Chapter 30
-:- CHAOS -:-
Before I head to work, I need to speak to my brothers at Hot Hogs and Cages. I have an idea for Victoria’s trike, and think it’ll be simple enough for it to be done in time for me to give it to her.
Clay is in the doorway of the shop when I park my ride, and I give him a two-finger salute. “Hey, are you good this morning?” I ask as I walk over to him.
“Yeah, just having a minute before I get started. I have an engine to replace today, and it’s going to be a tricky one.”
Nodding in understanding because we’ve all had shit jobs like that at one time or another. “Is one of the sprayers here for me to speak to about Vicky’s trike?”
“Splash and Krylon are inside. I heard them arguing about who was going to work on that trike for Victoria. For once, we may get a collaboration,” Clay laughs while I shake my head as I enter the building.
I quickly see Splash and Krylon arguing, and it’s getting heated.
Walking over with a smirk on my face, I stop in front of them with my hands on my hips.
“Okay, this is what’s happening. I want the club logo on each side of the tank.
The tank gradually going from white through to black underneath.
The rest black, but on the fairing I want the club logo, with Property of Victoria Styles. You got it?”
They both look at me and I can see them deflate at the simplicity of the trike paint job.
I know they were imagining all types of shit, but that’s not who my woman is.
She likes things with clean lines, simple, not this over-the-top style that you would see from Star.
If Victoria ever wants the hog resprayed, then she can do it.
“Can we…”
I cut Splash off quickly, “No. That is what you will do, or I’ll do the job myself.”
“What job’s that?” We all turn when the voice of Rock joins the conversation.
“These two want to do some weird shit on Vicky’s trike, but all I want is what I’ve told them already. If I come and it’s different, then they’ll get what’s coming on Sunday during training,” I state firmly while giving them the look that tells them they’ll meet the Chaos that I was named after.
“Okay, okay,” Splash sighs. Krylon nods, and both of them wander away, leaving me watching them and Rock chuckling.
Two hours and I’ve nearly had enough of the second client of the day I’m working with. He’s a fuckin’ prick. It’s the only way to describe him. I’ve talked him through how to clean, assemble, and use all the safety measures for all the weapons he has pointed out.
What I don’t expect is when we get into the range itself he turns a loaded gun on me and other clients inside the area.
My mind instantly kicks into military mode.
I scan the range and see Winter is on the other side of the range, edging her client to the door where we keep spare equipment.
She needs a distraction, and she’s going to get one.
“What’s the matter, man? Explain to me what is going on here?”
Squinting his eyes, the little fucker doesn’t respond.
He turns the Sig in his hand towards Ben, one of our assistants, who has this moment walked into the area.
Ben thankfully notices and dives to the ground as the fucker fires.
I lunge and kick his arm, basically giving him a dead arm, and the Sig flies away from him.
Screaming in what can only be described as a temper, the idiot tries to punch me. I duck, jab through and hit his ribs. One, two, one, two, it’s like having a session with the punch bag. He’s got no physical or mental ability to fight me on a one-to-one basis.
Target appears from somewhere behind me, “Stop fucking with him, Chaos. Finish him before Forest or a deputy gets here.”
“Fuck you…” the little asshole snarls with blood running from his nose.
“Don’t think so, but thanks for the offer.
Not sure my fiancé would like me fucking with someone else!
” I smirk to wind the asshole up even more, and when he lunges, I throw all my strength behind the uppercut that lands on his chin.
He spins around with the force of it and falls like a pole. Out! Yeah, he’s in dreamland.
Dealing with Forest and JP is fun. I fuck with them enough to have Forest lunge at me and try to wrestle me down.
We mess for a few minutes until JP firmly states.
“Stop fuckin’ about, we’ve got to get this asshole back to the office.
He’s a shooter and needs to be read his rights.
When he wakes that is. He must have a glass jaw! ”
Forest turns to me, “I’ll get your statement typed up so you don’t have to come into the office. I’ll make sure this is covered. I’m going to speak to the other witnesses who’ll all think you are the hero I’m sure.”
I chuckle at that comment, then turn to Target, “I’m leaving, Target.
I’ve got to check out this memorial garden area.
If Hammer hasn’t picked the best spot, I’ll make him change it,” I say, and I mean every word.
I know Victoria will want Bethy in a place the sun will shine, butterflies and bees will fly, and even snow would settle beautifully. Fuck, I’m getting romantic-minded!
Back at the clubhouse and stepping into the kitchen, I grab a can of soda from the fridge and walk over to Mia, who is studying Bitty for some reason. Taking a seat and opening the can, I take a sip before looking at Mia. “What’s going on?”
Mia turns and looks at me, still with a frown. “Something is wrong with Bitty.”
“What do you mean? Like what?” I ask turning to watch Bitty working in the kitchen area.
She is slicing vegetables but not interacting with Amelia or Sybil.
Meat is not in the kitchen right now, so I don’t know if she’s speaking with him or not.
But it looks like she is giving her two friends the cold shoulder.
“I had a conversation with Bitty this morning,” Mia says quietly.
Obviously, she doesn’t want the three in the kitchen area to overhear our conversation.
“Bitty told me that when she brings up a suggestion Amelia and Sybil always override it. Saying it’s not suitable, it won’t work or something.
She feels like her opinion doesn’t matter any longer, and that her usefulness has been depleted. ”
“That’s not right. Is it?” I ask. If that is true then we’ve all missed the fact, and in turn have let Bitty down. She is a sweetheart, works hard for the club, and sold her home to live here.
“I don’t know, Chaos. But I am going to watch and listen. I am sure if that is happening Amelia and Sybil don’t realize. They wouldn’t hurt her on purpose, but even doing it negligently it will still hurt Bitty.”
“If you need me to do anything, you just have to ask.”
Mia pats my hand, which I’ve laid on the table next to the can of soda. “I will. Thank you, Chaos.”
Walking to where the trash can is positioned, I throw my empty can of soda, then wash my hands at the sink and dry them, all the time checking out what is happening around me.
Amelia is talking about the meal tonight, and Sybil is talking about spending time with the twins when they come home from school.
Bitty is not speaking, and the other two seem oblivious to the fact.
I walk over and kiss Bitty on the cheek.
She looks at me with a kind of sad smile before looking back at the carrots she is chopping. Yeah, something isn’t right!
Meat is in the garden when I reach the area, and Hammer is giving him some nasty looks. But Hammer has a bench and seeing me holds his hand out, “You owe me for the bench.” Wow, someone shit in his Cheerios this morning.
I dig in my pocket and hand him a bunch of notes, don’t give a shit how much I handed him. I grab the bench and look at Meat. Stepping up, Meat takes one end of the bench, and we carry it between us to an area near a tree. It will be a great place to sit and think.
Looking at Hammer who is pacing the area, putting markers into the ground I can’t help but ask, “What’s up, Hammer?”
Now, that earns me a foul look. Meat grunts before walking away, heading down the compound without a care, whistling while he’s going.
“I didn’t think this was the right area. But, fuckin’ Meat logged this as the area with Axel and that was it. So, we have this area and not over at the other side where I was going to place it.”
“Oh, I see. But you know, Hammer, it doesn’t matter, there or here. What matters is that we make it nice for any or all of us to eventually rest here. Together eternally, that is what it will be.”
Hammer grunts, but I can see I made the impression I wanted to make. “I’m going to mark the area I want for my family. The rest of you can all mark out with Axel where you want. I’m done with it as soon as I’ve got the fencing in place.”
Placing his next marker into the ground, Hammer I can see is thinking hard. Standing and looking at me, a frown crosses his face. “Fuckin’ hell, Chaos. Together eternally! That means I’ve got to put up with Meat’s ass even after I’m dead?”
Throwing my head back and laughing lightens the mood, and Hammer smirks eventually. I know he’ll be okay. He just likes to be organized when he’s working on anything. Meat changing the position would have knocked him off kilter, and he’ll remember and get Meat back, eventually.
Arriving home after checking back in with Target at the range, the first thing I notice is the smell of cooking. It’s such a welcoming smell, and the sound of Corey laughing adds to the feel.
“What are you cooking?” I surprise them by asking.
“Hi, Dad. We are having homemade pizza with pineapple and ham,” Corey says, then bursts into fits of giggles.
Screwing my face up comically at the mention of pineapple, Victoria laughs along with Corey. “I’ll wash up,” I state giving a stiff upper lip kind of response, then head to the bathroom where I will quickly wash ready to eat.
Eating pizza, I pick all the pineapple and plop it on Corey’s plate, as he loves pineapple. I don’t mind it, actually. I just prefer it away from my pizza.
Victoria tells me about Corey’s schoolwork, how well he is doing, and I can see she’s excited about his progress, as well as the swell of Corey’s chest as the information is given to me.
“Well, that is awesome news, Corey. You are one clever little shit.” I ruffle his hair while grinning at him. “I’m really proud of you. Keep it up, son.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Corey stuffs pineapple into his mouth, but it doesn’t stop the smile he’s wearing.
“I’ve been thinking about a vehicle, Vicky. I have my hog and truck. You should have an SUV. I’ve seen a Toyota that is in excellent condition, and it is one of the top vehicles for safety and reliability. Would you be interested in that?”
Wiping her mouth before she speaks, Victoria gives me a serious look. “I am not a vehicle fanatic to be honest, Chaos. If it is in good condition, inside and out, then I’m okay. What color is it?”
Now, I hold back the smirk at her color comment. It’s a typical thing a woman asks, and something a man isn’t as bothered about. “It’s black with tan leather seats inside.”
“Okay, if you think it’s a good purchase, then I’m okay with that. I don’t particularly want to go vehicle shopping. It’s not my sort of thing. But I want a trike for Corey and I to have road trips.”
“Road trips? You’re not going on road trips without me.” I splutter, not telling her she’s got a trike and will get it after we’re married.
“Of course you’ll be coming. We need someone to pay for the hotel when we stop off.” My face must show the shock her comment creates, but when she and Corey burst out laughing, I know I’ve been had.