“Between twelve and twenty grand amonth?” Easton managed, forgetting his pain, his reservations, and everything. He’d never earned that type of money in his fucking life.
“About that,” Outlaw said casually. “Marvey forgot who the fuck was payin’ him. Johnnie worked out the deals, but me or Megan also signed the fuckin’ paychecks. If I give you that position, don’t fuckin’ forget that.”
“I won’t. And you know you can pay electronically.”
“I know,” Outlaw grumbled, then looked at Diesel. “Ready, boy?”
“Wait, I have a question. Does the agreement include our clubs working together?” Bash decided to ask, too fucking late, but Easton kept that to himself.
“You should’ve read that motherfucker before you fuckin’ signed it, assfuck,” Outlaw snapped.
“I trust Kendall.”
“It ain’t misplaced, but you still should’ve read that motherfucker. She put in everything you and her talked about. If you willin’, I can give the Scorpions a fuckin’ job by Monday.”
“What might that be?”
“Runnin’ a shipment of guns south.”
“Drugs are more lucrative.”
“They could be if I fuckin’ trusted you wouldn’t fuck with the merchandise, so shut the fuck up.”
“Suppose I get into rehab?”
“Then I’d think about it. No fuckin’ guarantees unless you stay fuckin’ clean, but then again I ain’t thoughtthiswas fuckin’ possible.”
Bash smiled.
Outlaw nodded to Diesel, who withdrew an envelope and held it out to Bash.
“Use that motherfucker wisely, Bash. You get one fuckin’ check a month as the son of a foundin’ member and one fuckin’ check a month when you start doin’ jobs for us. No more,” Outlaw warned. “Share it with who the fuck ever. Spend it. Put it back into the club. I ain’t givin’ a good fuck. Megan gonna send you and Celia a cut for this quarter for her shit in a week. She just gotta get you two set the fuck up. I just handed you a fuckin’ mint and my wife sendin’ you another one. Use it fuckin’ wisely.” He swept Bash with a look, then signaled Diesel and sauntered out.
Receiving word that only one Donovan—Rory—planned to attend his birthday barbeque allowed Diesel to invite Jana. He didn’t know if he made the right decision. He only knew if he didn’t invite her, it would hurt her a little more than his abrupt departure last night after he’d gotten so upset with her overRoy.
As far as Diesel knew, Jana hadn’t given Roy her telephone number, but fuck, it shocked him how much he cared whether she had. A late night hadn’t negated his early morning obligations to Uncle Christopher. After they left Easton, Uncle Christopher checked on Molly, then they returned to the club. Diesel only had time to text Jana the time she should arrive and instructed her to borrow clothes from Rebel.
Jana sent a thumb’s up emoji and left it at that. He hoped she came. Aunt Meggie, Roxanne, and all the aunts—except Kendall—arrived at two and began cooking. Seeing Fia, Tauriel, Tennysee, and several other club girls surprised him, but Uncle Christopher didn’t seem concerned so Diesel remained silent.
His birthday parties always began between five and seven, early enough for the kids and the wives to celebrate his big day and late enough for the brothers and club girls who had jobs to arrive. Most years, they partied well into the next day because no matter what day his birthday fell on, his party always took place on a Friday or Saturday. It just so happened his actual birthday fell on a Saturday this year.
With Jana there, Diesel wasn’t sure what his birthday would look like. Most of the club girls jockeyed to party with him, although he’d only choose three or four to be at his side during the celebrations and, after, in bed. That couldn’t happen this year. If he wanted Jana to fuck one of the girls, she would, but he didn’t. That was a can of worms he fucking refused to open. Fia and company would seize on her weaknesses and insecurities and torment the fuck out of her.
While the women cooked and decorated, Diesel, Uncle Christopher, and the brothers set up tables out back, fired up the grills, filled chests with ice and alcohol, and did whatever heavy lifting required.
He hadn’t intended to return to the house for anything, even Jana. She could walk to the club with Rebel. With that in mind, he showered, shaved, and changed out of his smoky, sweaty clothes, in the Dirty Dozen, the communal bathroom on the second hallway that had three of each: urinals, showers, wash basins, and toilets. It was for the brothers without ensuites. He found an unoccupied room to dress in. If it wasn’t already after six, he would’ve taken a nap.
Coke would do wonders for him right now and energize him for however long the party lasted. The idea taunted him and he rested his elbows on his knees, considering his options.
“Knock, knock,” Torrin said, opening the door and walking in.
Smiling, Diesel straightened. “Do you have a fucking tracker on me, asshole? How the fuck did you know I was in this room?”
Torrin shrugged. “I don’t give up my fucking secrets.”
Flipping him off, Diesel snickered and got to his feet. “Let’s get the fuck so I can greet all my guests.”
“I have a little game for us to make the evening livelier. You already told me you won’t fuck none of the girls and you don’t want coke. This might keep things interesting, D.”
