Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Finley
As soon as my feet hit the bottom landing of the staircase, Orion is standing there with a smirk on his face. “What?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at him. I like the guy, but that doesn’t mean I trust him and his scheming ways.
“Good morning,” he sings, his smirk still in place.
“What makes you say it in that tone of voice?” I query, my own sounding suspicious. “Unless it’s because you wanna take me to check out the shop today?”
I mean, I won’t lie especially since I’m firmly in the camp that honesty is always the best policy, even if it hurts, but I’ve been wanting to see the old business the club bought so that we can start planning what needs to be done so we can open the doors.
I know the guys got my last check and that someone called Orbit is working on getting all of my identification and credit cards replaced, but until then, I’ve been virtually broke.
“As a matter of fact,” he drawls, fully grinning now, “we are doing that, but first, we’re gonna talk Mercury into buying us breakfast at the diner.”
“What are we talking Mercury into this morning?” the man himself asks as he walks down the steps only to stop by my side, his arm going around my shoulder.
Orion’s face is now nearly splitting, and I swear to God I can see the thingie at the back of his throat wiggling as he chuckles. “That’s kind of gross, Orion,” I say, pointing to his face. “I can see your tonsils, dude, and they look a bit… swollen.”
I start grinning when his jaw snaps shut and he goes from looking like he’s got a massive, major secret to worried in less than two seconds. Score one for me; I now know how to keep him quiet, just mention a possible medical issue and he’ll close tighter than a nun’s legs!
I’ve been more of an observer of these men and how they operate while I was a patient. It’s how I’ve gotten to know what makes them tick, in a roundabout way. I’m still learning, but I’m starting to have their number.
“You’re just mean, Fin,” Orion says, sticking his bottom lip out and pouting. “You know I have phobias when it comes to infections of any sort.”
“Stop complaining, O,” Mercury demands. “If you can dish it out, you can take it.”
“You're just a grown up, Merc. Lighten up, dude, your age is showing,” Orion taunts.
“Someone around here has to be,” Mercury grumbles as he draws me in closer to his side. “I think I overheard something about breakfast and the diner. Is that something you want, wildcat?”
“That depends,” I counter, “do I get to ride on the back of your bike?”
“Do you think you’re up for that? It’s not a smooth ride like the cage is,” he remarks.
“I’m better. I woke up this morning feeling like a new woman. I’m ready to have a different lease on life after everything I survived, a more adventurous one.”
“If you stay with him, you won’t find that,” Orion inserts, jabbing his finger in Mercury’s direction. “He’s no more fun than a stick in the mud.”
“Orion,” I scold, hissing out his name. “That remark was uncalled for.”
“You tell him, baby,” Mercury says, squeezing my shoulder in thanks for my support. “Just because I don’t joke around or smile twenty-four hours a day doesn’t mean I don’t know how to let loose when it’s called for.”
“Cuz, your idea of letting loose as you say is to go online and order your yearly allotment of T-shirts and boxers,” Orion chides.
“Hell, if you didn’t have to try on regular shirts and pants, you’d do that too, for fuck’s sake, but you’re so broad shouldered, you can’t just buy it and trust it’ll fit. ”
“I tried,” Mercury mumbles, making me look up at him to see him scowling at Orion.
“I didn’t mean I have to go on rollercoasters every day or try new and exotic foods, I’m just tired of never fitting in or belonging,” I state. “Gemini says I’m in the fold, so like it or not, I’m here to stay.”
I don’t mention mine and Mercury’s talk from the night before because from what Sutton shared, these men have weird practices when it comes to ‘claiming’ their woman.
Neanderthalic, is what it is, even if that’s not a real word, it’s how some of their behaviors are as far as I’m concerned.
So, based on what she explained to me, it’ll be up to him to tell the rest of the club that our relationship is changing.
Breakfast at the diner was filling, and I was impressed at the sheer will power Mercury showed while refraining from choking Orion out due to his rolling commentary. There were a few times I wanted to shove a biscuit in his mouth to shut him up.
So, to see how business-like he is once we’re at the shop and he’s unlocked the door, I’m kind of in shock.
Before I slid off Mercury’s bike, the two of them walked the perimeter then went inside to ‘check things out’.
Teasingly, I look at the two of them as we walk inside and ask, “What would you have done if there had been some kind of threat? I mean, it wasn’t like I was in a vehicle, I was out in the open! ”
“See, what you haven’t learned yet about us, we shoot to kill and we never miss our shot,” Mercury states. “Which reminds me, I need to see if Gemini agrees that you and Sutton need to learn how to handle a gun.”
“Who says I can’t?” I question. When they both stop in their tracks and stare at me, I shrug.
“I mean, I’m a single woman and I’ve been literally on my own since I turned eighteen and was tossed out onto the streets by the system.
I’m licensed to conceal carry and have taken lessons.
In fact, unless they tampered with my toolbox, my Glock is locked in the bottom drawer.
I forgot it that day, which I honestly wish I had packed in my purse, you know?
But I could use some time at a firing range, so if that’s a possibility, count me in. ”
“You know, you continuously shock the shit out of me, Fin,” Orion amusingly says. “Most women would still be holed up in a room, afraid to return to life, after what you went through. Yet here you are, just a few days out of being released and you act like everything’s just fine.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I do have my moments,” I confess, “but not where y’all can see them.
I sometimes cry in the shower, but at the end of the day, I’m alive thanks to Mercury, and I’m safe thanks to all of you.
I know you’ll protect me with your lives if it comes down to it, so why should I worry? ”
“Count on it,” Mercury growls. “As long as I’m alive and breathing, you’ll stay safe.”
“For once, the big lug and I are on the same page,” Orion states as he walks through the garage and opens the bay doors, letting sunshine and fresh air stream inside since it’s stuffy from being closed up for months.
“Wow, this is a big space,” I say in wonder as I turn around and take it all in.
“Orion, we can do so much here,” I gush as my hopes and dreams take flight in my mind.
All of my passion stems around restoration, and before I saw this space with my own eyes, I didn’t think we’d have the additional room to make that part of our business plan.
“One idea I have for the future based on what you shared during your time in the clinic is to build a separate building on the property strictly for you to do restorations, Finley. It’ll have a paint booth and everything.
You may only be able to take on one at a time since it would be you doing all the work, but you’ve said you have a reputation out there, so once folks know you’re here, the jobs will come. ”
I can feel my eyes welling up at his words. “Really?” I whisper, too afraid to hope for something that I thought was beyond my expectations.
“Yeah, really. Mercury? I saw there was a tow yard that had junked cars in the back in town. We should see if they’re interested in selling because we’d have readily available parts, too.
Plus, the crusher could come in handy. We could put the prospects on that for work, but we all might have to take a turn pulling tows.
Shit, most of them are on Hercules’ crew.
That might be an issue, but it’s one we can resolve, I’m sure. ”
I watch the two of them silently communicate with their eyes and want to roll mine.
Do they think I don’t know that they’re not all above-board?
The Kings of Anarchy does have a reputation for settling scores and I’ve moved around enough that I’ve heard of them before.
Still, they’re doing their biker thing and since it’s likely what Sutton says they call ‘club business’, I keep my mouth shut.
“I’ll run out there later and feel them out. If nothing else, see if y’all can pull parts. Would come in handy for restorations, I bet,” Mercury replies. “Especially on those older model cars.” He turns to me and asks, “Do you have contacts who can retool leather and upholstery?”
“I do,” I say. “Too bad I couldn’t convince Mike and John to move to Montana. They’d be great additions for the shop.”
“Who are they?’ Orion asks. “Mechanics you know? Have you worked with them? Do you think we could entice them to move? What do you think it would take?”
I start laughing, because his questions are coming out so fast, he’s almost spitting at me.