“What then?” I work to keep my voice on the respectful side and dial back the suspicious tone.
He glances at Rock. “We need to put together a small, casual team of brothers we trust to visit Priest’s ‘problem children’ over the next couple months. It’s the only way to get Priest off our backs.”
Rock stares at the ceiling for a few seconds before speaking. “Fuck. We’re short-handed enough.”
“I thought you wanted me helping Murphy with the support club, Prez?” Expanding and securing our existing territory was also high on Priest’s list last time I checked.
“I do. I also want to avoid more six a.m. phone calls from Priest.” His mouth twists into an annoyed smirk. “He lovingly reminded me he’d like to see our charter kicking up more money.”
“Fuck me.” I run my hands through my hair.
“Washington’s bleeding the coffers dry with their never-ending legal fees and fines,” Rock says, staring into his coffee.
“They gotta get out of guns for good this time. Not the half-assed shit Pony’s been doing since he took over. It’s gonna end up bringing the entire organization down.” Z points at me and then taps his own cut. “We all wear the same patch. Feds could decide every charter deserves a one-way ticket to the Graybar Hotel.”
“How exactly do you expect to convince them of a career switch this late in the game?” I ask.
“I don’t.”
“We should go in low-key and see who’s receptive to a change,” Rock says. “Build on those relationships. Push out the die-hards.”
“That was my thought,” Z agrees. “I impressed upon Priest that it can’t be you or me.”
Rock raises an eyebrow.
“You’re welcome.” Z smirks.
Rock grunts at him.
Z shrugs. “You’re seen as Priest’s golden boy.”
“Thanks,” Rock says slowly, not sounding at all thankful.
“I’m just saying. If Rochlan North comes riding in, brothers are gonna piss themselves.” He touches his chest. “I can’t go, either. Another charter sees me coming, they’ll assume I’m there to clean house.”
“That leaves my favorite motherclucker.” Z settles his gaze on me. “Rooster. You’re in a position to commiserate with them on how mean ol’ Z came in and stole your charter—”
“Except you made me your VP, so they ain’t gonna trust me either,” I point out.
“Flip their worldview, brother. Show them how much more money they could be making with porn instead of guns. Pony will be receptive to change, but he needs some hand-holding.”
“Great choice for a president.” Rock lifts his gaze to the ceiling.
I chuckle at Rock’s observation before commenting on Z’s suggestion. “Setting them up could take forever. And Stella won’t take a trip out there to help me recruit.”
“You don’t need her.” He waves off the mention of his ex. “I know a girl out there.”
“Of course, you do,” I mutter.
Rock stops pouring coffee and turns a slow glare Z’s way.
Z holds up his hands. “Not who you’re thinking. Ease up, Rock.”
“So, what do you want, Z? Want me to go out there and see if the brothers are eager to be porn kings?” I ask. “I don’t anticipate any of them saying no.”
“I’d rather you find out if they’re a good fit. If they’re a bunch of dicks who are gonna wag their tongues instead of providing protection—”
Rock snorts.
Z slides his gaze Rock’s way. “You trying to say something?”
“Not at all.” Rock takes a sip of his coffee and leans against the counter. “You’re the epitome of professionalism.”
“Protection? This girl plannin’ to steal Stella’s fuck-a-stranger-in-every-city schtick?”
“She’s got a different angle, but similar idea. I need someone technical enough to set it up and assess the situation.” He sets all four feet of the chair down with a thud. “Washington’s gonna be tough. Virginia is where I think you need to start.”
“More film-making?”
“See? You’re smarter than you look.”
“What exactly are we trying to accomplish here?” I ask. “One giant amateur porn network?”
“Ice has expressed an interest.” Z shrugs. “Help ‘em out.”
“It’s still regulated to some degree. They up for that?”
“Not this amateur shit. That’s why I need you to set it up so it looks like the girls own everything themselves, but we still have access to the back end.”
“Regulated or not, it won’t bring the same heat other shit brings,” Rock says.
“I suppose you know a girl down there too?” I ask Z.
“Not anyone specific. Ice says a few of his club girls might be interested.”
“Bro, there’s a big difference between a girl fucking her way through the clubhouse and fucking on camera for the whole world to see.