Chapter 23
-:- VICTORIA -:-
I am using Chaos's truck since he is currently on his hog. While at work, he has been sending amusing emojis. He needs to be focused on his work instead of goofing off! I can imagine Winter or Target giving him a telling-off about not working seriously enough.
“Do you have everything you need, Corey?” I ask as I watch him pick up his schoolbag from the back seat of the truck.
“Yeah, I’ve got everything, Mom. Will you come for me when school’s out?”
“Of course, I will. Now, you have a great day. Learn as much as you can, and we will make a pizza from scratch when we get home tonight.”
“Yay, see you later,” Corey shouts as he heads into school. I watch him until he is inside and then head to the clubhouse, where I need to speak with Mia about Bethy not wanting a funeral.
Walking into the clubhouse a while later, I take a seat next to Mia who is reading a meal plan that Bitty is showing her.
“Bitty, I do not think that Meat will agree to a daily meal plan. He likes to cook what he thinks is good for everyone to enjoy. You know I mean that some don’t like one meal but enjoy something else.
That is why he creates meals the way he does.
I am going out on a limb and saying no to your plan.
Speak to Meat because he’s the man of the kitchen. ”
Amelia walks over to where we are sitting while drying her hands on a tea towel.
“Bitty, I told you, Meat is the boss of the kitchen. He allows us to do mostly what we like, but if you piss him off, I am going to make your life miserable. You get me? Now, come on; we need to get this chicken stew on for tonight. I want it to simmer slowly all day long.”
Once Amelia has taken Bitty away with her and they continue bickering in the kitchen, I look at Mia and give her a small shrug. “Can I talk to you for a minute about Bethy’s funeral?”
Mia gives me all her attention. “Of course, I’m all ears.”
“Well, you don’t really need ears because Bethy’s will states that she does not want a funeral, or a goodbye party or anything. She just wants to slip away quietly. The lawyer is dealing with everything under Bethy’s last wishes.”
“Oh...do you think she had a feeling that things were going bad?”
Thinking for a moment before I reply, “I think the amount of trouble that Art kept bringing to her had her thinking at some point something bad was going to happen.”
“If you want me to do anything you know you only have to ask. If at some time you want to do something in Bethy’s memory, we all will help. A fund-raising event or something in her name would be nice, don’t you think?”
“Maybe. It is something we can think about in the future. But right now, I want to just come to terms with what has happened.” I stand and give her a small smile.
“Where are you going?” Mia asks.
“I’m going to find Jack. I want to do a sneaky look at the house Chaos has put an offer on.”
“Oh, he’s with BS, I think. The office is in the same hallway as Specs’, Axel's, and PT’s.”
Walking toward the common room, I say, “Thank you.”
I give a wave to Heather who is wiping down the bar as I pass through the common room and quickly find the office, which has a plate stating Sergeant at Arms—BS.
Knocking on the door I wait for a response. I’m not one to barge my way into a room I’ve not been invited into. The door opens and BS gives me a smile, “Hey, Victoria, what can I do for you?”
“Well, I’m here for Jack if it’s possible to steal him for maybe, uhm, two hours?”
“Jack has to report to the range. Is it important?”
I check my lip as I consider finding the house myself, but I have no idea where it is, and I don’t even know the address so can’t put it into the truck's GPS. “Hm, I suppose not.”
As I start to walk away, BS stops me by holding my elbow gently, “What was it, Victoria?”
“I wanted to have a sneak peek at the house Chaos has put an offer on. But, you know, I don’t know where it is, or I’d just go by myself. I can’t even put it into the GPS...”
“Okay, I’ll take you. I know where it is. He told me about the offer the other day.” Turning to the room, BS barks, “Jack, get yourself to the range and show the fuckers what you’ve got. Don’t let me down. You’re the only prospect I’ve got, and you best show them you are the best one I ever had.”
Jack leaves the room, gives me a quick “Good morning” and a hug, much to BS’s amusement. But both BS and I can see Jack is eager to get to the range and prove his worth.
Thirty minutes later BS and I are standing outside the house, and I’m amazed that it is larger than I had imagined. The yard needs some attention, but it’s not at the stage where you’d pull your hair out with stress.
“Come on, let’s walk around the back,” BS says as he guides me forward.
The house has a front and a back porch, which could easily be changed to a full wraparound. The house is large enough to do that. It would be lovely as you’d be able to sit wherever the sun was at specific times of the day.
We can only look through windows, and what I see is very homey. I love it. The place vibrates with warmth and a welcoming feel. Turning to BS who is studying the yard. “It is a very nice place, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, I think it’s a good place. The house is a family size, and the yard has scope for kids to play, plus a bike shed and anything else Chaos wants.”
“Okay, let’s get out of here, and thanks for bringing me.
I know Chaos hasn’t had time with everything that has happened.
But I wanted to have a peek, because if I didn’t like it I sure wouldn’t live in it.
” BS smirks at me, and I know what he’s thinking.
..I’d live wherever Chaos is. Well, Chaos would have to live where I am!
Standing in front of the property once more, both BS and I turn when a woman across the street shouts to us. “You get away from there. Nothing for you to be seeing here.”
BS smirks, and out the corner of his mouth speaks in a low tone, “This is the nosey neighbor, Mrs. Lincoln. She lives next to Bones.” BS points to the house across from where we are, but looks back at the woman who is now standing with her hands on her hips.
“Nothing here for you, old woman,” BS loudly replies to Mrs. Lincoln. Now, the look on her face at being called an old woman would be more than a little amusing if she didn’t stomp her foot and step out of her own front yard.
“Don’t speak to me with that tone. Who are you to be looking around at that property?” Mrs. Lincoln really thinks she owns the street, and I’m amazed people put up with this attitude.
“I’m the person who will live here with my family, and you need to mind your own business. If you are not careful, you will step into something you can’t get out of,” I snap, and I’m not in the right frame of mind at the moment to put up with this woman.
“Are you threatening me?” Mrs. Lincoln snaps, and I snap right back, “You can think what you like, old woman, but if you get in my business, you’ll be sorry.”
“Mrs. Lincoln, stop. Go inside, and as the lady said, mind your business. Mrs. Gowen has sold the house and has gone to live with her son. You know this, now go on, it’s time you made your lunch.
” I watch as a younger woman is shooing Mrs. Lincoln away.
Turning to us, the woman speaks, “I’m Ginny.
I live in that one,” pointing to the property on the right side of Bones' place. “Take no notice of Mrs. Lincoln. She’s nothing better to do than be a patrol officer on the street. Everyone just ignores her meddling and does as they like.”
“If she leaves me alone, I’ll leave her alone.
I would never hurt her, you know, physically.
But I can make her miserable in other ways, like having the mower on too long, getting the guys to come and rev their bikes.
” I give Ginny an enormous smile, and she gives me one back.
I walk across the street and hold my hand out.
“My name is Victoria, and I answer to Vicky if anyone calls me that. I’m moving in with my man Chaos and my son, Corey. Soon, I hope.”
“Oh, you have a son, that’s great. I love kids, I’ll make him welcome cookies.” Ginny has a thoughtful look on her face, and I can see she’s working out what cookies she’s going to make.
“I like lemon cupcakes,” I say with a hopeful tone. BS chuckles while Ginny gives me another bright smile, along with a nod that she’ll do those too.
“Well, we best be off,” BS states nicely, which has me looking at him because he tends to sound on the gruff side, mostly, anyway.
It doesn’t take long to say goodbye, head back to the clubhouse, and walk inside where BS goes right to his office, and I make my way to Specs’ office.
The door to Specs’ office is open, and I knock lightly to gain his attention. Looking over, Specs smiles, “Come in, Victoria. Are you here to start work?”
“No, sorry. I wanted to ask you a question. Well, two questions really.”
“Take a seat, and ask away,” Specs turns to look at me as I take a seat and waits for me to speak.
“First, where is Art’s body?”
Specs takes a deep breath and then takes my hands in his. I know this isn’t going to be good, so I steel myself with a deep breath of my own.
“When the brothers caught up with Art, you have to know that it wasn’t a good meeting. He knew things that we had to know and was reluctant to be forthcoming…”
“Specs, stop. I know how Wings felt about Bethy, though he denies his own feelings. I have no issue with anything that did or didn’t happen.” I’m wise enough to be able to put two and two together and at least imagine some of what happened to Art.
“Ah, yes. They burnt the building to the ground so there was no evidence of what went on there.” Specs looks at the floor.
“I know that there is no chance of finding Art’s real ashes, but could we at least get something from there to represent him?
“Can you get some ashes placed with Bethy’s?” I ask, giving Specs a watery-eyed look. “I know she wouldn’t want him in a pauper’s grave, Specs. She loved her brother even though he was an asshole. He wasn’t always like that. He was great when we were younger and he loved Bethy.”
“I can arrange that, Victoria, I’ll do it personally.” Specs turns back to me. “We have your wedding to finish planning, a fundraiser in Bethy’s name and then your adoption papers for Corey. Plus, you have to start working here.”
“I thought I would start next Monday was going to be my second question. If that is okay with you? I want this week clear for me to finish my contracts which are outstanding. I’m going to let them go now, and concentrate my efforts here.
” I stand and make my way to the door, but turn and give Specs a look when he replies that he’ll have my desk and everything ready for Monday.
“Thanks, Specs. For everything.”
“Hey, you are part of the MC family, and I’ve got your kutte on order so you’ll be officially an Ol’ Lady,” Specs laughs at what must be my scrunched face. Being called an old lady doesn’t quite sound right to me, but I’ll run with it!
I quickly make my way out of the clubhouse and head into town where I know there is a bridal shop. I don’t want a huge white gown, but something that will be beautiful for me to remember my day. I’ve heard good things about the shop and the costume place next door. This could be fun!
Damn! Arriving at the bridal shop there’s a large sign saying, ‘Closed for the Day’. Oh, well. A job for another day then.