The Barn [COMPLETE]

July 10th

The Barn is a helluva place.

Wide, loud, stinky and definitely fun.

It’s been my home since I came into this world and I know it’s going to be the place I die, as my folks before me.

Of course, our economic situation is very finely balanced, thanks to corrupted politicians and wannabe mafias, but we are managing just fine. The MC has been living and ruling its territory for generations.

Trust me when I say it won’t die under my watch.

“I swear, I’m gonna twist his balls so hard he’ll enroll in next year’s church choir!” Vince, head of the MC security and bodyguard company “Kover Guys”, barks as his fist hits the table.

I suppress a smile and wait for reactions.

“As if you’d dare!”

“You’ll have to grow balls yourself first!”

“Count me in!”

“Seriously, Hell, it’s the third contract this month that goes down. We gotta do something or we’ll be out of business by Thanksgiving.”

The last comment comes from Taylor, the MC accountant, and that’s the only one I focus on.

“Maybe it’s time to widen your range of expertise.” My VP, Jay, snickers at my side.

“And do what, patch up old people and play sexy nurse with the staff?” Someone snarls from the back of the meeting room.

“It’s called being an ER doctor and, yes, that’s a possibility.” Jay answered back with a proud smile on his face.

Our Vice President, Jackson “Jay” O’Brian, then stares at our audience. His piercing green eyes scans the worried men and women as chaos explodes once again in the room.

These last weeks have been pretty similar. Every time a security contract ends, we get a new excuse as to why our client cannot renew it. Either it’s financial difficulty, thanks to the country’s economic downfall, or the absence of necessity to hire security anymore, especially for a few politicians who decided not to run the next campaign, or even the client’s choice to go to someone cheaper, there is always a good excuse.

And every time, people come rushing in my office, demanding an assembly and actions to be taken.

“Alright folks!” I finally step in, standing up from my seat at the end of the enormous table and raising my hands to appease the argument. “I know you all worry about the financial state of KG but rest assured that we have what it takes to keep the MC on its feet.”

I side glance at Taylor, just to check on her and her small nod gets me going.

“The bar is doing great, we might even have to hire more of you, KG men, for security during the open nights. The garage is thriving, thanks to Gus here and let’s not forget about the tattoo shop either.”

“Bullshit! No-one wants Bobby’s tats. The place is pretty empty since Sky got to the big house.”

“When’s the kid coming back?”

“Gus, d’ya need someone with ya at the garage?”

“Think his time’s up in a few months. His mom’s happy.”

“Sorry man, a new mechanic’s coming this week, but I’ll tell you if something comes up.”

“Shit, I don’t wanna be up all night watching bad striptease and drunk city people…”

I refrain from massaging my temples and sit back slowly, letting the new wave of comments flood over us.

Jay’s green stare finds mine and we both grin. We’ve been together in this shit for six years now and even though we’re dealing with it smoothly, thanks to the training our dad put us through, there’s always new fuck-up coming every other week.

Thankfully, none of us got jailed this past month, which was quite a relief as Valentino, our MC lawyer, only just returned from his honeymoon.

“Can I get a gig like Shaw and earn the big bucks?”

“That motherfucker’s always away, shitting his pants in mercenary contracts, I ain’t doing that!”

“Shall we clean up and do client meetings to secure KG contracts?”

“D’ya wanna shave?”

“We’ll send Vince or Hell, they have the pretty face for the job.”

It amazes me as these voices never stop.

At some point, Taylor sighs loudly, claps her folder shut and stands up. The clamor instantly dies and I cherish the silence.

“I’d recommend you all try to expand the range of services KG can offer so we can secure new contracts.” She declares with a confident voice even though she’s one of few women in the room. “I’m no marketing expert but I guess we could definitely use some rebranding to remind people why they should definitely hire you, despite your manners and lack of hygiene.”

I smirk and notice Jay as he bites his lower lip to stop a laugh.

“Gentlemen.” Taylor nods and she’s gone through the door.

“Meeting adjourned!” I shout right away, knowing that’s my cue to flee the room before anymore inconsistent comments are thrown my way.

Heading straight to the bar as I left the meeting room, I motioned to Gil to serve me a pint. Anything to take my mind away from the everyday bother.

I’ve already drawn a long sip when Gus reaches me with a slap on my back, making me almost spit my beer. I choke while my friend sits next to me with a chuckle and waves at Gil for a diet coke.

Gus, the best mechanic in town, is older than me and Jay, almost reaching forty. But his silver fox appearance, mixed with a mountain runner body, gets him women every time.

I can’t remember when he joined the MC, it feels like he’s always been with us. Yet, this man, born on the street, is self-made and shows it the multiple tattoos darkening his arms and legs. Loyal, he’s been my go-to guy every time Jay was too immature to give sensible pieces of advice.

“Fuck,” I pant as I sweep my mouth with the back of my hand.

“That’s for not waiting for us.” Gus tilts the neck of his bottle toward me as a cheer before taking a gulp.

“Man, I swear I’m ditching the next meeting…” Jay grunts as he sits on the other side of me, shaking his head to Gil. “I’m starting my shift in an hour, can’t even cherish a cold drink to help me get through it.”

“Just order something alcohol-free.” Gus says as he puts down his now empty bottle.

“Arf… I’ll pass.” Jay mumbles. “Thankfully, Hell is drinking for the three of us this afternoon!”

Hell has a lot on his plate…

“Well, I’m the only one with a fulltime job at the MC!” I complain. “I don’t have the luxury of leaving the place every other day to enjoy life.”

I ran a hand on my face.

“There’s been changes in the stories as the new mechanic is coming and people wanted to change rooms. One of the houses has a leak and the school threatens to refuse our kids if we don’t deal with their absenteeism.” I start listing all the worries that fell upon me today. “Not to mention the KG men not getting any new contracts and the tattoo shop not doing well either.”

I let out a sigh and knock back my beer.

“I think I need a fucking concierge to help me deal of all that shit.”

“Or, you may need to get laid to let go of all that tension in your back.” Jay shove me on the shoulder. I give him a dark side glance and he raises his hands. “I’m just saying. None of us had gotten anything lately, it might be time to attend one of the Barn’s famous outsiders night and have fun.”

I stare at the bar and the immense place surrounding us, leather sofas and armchairs are spread everywhere, there’s a pool table where some young MC men are playing and chatting, and a dance pole at the very corner on a stage.

Fuck, it’s been a while since I attended the Barn’s famous night as Jay said. Every week end, the bar opens to the outside people and we can barely welcome everyone as waves of curious young adults or regulars are rushing to get in. Music and alcohol run all night long until 2 am where the Barn closes, allowing only a handful of lucky outsiders to sleep in MC beds.

I haven’t had company in quite some time, but I wasn’t feeling like it either.

“Nah, I’m good.” Gus huffs at my side and we both look at him.

“What? Are you getting some without us knowing?” Jay inquires.

Gus stares blankly back at him, rolls his eyes and stands up. The mechanic isn’t the kind of man to live the MC life. He mostly keeps it in his pants, if only for a couple of regular women coming on special nights to rehearse their show at the local strip bar. I think I never saw him pick someone up at the Barn.

Gus walks away and waves us goodbye without another glance.

“Man, you think he’s banging some clients at the garage? He can’t be living like a monk.” Jay whispers to me and I’m the one rolling my eyes.

“Not everyone can live up to your potential.” I tease him with a grin.

The MC Vice President is indeed known for hooking up on a regular basis. With his bright green eyes and black hair, he is quite known in the area, drawing women to the Barn in hopes to spot him and share a drink or a shag.

However, he lately calmed down, without any specific reason why. I guess we are all growing up at some point.

“There’s a smile!” Jay exclaims as he points his index finger at me, making my grin wider. “Come on champ’, you’re a rock star. You’re going to deal with all that shit in no time.”

Jay runs his big hand in my hair and kisses me on the cheek.

“Of course, you want me to deal with it, otherwise it’ll become your job as VP.” I grunt but I can’t hide the light tone in my voice.

“I do, but that’s our little secret.” Jay admits in my ear before smacking another open kiss on my cheek, covering me in saliva. “I gotta go, darling, don’t do anything I would while I’m away.”

I groan and shove him away, hitting him at the back of the head as a revenge for his motherly talk. I am not telling him but his stupid comment lightened my mood. I know I’m going to manage the MC, just as I did for the last six years, but it feels nice to be supported from time to time.

Jay flicks me the bird as he opens the backdoor to the Barn’s stairs and the stories of rooms when someone calls my name.

I turn back to the entrance, seeing Gareth at his bouncer post. His dark blue eyes stare right at me as his hand moves in front of his throat, telling me to get lost.

A cold sweat runs down my spine as I spin on my heels and head quickly to my office. I don’t know what the bouncer spotted outside but it was bad enough for him to alert me to hide away.

My hand is on the doorknob of my office as I reach my goal when a too familiar sound of high heels on the wood floor.

“Eli Burns, you’re in trouble!”

Against my better judgment I can’t help but bite my lower lip at the delightful sound as I turn back and face my fate.