Ness, can you cook something to feed about 150 brothers and possibly just as many family members? By tomorrow night? – ToadNessie stepped back and looked at her work. In the past two days she had completely revamped the dining hall. Additional changes would be done in the next few days. The salad bar was cleaned and fully stocked. There was a baked potato bar and taco station. Along the main line were brisket, baked chicken and stew. Steamed vegetables, macaroni and cheese, baked beans and corn were set out, with more trays waiting in the warmers. Also in the warmers were freshly baked yeast rolls, biscuits and cornbread.Chocolate and yellow cakes were chilling in the cooler, sliced and ready to be served. Nessie had recruited some of the club girls to help her. Several were stationed in the kitchen to run the dishwasher and keep the food stocked. They all wore black slacks and gray polo shirts; picked by Siobhan.Looking around at the dining hall, which could hold 450 people, she
Not all who wander are lost. Except my mind, that bitch is gone. – ZeeNessie was not used to being around so many people. Even when all the Shack brothers were here, it was big enough that it didn’t seem crowded. But now, it was crowded.A few days ago, she had come across a little reading nook along the back hallway. It had a floor to ceiling shelving unit that was full of books. She decided that it must be for the kids to do research because most of the books were various types of encyclopedias, almanacs and anthologies. A desk would be better in the little room than the plush red couch. Nessie would also suggest better lighting than just a sconce above the couch. She came around the corner and found one of the teen girls curled up on the couch. Nessie had seen her around the club, usually with Priscilla, the musketeers or in the gym. The girl with the dirty blonde hair had a knack for disappearing in the crowd. As usual, she wore pajama pants and a tank top.Looking up as she t
It’s a good thing that you like to cook, because we like to eat. – LighteningNessie was right. The women wanted table cloths. She did away with the old black coffee cups. The men did not want dainty coffee mugs. With her evil streak, she ordered small pink cups with frilly flowers. Toad bellowed at her to quit laughing and get the real mugs. Nessie was still giggling as she handed out the 24 ounce black mugs with the patch embossed on it. A few days later, matching travel mugs were added.Cookie made a few changes for her. He added two service windows between the dining hall and the kitchen. One was to return dirty dishes and the other was for special orders to be picked up. He also made the serving lines permanent. Added two sets of French doors leading outside. Made a more permanent drink station and a separate coffee bar. Nessie planned to turn the front check in desk into a fully functional coffee shop. When the time came, she’d talk to Toad about it. Two days before Founde
The twins have decided that you and I are getting married at the Shack. Next month. You were right and I wasn’t quick enough. – MiaThe kitchen had become Knuckles hangout especially when Nessie was cooking. He enjoyed her company and talking to her. He loved hearing her accent and he was getting better at understanding her when she was excited. First plate of food was also nice. Tonight, she was putting the finishing touches on the wedding cake for tomorrow. Celt had asked Mia to marry him at Christmas. Her ten-year-old twins decided that they should get married on St. Patrick’s Day, since his name was Celt. Everyone expected him to say no since it was his birthday. He simply said that he just needed to know when and where to show up. The twins had taken over planning the wedding, except for the reception. Nessie told them to take a hike.Literally. Her exact words had been, “Turn yer arses around and take a hike out that door. I’ve got the reception.”Everyone had been shocked a
Yeh canna read yer own future or yer own palm. Or one tied to yeh. It’s jes the way it is. – Grams to NessieA week after the wedding, Toad went to the food bank and drug his wife into her office. The angry look on his face kept her employees and volunteers from stopping him.No matter how angry he got, he would never hurt her. Her regulars knew this and settled down the new volunteers. Especially after the door slammed so hard that it echoed through out the warehouse. “The feck is yer problem?” Siobhan demanded as soon as they were in her office. “I told him to stay away from her!” he bellowed.“Oh.” She said sitting down behind her desk as he fumed. “He tell you about the kiss?”“He kissed her?” he yelled in surprise. “I think it was mutual. What has you so upset?”“Nessie is avoiding Knuckles and he doesn’t seem to get the clue to back to the fuck off.”“Sit.” She ordered and he glared at her. “My office. You do as I say.”Grumbling under his breath he sat in the chair as she go
Why are there so many dead men in the basement? – NessieIt was Tuesday and church night. The weather was cold and rainy so Nessie had fixed chicken and dumplings. “Nessie,” Buck approached her in the kitchen, “Toad wants to talk to you.”Nodding she gave some instructions to the club girls working the kitchen. She then followed him down the hall to her uncle’s office. Inside the office were the officers of the club – Knuckles, Spider, Sledge, Molly and Werewolf were standing around as Toad sat behind his desk. Dom stood in the shadows of a corner.Nessie stepped in and quickly looked away from Knuckles. Buck motioned for her to sit in the chair in front of the desk. She smiled her thanks as she sat down. “I have a strange question for you, Ness.” Toad said cutting straight to the heart of the issue. “What do you know about the basement?”“Yeh mean the dead men?” she asked and the bikers were shocked. “I think there’s six. Soon to be seven, he’s not always there and the others say h
I miss hanging out with her. If I wouldn’t've kissed her, I’d still have my friend. – KnucklesKnuckles kept his distance for a day. Then a week. Then two. Pretty soon it had been a month. They were approaching six weeks.He saw her every week when they had church. The officers and Siobhan made sure he knew what was going on. They kept him informed not only of the Petros situation, but also how she was doing in general. They all saw the looks when Nessie and Knuckles thought no one was looking. They all knew that the club girls no longer went to his room. She had shown no interest in any of the other brothers.Nessie spent most of the time in her kitchen and office. She created a program with Trevor that kept track of occupied rooms. When they had large gatherings, she quickly assigned rooms and keys.The club girls were doing more around the clubhouse also. They had assigned duties and although at first, they objected, they were doing their jobs well and without complaint. Two of th
Luck never gives, it only lends. – Scottish ProverbChurch was going on downstairs. Nessie was curled up on her bed crying. He was leaving her. It was what she wanted, what needed to happen. He would be safe. She didn’t want him to go. The secured land line phone on her bedside table rang. There were only a few in her family that had the phone number. Her mum, Grams and Papa Dean. And it would be early morning in Scotland. She reached over and picked it up. “’Allo.”“Nach. None of that, lass.” Grams Stewart said. “Tell me why yer upset.”“Yeh know why.” Nessie sniffled.“Aye, I do. But you need to say the words. Words have power, lass, yeh know this.”“He’s gonna leave me.” She whispered.“Only if yeh let him."“Yer vision-"“Acht. Visions change. That’s the thing about shadows. It’s not until it happens that it becomes clear.” “Grams, I can’t be the reason he dies.”“But can you be the reason he lives?” came the counter argument from a half dozen time zones away.“What do yeh mea
I’m very good at being Sophia. I just don’t like being her. – ShilohThe door to the Shack opened and a large group of men in suits entered with a woman in the middle of their pack. As they moved through the building, the men moved off and took up positions around the large space. The woman stopped in front of Pagan who wrapped her up in his arms.“We’re going to get them back.” She quietly promised.“I know.” Pagan whispered against her neck.She pulled away from him and pressed a kiss to his lips before she turned in his arms. “Werewolf, what do you know?”“They were taken by Aranya. We know where their president is.” He answered.She spoke in Italian, and six men stepped towards Werewolf. “Tell them.”Werewolf nodded and pulled up the map on his tablet. He explained where the Aranya clubhouse was located and what he knew of the buildings. “Don, with your leave?” Nico asked and Sophia nodded.“Yes, bring him to me.” The men turned to leave. “Nico," Sophia warned, "do not spill any
Mother, I’m not sure who you think you are but let me assure you who you are not. – SophiaNico leaned over and spoke softly in Sophia’s ear. “Do not let her take hold again. You are in charge of her. You control her.”Sophia nodded and gave him a small smile. She needed the reminder. Shiloh only had to be Sophia for a little while longer. They were winning the last few hold outs over to their side. There were a few that her mother still had convinced that it should be her stepson to take the position.With Sophia at his side to make it legitimate.Otherwise, he was just another son of just another capo. Elizabeth did not want to admit that she had moved down the ranks of the family. When she had first married Joseph, he had been second in line to the throne. His older brother and wife were both killed only a few weeks after Joseph had married Elizabeth.Joseph would be the next to lead the family. But then, the inner war took place and Joseph was caught in the crossfire. His father,
I don’t give a damn how it’s done. I just want it done. – PaganPagan was hammering out his frustration along with the hot metal on the anvil. It was the second day of the meeting with the family, and he was missing his wife.He couldn’t help the smile that crept across his face when he thought of Shiloh as his wife.When it was confirmed who her family was, he understood why she did not want anyone to know that they were married. Until everything was settled, it could put him and his girls in danger. He didn’t understand everything about her family, but he knew it worked like the Saints.They had a family leader and CEO of the company. Shiloh was Nonno’s only living heir and should take his place. Be the next CEO. But it was not what she wanted.She would do it out of duty and obligation. And Pagan was certain that she would be good at it. Shiloh had a good mind for business and could lead the family and business with very little effort. But her heart was n
If it goes well, you will never have to use your old name ever again. – NicoPagan loved waking up in the morning with Shiloh in bed with him. Most mornings, he woke up with her sucking on his cock. Or his balls. Or moving between the two.This morning was no different. He moaned as his hips thrust up and she took him all the way down to his base.“Fuck, babe.” Pagan growled.She hollowed her cheeks and bobbed up and down on him. His hands fisted in her hair and guided her as she bobbed, and he thrust. Pagan pulled her off him and towards him for a kiss.“I need in you.” He said between kisses.Her hands moved to his shoulders as she moved up his body. He sat up and wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. Shiloh wrapped her arms around his neck and legs around his waist. Moving his mouth to her neck, Pagan guided her onto his cock. “Pagan.” She sighed as his head pressed against her folds, sliding into her slickness. He growled again
I love you, Shy, but if you say you’re going to wear a white dress, I’m calling bullshit. – GertieSaturday after they got married, Shiloh went with some of the other ladies to a bridal shop. Surrounded by so much white and ivory, she and Gertie stood out. They looked at each other and shared a smile before they both busted out laughing.“Yeah…” Karan smirked. “I don’t know if we’re going to find anything for Shiloh here.”“Yes, we will.” Rye assured her as she walked towards the back of the large warehouse style store. The rest of the women all shrugged and followed her back. They weaved their way through racks and racks of gorgeous white, ivory and pale pink wedding gowns. There were large and puffy ones, others that were slim and fitting. And there were yards and yards of skirts, hundreds and thousands of beads. Satin, silk, taffeta and tule.Several of the women stopped to admire a gown or dress here and there. Mia pulled one out and held it in front of her.
I won’t even tell Toad. I’ll just tell him that we got the marriage license. – PaganPagan and Shiloh walked into the Shack holding hands just like they always did on Church nights. Ashlyn ran towards Priscilla to show the teen the new outfit. Alyssa headed for Athos to try to con him into a ride. Pagan was never sure if she was going to try for a ride on the bike, or a horse.Nessie looked at the couple as they came through the door from her usual table between the pool tables and the couches. She grinned at them, and Pagan headed towards her having learned not to avoid her. Nessie always knew way more than she should and said that the ghosts talked to her.Pagan had seen the poltergeist activity. Heard her say things about people that very few knew. “It looks good on yeh.” Nessie grinned at Shiloh. “What?” she asked quietly.“A new last name.”They both were quiet as they stared at her.“Yeh’ll not hear it from me. It’s not me place. We can put it
This is just for you and me. The other wedding will be for our girls. – Shiloh Shiloh walked into the front office of the fab shop and did not miss the loud annoyed sigh from the woman behind the counter. Pagan had told her about Carrianne and admitted that if it wasn’t that she was so freaking efficient, he would certainly fire her.But she kept the shop stocked with the iron and other metals that they needed. The other supplies and equipment were never low. Water and sports drinks were always on hand in the coolers and protein bars on the shelves. Project schedules were laid out with monthly, weekly and daily time allotments. Custom jobs were priced and bid for a hefty profit while not discouraging the buyer. Phones were answered when they had to be, although she preferred emails. And those were responded to within a business day at the most.Pagan knew that she did most of her work while she was at home, and he had no problems with it. Carrianne had told him onc
Most people make the mistake of overcooking the lasagna. – NicoOn the second Saturday of the new year, Nico invited himself over to teach the girls how to make authentic Italian lasagna. He showed up with almost all the ingredients that they would need. As he mixed up the pasta dough, he explained everything to the girls. Pagan and Shiloh sat at the table watching them. “Daddy always just thaws out the lasagna and puts it in the oven.” Ashlyn declared and Nico acted like he was going to die in the kitchen.Shiloh laughed at her cousin as he lay on the floor clutching his heart, mumbling a prayer in Italian. “I’ve made it from scratch before.” Pagan grumbled with a smile.“You never made the pasta.” Ashlyn pointed out.“Or the sauce.” Alyssa added.Shiloh laughed harder. “They have no loyalties to you when it comes to food.”“None.” Pagan agreed as Nico slowly and dramatically stood back up. The girls were helping him as he clutched the cabinet door
I don’t think that you understand your place within this family. – Elizabeth GiordanoPagan and Shiloh spent New Year’s Eve at the Shack while the girls went to a kid’s party over at Chance’s house. He knew that his new wife would not be comfortable with the New Year’s Eve activities and hosted the annual party for the kids. When Pagan had called Chance at ten in the morning, Rye answered the phone whispering.“Hey, Pagan.”“Good morning, Rye. How are the girls?”“Still asleep. Hang on.” Pagan could hear her moving around in their house and then she took a picture. A moment later, his phone chimed as the picture came through and he clicked the speakerphone button before he moved the phone so that both he and Shiloh could see the screen.Chance was lying on his back asleep on the living room floor. He had his niece, Morgan, asleep on one shoulder and Alyssa asleep on the other. He looked happy and content asleep surrounded by a dozen or more club kids.