Chapter 13
-:- CHAOS -:-
Walking into the house with the realtor, the first thing I noticed was the furniture. Everything you would want in a house, couch, easy chairs, coffee table, TV, dining table and chairs, and more.
“You weren’t joking when you said she was leaving everything. Did she take anything that she felt was worth keeping?” I ask incredulously.
“Mrs. Gowen kept photograph albums, some glassware, and other pieces that were special to her. But apart from that, she felt it was a waste of effort and money to have things packed and transported.” The realtor chuckles as he continues, “Moving services are not easy on the cash. I think personally, that if what she left isn’t something that means much to her, then she did the right thing. ”
The walk-through took an hour as I was opening and closing cabinets in the kitchen, laundry room, and a mudroom.
It’s a damn big house I reckon by the time I’ve finished.
Four bedrooms, two with adjoining bathrooms. Another bathroom upstairs and a half bath downstairs.
I love the place and the yard has a lot of room for a bike shed, garage, and any other shed we may need.
“I want to put an offer on the place. How fast can you get this through the process?” I show how eager I am to get this place locked down and obtain possession.
“I can get it through fast as I’ve already had all the checks completed knowing it wouldn’t take long to sell. What about a mortgage? Will you be able to get one quickly?”
Chuckling, I reply, taking him by surprise by the look on his face.
“No mortgage, I’ll do a bank transfer for the entire sale.
” I’ve never been stupid with money. From the first day I joined the service I’ve had savings squirreled away, and with chunks I’ve earned doing the mercenary work before I came to the MC, I have more than enough money to live comfortably even after paying for the house.
“Well, in that case, it will speed this up considerably. Let me put the offer to the owner and I’ll get back to you today.”
After giving the realtor a handshake, I walk across the street to say hello to Ginny who is weeding in her garden. “Morning, Ginny. How are things?”
“Hi, Chaos. All good here. Are you thinking of buying Mrs. Gowen’s place?”
Nodding, I grin, “I sure am. You know if Mrs. Lincoln gives me shit I’m not as peaceful as Bones. You could see some fireworks happen.”
Giggling Ginny flicks her eyes to Mrs. Lincoln’s house. “You know she’ll be watching even now don’t you?”
“Yeah, I know, but I don’t give a shit. Being neighborly costs nothing, and as the saying goes, you reap what you sow.”
We pass a few more minutes before I haul my ass to the range.
Winter left a message earlier asking me to call by as she is having trouble with the supplier again.
Now, this supplier and I don’t actually see eye-to-eye on much.
I’ve had issues with him and I’ll not be fucking around with him today.
Pulling into the parking space reserved for me I quickly head inside and find Winter in the supplies room.
“What’s going on?” I ask as I lean on the doorframe.
Winter turns and gives me a frustrated look.
“I’ve tried to sort out the shortages in the deliveries, but this man is so frustrating that I just want to put a bullet in his head.
He won’t admit the supply was short, or that it wasn’t on time.
I’m speaking with another supplier and they are going to get back to me later today, once they know they can supply the amount we need.
I know it is a large order, but we do have a lot of clients through the business weekly, never mind monthly. ”
We both turn when we hear someone speak. “I’ll deal with the fucker.” Seeing it’s Target I step back and he passes me to get to Winter.
“Do you want me to update Ben?” I ask. Ben is an assistant, but he’s what could be classed as more than that, and if needed he’d be the one we’d put into a manager position.
“I’ll speak to the staff. You make sure you are back working in two weeks, Chaos. We can’t give you more time than that,” Target gives me a warning look, and I nod as I know I’m pushing my luck with the time I’ve had away so far.
“If you need help with the supplier let me know,” I give the look that tells Target I’m up for whatever he has in mind.
Walking through the range so I can visit the clubhouse and speak to Specs I am stopped by Denise Johnson.
Now, this woman has become a menace. I’ve never gone there with her and have had no inclination to do so.
Leon at the reception counter gives me a look as he shakes his head, right before shouting, “Chaos, I need you a minute.”
I know it’s a tactic to get me past this bitch, but honestly, it’s time to put a stop to this.
“Denise, I’m not interested. I’ve told you enough times that you should know I’m not going there with you, ever.
Now, if you persist, I’ll speak to Sheriff Forest about your stalking and harassing.
On top of that, I’m banning you from coming to the range. You get me?”
The entire reception area seems to come to a screeching halt.
Everyone who is in the area turns and looks at Denise.
I’m not embarrassed at all, but she has a face so red it’s a wonder she doesn’t burst a blood vessel.
Turning with a huff, right after stamping her foot like a child, she storms out of the building.
I walk over to the reception desk and speak to Leon. “Do you think we should ban her?”
Leon nods. “Chaos, she comes in here, buys a drink and that’s all she does. She isn’t here to do anything but stalk you and Drag when he appears. But he looks at her like she is a piece of shit he stood on, and never gives her the time of day. I reckon she’s one we should ban and be done with.”
“Okay, put her on the ban list. Send her notification. Make sure it’s all done legally. We don’t want any backlash from her.”
Again, Leon nods. “I’ll make sure Ember in the office gets it done and posted today.”
****
Walking into Spec's office, I take a seat and watch him for a few moments as he studies one of the businesses. Leaning forward, I see it’s Fox’s place, the furniture store. “What’s going on?” I ask as I lean even further forward to get a good look.
Pointing at the monitor, Specs grunts. “I reckon someone is casing the place. See here…” I follow his finger as he circles something on the camera image we are watching. “That Chaos I’m sure is someone standing in the shadows.”
“They are not looking at the store, Specs. The position says, whoever it is more than likely is watching the wood supply.”
We both watch for a while longer, and Specs flicks from one time to another through the camera feed recordings.
“I’m going to get in touch with Herb at the wood supply because he’s the one who is in charge, mostly.
I could drop it to Stu as well because you know he sees Herb more as a son than a nephew. ”
“Bring it up in church if you think it is needed. I’ll speak to Delta and Bones when I see them.
Mind you, if Lincoln or Arrow are around I’ll inform them.
Any of them will take an interest and back you up on watching the place.
Do you want me to ask about putting the place on the night detail? ” I know it wouldn’t go amiss.
“Yeah, if you are going over there give them a heads-up. I’ll keep monitoring, and I’ll contact Herb.”
“Okay. How is the adoption coming along?” I ask and watch Specs' face intently. I’m looking for any sign of him being worried.
“I’ve got it all lined up, and the judge should sign off on it any day. I’ll let you know, but you need to make sure Corey is okay with it?”
“I’ll speak to him.” I leave the office and make my way into the kitchen where I am hoping to find Corey.
Oh yeah, Corey is here, and he’s covered in flour. “What are you doing?” I ask along with a chuckle.
“Making cupcakes,” Corey laughs and holds a box with cupcakes that are misshapen and have lopsided frosting. But the look on Corey’s face shows me he’s proud of his creations.
“Well, I hope they taste as good as they look. Are you ready to get back to the apartment? I want to talk to you about something.”
Corey gives Amelia and Bitty a hug, grabs the box of cupcakes and rushes over to me. I throw an arm around his shoulders and lead him outside to the truck where we quickly get inside and head out.
Pulling up to the apartment block, I’m not sure if I should be annoyed or amused.
Victoria and Jack are polishing Jack’s hog.
Now he’s doing a good job on that hog. It’s looking sharp.
It still needs some work, but knowing what it looked like originally tells me he has spent some dime on it, and he’s cleaned every inch until there is no sign of rust or dirty oil.
Corey rushes over and shows Victoria the cupcakes, to which she gives him the right amount of being impressed. He is beaming, and it has taken little for this kid to settle into being away from his parents.
“Come on, Corey,” I shout, and he quickly rushes over to me carrying his cupcakes like a prize.
Inside the apartment with the cupcakes on the cake plate, I sit down and give Corey all my attention. I’m not going to fuck around. I am going to lay it out and wait for his reaction.
“Okay, Corey, you know I got your guardianship so you would stay with me permanently. As your uncle, which we both know was a lie, but it got what we wanted, and that was you not going into the system.”
“Yeah, I know that,” Corey replies before I can say more.
“Well, I’ve put things in motion to adopt you. Legally, of course. That means I’ll be your dad and not your uncle. What do you think of that?”
Corey surprises me when he bursts into tears.
Jumps off his seat and throws himself at me.
Sobs like nothing I’ve heard before rip from him.
His small body shakes with the emotion he’s feeling.
I wrap my arms tightly around him and hold on.
I hope this will give him the security and warmth that he needs right now.
“So, you okay with that?” I ask after a while.
Corey steps away slightly, wipes his eyes with the sleeve of his jumper before looking at me. “Yeah, I’m okay with that, Dad.”
I feel a surge of something I can’t describe which has me rubbing my sternum. I give Corey a smile and nod as I respond, “Okay, son. You are Corey Styles now, and you are protected by the club. An official son of a member, and don’t you forget it.”
I explain what it’s like to be a part of the club. What, as a future brother will be expected of him. I can see the way he is soaking up every word, and the way he’s leaving the past behind and looking to the future.
The door opens and Victoria along with Jack walk into the apartment. Seeing the excitement on Corey’s face, she smiles at him. That is all he needs before he launches himself into telling them both about me being his father, what he’s going to do when he grows up, and the words fly out of him.
Jack is watching him closely, and it is so easy to see he understands what Corey is feeling.
He shows no pity, just understanding the need to feel wanted.
“You’ll have to be a prospect,” Jack says eventually, and that involves another conversation that Corey soaks up like a sponge that has been put in the back of a cabinet and has dried out.
I watch all of this and take particular notice that Victoria is showing no sign of worry regarding me being Corey’s dad, or if she realizes it will make her his mother. I’ve got to get to know Victoria more, and she’s got to know me. I’m going to do something about that.
The phone rings, and I quickly take the call once I see it’s Wings. “What’s up?”
“We have another tail. I’m nearly home, but I’m heading to Nell’s as she is closer to me. Once we are there, we can call ourselves safe and I’ll let you know we are here.”
“Okay, Wings. I had wondered if you were nearly home. If anything happens call, and I’ll make sure I have brothers to you fast.”
“Bethy is fine. She’s solid. No panicking, no tantrums, just calm and at the ready,” Wings chuckles. “She’s not happy with her brother, that’s a certainty.”
“I don’t suppose she is. Take care and let me know when you hit Nell's place.”
“Will do. Later, brother.”
Turning to Victoria I give her a nod. “Bethy is okay. Wings is heading to Nell’s as that is the closest place to them. Seems either her brother or the asshole has a tail on them, but Wings will do what’s needed if it comes to it. I’ve told him to let me know as soon as he hits Nell's.”
“Okay. As long as Bethy is safe that’s all that matters.” Victoria turns to Corey and Jack, and I watch her for any signs of stress, but she’s showing none. That tells me she trusts us, and that is a huge step forward.