“Way ahead of you.”I pulled a folder from my organized stack.“I’ve got three quotes right here.The best one comes in under budget and includes the camera upgrades the club wanted.”
Whisper settled into the second visitor chair, tucking her feet underneath her with casual comfort.“Damn, girl.You’ve been busy.”She nodded toward the papers.“Remember when all that was in milk crates because no one could find the filing cabinet key?”
“Because someone used it to fix a loose throttle and never put it back,” I finished, the memory making us all laugh.It had been one of my first discoveries -- the missing office key repurposed as a motorcycle tool, somehow making perfect sense in the strange logic of club life.
Hayley reached over and squeezed my shoulder.“You’ve got the place running better than it has in years.I heard Beast actually smiled during the last finance report.”
“A smile from Beast?”Whisper gasped in mock shock.“Alert the media.The apocalypse is upon us.”
Lyssa rolled her eyes.“He smiles plenty.Just not usually about paperwork.”
“Speaking of paperwork.”I pulled out a form and handed it to Hayley.“Hawk left this maintenance request.Said something about the northern cabin needing new shingles?”
She nodded, scanning the form.“Roof started leaking during the last storm.The Prospect with construction experience -- what’s his name, the tall one with the buzzcut?”
“The new guy?Morgan,” Whisper and I supplied simultaneously, then exchanged grins.
“Right, Morgan.”Hayley nodded.“Hawk wants him to handle it as a training exercise.”
A light knock at the open door interrupted us.A young Prospect -- not Morgan, but one of the older ones -- stood uncertainly at the threshold, his expression caught between determination and nervousness.
“Sorry to interrupt, ma’am.”He glanced between us.“Beast said to check with you about the supply run tomorrow.There’s been a change in the route.”
Ma’am.I didn’t feel old enough to be called that.I just nodded, not bothering to correct him.The Prospects were still figuring out where I fit in the club hierarchy -- more than just an old lady, yet I only had authority in specific areas.
“Come in.”I gestured to the space in front of my desk.“What’s the issue with the route?”
“Construction on Highway 16,” he replied, stepping forward with more confidence now.“Beast says we need an alternative that won’t take us through Camden County.”
I pulled out a map from my drawer, already marking the alternate routes in my head.“You’ll take the western bypass here.”I traced the path with my finger.“Adds twenty minutes but keeps you clear of Camden and the construction zone.The vendor’s expecting you between one and three, so you’ve got the time cushion.”
The Prospect blinked, clearly surprised by my immediate answer.“Yes, ma’am.And the fuel allocation?”
“The extra miles will be credited to your cards,” I replied, handing him a fuel tracking form.“Just make sure you log the odometer readings here and here.We’re tracking mileage more carefully now.”
“Yes, ma’am.Thank you, ma’am.”He took the form with something approaching reverence, like I’d handed him the secret to eternal life rather than a simple tracking sheet.
As he left, I caught the women exchanging amused glances.
“What?”I asked, picking up another cookie.
“Nothing,” Lyssa said innocently.“Just enjoying watching you in your element.”
Whisper nodded toward the departing Prospect.“Pretty sure he’s a little in love with you now.That’s the most direction he’s gotten from anyone without being yelled at.”
I snorted.“I don’t yell.Numbers don’t respond to yelling.”
Movement outside the window caught my attention, drawing my gaze to the garage area across the compound.Samson stood shirtless beside his bike, the afternoon sun highlighting the muscles in his back as he leaned over the engine.Even at this distance, I recognized the intensity of his focus, the careful precision of his hands as they worked on the machine.
Without thinking, my fingers found my bracelet, turning the silver band on my wrist.Three months together, and the sight of him still sent warmth spreading through my chest.
“And that’s our cue to leave.”Hayley caught the direction of my gaze.“Before you start drooling on the financial reports.”
I rolled my eyes but didn’t deny it.“I’m perfectly capable of appreciating the view and doing my job simultaneously.”
“Multitasking at its finest,” Whisper agreed, rising from her chair.“We should go anyway.Got something to prepare for the gathering.”
Lyssa stood as well, gathering the now-empty cookie plate.“Don’t forget about our planning session tomorrow.Ten o’clock, my place.”
