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“Bella comes first. She should be the first female to prospect and to become a member. She’s earned that honor, and I don’t mind prospecting for a few years if that’s what it takes to give her the time to accomplish her goals. That’s non-negotiable for me,” Candy immediately states in a firm voice.

“I already liked you, Candy. Now you’re making me like you even more. I agree that Bella should be first, and thank you for thinking of my daughter,” Petey says in a gruff voice.

“I’m sure we can all agree to that condition. Any others?” Gunner asks.

“I’ll stay at the clubhouse while prospecting when needed, but I want to keep my apartment. I love it there, and it’s the first space that’s ever been all mine.”

“You’ll be assigned a room here for convenience on nights you may not want to travel home, but you are allowed to live where you choose. My wife would gut me if I made you leave that apartment. She loves having you as a tenant there,” Gunner responds with a grin.

“Those are my only conditions,” Candy states.

“When do you want to start prospecting?” Pooh asks.

“The day after Bella starts,” Candy answers.

“One more little thing to consider, Candy,” Gunner says. “Every prospect has a sponsor to teach them our ways. They’re responsible for you and any mistakes that you make. You have to work closely with your sponsor and often take orders you may not like or understand. Your sponsor’s goal, though, is to helpyou make it to being a member. They sacrifice time and energy to ensure you have all the tools to become a valued member.”

“I understand. Who will be my sponsor?” she asks.

“Axel,” Gunner answers, and we all hold our breath, waiting for the explosion. When it doesn’t come, we all deflate just a little bit.

Turning her head to look at her new sponsor, Axel grins widely at her then winks.

“We’re going to become the bestest of good friends, Candy. It’ll be me and you showing the club how awesome of a sponsor I am! We’re going to shame Pooh and his lack of sponsor abilities! Ready to help me kick his worthless ass?” Axel asks while flipping two birds toward Pooh.

Turning back to face Gunner, Candy stares hard at him until our very own President starts to fidget a little. Finally, she grins.

“Loved every minute of kicking his ass before. Am sure I will again. Hell, yeah, Axel! Let’s do this!” Candy shouts before imitating Axel and tossing her own two birds in the air toward Pooh.

After Candy left the room and things settled down again, Gunner asked me about the opening at the security shop.

“It’s been filled, and she starts on Monday. I hired Marti. I spoke with Freddy first, and he was fine with it and gave her a great recommendation. She’s awesome with customers, and I think she’ll do great there.”

“Um, wait a second. Marti, as in the former club girl now server and sometimes bartender from the strip club? That Marti?” Pigeon asks as he sits up straight in his chair.

“Yes, that one,” Freddy answers with a small frown. “Why are you acting like that’s a problem?”

“Well, because maybe it is a problem. She was a club girl, as in several of us have been, uh, naked with her. Like, very naked,” Reeves interjects, now sitting up straight too.

“So? If she’s not holding that against you, which she isn’t, why’s that a problem?” I ask.

“I’m not sure my wife is going to be thrilled that I’m now working with someone I’ve had sex with before,” Pigeon states in a loud voice.

“That sounds like ayouproblem and not a club problem. Maybe you should have been more careful about where you stuck your dick. Marti’s perfect for the job, and she needs it since the strip club might be getting sold. She’s familiar with the club, its members, and she’s been a loyal hang-around for years. I’m not going to tell her she’s no longer wanted as an employee because a few of you have had sex with her. You see her at the strip club, so why is it different now?” I ask.

“I don’t have an issue with her. She’s a good person, and I agree she’ll be great with the customers. I have concerns about how my wife will feel knowing I’m spending every day with someone that I slept with. Things are great, and I don’t want the boat rocked,” Pigeon insists.

“Welcome to marriage, brother. You’ll want to explain it to Ivy and not let her find out from someone else. Ivy is reasonable andwill understand. Eventually anyway. You still have a room here if you get booted from your bed, though,” Gunner says with a wide grin.

“Not fucking funny. Have you told Ava about everyone you’ve slept with?” Pigeon questions.

“Ava knows everything she needs to know. Mostly, she knows I was no angel before meeting her,” Gunner barks out in a now irritated tone.

“Marriage is not easy, Pigeon, but honesty is the only way to go,” Petey advises, with Trigger nodding in agreement.

“If this causes a wrinkle in my marriage, I’m going to be working with you two at the auto shop,” Pigeon mutters.

“Don’t threaten us,” Trigger states with a grin and a hard elbow to Pigeon’s ribs.

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