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Finger walks into the common room, and as he nears the two of them, Ayla as clear as you like says, “Dada!” Finger picks her up and kisses her all over her face. Blows raspberries on her belly. He has his kid laughing so hard that she hiccups. Who would have thought that's our Enforcer? The man who could snap a neck without putting effort into it would be so gentle with his daughter. It’s something that makes me yearn for a kid of my own.

Taking my dishes into the kitchen, I thank Bessy, who is cooking today, and head toward my room. I want to clean up before finding Miri. She said she was working here this morning but going out with the team to make a plan for the first house. I may have missed her, but I’ll find her at the house they are going to work on first or Demon’s Rest.

I’m just about to reach the stairs when Trix steps out from the room we are passing. “Hi, Joker.”

I try to step around her, but she moves in front of me. “What do you want, Trix? I’m busy.”

“I wanted to ask if you were ever going to be needing us now that you have Miri?” Trix is giving me the stupid, pouty look that is so fuckin’ childish that I chuckle.

“What do you think, Trix? I’ve met the woman who is perfect for me. I already love her and I will never cheat on her, not now, not ever. So, of course, the answer to your ridiculous question is no, I’m not going to you anymore.” I don’t wait for her to reply to that. I gently move her out of the way and head upstairs to the suite we are in the process of leaving.

We have two bags to take and we are done. Moving into the place that was Rory’s works out great for us. I love being alone with Miri. Cooking, watching TV, even doing laundry has been fun. Yeah, you got it, the washing machine on spin is fuckin’ cool when I have Miri bent over it.

An hour later I am standing in Demon’s Rest listening to Miri’s Team discussing what they will do with the house they looked at today. The ideas are great, and I’m sure will bring a house that looks worn out and neglected to something that will be a warm and loving home.

“This house you are all discussing.” I interrupt them as they draw plans for an extension. “Would it make a good one for Tripp and Jay?”

Miri looks at me, surprised. “They are at the clubhouse in a suite, aren’t they?”

“Yeah, but they spoke about having their own place away from the club. They are working prospects and get the suite as part of their package with the club. You know what I mean, they get paid so much as a salary, and then the suite and food carry no charge. But they want to have somewhere where they can just chill and be themselves.”

Bastian nods as he speaks out. “Yeah, I can understand that. We like it here and we’ve had a discussion about building in the yard because there is so much of it. But we can’t do that and the rentals, just not enough hands, or hours in the day.”

“What about a double-wide?” I throw that idea on the table and wait for reactions.

Parker nods. “That’s a good idea, Joker. They are usually transported in two sections or more? Not sure, but they put them together like a jigsaw. We wouldn’t have to do anything, but it would be a solution for the club, and if we get one with three or four bedrooms, it would be a great place to have spare rooms if and when needed.”

Miri smiles before stepping closer and wrapping her arms around me. “Good thinking.”

I grab hold of her and kiss her while I have the opportunity. Grinning against her mouth when I hear, “Get a room.” “Oh, that’s sickening.” “Covering my eyes, guys.”

“Come on, let’s get busy,” Miri quickly states, and as she retakes her seat at the table my phone rings.

Cap: Everyone to the clubhouse, get into position. The Iron Fallen are three hours away.

Joker: On it.

“Get your shit, we’re leaving. The Iron Fallen MC are on the way. We have three hours before they get here. Just in time for night to hit us,” I snarl.

“Get your gear,” Bastian snaps out, and without hesitation Parker, Colter, and Land run out of the room. “We’ll be with you in twenty minutes or so, Joker. We have skills, and we’ll make sure whatever your Pres needs us to cover, we’ll cover.”

“See you in a few,” I reply as I grab Miri’s hand and pull her behind me as I head back to my bike.

“Liam. I can take my car.”

“No, leave it here. If shit goes south you don’t want it blowing up in the compound. Now put your skid lid on and let’s move.” I try not to snap at her as I take her helmet out from where I keep it in the saddlebag of my hog.

An hour later, we are all in the positions that Pres gave us. Miri is with Cilla, Rory, and Ayla. They are on top floor of the building in a suite designed to be safer than anywhere in an attack. It has a false partition where they can go behind and lock themselves inside. It is metal lined in case of fire, and even if the building collapses, it will remain intact.

I couldn’t help but smirk when Conrad arrived with a grenade launcher. It was sitting on his shoulder as he walked through the clubhouse, and he’s grinning so wide you can see all his teeth. He already has his sniper position set up, and for the last week has been spending time on the roof getting acclimatized to his position.

I can’t keep count of where everybody is positioned, but I know the six working for Jeremy are staying together as they cover each other naturally. It is what comes of being a platoon, after all.

Miri’s team is outside somewhere being directed by Jay using earbuds. From what I can hear, they are on the driveway leading up to the compound. It’s one of the reasons we keep the main gate at the road. It gives the long driveway an opportunity and minutes for the clubhouse to be prepared if anything untoward happens.

I place my shotgun near the door. It’s a standby weapon in case anything happens with the CQBR Carbine assault rifle I’m going to be using. I also have a Sig and a Glock on hand. Let the fuckers come and let them see what happens when you fuck with the Restless Demons MC.

“You ready, Joker?” Pres asks as he gets ready to leave the clubhouse and take his position out front.