Chapter 28

Viper
When Merigold texted me telling me I needed to get to the auto shop right away I was worried something had happened to her. When I got there and she told me everything that happened I was ready to beat the shit out of Thor. But to find out my sister was embarrassed to know the club and myself. I wanted to kill him. I was ashamed of myself for not knowing what was going on in my own business. She is right. I should have checked to make sure it was running right. I trusted Thor.

I listened to everything Merigold said on how to fix this mess. It sounds like she knows what she is talking about. “ Who do you think you are you stupid slut? You can’t fire us. I don’t even know why we are sitting here listening to this shit.” The fucker that had Merigold’s knife lodged in the wall above his head yells. I don’t even know my employees’ names. That’s fucked up on my part. And the fact they don’t know who I am is just as bad.

Thor finally opens his mouth “ Carver you need to shut the fuck up.” Carver doesn’t know when to stop “ Why are you letting them run over you? You are the boss. This is your and Trina’s place. You don’t have to put up with this shit.” I look at Thor and Trina. “ You two better start talking.”

“ I’m not running my mouth because I’m showing respect. Those two.” He points to Merigold and me. “ Are the owners. And my club’s president and princess. They are the true bosses. I’m just the office manager and Trina and nothing here. She isn’t employed here at all. Just helped out one in a while.” That shuts them up. To know you mouthed off to the people who hold your job in the palm of their hand. Not a good idea. I ignore them for now. “ Tell me about this business opportunity,” I tell Merigold. She stands and grabs a binder that was beside her. What she wants to talk about has her excited. She is vibrating with nervous energy.

Merigold hands me the binder then says “ I wanted to see about renting out the empty bay in the back. I want to do some detailing while I’m here. I’ve done the research and the nearest detail shop is four towns away and they aren’t that good.” Merigold points to the binder. “ In there you will see that I did a cost analysis. I will only use the space when I have a job. I’ll pay for the days I use it. I’ll supply my materials. And do all the clean-up. So I won’t be taking any of your workers. I won’t be in the way of jobs going on. I have included my previous work as well as references from past clients. A price estimation chart is in there. And what I have previously charged. I’ll even do my advertising. It is all profit for you since you aren’t using the space. I’ll even give you a percentage of each completed job.”

I look over the binder while Merigold keeps trying to convince me to let her use the space. It is a well-thought-out business proposal. Outlined in great detail. She has before and after pictures of a few cars, one truck, and three motorcycles she has worked on in the past. Including the time it took to finish and how much she charged. And reviews from the customers. She didn’t need to do any of this. All she had to do was ask and I would let her do it. But I’m glad she did. I am beyond impressed and proud of my little sister. Merigold’s work is awesome.

“ And if I leave I will make sure to find an excellent replacement so you can continue to build a clientele. Look I know it looks like I came in here and took over. I promise that was not what I meant to do,” she says. It hurts me to think of her leaving. I want her to stay. Maybe this is the thing that will keep her here. If she can build a client base she may want to stay around. And if the shop is in trouble this may pull us out.

I hand the binder to Thor “ Have a good look at what you almost let walk out the door because you couldn’t keep your dick in your pants. You were the office manager. You are supposed to be bringing money in. Not letting it walk out the door. After the way she was treated she could have just walked out.” Thor looks over the binder. He heard Merigold’s plan. Thor gets up and walks over to us. “ Prez, Princess. I’m sorry about today. I know I fuck up. I’ll help you fix everything. I’ll get you the books. I’ll help you hire new people. I’ll earn your trust back. Tell me what to do and I’ll do it.”

I look at Merigold. I’m not making this decision on my own. We are a team in this. “ What do you think?” I ask her. Merigold looks confused. “ Why are you asking me?” “ We are doing this together, remember. What do you want to do?” She looks at Thor and Trina. I can see the wheels turning in her head. That’s one thing I have noticed about Merigold in the few months I have gotten to know her. She rarely does anything impulsive. She thinks things through before taking action.

“ Trina, Thor, you have let me down by what I saw today. But what is worse is you let your Prez down. You let Raider down. But I also believe in second chances. Trina I don’t want to see you in this shop again. This is a business and will be treated as such. Keep your sexcapades out of here. Thor you will work side by side with Viper and me to fix the damage you may have caused by your slacking off. Screw this up, you will be looking for a new job.” Neither of them fights it. They know they screwed up. Merigold is being more than fair.

“ Trina you need to leave. Thor is going to be here for a while working with me.” Merigold says. “ Thor, I want you to gather all the payroll. I want to see the jobs that are currently being worked on. I want an inventory list. I want a list of our suppliers.” Merigold turns to the six people still sitting down. She points to Carver, the receptionist, and two other guys. “ I want you to cut them their last paycheck and get them out of here. If I find them here again I’ll have them arrested for trespassing and blacklisted.” “ Yes, princess,” Thor says. While Thor is gone retrieving the checkbook to pay these idiots I ask Merigold “ What about the other guy?”

She looks at him for a minute then says “ I want to talk to him first. Then I’ll make a decision.” Merigold sits beside the guy. “ You were the only one who looked like you were actually working. What’s your story? Let’s start with your name.” she asks. The guy leans back in his chair and looks at Merigold. “ The name is Jesse. I’ve been working here for a little over a year.” It looks like that is all he wants to say but Merigold isn’t having it.