CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

-:- AXEL -:-

Walking into church, I take my seat, scan the room to check everyone is here, and slam the gavel, announcing, ‘Let’s get this shit done.’

“I’m not going to hear all officer reports unless you have something that needs the brother's attention?” I state, looking at PT, TwoCents and Specs in particular. When they give me a nod showing they have nothing I continue. “Rock and Fist, this is for you two. I’ve had another report from Ryker. You know, they picked up Jerica, but it seems she’s a bit of a drama queen. She stirred up shit with two of the Pixies, as they call their club bunnies, ending with a brawl in the middle of their common room. Ryker’s VP Crane was in attendance at the time, and knowing that the Pixie could hold her own in any brawl, let them at it for a while.”

“Fuckin’ hell, Jerica has a damn temper that Garrett should have got under control a long time ago. They have always been tight, but Garrett let her get away with too much,” Fist comments, gaining everyone's attention. “I would have spanked her ass until she couldn’t sit down for a fuckin’ week. Mind you, saying that I wouldn’t have gone with that one. Destiny is the better of the two sisters, for sure,” looking at Rock when he said the last.

“Well, you keep away from her. I’m claiming her as my Ol’ Lady, so you all best get with it, and I want a show of hands for this.”

Chuckling because the eagerness with which Rock throws out the claim has every brother lifting their hands, stomping a foot and shouting, ‘AYE.’

Tapping the gavel, I turn to PT. “Get Rock’s property patch for Destiny. What you want on it, Rock?”

“Property of Rock, and on the front Red.” Rock is grinning like a fuckin’ fool at this point, but I understand the feeling, and understand it well.

“Okay, back to Jerica. Ryker has her under strict supervision and is having her tend to the clubhouse bar. She’s working hard and they are making her earn her stay with them. Seems she’s used to being waited on hand and foot, although she worked serving now and again. I may go over and visit Garrett myself, because I want to have a quiet discussion on what extra he may know. But first, Fist, set up a telephone call so I can speak to him.” I rub my hands together because I’m not going to wait for what he knows before we rain down some hell. But I’ve other things to cover here first.

“Time someone sorted her out. She was never that nice to Destiny, and that’s why they were never close to each other. I think Garrett saw it but didn’t make waves because they already had Jessica,” Fist tells us all, but anyone can see he’s not a Jerica fan. “You’ll need to watch Destiny’s back when Jerica is around, Rock.”

We all see Rock give Fist a nod with his fists and teeth clenched. But we also know he’ll make sure his Ol’ Lady will be fine.

“Okay, no more on Jerica. I have a report from Liam. He has the diner stripped of everything, and is remodeling and putting all new equipment into the place. He’s sent a computer-generated image for anyone to look at, if interested. PT has that in his office. He has said that he thinks once it’s up, running and it’s got the locals back eating, we should sell and for a nice chunk of profit. He’s spoken with Shar, who of course turned up wanting to take a look. The Rogue Legions MC may be interested in buying the place, so a nice and easy, fix up, sell on. I spoke to Mia, and she’s okay with that.”

The brothers talk about the diner for a few minutes before I get the nods that we sell it once it’s done. “I’m okay with selling. We could have looked for diners all over the USA, but do we want the hassle running around checking out if managers are being honest? I don’t think so. Let’s just do this one, take the profit and be done.” Again, I get the nods, and ‘ayes’ that I need and move onto the next topic.

“You’ve all seen the change Eden made at Club Whisky,” Stitch says, and I’ve heard all about it, so I lean back in my seat and listen to the conversation.

“Yeah, she told me she was going to try it, and so far, the families love it. She only had one problem, and she got Colton, who was on door duty, to throw them out. She told me he did it with such enthusiasm and a show, that the people eating all cheered,” Silver smirks.

“Well, Eden is the co-owner of TJs and they’ve brought that place from being closed to what it is now. Meat has been a significant influence on that place with the theme nights. Star has taken a lot of pressure from Beer and has also introduced things that are working out well,” Ruger throws into the conversation.

“I think sometimes we underestimate our women, and that’s why they get into so much mischief. But then they have Meat as a brother!” I give him the ‘ you are trouble ,’ look, but he doesn’t give a fuck, and it’s obvious he doesn’t.

“I’m okay with allowing Eden to throw her ideas out. If they don’t work we can them, simple really.” Silver is relaxed, and the break from the club is doing him good.

“Anyone heard shit about this Dragon character? Red was approached by Mrs. Philpott, said her friend said this and that. Has anyone heard anything at all?” Rock asks, then looks at Drag. “If we don’t find out, you may get dragged in as someone’s baby daddy.”

“Fuck that. I wrap it, and make sure I tie it off and take it with me. No bitch is gonna catch me saying they got my kid. I’ve been pretty handy for a while. After you get some psycho chasing after you, it puts you off trying new skirt,” Drag snarls. We all know that he had some woman chasing him for months until he had her lifted and taken to Alaska, where she was dropped off with a fist full of dollars, thankfully never to be seen again. But, we all know Nell was looking forward to getting her hands on the bitch and feeding her to the gators.

Brothers are laughing, throwing out insults about him using his hand, and asking if that’s why it is more muscular than the other one. I don’t stop the smirk because this shit’s funny. I allow it for a few minutes, then call the meeting back to order.

“It’s not our business. Let it drop. But if Philpott keeps it up, we’ll speak to her husband when we bring them both in. Bring in that pissant kid of theirs too.” Chuckling, I lean forward, placing my elbows on the table before continuing. “Did you hear I got that fuckin’ principal to retire? Time she went, a piece of crap being led by the nose by the Philpott bitch. We need to clean that up. I quite enjoyed seeing her piss her pants, I’ve got to admit.”

Rock speaks, gaining everyone’s attention. “I’ve spoken to her man, and he’s thinking of taking the kid and leaving his wife behind. I don’t blame him, ‘cause he’s a good, hardworking man. But she’s just plain and simple, nasty. Thinks her shit don’t stink since she got the inheritance. It won’t last long the way she’s spending it. I hope he leaves her, takes the kid and squares the boy up, because he’s a prime future abuser if left with his mother.”

“We’ll keep our eyes on her, and if she causes trouble, we’ll pull them in.” Looking at Web, I continue, “News on the recovery business.”

“We’ve moved into the building. Hammer is out and has all his gear now. We have it set up as needed, just going to have Specs visit and make sure our equipment is working as it should. The security was upgraded, so we have no problems with that.” Web gives Specs a small chin lift of thanks, then continues. “The new recovery truck is ordered. We’re just waiting for delivery. We have a lot of work coming from the website, and the membership is now massive. If things carry on like this, we may need a third or even fourth recovery truck.”

“Well, I’m sure the brothers will be on-board with that. If the work is available, we take it. Why not? You’ve all done well and as your president, I have to say I’m proud of you three. You’ve worked hard and are successful businessmen bringing in work for the MC, but doing it while growing a respectful reputation.” I can see the three of them have their chests puffed out, and the brothers notice too, which, of course, sets them off with more comments.

Specs catches our attention. “The room the recovery had I’ve turned into a merchandising room for Amelia. She’s all-in with the idea and says she can continue helping Mia and the other Ol’ Ladies if needed. She’s also pulling Destiny into helping, because she thinks she needs bringing into the fold with becoming Rock’s woman.”

Everyone is smirking at Rock, but he shrugs his shoulders, “If she wants to help I’m good with that. But if she doesn’t, I’m not having you all pushing her into it either.”

Fist grins, “She’ll help. That’s who she is, a kind person. She’ll do it to help everyone here, and for her authors.”

“I wonder how she’ll cope with all the cray-cray the women throw out?” Chisel throws out while laughing.

“Cray-cray? Where the fuck you hear that?” Sentry asks while smirking.

"Well, Carrie of course." Giving Fist and Fox both a dirty look. “Your sister, Fist, comes out with some shit, and Fox, you need to get her under control.” Everyone can see he’s joking around. “You know what she said when she came into work yesterday morning?”

Wings can’t help but ask, of course, leaning forward eagerly to hear the reply.

“Let the dumbfuckery begin,” Chisel laughs.

The room is deathly silent for a moment, in shock that Carrie, who is usually quiet and dignified, came out with that. Then we all turn and look at Fox as though it’s all his fault. But he’s sitting with his arms folded over his chest, a smile that covers his face from ear-to-ear.

“Okay, back to it or we’ll be here all day. Nell has contacted us, and the four men from the college we picked up, and delivered to her, were with Stone’s gang. They are spreading out because they were drawing too much attention taking women from their town. They are no longer a problem. Apparently, one sounded like a pedo, so Graham fed him to the gators bit by bit while keeping him alive so he could see that happening. By the time he’d finished, the fucker was begging for death.” I’m grinning like a fool, but I would have loved to have seen that.

Buzz is nodding, and as our enforcer he’s seen and done more than most ever will, but he’s like most of us and apparently Graham. We have a strong aversion to pedophiles.

“Who put those LED lights on my hog?” Knuckles asks and he looks more than a little annoyed.

Everyone looks at Meat, but he frowns and gives a shake of his head, which tells me he didn’t do it. Then I remember the way Wings was fascinated with Jessica’s shoes lighting up. I slowly turn my head until I’m glaring at Wings, giving him my feral grin when he turns to look at me, obviously feeling my glare.

The brothers jump up as one and pounce on Wings, each giving him a punch. Not too brutal, I have to admit, and I allow it for a minute or two, then bellow, “ENOUGH! Wings, you are on compound duty, clean every weed or mess you can find. I want the place looking spotless by next Sunday.”

“Okay, Pres,” the fucker responds, but everyone can see he doesn’t give a rat’s ass.

“Anything on Maggie Benson?” I ask, because it’s bugging me we’ve not been able to find her. When nothing has been heard I continue, “I’m going to speak to Death of Devil’s Graveyard MC. Not someone we’d normally speak with, but if these women are in his territory, he needs to know.” I’m getting nods of agreement, and as this new brothel is in Nevada, it’s Death’s backyard. He can look, and see if he can find Maggie, her being our excuse to speak with him. “I have spoken to Sharp of Rogue Legion MC. He knows of the brothel, but it’s not that close to his territory. He advised I speak to Death, but he will be watching for any women going missing in his surrounding area.”

Nods and comments of agreement follow, and I’ll be contacting Death later today. “Brothers, I want us to show this Stone fucker what an MC looks like. We’ll go in on Friday night and roll through their town. Make sure you are armed and at the ready. Forest, you cover our asses if anything happens.”

Forest smirks, “Oh, Pres, you think my deputies would sit back? They will all want to be in on this, and I’ll send Aaron in to do some recon. He’s used to being unseen. Maybe he can find us a few answers.”

“Okay, I’m good with that. But I’ll give you all more of a heads-up when it’s organized. PT, get me a map of the town. I want to see every street, mark off what we know as we know it. Target, Buzz, get back to your informants again, give them the heads-up and ask for more info if they can get us any.”

After the, ‘Yes, Pres.’ I slam the gavel. “Meeting adjourned.”