Page 127 of Property of Rattler

Genie barks a laugh. “He could pick up some pointers for whoever’s next.” His words fall into a deathly silence, and a few of the brothers even cross themselves.

“Not fuckin’ going to be me,” Stalker pronounces at last.

Bullseye glares down the table. “Ain’t going to be collecting any more bi…” He breaks off as Saint, Short and myself glare at him, and rapidly corrects, “Ol’ ladies.” Swallowing he plants his hands on the table. “Okay. I’ll liaise with Prowler. Woody, get the route sorted. The rest of you make sure you get what you need in place to keep shit running while we’re gone. We’ll leave Monday as agreed. Right, let’s get down to business. Stalk?”

Agreed with fucking who?Certainly not the main participants. But fuck, maybe it would be fun to have my brothers alongside me when I get hitched for real.

Stalker clearing his throat brings my attention back to the meeting. “Prez and I have been discussing getting started on building houses on the compound. With the nine mill we’ll have in the bank, and the land we already own, we’ve proposing to build houses for all the brothers who want them.” Pausing, he shakes his head, “I, for one, am getting sick of using a shared fuckin’ bathroom.”

“For real?” Winchester asks, his face splitting into a wide smile.

Bullseye shrugs. “Seems like a good investment for the future, unless anyone wants to buy a house off the compound. Not my ideal, but we’re willing to offer a share for that if anyone wants…”

“Nah, compound is good. I like the idea of staying close.” Words’ observation is echoed around.

Stalker nods as if he expected that answer. “I’m starting to look for an architect to come in and work with us on our plans.” He glances around the table. “Just give me your names if you’re interested, and I’ll start a list.”

Freak frowns. “Won’t that raise questions if we suddenly start splashing out cash?”

Stalker grins as if expecting the answer. “Rattler came by his money honestly.” He pauses for the coughs and spluttersto die down. “He’s our magnanimous donor, building on the compound as a way of honouring his dead wife’s memory.”

Lancelot shifts in his chair, the treasurer notices he wants to speak. “What you got, Lance?”

He looks nervous at being directly addressed. “Er, I was just wondering what was going to happen to the bunkhouse? Is there a chance we could bring in more pussy?”

“Fuck no.” Saint looks horrified.

“More trouble than they’re fuckin’ worth,” contributes Short.

Paint’s eyes have widened. “I like your thinking, Bro,” he tells the newest member.

Bullseye slams his fist down. “We get more prospects, that’s where we’re short. Women, I’m not saying no, but it’s not something I want to rush into. Those bitches can cause more trouble than they’re worth.” At that, I nod my head vigourously. “But if the right one comes along, then maybe we’ll add to the ranks. But the rest of the rooms will be free for visiting brothers. Would save us a fuck ton of money having to put them up in a hotel.” He raises his head. “Now, lets set that aside. Stalker, you going to give us a rundown of our businesses?”

While Stalker goes through the details of how everything’s running, I sit back, basking in the fact that it was me meeting Jayne that led to the club being able to sort out better accommodations for all the members. Who the fuck would have thought this would come about that day when she’d locked herself into that fucking closet?

When the buildings are complete, we’re going to be the envy of a lot of clubs.

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

JAYNE

“Meeting over?” I glance up from my laptop as Flynn walks into our room. Then my brow creases as I see the look on his face. Closing the lid, I start to stand, but he waves me away and flops down on the bed, placing his arm over his face. Worried, now, I ask, “You okay? You need painkillers?”

He huffs. “Not unless you can persuade Bronwyn to get enough to dope the whole club.”

Mystified, I ignore his instruction to stay put, place the computer on the table, and go to sit beside him on the bed. “What’s happened?”

Taking hold of my hand, he squeezes it tightly. “You know I promised it would just be us, sneaking away to Vegas?”

“Uh-huh.” I nod my head.

“They all want to come with.”

My mouth forms an O. Then I frown. “But that’s good, isn’t it?” I start to think. “It will be amazing to have Trix, Pippa and Bronwyn…”

“Not them,” he stops me mid-spate. “Vegas will be too much for Trip, and Jade’s too young. And Trix and Freak are taking their belated honeymoon in San Diego next week.”

My brows knit together. “We haven’t planned anything yet. We can wait until they’re back.”