Page 42 of Emergence: Prequel

Not sure how long we’d have stood there if we’d not been interrupted.

“Okay, guys, seriously, stop measuring dicks; I have to pee. Plus, it’s not like we don’t know them. Well, not these two but the MC,” a female voice called out.

A smile tugged at my lips when another dark-haired man groaned and tilted his head back as if asking for patience, “Firecracker! For fuck’s sake.”

The small blonde next to him poked him in his side, “Don’t you swear at me, Draco. What do you think he’s going to do? There’s one of him and ten of you, plus all of us women. I need to pee, and I’m not waiting for you lot to measure your dicks.”

A wide grin spread over the president’s face at her words.

“That’s our Molly; she’s also known as Firecracker and has a penchant for violence, preferably knives. Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” he grinned at me with a friendly smile. I must have passed some sort of test because at his words the rest of his men relaxed, but it was the women who pushed forward, starting with the small blonde dynamo, who came flying past with a hurried‘Hi’ and ran towards Maggie, who smiled and pointed her in the direction of the ladies.

The rest of the women followed, and I was introduced as they filed past me towards Maggie. It was clear that these Old Ladies were different from most. Maggie warmed to them right away. Once the tour was done, Maggie and Molly were trading recipes and organising to get together next weekend at Molly’s brewery. She’d been fascinated at some of the differences between a cidery and a brewery. They included Opal in all the conversations, inviting her to come and meet some of their younger kids.

It was interesting to watch the dynamics. They weren’t a one-percenter club, but I had a feeling they wouldn’t back down if it was needed. All the men were ex-military and some of their sons were as well. They had several businesses that it seemed the women mostly ran, except for the tattoo parlour that was run by Hawk. In the course of the afternoon, I’d found out that their women attended Church and were involved in almost all decisions. I’d been surprised, but I didn’t judge. It was their club to run as they saw fit, and it obviously worked for them. Made me think of something Kyle had said about women bringing a different perspective to things.

I wasn’t sure how open Coal was going to be to change, but it may be something to think about if they started adding Old Ladies to the club.

Maestro had called Reaper to let him know about the club we would be opening and why. As they also had ties to the Skulls, they’d been agreeable and happy to have allies closer to them. The cidery tour had been an excuse for them to come out, but the business the women had discussed was very real.

Sometime in the afternoon, I mentioned that we were looking to purchase the property next door, but I wasn’t sure if the asking price was a good price or not.

Reaper had told me he knew someone who might know. Taking out his phone, I was surprised when he called his mother. But apparently, she’d been in the real estate business for years and still kept her finger on the pulse. Forty minutes later, she turned up with her Old Man. Kate was nearly eighty, and I wish I’d known her when she was younger because I bet she’d been a ball buster. Not even two hours later, a purchase price was agreed, and she had our neighbour and his agent knock ten percent off the price if we paid for it in cash.

I’d lived with a strong woman for thirty years, and I still wasn’t sure what had happened that afternoon. They’d come in like a whirlwind, and by the time they left, I had the name of a trustworthy lawyer and a name for a guy that did construction. Reaper’s wife, Abby, was an electrician and owned her own business; although she’d mostly passed it on to one of their second generation, she still kept her hand in if needed. She’d offered to come over and make sure that all the electrics were good and up to standard.

One of her lads was not only an electrician but also a gas engineer and plumber, so she’d bring him with her, and he could assess if we needed any upgrades.

She’d mentioned Sam, whom I knew from his visit, and I assured her I’d already been in touch regarding building a table for Church but would ask him about adding a bar to the clubhouse.

By the time they left, Maggie and I were reeling. Opal’s eyes were huge as we watched their taillights disappear.

“Did that just happen?” Maggie said, putting a hand to her head.

“Wow, they were awesome,” Opal agreed. She held up a voucher and looked at it with a smile. “I can’t wait to try out their spa, Ma.”

My girls were happy, and I knew Coal would be happy with the news I had to give him, especially as it seemed we’d have the Crows as allies.

Before they left, Reaper had pulled me aside to say he’d spoken to his brothers, and while they wouldn’t get involved in our business, if we ever needed backup to give them a call. I told him I’d get Coal to arrange a meeting between us as soon as he was settled.

COAL

It had taken months to get everything arranged and for us to finally leave the US for the UK. My folks and Opal had left three weeks after I’d told them our news, and in that time, none of them had been sitting around on their asses.

The property Dad had found had been purchased and renovated with the help of the Crow MC. All this had happened over four months ago, and finally, we were here. While we hadn’t been in the UK, it didn’t mean we hadn’t been working. I’d been tagging along with Maestro to learn the ins and outs of running a chapter. We now had a solid plan for what was going to happen going forward. Our sleds had shipped out six weeks ago and should hopefully have arrived already.

It was a relief to hear the captain of the plane welcoming us to Heathrow Airport. Once the plane stopped, I stood and stretched my back, muscles tight from having been stuck in a cramped position for so long. Seeing most of my brothers doing the same, I smirked. Flying was not our favourite form of travel.

Walking out of arrivals, with eight brothers following me, the crowd parted as we walked through. All of us were big guys, and it definitely had its advantages.

I searched the crowd until I found a familiar pair of bright green eyes and braced as my mother’s body hit mine. Giving me a quick hug before she pushed me away and went for Copper, and so it went, even the brothers who weren’t her children gothugged. It amused me to see Iron, Brass, and Cross all receive the same treatment, not quite sure what to do with the hug they were given, but they didn’t push Ma away, just awkwardly patted her shoulder.

Nickel sniggered beside me as we watched the brothers. When she’d hugged everyone, Mom came back to my side with a wide, happy smile, chatting a mile a minute.

“Come on, Tinman’s waiting with the vehicles. Are you all ready to drive on the wrong side of the road?” she laughed as she led us towards the parking area.

The groans at her words had me smiling. I think most of them had forgotten about driving on the wrong side.

It was late evening when we arrived home. I’d never been so glad to get out of a moving vehicle in my life.