Chapter 3
Vex
“Do any of you know how to use a computer?” Dex yells out from the room he’s chosen as his office. It’s been a week and while things are slowly getting set up, we’re still a long way from DRMC standards.
“Depends how well you want it used,” Saint calls from his position on top of the bar Flack and Chef built.
It would seem that a clubhouse is not a clubhouse without a bar, even though we all agreed that we will take any parties off site.
With families and survivors here at the Keep, it didn’t seem right to have a full working bar, club whores and strippers.
Instead, we’ll use it for a drink here or there, and a place to prop up Flack in the evening.
The thumping of Dex’s footsteps get closer until he’s standing in the hall, hands on hips. “We need security, especially for our guests. I have no idea how the hell you’ve been managing this place without it.”
“Well, we have security cameras out the ass,” Saint says, securing the light shade above the bar before jumping down, his long hair floating out behind him.
Since we prospected we all have taken lengths to look less similar. Mainly because Rider would constantly get us mixed up and we got sick of taking shit from the Nipless Wonder.
“Yeah, but how do we know who we are rescuing is legit?”
“I can answer that one,” Justice butts in.
He was a few years younger than us growing up, but we all got along and I was over the moon when I found out he was one of the people helping my sister.
He dealt with the young men banished from the Keep.
Loyal dealt with the women needing to leave.
Since Blanche got rid of Eden’s Keep as we knew it, Justice has been helping Loyal run what was left in its wake.
“Loyal still uses Blanche and her networks to screen them before we rescue them. It’s the only way to be safe. ”
Dex stares at Justice for a long moment. “You grew up here, right?”
“Yes, sir, same as the Landrys and Loyal.”
“You wanna join the MC?”
Justice stiffens a moment, eyes wide. “You mean, join you guys?”
“Yeah. Get you a bike, you can prospect in. Don’t get me wrong, you’ll be given shit jobs for the first six months or so, but by the end of it you’ll have a patch on your back and a brotherhood.”
“I-, um yeah, I’d be honored.” Justice rushes forward to shake Dex’s hand.
“Good. Welcome to the club, prospect. Now, what do you know about computers?”
Flack snorts behind me and I try to hide the smile on my face. Don’t get me wrong, I had an idea Dex would make a great Prez and I’m damn well glad that Marx made the decision because he’s turning this chapter into something great. I can feel it.
When my brothers and I went to Marx about starting a chapter here in Louisiana, I never thought about any of the logistics or hard shit.
It was mainly about wanting to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.
Brotherhood, family, that kind of thing.
Thinking about it we were pre-programmed from the start to want this sort of connection to a higher power.
Although in our case it seems to be a group of people that sometimes do bad things for the good of others.
“Yo, Vex, there’s a big blonde bastard outside wanting to talk to you,” TumTum yells into the open doorway.
I shrug at my brothers when they look at me with raised brows, but head out anyway.
“Down by the gate, brother. Didn’t want to let him in, especially with Greer playing on the swingset.”
I nod at him and how protective he is of the people we have here. Making my way down the short drive, I come to the gate, the big blond guy from the bait shop standing on the other side.
“Hey, man,” he calls out, waving.
I give a noncommittal wave, because, while I don’t think he’s dangerous, the guy is a lot friendlier than I’m used to. That could be a Keep thing though. No matter how long you’re out of the lifestyle, there’s still a level of suspicion that me and my family can never seem to shake.
“Yo, what can I do for you?”
He gets comfortable, leaning on the gate post, leg crossed over the other. “I was talkin’ to my mama, she’s gettin on now. Told her that new MC come nosin’ round the bait shop, and she wants to know if you’re fixin’ to grab yourself another spot or two down on Main.”
My brows raise at the information. “You didn’t mention any other businesses when we saw you yesterday.”
He shrugs a big ass shoulder, “Had to see if y’all were for real.
You look like good folks to me, so I ain’t worried none.
” I snort at that. “And Mama’s tired of keepin’ up with Gramps’s businesses.
Says she wants to start enjoyin’ her retirement before she’s too old to water ski or some fool thing like that. ”
I stare at him for a moment wondering if he’s finished. “I’d have to check with my Prez, but what is your mom thinking?”
“She wants out of the BBQ Shack. Place did real well till Earl, the pit man with them crazy good ribs, went and gave himself the black lung. Oh, and there’s that sorry-lookin dive bar sittin’ on the marina behind the bait shop if you need a drink or somethin’ to keep you busy.
” He gives me a sleazy wink. “Anyway, I just come by to let y’all know.
Woulda called, but I ain’t got none of your numbers.
” He salutes, then turns to leave, throwing a wave over his shoulder.
I watch him walk away. He’s odd, no doubt about it, but he also seems like the kind of guy you want to know. He’s the type that knows everything, everyone, and where to source things. Both legal and illegal. Shaking my head I make my way back into the clubhouse.
“Yo Prez, I got a bead on a couple of businesses that may be worth looking at.”
Dex stands in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest. Unlike Marx, who is built like the biggest brick shithouse around, Dex is leaner but no less imposing.
“What have you got?”
“The bait shop grandson? Turns out the grandfather owns a shit ton of stuff that got lumped on the daughter. We’re here and keen and she wants to get rid of a BBQ shack and a dive bar.”
Prez runs a hand down his beard, and I don’t miss a couple of the brothers perking up at the thought of a bar. With us housing survivors we can’t be bringing strange back here, but that doesn’t mean we can’t own a place where we can hook up if we want.
He nods, sharing a look with Sniper who doesn’t give a thing away. “TumTum! What are you like at BBQ-ing?”
“My grandmomma owned the first and only female run smokehouse back in my hometown. Spent my childhood there when my mom walked out on my dad,” TumTum says nonchalantly as we stare at him.
“What the fuck, man?” Chef grumbles.
“What?” TumTum asks in confusion.
“We prospected together, how come I don’t know any of this shit about you?”
“You didn’t-”
TumTum is interrupted by Chef’s loud, long groan. I bite my lips to not laugh out loud. TumTum was just the quiet guy on the DRMC gate that took a bullet to the gut. Quiet, unassuming. Turns out the kid has a lot more up his sleeve than anyone ever expected.
“Justice and the Landrys, how popular are these businesses?” Prez barks, getting the attention of me and my brothers.
“Well, I can’t speak for the bar, but the shack was an institution in Adonner until Earl up and died,” Justice says.
“And the bar is the exact type of place we need. Loose women, flowing liquor and some pretty damn good live music,” Saint adds.
“So turns a good profit?”
“That and it’s on the waterfront in a straight shot from here. We want to collect anyone or send anyone away without having eyes on them? Exchanges can all be done from the bar during daylight hours.”
“Easier than getting them to some of the other contact points.” Omen adds.
“Sniper, contact the grandson again. I want you and Vex with me when we ride out, get more eyes on these places. Could be exactly what we’re looking for.” Sniper nods at Prez then moves silently down the hall, presumably to his own office.
The Keep is now a place of healing, I can only hope it works for him. I have a feeling Judge’s Ol Lady Kaia did him a huge favor by getting rid of his brother, but still. That shit has gotta hurt.
“Hi, um, I’m not interrupting anything, am I?” Loyal’s husky voice calls out from the doorway, hands clasped in front of her.
“Not at all, sweetheart, follow me,” Dex tips his head toward his office and I have to clamp my jaw shut so as to not offer to join them.
“Brother, you better take a breath, Maybe go for a walk or something. Shit, you looked like you were going to fight Prez when he asked Loyal to follow him.” Saint smirks, smug asshole.
“I just worry about her.”
Omen gives me a look that screams I’m a fucking idiot but you know what? I don’t care. I’ve spent six months gaining my patch so I could get back and start my life here, at the Keep, and I want Loyal to be part of that life. In any capacity she is willing.
Loyal
I think I’m going to have a heart attack. Air is choking me, burning my lungs as I pant, desperately trying to calm myself.
“Hey, you’re all good. Take a deep breath, sweetheart.”
I focus on Prez’s deep voice and breathe along with him, my heart rate beginning to settle slightly.
“Are you OK? Do you need me to grab someone? Justice or Vex?”
I shake my head vigorously, close my eyes for a moment and repeat under my breath, “You’re safe, this is the Prez’s office now, no one will hurt you.”
“Damn fucking straight no one will hurt you,” Dex growls and I give him a grateful smile for bringing me out of my spiraling thoughts.
“Thank you,” I say, hoarser than I expected, but I guess my throat hasn’t stopped closing over just yet.
“Do you want a drink of water, or something stronger?” Dex raises his brows, shaking a glass bottle of what looks like whiskey at me.
“No! Thank you. I don’t drink.” Not after spending my life surrounded by mean drunks.