Page 17 of Ruled By Wizard

Getting off the stool, he walked behind the counter and poured the coffee into the sink. “I’m not saying I can’t get Natalia into my bed or convince her to let some of the brothers join us. I’m saying I’m not going to bet on it.”

Joy filled Puck’s face. “So, you’ll still pick me when you do?”

“Puck, if you don’t shut the fuck up, I wouldn’t pick you to take my dirty clothes to the laundromat,” Wizard snarled.

That sucked the joy right out of Puck’s expression.

Refusing to fall for the sad-puppy look that Puck always used when he wanted his way, Wizard went to the coffee machine to figure out what Celeste was doing to ruin the coffee. He stopped the brewing process and lifted the lid. Removing the filter basket, he carried it to the trash can and dumped the grounds.

Jaw clenched, he stared at Celeste. “You’re supposed to empty the old grounds before adding new ones. There were three filters in there.”

Celeste hastily began wiping down the counter. “Margarita never empties it after she makes a pot.”

Wizard’s jaw clenched tighter. If Celeste were one of the brothers, he would have stuffed her into the ice cooler. Since she wasn’t, he restrained himself. He would have to get his point across another way.

“I watched you make this pot. You had to see the used grounds before you put in a new filter.”

Carrying the basket back to the machine, he started a fresh pot. The silence became deafening as he returned to his stool. Sitting down, he kept his gaze fixed on Celeste.

“If you don’t want to work at the bar, don’t. Doom can find you a job at the factory so you can earn your place in the club. I’m tired of members half-assing their jobs and leaving Doom, Burn, or me to pick up the slack.”

He raised his voice to make sure the brothers playing pool at the back of the room could hear him. “You all voted to make me president. I didn’t ask for the job. I turned Viper down when Moon had to leave for Kentucky, but you fuckers voted for me anyway. I put in twice as many hours as any of you. I don’t get a fucking salary. The only perks I get are a room with a bathroom I don’t have to share, free beer, and fucking coffee that shouldn’t taste like shit.” His gaze swept across the room. “If any of you motherfuckers want the job, let me know. I’ll have Viper call for another vote at our next church meeting, and you can put your fucking name in the pot.”

Every brother looked away, while Celeste’s tan complexion turned pale.

“I didn’t mean to be disrespectful.”

“No.” Wizard pinned her with his stare. “You weren’t being disrespectful. You were being fucking lazy. Let’s get one thing straight, Celeste. I enjoy fucking you, but you’re still going to pull your weight around the club. Do you understand me?”

“Yes,” Celeste answered, her voice wobbling.

“Good.”

Standing, Wizard turned to Burn. “When Doom gets here, tell him I left the check for the septic tank on my desk. Tell him to get the ball rolling on recruiting someone to fill Nickel’s position. Viper still can’t bring himself to do it, but shit is falling behind.”

Burn looked at him questioningly. “Where are you going?”

“I’m heading to the factory after I stop for some coffee.” Sending another angry glare in Celeste’s direction, he made sure she understood his point. “I’m going to do some recruiting of my own.”

CHAPTER 6

THE LAST SUPPER

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Mama.”

Quickly picking up a dish towel to dry her hands, Natalia stopped Arden before she could leave. “Do you have a minute?”

“Sure.” Arden finished punching out then moved toward her. “What’s up?”

“Are you working at The Last Riders’ clubhouse tonight?”

Arden frowned at the question. “Yes. Why? Do you need me to stay longer?”

“No, I have a problem I was hoping you could help me with.” Natalia waved toward the prep table filled with trays of prepared food. “I was going to surprise a friend with a birthday party tonight, but I just found out her fiancé took Sophie on a picnic this afternoon and she was stung by several bees. She’s still at the hospital, and I’m afraid she won’t feel like celebrating when she’s released.”

Arden’s frown immediately turned to concern. “I hope she’ll be okay.”

“I’m sure she will be,” Natalia assured her, hiding her guilt over lying to her friend. “The problem is I have all this food prepared and don’t know what to do with it. The food pantry closed at five thirty, or I would have sent it there.”