The past week could best be described as a three ring shit show powered heavily by testosterone. It all started with Sean Mulligan blowing in and out, taking Colly with him. Then bikers began to trickle back into the yard bring with them women and all night parties. Kennedy had moved River temporarily into his own trailer parked right next to hers. She didn't even feel a little bad that she'd given him Finn's trailer and that the disgruntled Irishman was now bunking with Hugo.
To say that the two weren't the best roommates was an understatement but was vastly entertaining. They'd also kept blowing breakers due to too many trailers. Or at least that's what old Murphy told her before calling in an electrician and the power company. Boredom also started to set in for the guys and they started getting in her way in the bar. So another big tent got set up over one of the pool tables and a card table.
Thankfully though Lacy and her were coming along in the bar area. River bitched more than he worked but the kid didn't say no when asked to haul something or help Old Murphy. He just vocalized his displeasure creatively and frequently. By day four after seeing him in the same ratty jeans Kennedy had sent the kid to town with Hugo and Aidan for clothes and hygiene products. They'd come home with that and more. The more being a 60 inch flat screen and the latest gaming set up. Which got set up somehow in Rivers trailer. Hugo hadn't even tried to talk his way around it. He'd hit her with wanting the kid to have something worth something. And damn if that didn't catch her in the feels.
Or maybe she could blame that on pms or something as the very next day she'd got her period. But it did mean Kennedy had already been moody before Heckler stomped his way into the bar. Telling her she needed to know her place. That this was his territory and the Blood Wolves were not welcome. He'd added a couple personal insults that had resulted in Alfie needing to help haul him out. What! Her foot was the ball buster 3000 and it only took one shot to stop stupid people from saying stupid shit.
On the up side through both contractors had started and the bar was days away from reopening.
Which meant Kenny now sat in her trailer going over the old accounts trying to figure out what to order. At least Finn had mad headway in the office before having a cousin take over and cleaning up the taxes. She was used to a higher end of clientele with more expensive taste. Not a dive bar on a highway in the middle of nowhere. When a knock sounded on the door Kenny jumped at the chance for a break and called for them to come in.
" Holy shit this is swanky" Royce's voice had her head lifting to see him following Hugo in. She'd made peace with him being around but that didn't mean she's ever like the man.
" That's because you have the 1970's Barbie Camping model." Hugo stated having to still slightly duck his head before he took a seat in her couch. It had her chuckling and point to a seat for Royce to take. Sitting back Kennedy simply took a moment to appreciate the two men in her space. Sure Royce would never make even the long list of men who had a chance. Didn't mean she didn't recognize that he was a good looking man. Just that she hated him on principle for getting her bestie shot. Now Hugo, the man was top three material.
" My eyes are up here lass" Hugo teased as he caught her checking him out. And she'd have been embarrassed if he hadn't quirked an eye brow and made her panties wet. Which was just sad. Who got turned on my a raised eyebrow. Fuck you period hormones.
" Dude! She just went from checking you out to planing you demise" Royce warned and had her unstable hormones attention. " I told you to bring chocolate" he added and Kenny pointed to the door. She'd met the man's parents and his mom deserved a bakers dozen of grand babies. Kenny would not take that from her.
" Out" she was pretty sure came out as a growl when he sputtered and tried to argue. " Get me the chocolate" she then ordered before he could close the door behind him.
" Uncle Sean called. He needs Finn, Cian and Aidan in Boston for a couple days" Hugo broke the silence that followed Royce's departure.
Kenny had enough experience with the family to know that it meant something was up. Also that asking wouldn't get her an answer. These men still carried a little too much cavemen attitude when it came to women. From what she'd heard it was biting them in the ass now as the women banded together.
" Do I need to call Neala for answers?" She questioned knowing it was low but not giving a crap. His scowl told that she'd played the right card.
" MC Queen left her husband and is currently staying with Neala and Sean. The South Carolina chapter is sending people up just in case. Her husbands not exactly known as being stable" Hugo volunteered more than she'd been hoping for. But the potential ramifications were what she knew he was worried about. Two chapter presidents in Boston when the Dark Angels were already on the clubs watch list.
" It needs to be resolved soon or later. I'd rather the sooner before I get to far in construction and renovations. But if things escalate I need a heads up. I'll need to make arrangements for Lacy and River to get them clear of it." She said looking at it as practically as possible.
Beyond her run in with Heckler she'd seen very little of the club this past week. Drawing lines hadn't pleased Hoss or the other men. It had never been her intention to have any business beyond monthly rent exchange with them. Maybe she'd though about bringing them on as security but that was it. But it also didn't take being someone in that world to see that something wasn't right. And the blow back from a weak club was not something she needed.
" That's fair" Hugo offered in response then sat silently watching her. It made her want to wiggle in her seat. Knowing that he was the kind of man to assess and look beyond what you wanted him to see. She'd caught him doing it once or twice before. Not just with her but with River and Lacy as well. " You aren't sleeping?" He finally stated as if he already knew and wasn't asking.
It wasn't as if it was a new, Kenny's issues with sleeping. She'd accepted years ago that medication was her best option. Unfortunately here, she didn't feel secure enough to medicate herself into a full nights sleep. At first because the trailer wasn't secure. Then when River moved in next to her it was his safety that worried her. The meds knocked her out cold and she couldn't risk it. Not exactly things she wanted to offer with someone she'd just met.
" I'm sure you've heard of some of the things that have happened to the Mulligan women. My little sister was one of them. Dar had issues sleeping after. Part of that was nightmares, part was shutting her brain down enough to sleep. Feeling secure in her space." Hugo offered sitting forward to rest his elbows in his knees. His gaze never leaving her face. Nothing in his posture or look saying he was in a rush for the answer hidden in what he'd said.
" Back in Chicago I bought an apartment. It had three locks on the door and was eleven floors up. It took me months before I slept through the night there." She offered not sure why. She didn't know this man but he had a quiet but strong presence. Had seen and heard about how protective of women he was in general, deadly when it came to his family. " The trailer doesn't feel secure" she breathed out at her limit of what she felt comfortable with divulging.
" So we move up the timeline in the motel and apartment conversion. Get a couple more guys in to help. What else?" He stated as if it was the easiest fix. " What else Kennedy?" He questioned again when she remained silent.
" I need to know Colly can't get to River. Can use him to get to me" she answered before she could even think. Before she processed that it was a big worry and not just a niggling concern in the back of her mind.
" We have a judge loyal to the family. I'll make a call." He made it sound so easy. It was in that moment that she realized he'd given her another glimpse of himself. Hugo was a fixer. Kenny didn't need fixing but it was nice to have someone in her corner.
Leaving Kenny to her paperwork Hugo kept his word and made the call to Judge Ferguson. The man was a Scotsman but he never held that against the man. Over the years he'd gotten more than a few of the lads out of hot water. Or reduced sentences if the evidence was too heavy. It didn't take much explaining now before he was assured that he'd see the papers expedited.
The next matter took him to the motel where a crew was gutting both levels. It had been Kenny's call to strip it right back to the studs. Hunting down old Murphy he explained what he needed and knew he'd see it done. Hugo didn't breach her confidence but did use the kid as an excuse for the rush.
Sean had made the right call sending Murphy to watch over the lass. The man had the patience of a saint and a easy going nature. Hugo had watched as the man stepped in when needed as she worked on the bar. Had seen also how in his quiet way he'd help bring her vision into reality with all the projects he took on.
" I'll talk to the lass and lad and see about moving in with him until the apartments ready for them." Murph offered then shot Hugo solid side eye while trying to hide a smirk.
" Out with it!" He muttered wanting to know what that look meant. Hugo wasn't ready for the answer through. He also hadn't been thinking in that direction until he'd put it out in the blood universe either.