“Yes,” Brain said. “I’m going to apply for an FFL, and we need to have the address before I can apply. They have up to sixty days to approve my license, or not, so we’ll be paying rent well before we can open up shop.”
“FFL?” Gen asked.
“Federal Firearms License. It’s what I need to open a gun store.”
Gen smiled. “Might have been easier to just say you need retail space for a gun store, and then tell me the part of town you’re looking at.”
Brain tilted his head, smiled, and said, “We’re thinking it might be nice to be close to a few of the big box stores that sell guns, so people shopping for them can hit us at the same time they go the other places. We’d prefer the Hamilton Place area over the Hixson area, but we don’t want to pay an arm and a leg in rent.”
They spent a few minutes talking about square footage needs, budget, and timing, and Gen stood to walk them out. “I’ll do some research tonight, make some phone calls tomorrow, and if I have properties to show you, I’ll give you a call. I have your number from before.”
Gen stood and walked to Gonzo, unsure of how he’d react, but she put her arms around him and hugged him. “Thanks for telling me, and I know there’s nothing I can say to make it better, but I wish there was.”
He tentatively returned her hug, and she squeezed him tighter and then let go as she stepped back.
“You needed to know,” Gonzo told her. “I’m sorry you were hurt, and I apologize for my part in it. I’m glad I got to see you under pressure and pissed, though. It reminded me all chicks ain’t crazy. We’ll get out of your hair, now. I know you’re busy.”
Brain followed him out, but stopped at the door and said, “I’ve never seen Duke like this, like he is with you. He’s fallen hard, Gen. Please give him another chance.”
Gen worked with her clients and gave them the attention they needed, but when she stepped away to let them talk in privacy, her mind went back to Duke. By the time she returned them to their home, she knew what she had to do.
She called her assistant and asked him to phone a large to-go order into Sticky Fingers, and drove that direction to pick it up.
She pulled into the compound and looked toward the bikes, but couldn’t tell if Duke’s was there or not. It was obvious a couple weren’t, but several looked a lot like his.
She tucked her concealed carry license, a credit card, and one hundred dollars in cash into the pocket of her dress pants. Her car key went into another pocket, and she tucked her purse up under the dash so it wouldn’t be easily seen. It was probably safer in the compound than any other place in the city, but she figured better safe than sorry.
The clubhouse was full of men, all of them watching the door as she opened it and walked in. Dozer was sitting where she’d seen him last time, and he said, “Duke’s five minutes out, on his way in. Can we get you something to drink while you wait?”
She lifted the bag and said, “Didn’t know how many would be here, I got enough for a dozen people. Leave enough for me and Duke. I have sweet tea for me, the rest of you are on your own for something to drink.”
A large man she didn’t know went to the bar and got paper plates and plastic forks, and carried them to the biggest table. Someone’s cellphone buzzed, he looked at it, and said, “I’m gonna relieve Brain in the back,” and he left.
A few minutes later Brain came out, walked to Gen, and hugged her. “Good to see you, Duchess.”
She rolled her eyes and pointed to the food, “Get something to eat already, enough with the emotional crap.”
When Duke walked in, she was cutting up with the men, smiling and laughing. He walked to her, lifted her from the chair, and pulled her to his chest, cradling her head. “Thank you, Beautiful. I promise I won’t hurt you again.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Duke. I’m sure I’ll hurt you, and you’ll hurt me. As long as we don’t do it on purpose, don’t cut each other too deep, and apologize afterwards, do our best to make amends? We’ll be okay.”
They sat and ate, talking to the other club members like it was a big family, which Gen was learning, it really was. Duke had to deal with her crazy, overprotective brother, and would have to deal with her mother at some point. Making friends with his family was the least she could do. Abbott said she needed to use strategy, so she was going to take his advice. She was no longer just going to be along for the ride, she’d take control when there was something she didn’t like.
When they finished eating he pulled her to the back, towards his room, but she shook her head and told him, “No, Duke. I’m not ready for… that. I’m working on it, but I need some more time. Maybe we can go for another ride?”