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“With all this in mind, I want the roof prepared, get all snipers up there choosing their positions. If they want to be outside of the clubhouse and on the compound, that’s okay. We need the right cover. Rides, make sure all our dug-outs are ready and easily accessible. Hot Rod you make sure the fencing is secure. Scalpel, make sure you have everything you need in your room, and maybe in the future you need to consider a better room that can be a type of surgery. There are more of us, and we need to be alert, ready, and medical equipment prepared.”

“I can do that, Pres,” Scalpel chin lifts.

“Bastian said his man will inform us the moment Snake makes a move. I want every man to be ready. All of us are military, doesn’t matter we are not officially in the forces, we are still brothers in arms, and we will fend off these fuckers,” I snarl, and when the brothers use their fists to bang on the table I know they are with me. The noise vibrates through the room, bringing with it determination and pride.

Finger taps the table once it quiets. “Cilla is speaking with our ghostly brothers, and they are watching our backs. It appears Tank has learned how to go from one place to another in the snap of an eye. Could be in our favor given time.”

“Yeah, well, let’s hope after this rogue MC has been taken down we don’t have more brothers joining Bono, Tank, and Pyro. Can you fuckin’ imagine more ghosts floating around the place?” Brewer states, but we all notice he’s looking around the room for a threat of being hung up again.

I reach for the pen as it shoots off the table directly towards Brewer. My hand wraps around it and I snatch it to me before I snarl at the air. “Pack. It. The. Fuck. In,” I snarl at whichever one of the assholes is messing with Brewer. “He’s right, we don’t want more brothers dying, but if they do, I’d rather they be with brothers than wandering the afterlife alone. Now, let’s get out of here.”

Chapter 23

JOKER

I’m showing Miri the ideas, or plans I should say, for the house. I am listening to what she doesn’t like, and what she loves about them. We change things up so the house is good for both of us. Basement where half is sectioned for a man cave, as in, TV, game station, bar, gun cabinet, pool table and an enormous sofa. The other section has a washing machine, dryer, sink, cabinets for storage, a pull-out ironing board on one side, and anything else she will need. I’m going to do my best to share chores around the house, but Miri’s idea of employing Briony isn’t a bad one.

“I like the basement now, Joker. I will speak with Briony when the house is eventually built and ask her to clean for us. She needs the work, and it will make it easier for me, and you, of course.” Miri kisses my cheek and gives me the cheeky look she reserves for when we are alone.

“I’m good with Briony working for us. Now, what about the kitchen plans?” I slide the plan in front of us.

“I love the kitchen, Joker. The walk-in pantry is ideal, and it’s large enough that I can keep the toaster, food mixer, and other things in there too.”

“Good. The whole of the house I’ve tried to see it as you would like it. Keep things close so you are not walking all over the house to get something to then take it back to where you started. The laundry room has masses of space with a washing machine, tumble dryer, large cabinets that incorporates an ironing board that drops for use but can be pushed back out of the way. If you see anything on the plans that you need to add then do it, but the second set of plans here are just the house layout, the basic blueprint of rooms.” I try to tell her exactly what I see in my mind. It’s easier now I’ve drawn out some of the rooms so she can see what I envision.

Miri looks at the blueprint of the house once more, checking each room carefully before giving me a smile and a kiss on my cheek. “I love it, Joker.”

“You need to call me Liam when we are on our own, Miri. It is my real name after all, and now you are my old lady you get to be the only one to use it.”

“Old lady? You mean like Cilla and Rory? You mean it like we’re club married?” Miri is looking at me with her eyes nearly bulging out of her head.

Chuckling, “Yeah, like club married. I’m going to put it forward in our next church so I can get your cut which will proudly state, Property of Joker.”

“Property of? Do you get one saying you are mine?” Miri asks with some sass I have to tell you.

“I’m going to have your name sewn into my cut. Everyone will not see it, but you will know you own me, and rightly so.” I kiss Miri so thoroughly that her eyes are watering and her lips are pouting. “Okay, so the plans are good and I can hand them to Books for Jeremy to make a start on our house. Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Miri responds as she climbs onto my lap and kisses me senseless. My hands can’t help but wander some, and I feel her body shaking with what I thought was desire, but when she starts to laugh, I can’t help but lean back and look at her questioningly.

“What are you laughing at?”

“I just realized that I’m in a serious relationship, have new friends, a new job, and know someone who speaks to ghosts. I mean, if you told anyone they’d think you were crazy. You know something, Liam? I’ve never been as happy as I am right now.”

“That’s fuckin’ great to hear, Miri. Now, let’s go look at Rory’s old house. We could move in quickly and start practicing making babies,” I smirk at her look of shock, but I ignore it, kiss her nose and distract her for a few more minutes.

Walking into Rory’s previous home, I’m impressed as it’s small, but it’s well laid out and very well decorated. A kitchen that includes a dining area where a small round table and four chairs are sitting. The living room has an L-shaped sectional sofa with a large ottoman in front, a TV mounted on the wall, and a bookshelf. Clean and straightforward lines define the look while keeping a cozy feel.

Two bedrooms, which are basic but roomy enough to have everything you need at hand. The larger bedroom has a closet, king-size bed, and bedside tables.

The smaller second bedroom we probably would never use, but could come in handy to keep any overflow of clothing while we are living here.

The bathroom is adequate, and the house has a small utility with a stacking washer, dryer, sink, and a cabinet for brooms and the like. It’s a pleasant house, in fact, and if we were not wanting to build our own, I think it would be a nice first home for us.

“I like this, Liam. I think we can stay here happily while our house is being built. What do you think?”

“I agree, and Rory tells me she helps her neighbor shop. Maybe we could do some things for them while we are here?” I suggest, as I look out of the front door ready to leave.

“Yes, we could. I notice the front yard needs the lawn mowed. You could do that while I offer to do something else?” Miri is passing me in the doorway, and I follow her out, locking the door behind me.