Twenty-One

**

Timber was waiting at the rear of their property, waiting to unlock the huge gates, similar to the ones out front. Activating the electric gate so it slid along a heavy metal track, the loud buzz piercing the solitude Timber had shared with the early morning birds chirping away.

Magpies no longer squawking higher up in their gum trees, the slow momentum of the gate rolling to allow the President, SAA and V.P entry, the birds watching quietly he supposed with fascination.

Nodding his head at the two most senior Timber waited till Frost wound down the window, “Morning”.

“Morning. Have me and you a new toy”, Frost said beaming.

“So this time I get to practice?”

“Dunno! It’s been so long I might get antsy and take over” Frost said knowing big ears in the back was listening.

“I let you play last time. Stop being a fucker and let me do my thing”, said Timber resting his arms on the upper roof of the van, looking at the man who was now wearing nothing but briefs and socks, his suit had been disposed of along the way in different dumpsters and bins, Beetle and Stone doing the honors each time they pulled up alongside Frost's window on the ride back. His pale white skin now covered in dirt and something else Timber didn't want to know about.

“See you inside”, Frost nodded, he’d spent enough time yacking, knowing Stone he’d be pacing by now!

Frost drove the small distance into the compound and switched off the engine when he parked beneath a small, sheltered roof, so no eyes in the sky could zero in on their property and see what they were up to.

Privacy meant a lot when they did business like this...

The silence was deafening for a second before he heard two sets of footsteps, then the side rear door slid open. Grabbing his flask from the passenger seat and the keys he opened the door and stood, almost stumbling when he went to weight bear.

“Christ! You gimp”, Stone said reaching out to help his friend so he wouldn’t topple over. “We’ll talk about this later”, Stone said sounding none too pleased, turning his attention to the man in the back of the van.

“Welcome cunt”, said Stone ominously, which was far worse than the sound of the motorbikes that followed the van back thought the man lying skewwhiff in the back.

“According to the driver’s license in your wallet you’re Mr. Peter Smith but according to your Police I.D your Senior Detective Charlie Forthright. Welcome to our abode, nothing humble about it!” Stone said pulling the man to his feet which were still bound.

“Like your Beretta M950, nice piece I might add”, Beetle chuffed knowing it was not a standard issue, bending over to cut the cable ties around Peter or Charlie’s ankles.

Frost snickering. “Got me a free piece, not as nice as yours”, said Frost revealing the old piece of junk he kept when the prospect dropped it on the ground earlier that morning.

“Nice hidey hole, that detachable armrest is rather ingenious”. Nude man looked at what Beetle was holding with contempt in his eyes.

“Welcome to Hotel California. It’s always free to enter”, Frost said gripping the black plastic straps around his wrists with more vigor. “Your accommodation shall be a single room downstairs”.

“Dipshit”, said Timber overhearing Frost's sarcasm, taking great strides past the four men to open a heavy back door which either led back to the main bar or down below where the sun didn’t shine.

“Keep him bound, then have Hodgee and Spanner watch over. Church in twenty”, said Stone nodding at Beetle.

“Done”, he said forgetting all about his sweet Little Ninja, club business always took priority over any sweet snatch.

“Frost follow me, Timber stay with until Hodgee and Spanner show up then join the others”.

“Yes Prez!”

A floor panel along the skirting boards lifted when Beetle tapped on it twice with his boot revealing a small triangular lever which was attached to a steel cable. Bending, he gave it a hard pull which dislodged five more floor panels which at a glance blended with the wooden floor the President had been standing on just moments ago.

Three shorter lengths and two longer lengths rose at one end, the excess at the other end disappearing into the floor underneath. Timber and Beetle stood back so they wouldn't get poked by the two extended panels in between the three shorter ones.

"If I'd cut them to size, the floor would have been noticeable", Beetle said watching the hidden floor lift to reveal a narrow stairway leading downwards.

"Clever men", said Timber. "I never knew, can't even tell walking over the fucker, it looks like the original floorboards all lined up like before, just freshly polished".

"Thanks bro. I'll leave nude man with you", he said walking to gather the men Stone had requested. That meant opening fuck room doors and waking sleepier nude men, he was sure.

Charlie or Peter was given a gentle push down the remaining stairs ahead of Timber, falling down five of the original fifteen steps. Picking him up roughly Timber dusted him roughly, adding a few punches and firm slaps in the process.

“In!”, Frost said to C.P and nothing else when he held the cell door open.

Nude man mumbled something incoherent, the wad of material shoved into his mouth now saturated from his own saliva.

Because Charlie Peter didn’t move, Timber pushed very gently again, having C.P fall onto his knees, the concrete base unforgiving on his grazed knees.

“Urghhh!”

“Heard that alright”, said Timber laughing as he locked the cell door.

Mumble, mumble again!

Hodgee and Spanner came down the stairs hesitantly, not expecting a real live person to be locked in their cells so soon, they were both staring at C.P with fascination.

“Unknown species, doesn’t talk so might be a mammal. Stone said to keep him as is”, Timber laughed again, ascending the stairs.

“Well fuck me, ain’t this a luxury from what we had”, said Spanner looking around in awe ignoring their prisoner.

“Mighty fine accommodation if you ask me”, said Hodgee, both men pulling up a stool.

**

“Before the others get here you need to see about your leg. If you don’t, you’ll be the designated driver for all jobs in future”, Stone said taking a seat behind his desk.

“Was thinking the same. Not something I want to admit but ... I agree”, Frost said pulling up another chair, feeling the relief instantly.

“Hmmm”, said Stone noticing the look on Frost’s face, not bothering to saying another word. Frost’s agreeance was more than he’d initially hoped for.

As the men filed in, it was Timber who was the last to enter the room, so church was now in session.

Stone relayed his night and showed everyone the note he had kindly been given by Raheesh the Hindi.

M.S.C.

M 9-4.

T 9-12

W 9-12

T

F 11-3

P.O.C

S.M.S

Not one man could decipher the cryptic note, so they looked at him expectantly.

“Mallie Susan Campese. Monday hours 9am - 4 pm, Tuesday nine till twelve, Wednesday, Thursday nothing, Friday her fucking university hours. Payment on completion from Senator Mike Sheffield”, he said simply.

“No. No way! Is that a contract on her life?" Beetle seethed, slamming his weary hand down open palmed on the desk.

“Your old lady. Christ Stone! She’s carrying your babe”, said Frost shaking his head in disbelief.

“That scum downstairs collected that right?” asked Timer.

“Collected. Hired. Hit-man. Who knows! I’m too shit tired to get any answers. Need a stiff drink and some shut eye. Timber, that’s your role to question him. Question the fucker till I return, know his a pig tho! Utilise the skills Frost’s imparted. Have him ready to spill when I get back, don't care if he's spilling from anywhere else," he said with no chuckling this time.

“What about Sheffield?” Beetle asked pulling the ends of his beard downwards, silently contemplating what he’d like to do to the fucker underground.

“I left my own note for Sheffield when he buys some more milk”, Stone said smiling. “In the meantime, not one fucker breaths a word of this, understood?”

“Aye!” a few men said while others nodded their heads.

Stone didn’t need his m’eudail worrying about something he had every intention of finishing.

This whole situation was becoming bigger than Mt K2 thought Stone looking around the room. One thing for sure, he was gonna bring all those fuckers down who wronged his woman!

Her health and their babe were paramount as always, however now they depended on him to keep them safer and more protected. He was the fucking President of the Razors 1%’ers M.C and he was going to show everyone you don't fuck with a man's family, his members nor his club. If it meant time, then Ce-la-Vie or some fucking thing like that!

"China anymore on the stake out?"

"Got a time and a place confirmed for this Thursday. Max texted Chase details. He mentioned some filthy bikers and a President. A meet and greet".

Fucking Reeves!

"Excellent. Meet you all later men, need me some sleep back home".

Beetle went straight to an empty room, not surprising it was just after nine am in the morning, his girl must be an early riser like him, but of the different kind.

Noticing the made bed and a small leather jacket draped neatly at the end, he bee-lined it for a much-needed shower and a fresh change of clothes he'd put on after.

**