“Not a problem,” Rav smirks.
“I’m serious. Make sure they’re not pulling any tricks and watch that our regular girls don’t haze them. Swan will be there to supervise in the dressing room, so if she calls for help, I expect one of you to move like lightning.”
The smirk slides off Rav’s face. “You got it.”
Dex’s gaze slides to Stash. “No flirting with Willow all night, either.”
“Come on,” he says in a slow, lazy drawl. “You know me better than that.”
A few more guys from downstate volunteer. Dex doesn’t grill them as hard, but he and Z nod at each other, so I’m guessing Z will have a chat with his members later.
“Good, glad that’s settled. Thanks for stepping up.” Rock nods to each brother. As if they need to be praised for volunteering to spend the night at our strip club.
“Now.” Rock slides a piece of paper out of an official envelope. “I got a notice from the zoning board about the new clubhouse. Apparently, we’re missing a permit or some shit.” He glares at everyone down the table. “Now, those of you who asked for that new clubhouse to be built were supposed to make sure it didn’t end up my problem.”
“That’s my fault, Prez.” Teller lifts his hand in the air. “I was supposed to take care of it.”
“Nah, I was part of the group asking for the place to be built. I was supposed to remind him,” Rav says.
“Spare me the mutual stroke fest, and get it done.”
“Got it.” Teller reaches for the paper and Rock hands it over.
“Z,” Rock nods. “All yours.”
“With Grinder’s permission, downstate would like to throw you a welcome home party.”
I wasn’t expecting to suddenly have everyone’s eyes on me. I sit up and glare at Z. “Sure, brother. I want to see the place. You know the reasons I haven’t been down there yet.”
“I do. I do.” He glances down at the table for a second. “Also, Priest is planning to attend.”
“What now?” I lean forward. “Why?”
“Because you spent fifteen years inside for the club?” Z says in a slow, mocking tone.
“Watch yourself,” I warn.
“He’s asked about you a lot over the years,” Rock says.
“Eh, he came to visit once or twice early on but not since he took over National.”
Rock raises his eyebrows as if he wasn’t aware Priest had paid me any visits. Been so fucking long ago, I rarely think about it anyway.
“Do we want to make more progress on our support club before Priest gets here?” Wrath asks. “That’s been on his agenda for a while now.”
“Is this Rooster’s fault?” Steer shoves his VP. “Priest was on his dick all summer sending him to different charters to spy on ‘em and shit.”
Rooster slowly turns his head and glares at Steer. “I wasn’t spying on anyone and I’m pretty sure your ego got plenty of strokes from National, so shut the fuck up.”
Steer shakes with laughter but Rooster doesn’t seem as amused.
“Fault implies there is a problem.” Z leans forward and glares at Steer. “You have a problem with our national president paying us a visit?”
“No, Prez. Not me.”
“Good.” Z turns to me. “He understands about your parole limitations. That’s why he hasn’t pushed to come up earlier.”
“Well, thank fuck for his understanding.”
“I’ll let you know when we’ve got it all set. You think this new parole officer is gonna be a problem?”
“Don’t know yet. She seemed no-nonsense but fair.”
“Wait, hold up.” Rav raises his hand. “You got a female P.O. now, Grinder?”
“Oh, fuck that’s hot,” Stash adds.
“I assure you, there is nothing fun about being on parole.” I wouldn’t even wish it on these two clowns.
“Yeah, but does she, like, carry handcuffs and shit?” Rav persists.
“Jesus Christ.” Rock rubs his hand across his temple.
“She hot?” Hustler asks.
“Don’t you start with that shit now too,” Z warns.
“She’s attractive but authoritative,” I answer.
“I love the bossy bitches.” Hustler rubs his hands together like a fucking deviant.
“Does ‘don’t start’ mean tell us more stuff we don’t need to know where you were born?” Z asks.
“What? I’m just saying. If she’s looking, hook your brother up.”
“Yeaaah,” I answer slow and irritated, “we’re not really there to discuss her dating habits.”
“What happened to Grillo?” Rock asks.
“Finally, someone asking the question that matters.” I turn toward Rock’s end of the table.
Wrath’s eyes are shut tight and he’s quietly shaking with laughter. If I were closer, I’d fucking kick him. “What’s so funny, giggles?”
He swipes under his eyes and grins. “Nothing. Just the more they obsess over every chick mentioned, the more obvious it is they’ve never—”
“Don’t you dare say it!” Rav stands and points at Wrath.
“Never made a woman come,” Teller finishes Wrath’s sentence. “Yes, that’s what all of us were thinking.”
I shoot a glare at Rock. “Kinda letting this train run away from you, Prez.”