Page 85 of Property of Stone
“Will tell ‘em to plaster on a fuckin’ smile and be as sweet as that chocolate pie you made the other day for the kids, too.” He managed to hoover three pieces himself.
“And will they?”
“They want patched in? They’re gonna kiss your fuckin’ ass. You can teach ‘em how you want ‘em to be with customers.”
This new venture could actually be another benefit to their MC. Especially if it made decent scratch.
“But, just so you know, club’s gonna take a cut for this delivery service.”
“What?”
Did she really think she’d get free labor and put all the scratch in her own pocket? They were the Kings, not some fucking pussy-ass jokers. “Long as you’re cookin’ in thekitchen, the members get to eat what you make, so no one’s gonna mind takin’ scratch from the club coffers to cover what’s needed. But tyin’ up a prospect with shit other than club business is gonna cost. Tellin’ you now, it’s the only way it’s gonna happen.”
“How much will this service cost me?”
“Will have a sit-down with the other officers and figure it out.”
“Well, whatever it is, I’ll have to work that cost into the price of the meals, so let’s not get crazy with it,yeah?” She had deepened her voice for the added “yeah.”
He pressed his lips together to smother his amusement. The woman had a bit of an attitude today. He might have to knock the bottom out of her along with that attitude later. Once the kids were asleep. “Yeah, got it. But it ain’t all my decision. Gotta vote on this kinda shit.”
“Like a democracy. How soon can you find that out so I can come up with a business plan?”
“Gotta ask Ransom to schedule a meetin’. So, don’t know. Soon.” He’d shoot the prez a text after they picked up the kids.
“Do you think it’s a good idea?”
He glanced over at her, not bothering to hide his surprise. “You care what I think?”
She jerked up a shoulder in a half-assed shrug. “Sure. Why not?”
Damn. She trusted his opinion.
He sliced his eyes back to the road and didn’t smother his grin this time. “Think it’s a great fuckin’ idea. Puts more scratch in your pocket and more in the club coffers. Sounds like a win-fuckin’-win to me.”
If it kept her ass at The Castle instead of going to those damn personal chef bookings where he couldn’t keep an eyeon her, even better. Once Vic the Dick was dealt with, she could go back to doing all the shit she was doing before.
Or she could keep finding alternate ways to line her pockets. He wouldn’t give a fuck either way, as long as she was safe.
“I appreciate you helping me pivot my business.”
“Got a deal, remember? I keep you and Baby Bird safe, you take care of me and my mini-monster.” For Stone, that “taking care of” part needed more sex, though. However, he wasn’t going to bring that up in an enclosed space. An escape plan was always needed when bringing up any topic that might piss off a woman.
He wasn’t fucking stupid.
Depending on who was asked.
“’Til I tell you different, this is how it’s gonna go. You drop the kids off at school on the way to The Castle. Do your thing. When I can’t get the kids from school, will get someone else to pick them up and drop them off there. Once you’re done for the day, then you bring them home with you.”
Shehmm’d. “I know I just told you not to boss me around, but I can live with this plan.”
He huffed, “Thank fuck for that. But even if you couldn’t, you ain’t got a choice.”
“I always have a choice.”
“Not when it comes to your safety. Remember, I’m in charge of that.”
Luckily, whatever response she was about to spew evaporated due to him pulling up to the curb outside of the school. Of course, her kid was sitting on the curb, reading a book like a civilized nut nugget, while his was shooting daggers at the Honda with her narrowed eyes.
