Unveiled Wishes (Iron Shield MC #2)

6. The Ayes Had It

Chapter 6

The Ayes Had It

S abre

“Remind me again what the fuck we’re doing here?” Pretty asked.

I didn’t want to be here, and dragging my brother around was making it worse. He’d offered to ride with me, and when I had agreed, I hadn’t thought it through.

“I need stocking stuffers and presents from JR and me for Grace. I will not be one of those deadbeats that forgets,” I answered him as I browsed the jewelry cases.

“Ah, so you saw those videos too, huh?”

“You sent them to me, fucker.” I looked over at Pretty, and he was sitting on one of the display couches with his feet on the coffee table in front of it. His hands were clasped behind his head, and as I watched, he wiggled his ass further into the seat.

“Don’t you need something for Wreck?” They weren’t hiding whatever their relationship was, but I didn’t want to open Pandora’s box for fear that I was wrong.

He shot me a nasty look. “No. Why would I?”

“You know I don’t care. You’re my brother, and I just want to see you happy.” I stood, feet shoulder width apart and hands on my hips.

“Yeah, well. We’re just friends.” He rolled his eyes. I wasn’t sure what he was doing, but he shifted to one side of the couch cushion, wiggled his ass into it, and then moved to the next spot.

“Friends still exchange gifts.” I was safe here. If he tried to hit me in the middle of the department store, they would call security, and neither one of us would want to tell that story.

“Not this friend.” He pointed his thumb into his chest. “Not when he’s busy fucking the club girls,” Pretty said, effectively shutting down the conversation.

Shaking my head, I turned back to look at the jewelry. As Grace had felt more comfortable at the clubhouse, the fancy clothes and pearls had disappeared to the back of the closet. She wore t-shirts and shorts most days unless we went out. Buying an engagement ring was out. When I proposed, it would be because it felt right, not because it was a holiday, and I didn’t have any other options.

An older woman approached me from the other side of the counter. She was too old to still be working, but probably needed the cash.

“May I help you, sir?” she said, standing in front of me.

Before I could respond, my brother spouted off from the couch. “He’s screwed.”

I shook my head at the situation. “We’re not related,” I told her as I pointed to me and then over my shoulder. “Never met him in my life.”

She smiled and smoothed a piece of hair that had escaped her bun. “I understand. I have two boys who are the same way.”

“Unfortunately, he skipped puberty and never grew up.”

Pretty took that exact moment to pop back up from the couch. “He needs presents for his wife.”

She wasn’t officially my wife, but it was easier than trying to explain. The saleswoman led me around the counters, pointing out baubles and trinkets, but nothing really looked like Grace. This was our first Christmas together, and I wanted her to always remember it fondly.

***

Pretty

This was painful to watch, and if I didn’t jump in and help him, it would be excruciating. It wasn’t like I had anything better to do. Reaching for my phone, I opened up the group chat and sent a picture of Sabre being led around the jewelry cases.

Cyph

Sabre’s going to kill you for that.

Pretty

First rule of group chat - we don’t tell Sabre.

How would that be any different from any other day?

Grizz

Is he buying an engagement ring?

Please say no.

Lover Boy

Afraid you might have to buy a wedding ring?

Pretty

No, he’s just trying to find presents.

It’s sad watching the saleswoman lead him around by his dick.

Lover Boy

He might be better off with an engagement ring.

Grizz

Why would he do that?

She’s his Old Lady.

Lover Boy

You bought the cow.

How’s the milk?

Grizz

Fuck off, Wreck.

At least I openly claim what’s mine.

I rubbed my eyes, trying to soothe the sting. Grizz had hit below the belt with that one.

I wasn’t the only one who felt uncomfortable with that blow. There was no new message in the group chat for over a minute.

DeadZone

What about the Old McMillan place?

How

She’s not hiding how much she wants it.

Zook

Why wouldn’t he buy it?

Isn’t she some sort of genius at that stuff?

He’d make a shit ton of money and make her happy.

Count

We need new business, so I don’t see why not.

Chef

We have all the suppliers in place already.

We’d just have to make the introductions.

Thunder

Couldn’t we offer catering too?

Chef

I could help her with the food, and that keeps the profit inside.

It also lowers my labor cost at the diner.

Buffet catering doesn’t require servers.

Grizz

It needs a fuckton of work.

My cow has been drawing up renovation plans.

Cyph

If she catches wind that you called her a cow, you’re going to be sleeping on the sofa.

Grizz

At least I’ll be sleeping then.

Pretty

Aww fuck.

He just made another trip around the jewelry.

She doesn’t even wear this stuff anymore.

Cyph

I just looked.

It’s listed at a million.

That’s why he’s not jumping to buy it.

Count

We could.

It would take me a minute to find the funds.

Grease

We don’t really need a new garage.

I can make the one we have work.

How

Suck up.

Cyph

I wonder if we could offer $200K.

The owner is an older woman who inherited the place from her husband.

She shut it down and barely maintains it.

Count

Why would anyone want $200K when they could get a million from one of those investment firms?

Cyph

If they don’t, the government will take the property.

That’s why.

Count

Why didn’t you fucking lead with that?

Scrub

What the fuck’s going on?

You guys are blowing up my phone, and I am on shift.

Pretty

Are you in if we spend money?

Scrub

If Count says yes.

Pretty

Good boy.

Grizz

Isn’t that what Wreck says to you?

Pretty

No, but I’ll make sure Meredith buys you a collar that says “My Bitch”.

We have to stop this before she leads him around the counter for the third fucking time.

If Sabre buys the place, is everyone in to help pay for the renovations?

I need a group vote.

The “ayes” had it.

***

Sabre

“Why don’t you buy her what she really wants?” Pretty popped up at my elbow. “The Old McMillan Place. She wants to turn it into one of those fancy event centers.”

“How do you know that’s what she wants?” Grace wasn’t stealthy. She had been working on the business plan in the mornings and leaving the pages on the kitchen counter. Did she want me to see them?

“How do you know?” he parroted me.

I turned to look at him, and the saleswoman stopped to listen in. “If I bought that place, I could cover the cost of the building. However, it needs a lot of work. Where am I going to get the money for her to start a business?”

“You know where. We’ll go rob some banks, and it’ll all be gravy,” Pretty said as he patted my forearm. The saleswoman nearly choked on her own breath. Pretty shot her his womanizing smile, and it seemed to work. She looked like robbing a bank was the best idea, and she’d drive the getaway car. “The club’s willing to partner on the business aspect.” He smiled at me.

“You can’t say shit like that without a vote.” I fully turned towards Pretty. He had better not be fucking around.

“I asked them while you were being a douche canoe, looking at the cases.” He turned back towards the saleswoman. “I am sure you have a lot of pretty stuff.” She preened at him. Turning back towards me, he said, “The consensus was that if she ran it, it would be a gold mine. The brothers will take that bet. If you put it up to a vote, they’ll approve the spending. A few even said they would chip in to help fix it.”

“How did you talk to all of them?” I was skeptical. Pretty was well-liked, but he wasn’t one to work quickly.

“Group chat.” He beamed at me.

“Show me.”

“Uh, no. First rule about group chat: you don’t talk about it with the president. That’s you. Now, grab one of those charm bracelet thingies, and let’s get the fuck out of here. My work is done.”