“You can’t tell anyone Beth. It goes against the rules for me to show this to you.”

“Then why show it to me?”

“Because I did not want you thinking I was too lazy to work for a living. I also did not want you thinking the club was guilty of illegal activity. If you thought that, why go out with me?”

“I said people in town thought that, not that I did. I never believe gossip.” She walked around the factory asking questions when it was a product she had never seen before or used in a different way than its intended use. He showed her a small lightweight shovel that had ten different uses, one as a deadly weapon. She was going to order one for herself.

“I wish you had involved the community more, jobs are needed desperately.”

“That was our plan in the beginning until our money was stolen.”

It finally clicked with Beth. “Your corporation put up the original money for the plant. You own the factory, plant, and land around here.”

“The six of us on the board were in the military together and came up with this idea. We pooled every dime we had together and what we could borrow from our families. Everything was on track to open when the machinery was ordered and the money to pay for it wasn’t.”

Beth nodded. “Gavin Stolms took it and disappeared.”

“No, Gavin’s older brother is the club leader. Viper sent him to Treepoint to handle everything up here while we worked in Ohio. We worked hard and put all our cash into opening this factory. He didn’t steal the money from his own brother and the club. He was murdered. We can’t prove it, his body has never been recovered, but we know that’s what happened.”

“Until we find out who killed Gavin, we won’t open the factory to outsiders.”

Beth nodded her understanding. “I don’t think you will ever discover who murdered him. Whoever did it obviously covered their tracks well. The people here love to gossip about everyone’s dirty little secrets, but anything criminal that could potentially harm their families, you’ll find their mouths zipped shut.”

“That’s what we discovered. That’s why we let Sam hang out, trying to find out what we could about the locals.”

“I don’t think that is the only reason Sam hangs out. Does she know about this?”

“No, we keep her away. She’s not allowed on the property Monday through Thursday.”

“Perhaps I could ask around and see what I could find out.”

“Don’t even think about it. You already have a big enough target on your back.”

The sound of a car pulling in outside had them looking towards the window which overlooked the parking lot. Evie was parking her car. Beth frowned, she shouldn’t have been back so early. Looking at her watch she discovered they had been in here several hours, it was almost lunchtime.

“Let’s go back to the house. You have to be hungry and I am starving.”

In the house, voices were coming from the kitchen. Beth entered the large room to find the majority of the members crammed into the kitchen and dining room. Food was set out around the counter, as well as a variety of drinks.

Razer handed her a plate, which she filled with eggs, bacon, and toast. “We do brunch on Sunday’s, usually this would be lunch.” Razer explained. He found two spots at the table across from Jewell and Evie. Everyone ate and it wasn’t until they sat drinking coffee that Beth asked about Mrs. Roger’s.

“She was fine when I left. Her son showed up with her grandchildren they were going to stay until the neighbor showed up.”

“I am glad. I felt guilty you working my shift for me.”

“Don’t be. I’ll find a way for you to even the score,” Evie joked.

“Anything.”

“Careful, Beth. Owing Evie a favor can be a real pain in the ass,” Razer warned.

“Shut-up.” Evie laughed.

The atmosphere in the room changed when Sam came into the room carrying a cup of coffee.

She sat down next to Knox who was sitting on the other side of Razer. Unlike the other women, she wore a pair of short boy’s shorts and a see through white tank top.

“You guys need to fix foods that aren’t so fattening. No wonder you are having so much trouble with your weight Jewell.”

Beth’s mouth almost dropped open at her catty comment. Jewell threw her a dirty look, but didn’t say anything. Others finished breakfast and wandered away. Beth heard the sound of dishes being washed and rose to go help. Razer pulled her back down.

“There’s a chore list, the house jobs rotate. Evie will put your name on the list and you can take your turn then.”

“You do dishes?” Beth couldn’t prevent the humor in her voice.

“About twice a month, ” Razer replied ruefully.

“I brought you some clothes; I went by your house before coming home.”

“Thank you.”

Beth noticed the darkening of Evie’s eyes as Sam leaned against Knox, seductively rubbing her breasts against his arm.

“Cut it out Sam. I am trying to eat.” Knox pulled his arm away.

Sam shrugged, leaning back in her seat. “Shouldn’t have given you that blowjob before you came downstairs. Now you don’t want to play.”

“The problem is you want to play all the time. None of us can keep you satisfied for long,” Knox said.

“Oh, I know a couple of members that can hit the right spot the first time. Isn’t that right, Razer? Don’t suppose you’re up for some fun? Little Miss Goody two shoes couldn’t have got you off more than once. I know how you like to go all night.” Her hand snaked out to rub his arm on the table.

“Bitch, you better back the hell off!” Evie told Sam, who didn’t remove her hand.

Razer pulled his arm away.

“Where are your keys Evie? I’ll get Beth’s clothes.” Still angry, she reached into her pocket and pulled out her keys, handing them to Razer.

“Later.” Knox obviously eager to escape the women’s wrath left with Razer.

With the men gone, Sam was smart enough to know the women weren’t going to tolerate her cattiness, she wisely moved to Rider’s table.

“One day I am going to slap the hell out of her,” Evie stated.

“Every woman here wants that honor,” Jewell agreed.

Beth sat there listening, her stomach twisting in knots at seeing Samantha’s fingers drop to Rider’s crotch. She had to find someway out of here before she came face to face with another sexual encounter between Razer and one of the women.

“Beth she only did that to push our buttons,” Evie tried to console her.

“I don’t know how you stand to watch men you care about touch other women.”

Evie let out a long breath and tried to explain. It was going to be hard to get Beth to understand, but she had to try.

“Beth, Sam is a bitch. She does things to get the other women angry. She tries to bring jealousy into our friendships and there are reasons we tolerate her. When the time comes that those reasons no longer exist, her situation will change drastically. Until then, she is an aggravation that you need to ignore as we try to do.”

Beth knew that Evie was unaware that Razer had told her about Sam, yet it didn’t make her grabbing his arm any easier to bear.