Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Mercury
“First of all, yes, they’re both mechanics, highly skilled in both foreign and domestic vehicles, as well as restoration work. Mike also has the bike certifications, so he’d be a huge help with those as well,” she informs us.
“It was pure fate that had Mercury finding you in that field,” Orion murmurs.
I can tell his brain is already spinning with ideas to increase revenue so he can bring on two more mechanics.
I have an inkling suspicion that once word gets out that Twist and Turn Customizations do good work without screwing the customer, they’re going to be inundated to the point they’ll be booked out in advance.
“Let’s bring that to the table,” I suggest to Orion.
Looking at Finley, I add, “Go ahead and call your friends and feel them out about relocating. Let them know that we’re rebranding an old shop that didn’t treat the community well, so we’re going to be more than fair with our pricing.
Also, let them know that since it’s a club-owned business, we will run a thorough background check on them once we figure out if we’ve got the finances to offer them a job. ”
“I can definitely do that,” she replies, smiling up at me.
Seeing her so happy as she continues to look around at the shop, despite the fact that it’s dusty and outdated makes me even more glad that I found her.
She deserves to have this happy after what sounds like a hard life.
Not knowing how that feels personally, I mentally vow to do all I can to make sure she gets to realize all of her dreams.
“We need to do a deep cleaning before we can start unpacking the equipment coming today,” Orion muses as he runs his finger over a bench and comes back with dust coating his finger. “Man, I hate cleaning,” he mumbles as he continues along his path, inspecting everything.
“We can hire an outside cleaning crew to do that for us,” Finley suggests. “There are companies out there that specialize in warehouses and garages.”
“But do we trust people with our equipment already stored here?” Orion inquires.
“Somebody can be here to watch over them. We do have prospects now,” I remind him. “They’re still earning their stripes so it’ll do them good to do some grunt work.”
“But they aren’t like other prospects,” Orion points out. “We are kind of tossing them into the lion's den without proper gear.”
“It’s because we have to fast track them since we need the numbers,” I decree. Prospect time usually runs a year if not more depending on the man, but we’re having to bypass a lot of that to give us numbers.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watch as Finley pays attention to our conversation. This is stuff that doesn’t fall under the umbrella of club business, so I don’t mind that she’s hearing what we’re saying.
“Would they be able to come and help with the cleaning?” she asks. “I mean, a commercial cleaning company would be our best bet because they’ll go from the roof to the floor, but I know you’re just getting this chapter up and running again so money might be tight.”
“Don’t worry about any of that, wildcat,” I reply, “we’ve got it covered, and we’ll get prospects in to oversee things. Once the cleaning is done, the prospects can do any painting or moving shit around that y’all need so we can get the doors open as soon as possible.”
She looks at Orion and says, “We’re going to need a website created for us.
It needs to have a bio for each of us working here, along with our certifications and awards.
Because from the sound of things, the previous owner preferred to screw people over and I know that’s not how we’re going to operate.
Plus, we can set some basic prices for oil changes and tire rotations, that sort of thing.
Maybe once we’re officially opened, put an area in where they can buy basic things like antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid, and air fresheners.
Maybe put a minimal mark-up on it, which will keep them coming back.
We can offer spring or summer specials where we check their air conditioning system out for a flat fee.
If we find a problem, we write up an estimate and they can go from there.
Same for winterizing vehicles to make sure they don’t get stranded on the side of the road over something simple like a dead battery because it expired or the cells went bad. ”
“Fuck, I love you, Fin!” Orion exclaims, pulling her in and hugging her.
“You’re going to make this shop the best one around with these ideas.
I mean, the obvious focus will be to repair cars and bikes, but these little things can become big things and cost more money if they’re not properly maintained. ”
She’s amazing, my brain whispers.
“You did order the diagnostic machine, right?” she asks as the delivery truck pulls into the parking lot. “Because we’re going to need that for some of these newer model vehicles who seem to rely solely on computer chips.”
“Where are we going to put all of that?” I inquire as I see the delivery driver lower the ramp and start coming down with a hand truck full of boxes.
“You the new owner?” the driver asks.
Since I’m the VP, Orion defers to me, so I nod. “I am, do you need a signature?”
“Yeah, but there are more in there I still need to get unloaded,” the driver replies as he stacks the first set of boxes off to the side where Orion pointed him to.
I watch as Orion pulls a sheaf of papers out from the inside pocket of his cut and he walks over to the boxes, Finley at his side.
“We can check these off while he’s getting the rest,” he says to Finley, pulling two pens out from his cut.
I need to check it out and see just how many pockets the fucker has because he seems like Mary Poppins right now, having whatever is needed at his fingertips.
Since they’re busy going through the inventory to make sure nothing is missing from the load, I keep my eyes set on the driver.
In this town, I have a mistrust of everybody, no matter their gender or profession.
This town stinks of deception and since we don’t know if this is a rich man’s game or not, everyone is under the lens of my microscope.
I kick back as Fin and Orion go through the last box and am startled when an alarm blares through my phone.
A few seconds after mine alerts with an incoming message, Orion’s mimics mine.
After cleaning my ear of the ringing from the sharp, piercing sound, I glance at the screen and just the header of the message has me sitting up, ramrod straight.
“The fuck?” I whisper as I re-read it.
“What does it say?” Finley asks.
“Found some shit on the dark web,” I read before continuing with the document.
“Orbit says that there’s a site that caters to those who like to hunt humans.
They’re taking membership requests, which they impress that they’ll go over with a fine tooth comb and make sure that those wanting to join and gain membership are legitimate. ”
Orion continues scanning it and whistles, “They even charge maintenance fees to keep the caves stocked with ammunition for them to replenish their supply if they run out during their hunt.”
Finley’s face pales and she looks like she’s going to pass out. “O,” I warn, ticking my head in her direction. “Catch her.”
I would but I’m not as close to her as he is, but it takes everything in me not to growl when he manages to scoop her up before she hits the cement floor.
Almost as though he knows his life is in danger right now, he immediately hands her off to me before saying, “I’m calling Gemini while you take care of her. ”
Since her safety was my first thought, I feel slightly bad.
As the VP, that should be my job, but my cousin knows me well enough to realize that I have to make sure she’s going to be alright before I can focus on what he just read.
I’m going to need a topical map of the area that details trails, caves, and then go hunting myself.
Hopefully to find evidence that’ll help us shut these fuckers down. Or if we can’t do that, at least make enough noise that legitimate, unbribed law enforcement can come in and take out the trash.