Page 22 of Property of Baffle
“Punchy has removed protection from Roxy and does not claim her as his child any longer,” I reiterated for those who missed it.He got up and looked at me briefly.“I need to…” He walked to the door, knowing full well he hadn’t been dismissed because our meeting wasn’t over.I gave a nod anyway.
“Someone can fill you in later.”Once he was out the door, I turned to our former president.“Need you to go look after Nell for me.She’s probably up by now and I don’t want anyone else in her face.”He nodded and took off immediately.I’d already filled Crutch in via text on what was happening with the upcoming run to Arizona anyway.I needed him to step up to cover the club while I took off to deal with Nell’s shit in Flagstaff since our current president was off on his honeymoon.
“Now, back to my wife,” I couldn’t hide the grin on my face as I called her that again in front of my brothers.“Nell has an art studio in Flagstaff.I need to go grab all her stuff for her before it ends up destroyed.I fully expect that there will be eyes on the place unless this Johnny - Slicer asshole is a complete moron.Either way, we need to go clear it out for her and potentially put someone in place to tail the fucker to see if he heads back to report in to the Devils.”
“How many bodies do you need?”
This was going to be the fun part.I glanced at Knuckles as I ticked off the specific things I needed that would determine who we brought with us.“I need at least four plus whoever we have as a tail for the dick.We also need a rig that can haul something the size of a car plus some other shit, someone who can operate a forklift, and…”
“What the fuck?”Grunt asked.“What kind of shit is your woman into?”
I laughed.“Beats the fuck out of me.She is an artist and works with metal.That’s all I know.Nell said I should just see it for myself without her spoiling the fun.”
“I can operate a forklift, so I guess I’m going.Besides, I want to see what your new woman is up to.”Grunt tipped his chin at me and I nodded to confirm.
“I’m going, too.We should take Grease with us just in case, since her specifications were something the size of a car,” Knuckles suggested.
“You good with that, Grease?”I asked.
“Whatever you need, brother.”
“Squeak how do you feel about sticking around there to tail Johnny, if he shows up?”Squeak, otherwise known as Joey Tipton, was one of the last members that had been patched over about a year after the bullshit went down with Nell.A few of the brothers were still on the fence about him because he was a bit skittish or timid at times.I thought he made up for that with the fact that he was loyal to the damn bone.
“Got nothing going on, so I’m good to hang in Flagstaff for a bit,” he confirmed.
“One last thing, we use that motherfucker until he gives us everything we can possibly gain about the Devils, but after that, he’s mine.”When no one disagreed or had any other business, I called church to a close and we all dispersed.
13Brunch With Satan
Nell
Accordingto my phone it was after eleven o’clock.Rick wasn’t in bed with me, and judging by the absolute quiet, my guess was that he had already taken off to handle whatever the hell it was he did around here.I assumed that being the vice president meant he was a busy man.It was obvious when we rode in the day before that the club had a few busy businesses.
When I got up to get myself together, I realized there were a few issues I’d have to rectify.One of those things was a lack of hygiene items.The stuff I left behind in my old place couldn’t be trusted, so I hadn’t brought anything with me.That left me brushing my teeth with my finger.The other issue was my lack of clothing.Thankfully, Rick had brought my bag in at some point.There was a note on top of it.
Hey sweetheart,
It’s been a rough few days and I wanted you to sleep in and get some rest.I have church this morning with the officers and members.By the time we’re done, they will all be fully aware of who you are to me and we’ll have a plan to go get your studio moved and deal with Johnny Fucking Culver.
Plenty of food in the kitchen, help yourself to anything you want.If anyone gives you trouble, come interrupt my meeting.
Your husband,
Rick
I tossedon a pair of leggings, a tank top, and one of Rick’s Kings of Anarchy hoodies because I wasn’t sure how chilly the rest of the clubhouse would be.After the previous night, I couldn’t deal with being cold and feeling out of place again.Unfortunately, my stomach wouldn’t stop rumbling and I realized I hadn’t had anything to eat since breakfast the day before.A road trip on a motorcycle was not the same as one in a car.It was kind of hard to stuff your face full of snacks when they were tucked away in a saddlebag (if you had them) and you were wearing a full face helmet or eating bugs when you lifted the visor.
I made my way to the kitchen and poked around a bit before settling on a yogurt that was about two days away from being expired, a banana that might have been a tad too ripe, and a cup of coffee.Rather than take it back to the room, I plopped down in a seat at an empty table in the kitchen area.There were several there along one wall.I took one in the corner so I could watch the doors.There was one leading back to the common area, the way I had entered, and another, larger door that led outside.Another one, that appeared to be a pantry, was in the middle of the long wall that led between the other two doors.All the cabinetry, appliances, and sink were on the opposite wall.There was no one in the space when I got there, so I figured I might be able to eat in peace.
That peace did not last long.
Roxy and her mother strolled in a few minutes after I got settled.My appetite took a nosedive but I refused to scurry off like a scared mouse.I was welcome here.Baffle was the vice president and my husband.That had to mean something even if these women tried to make it sound as if it didn’t.Based on what Brady said when he stood up for me the night before, there was a hierarchy and I was near the top, just under the club members and officers.I kind of knew that from TV, too, but I didn’t want to count on that knowledge since Rick told me each club ran things differently.
The women eyed me when they entered the kitchen and walked right past without saying a word.I hoped that my luck held out and that continued, or better yet, that they were on their way out the side door.When they reached for mugs and poured themselves some coffee, I knew I wasn’t that lucky.The women sauntered over and made themselves comfortable two tables away from where I sat.Just as I was about to choke down my banana and make a quiet exit, the side door opened and Crutch came through with his wife hot on his heels and two little boys trailing behind them.Based on what I’d seen and heard at the wedding the night before, I knew they were Bigfoot’s son, Hawk, and Sammy’s little brother, Ryan.
While I wasn’t exactly comfortable with the addition of the other woman who had harassed me, I figured maybe they would stick to themselves and leave me alone since there were children in the room.The boys asked for pancakes and Tilly immediately got busy making them.Crutch came over to have a seat at the same table I occupied.
“I thought all the men had a meeting this morning?”I asked him just to make small talk and also because I was curious if Rick would show up or go looking for me.
