’s for their women only. I drove my SUV and enjoyed the music playing on the radio.
Stopping to watch the woman training the strippers on the pole is amusing. Jasmine is hanging upside down, but it’s not elegant in any way. She has one leg wrapped around the pole, which she is hugging to herself as though her life depends on it. When she slips down the pole, bangs her head on the floor, and her legs drop with her knees hitting the floor hard, I turn to Brawl, who is standing next to me. “That had to hurt,”
I state, which has him chuckling.
“You think one of the others will be any better, because I’d not pay a dime to watch Jasmine on that pole,”
Atlas states as he folds his arms over his chest.
Crack laughs, “I fuckin’ hope so, because you’re right, Jasmine is hopeless at this.”
Turning, I look at Sharp. “I’m going to see where Fantasia is because she’s supposed to be here with all the other women.”
I’m surprised when Sharp follows me through to the changing rooms, but I’m more surprised to see Fantasia stuffing a blue sequined top into her large purse. “What are you doing with Vixen’s costume?” I blurt.
“Um, I’m borrowing it.”
Fantasia is not good at covering what she’s up to as she is shuffling her feet and trying her best not to look at me or Sharp.
Sharp isn’t slow on the uptake and shouts over his shoulder, “TRIP, ASK VIXEN IF SHE IS GIVING HER BLUE OUTFIT TO FANTASIA.”
“Oh, I’ll leave it here for her,”
Fantasia states as she throws down the costume onto Vixen’s makeup station.
“No, she didn’t, Pres,”
Trip states as he stands behind Sharp.
Now, I’m ready to throw down some attitude before I get rid of this thieving bitch, but Sharp gets to it first.
“Get your gear and get the fuck out. You don’t work here anymore, you are not welcome here anymore, you come near any of the club businesses and you’ll be dealing with me…personally.”
Sharp is right in her face, but what is making this so frightening is the fact he hasn’t raised his voice.
“Please, I need this job.”
Fantasia rushes to Sharp, and right before she touches him, Trip steps around and blocks her path.
“I suggest you quickly get your things and leave. When the President of the MC tells you to leave, I suggest you do, and quickly,”
I am trying to save her getting into any more shit, but from the look on her face, she is not going to go easily.
“I need this job…”
Before she can continue, Trip grabs her around the back of her neck and frog marches her out of the dressing room. I jump out of the way as he passes, but her screeching is ear-splitting.
I rush out of the dressing room and to the women who are still practicing. “Can someone come and pack all of Fantasia’s things, please? She has been dismissed and removed from the property for stealing. Vixen, was your blue costume left lying around?”
Vixen quickly walks over to me, “No, Shar, I had it in my costume bag because I was taking it to the lady that makes my costumes. It has a small tear, and I wanted it fixed before it got worse.”
“Well, Fantasia was stealing it. We caught her red-handed, putting it into her purse. She won’t be coming back, so you’ll all have some extra hours if you want them?”
I get head nods that they are happy with a few extra hours. I pat Vixen’s shoulder as I pass her and head back to where I’m going to take Sharp to check out the apartment.
“You know, Shar, you could stay here with me and we’ll have a beer while the brothers check out the apartment.”
Crack grins at me, and I reckon something is going on with all these brothers, but I can’t put my finger on it just now.
“Okay. I’m up for a drink, but not beer because I never have alcohol and drive. I know Chuck is on the bar and he’ll make a great lemon and lime soda.”
I don’t wait for Crack to follow. I make my way to the bar, order my drink, and perch on a bar stool.
I notice Crack doesn’t actually have a beer, he has a bottle of water. Which takes me by surprise somewhat. But I think about the brothers at the Raging Barons MC and know they never drink and get on their hogs. “So, what’s going on with all of you?”
I ask, and Crack frowns as he looks at me.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, most of you here with us are officers. Brawl is sitting watching the women practice, while Atlas is stalking around the place.”
I swivel around in my seat and stare right into Crack's eyes.
“When Pres is out of the clubhouse, he always has officers to cover his back. He doesn’t like it, but it’s how it’s got to be. You thinking something sinister is going on?”
“No, but I didn’t realize you all followed Sharp around. Axel doesn’t do that, he just goes wherever he wants, when he wants. But I know that Drag is always one step behind, much to Axel’s annoyance.”
I grin to myself because I’ve seen Axel sneak out and Drag be pissed that he’s disappeared.
Before the conversation can continue Sharp and Trip walk over to us, and I can see a frown on Sharp’s face. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s going to take some cash to fix up. I reckon it needs gutting. Take everything out, strip it down to bare bones, then refit everything. That way it’ll last for years, and if anyone fucks it up they can replace shit,”
Sharp grins when he adds the last, obviously just thinking of that as he was speaking.
“I think it’s an excellent investment, and will benefit whoever you put in as manager. I honestly would not lease it because that would bring its own set of problems.”
I turn and hand my glass back to Chuck, who gives me a wink and a grin.
“Come on, let’s get back to the clubhouse. I’m going to have to call church and put this all down for the brothers to vote on. I am waiting for reports on the hardware-come-tech store, too.”
Sharp walks away and I watch him leave with Trip, Brawl and Atlas rushing to keep up.
Turning, I walk over to the woman who is teaching the pole dancing. “How are things going?” I ask.
“You know, I think three have genuine talent, the others will take more teaching.”
She gives me a look that says if they ever come up to scratch.
“Stella, how do you feel about doing two afternoons a week running lessons for women that want exercise or just fun to get away from their boring lives?”
Stella gives me a serious look before responding. “I would do that, but it would only be viable for me on Monday and Thursday. I have to work at my other job on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. I work Saturday too most weeks.”
“What other job do you do?”
“I manage a run-down bar three towns over, but I’m looking for something better. I moved here nine months ago, and it was all I could find at that time. But the place is a dive and not going to get better anytime soon.”
Stella sighs and I can tell she’s fed up with her situation.
“Let me speak to the Pres, and then I’ll give you a call, Stella. We can set something up.”
“Okay, thank you, Shar. I’ll get these ladies finished, then get out of here.”
Giving me a bright smile as she turns back to the idiot on the pole. I don’t think Electra is going to be much good at this!
I have an idea that I want to run past Sharp, and if he likes it, then both the strip club and Stella will be set up.