Raging Barons MC – Book Three – Silver

-:- TARGET -:-

Walking into the clubhouse I can tell Meat has been cooking because that smell is in the air, the one that always makes my mouth water when he’s grilling steaks. He won’t tell anyone how he makes the shit he puts the meat in, but it makes the steak so tender it melts on your tongue.

Chaos shouts me over to the bar and I ask for a water because I’m not a big beer drinker. Then sit with my back at the bar so I can watch what is going on around the common room.

Mia is talking to Fox and I can see Axel is keeping a close eye on them both. He is so protective of her, but after the life she’s had, I’m pleased to see she has someone solid to lean on.

Stitch walks over to us and gives me a small head nod, then grabs a beer that the prospect hands him. Taking big gulps, I give him an eyebrow lift in question of what’s eating his ass.

“I chose a room next to PT’s office, fuckin’ hell, it was disgusting. It’s taken all day to clean it out before I can think of doing anything else. I’m going to paint it and make sure it’s not goin’ to give you all an infection before I think of putting anything medical in there.”

Chaos laughs, shakes his head, and slaps Stitch on the shoulder. “You’ll get it all sorted out, I’m sure.”

Not noticing, Axel has walked over and heard the conversation, and he has this smirk that only lifts one side of his mouth. “Y’all okay? Stitch, do what you need to in the medical room. Speak to TwoCents about anything you’re going to need.”

Nodding, Stitch gives him a respectful look. “It’s not gonna be cheap because your medical equipment is non-existent.”

“Yeah, and that’s why you’re here.” Slapping Stitch on the shoulder, he then turns to Chaos, “Tomorrow Club Whisky opens. I want you to be on hand in case they need help. So be there mid-afternoon, you as well Target.”

Giving Axel a nod, I finish my water and hand the empty bottle back to Brad who is the prospect behind the bar tonight. The three of us head to the kitchen and find ourselves a seat at one table and wait for Meat to shout ‘Come and get it’ or something similar to that. We are all watching to see how well he contains his crazy and we all think it will come out slowly when he’s not feeling all eyes on him.

Meat is placing roasted vegetables onto plates and it smells divine, I have to admit. Then a slab of steak on the side, covered in his famous mushroom gravy. My mouth is watering so badly that if I don’t get a plate quickly, I’m gonna be drooling.

“Grubs up.” Meat bellows from behind the kitchen island, then walks to the kitchen door and bellows again into the common room.

I look over at Stitch and he grins as we hear feet stomping to the kitchen, then comments, groans of pleasure and murmured ‘Thanks’.

Mia and Axel pick up a plate and Mia holds it under her nose, groaning loudly, then shouts to Meat, “Thanks, Meat, it smells amazing, better than anything I could dish up.”

Meat nods, gives her a small twitch of his mouth, which has us all looking from one to another, because that is unusual that he would show any sign he heard. This has me thinking he likes her and he’s gonna be okay here.

Sitting next to me, Chaos nudges me with his elbow and smirks, letting me know he saw it too, and he’s happy to know he’ll be okay. Chaos was closer to Meat than I was, but I’m glad we got him out of that damn place, even though he put himself in.

Meat walks over with a plate of his own, sits and eats without a word. Stitch is grinning and leans over to him, saying quietly, “Well man, you got ‘em all hooked on your steak and mushroom gravy already. No-one is speaking as they’re all digging into their meal.” As always, no comment, but he gives a nod that he heard.

After everyone’s eaten, rinsed their plates and piled them on the drainer, I fill the dishwasher and set it going, the few plates that didn’t fit in I wash in the sink and Chaos dries, stacking them on the center island so Meat can do what he wants with them.

“No dessert then Meat?” Chaos asks with a fuckin’ sparkle in his eyes.

“No.” Meat responds but doesn’t give any of us anymore attention as he places a stack of plates in the warmer. I do notice it’s not switched on, so he’s getting things ready for the next meal when he’ll need them.

“I’m going for a run; anyone want to join me?” I ask and head out of the kitchen to my club room to change into my running gear. I didn’t wait for a response because I know these three well enough to know they’ll be up for it. I don’t usually run after a meal but time seems to keep getting away with us and I need to keep my fitness tight.

When I walk out the back door, I see Meat and Stitch changed and warming up. I take a few minutes stretching and getting ready, and as soon as Chaos arrives, we set off at a steady pace.

I keep to the compound as I’ve done this many times now and know the point in the run where I need to speed things up a little. I pick up the pace after a couple of miles, and each time I pick up a little more, they keep up with the pace.

By the time we’ve done eight miles, we are all dripping with sweat and running at a grueling pace, but I’m not letting these fuckers get soft. We need to stay fit and alert. It’s inbred into us.

When we reach the back of the clubhouse, I start my sit-ups and grin when I hear Chaos growling about what an asshole I am, but he keeps time with the rest of us.

Finishing the sit-ups, I make a start on push-ups and have to shake my head as the sweat drips in my eyes. Stitch is grunting with each one now, but he’s not complaining. He’s at the point where he either gives in or pushes through.

After the hundred push-ups I lay on the ground trying to get my breathing under control and cool a little, but we have to do some cool downs so I drag myself onto my feet, and this time I follow Meat who’s already started cooling down.

Hmph, my breath leaves my body and I find myself on my stomach with Chaos sitting on me, laughing, but not for long. I flick him off as soon as he thinks I’ve relaxed, and have him on the ground under me. This is how it goes for the next ten minutes, wrestling and grappling with each other.

Clapping grabs my attention as I look over my shoulder and see Mia and Hammer standing at the back door. “Way to go Target, give him hell.” Mia shouts, then laughs when Chaos shouts back to her, “Thought you were my friend, Mia?”

Knuckles walks out in his joggers and nods. “Anyone up for a spar? Need someone new to keep me fresh.” Before I can respond I hear Meat say he will, which surprises the shit outta me.

We spent the evening with brothers, bringing chairs out of the clubhouse, beers in hand and a betting pool opened. Two going against each other and the one who can pin the other on the ground to the count of ten wins.

You really would think there was money involved, and a lot of money at that because these fuckers go for it, Drag the VP pins TwoCents in under two minutes much to TwoCents disgust and stating he’s going to be joining us for training from today onwards.

Ruger has jumped into the fray, taking on Sting, they are taunting and pushing at each other then Sting jumps forward to try and grab Ruger but at the last second Ruger ducks down and punches Sting in the stomach, doubling him over. Ruger shouts, “Come on pussy, are you looking for your purse?” much to everyone’s amusement. Then before we realize what’s happening Sting is up, has Ruger on his knees in front of him and lifts his arm then brings his elbow down on Ruger’s nose, blood splattering, and as Ruger grabs for his nose Sting has him on the ground pinned to the count of ten.

Mia is jumping up and down with excitement, until no one will spar with her. Now she’s pretty pissed and states we all have to find ol’ ladies so she has others she can play with.

Meat walks over to her, taps her shoulder and when she looks up at him, he leans down and stares into her face, “You wanna learn shit? I’ll teach you. Guns, blades, hand-to-hand, but you gotta commit.”

Surprising us all, Mia lifts her hand and places it on the side of Meat’s face. “Yeah, I’ll commit, and you’ll commit to learn desserts, black forest, lemon, walnut and orange gateau. Plus, more, we got a deal?”

Meat continues looking at her for a few minutes, making us all nervous, but Mia just stands waiting, then he smiles, yeah, the fucker actually smiles at her, “Yeah, deal.”

I look over and see Axel grinning, with no worry showing in his body language. Maybe he’s a better reader of people than I am.

Meat walks into the clubhouse and Mia turns around to all of us, gives us the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on her face. She flicks us all the finger then struts indoors. I look over at Axel and he flings his head back and laughs loudly.

The evening breaks up pretty quickly after that and we all know tomorrow is going to be a busy one as Club Whisky re-opens. Most of the brothers will be there to help or just as support.

I grin as I watch some brothers limp indoors, bloody noses, swollen eyes. Yeah, I think it got a little rough but everyone is laughing and had a great time, that’s all that matters. Slapping Chaos on the back, we head indoors as we’re staying here tonight.