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Closing the door, I turn the lock and place the weekender on the bottom of the single bed. The room is clean, smells fresh, and isn’t what I expected. It is worth more than the cost I paid for the night, but I’m more than happy I am staying here.

I grab fresh clothing and lay it on the chair near the bathroom door. Then quickly set the shower going and strip out of the stale clothing I’m wearing. I throw them into the bottom of the shower and grab the bottle of shower gel.

Climbing into the shower, I use the shower gel to wash out the clothing, then rinse and squeeze them the best that I can. I hang them over the shower rod and quickly wash my hair and body. After I feel fully clean and refreshed, I jump out of the shower and use the towel that is sitting on a shelf near the shower. Drying off, I walk into the bedroom and grab a pair of boy short pajamas, which is ideal because it is warm in this room.

I towel-dry my hair and braid it out of the way. It is shoulder-length and thick, so it will take a long time to dry without a hairdryer, and that is something I have not found in the bathroom.

Climbing onto the bed, I settle down for a few minutes while I decide what I want or need to do next. But I’m so tired that I don’t debate with myself before I’m fast asleep.

Chapter 6

JOKER

After I finish breakfast, I hear Hot Rod complaining about having to dig out a new acid pit. Interesting! Very interesting! I follow Hot Rod out of the clubhouse to where the acid pit is located. Rides, Books, and Scalpel are with Aspen who is explaining where they need to dig, how deep, and how wide.

“That’s a hell of a size, Aspen,” Rides snaps as he picks up his spade to dig.

“It is, but it will give the acid more chance to do its work. Especially with the number of carcasses that you have been throwing into it,” Aspen says with frustration in her tone of voice.

Scalpel chuckles before speaking, “You know, we try to put things into the pit in chunks so it’s easier for the acid to work.”

Rides laughs at that comment because we’ve seen the prospects upchucking when they’ve been involved in the dissecting. Eventually everyone gets used to it and the embarrassing heaving stops. I heaved my guts up the first time I did it, but now I can do it while cracking jokes.

“Hi, Joker,” Aspen greets as she notices me watching.

“Morning, Aspen. I can’t stay. I’m on my way to work, but the new pit sounds good. I hear you are putting a cover on it that is motorized. Better than dragging the sheet of steel as we have been doing.”

Aspen smiles, and you can see her eyes twinkling. “Yeah, I was here when I watched two of the brothers dragging that sheet of steel over, and that’s what had me thinking of a concealed cover that was automated. It will save you all some backache.”

Hot Rod is giving me dirty looks because I’m about ready to escape the job of digging out a new pit. But I genuinely have to get to work, so I’m not shirking.

“It’s a good move, y’know, improving the size of the pit. Sorry brothers, I’ve gotta get to work.” I don’t give anyone the opportunity to haul me into digging, and I smirk as I walk away hearing my brothers muttering, ‘Asshole,’ ‘Fucker,’ ‘Yeah, run and get out of the hard work.’

Walking into the office forty minutes later, the first thing I noticed was Darius sitting in front of Bull’s desk. Nobody is staffing the stations, and all is quiet. Unusual not to have a call coming through, but I can see the stations are working fine.

“Took your time getting here this morning, Joker,” Bull snarks.

Grinning, I reply, “Well, I was dodging having to assist the brothers digging a big hole.” I don’t elaborate, but Bull knows exactly what hole I’m referring to.

“Darius is here because we have good news that Toby is in the process of selling the lot to the club. Darius would manage the lot, live in the house, and be a driver when we need one. I want you to teach Darius, once he’s settled into all those roles, as an additional helper on the stations, Joker.” Bull is looking relieved that we have someone onboard to take the pressure from us regarding the impound lot and an additional driver when needed.

“That is good to hear. You are onboard with all that, Darius?” I ask as I turn in my seat to give him my full attention.

“I’m more than good with that, Joker. I was turned down for work wherever I applied. Some seem to think you leave the military and bring the war home with you. It’s not the case, as you know, some of us just want to get a new purpose and move forward. Some suffer more than others, but it doesn’t mean we should lose opportunities to have a decent life because we are veterans.”

It’s easy to tell from his tone that Darius is sick of the situation he has been in. I agree with what he’s saying wholeheartedly, because I’ve seen and heard shit that should never happen.

“Well, you’ll be worked hard with us. We all do what is needed when it’s needed. You know you should put your name forward as a prospect. We have working prospects these days, and eventually you’d be a full brother. I think both you and Malik should do that,” I add that because I know Pres wants to pull in more good men, and as we find them, we need to steer them in the right direction.

“Malik mentioned prospecting, but I’m not ready for anything yet. Maybe when I get settled into the impound lot, I’ll think more on it.” Darius is being sincere, and you can tell from his expression he’s not throwing the idea out.

All three of us turn and look when the door to the office opens. I’m surprised when Tracker, Cap, and Keys walk inside.

“I’m not here to disturb anyone. I tagged along with Keys as he wants to finish his check on your system, Bull,” Tracker states as he walks over to the coffee station and helps himself to a cup.

“Darius is up to speed, Pres,” Bull states.

“Good. While we wait for the purchase to happen, you work with Bull. Get to know the team of recovery brothers. You’ll deal with them all when you are running the impound lot. I’ve left a message for the admin office at the Sheriff’s Department that they will see a change of ownership, and a change in the fees we charge.” Tracker takes a drink of his coffee before taking a seat at the station next to mine.