Raging Barons MC – Book Two – Axel

Bang, bang, bang, ‘Come on Mia, get out of bed. We got to go to the shop, we got work to do.’ and I bang again on her bedroom door, grinning when she answers with her hair standing on end, which has me laughing loudly at her, ‘Oh my, bedhead much.’

‘Shut up, Hams, I’ll be down in half an hour.’ Mia slams the door in my face, but I can’t help but laugh at the look she gave me.

Now we’ve closed on the sandwich shop, we have a lot of work to do. Some brothers will rip it apart, take out everything, so it’s just an empty shell for us to rebuild exactly what we envisioned. I tap my leg and re-enter the common room, looking around to see who is waiting to go along.

Sting, Brag, and Ruger are standing near the main door, ready to go. I have to smirk as I head towards them. ‘Mia will be a little while. I had to drag her ass out of bed.’

We stand discussing the first things we will need to do when we arrive. The shop itself is old and needs to be gutted. None of the counters are going to be used. The kitchen has to be remodeled and have all new appliances. We’ll turn the basement into a stockroom, shelved out in such a manner that perishables will be at the front and at the back will be appliances and parts we may require.

‘Did anyone speak to old man Jenkins?’ I ask, as I’ve not heard anything more about this since we held Church.

‘I’ve not heard anything.’ Brag replies, then smiles as he looks up. We all turn to look and see Mia rushing through the common room to the kitchen.

Picking up the folder with all the information we have accumulated, I’m ready to go. ‘Come on Mia, we’re waiting for you.‘ I shout, then smirk as she dashes out of the kitchen with a travel mug of coffee, I presume.

‘Alright, I’m ready.’ She snaps and storms out the main door.

The four of us follow her out and walk to the truck. Mia is standing in the middle of the compound, not knowing what the heck is going on by the looks of her. We all shake our heads at her in amusement.

Piling in, I make sure that Mia is in the back and secured with her seat belt. She is mumbling under her breath about ‘Neanderthal men and testosterone,’ which we all ignore and carry on, regardless.

As we arrive at the sandwich shop, I turn to Mia. ‘Are you ready to rip this place apart and create a coffee house, Mia?’

‘Sure am Hams, sure am.’

Walking into the building, Sting takes out his cellphone and makes a call to order a dumpster and we’re okay for permits, as Specs already organized everything we could need.

Heading to the top floor, it is thankfully empty. That is going to save us a lot of time and effort. Mia opens the bag she’s been carrying and dons a pair of overalls, ties up her hair and sets about ripping the carpet up.

The morning quickly passes and Ruger shouts up to us to come get something to eat. Petey, the prospect has brought us sandwiches, chips, and cans of soda. I’m starving and lean myself on a counter in the kitchen while I eat.

Mid-afternoon Mav walks in. He has been working the door of the club for a couple of weeks, so I’m surprised to see him here.

‘What’s up, Mav?’ Sting asks before I can say anything.

‘Silver sent me to see if Mia could help tonight at the club. One girl called in sick and it seems Mia doesn’t have her cellphone on her.’

We all turn and raise an eyebrow at Mia, who turns a delightful shade of red and mumbles under her breath.

‘What’s that you say, Mia?’ I ask her, grinning broadly.

‘Does Silver want me to be at the club at six or can I get a bit later?’

‘No, later than seven Mia or it will leave everyone strung out.’ Mav states, then as he gives us a low wave and leaves.

Picking up my cellphone, I stand outside the shop and call to Axel, ‘Pres, what time do you want me to bring Mia back? She’s at the club tonight and will need some timeout between and she’ll need to eat.’

After speaking for a few minutes, we agree to bring her back now before we start anything else for the day. Getting that top level emptied of carpets, shelving and even the rotten doors was a good job for one day.

Deciding we’ll all pack it in for the day, we close and lock up and pile into the truck. As we pull away from the shop, I see a woman watching us. Not sure who she is, but when she sees me looking, she ducks her head and walks away. Interesting.

MIA

Rushing around after I’d eaten to get ready for work at the club has me feeling a bit off. Maybe I’m more tired than I realized. I’ll make sure I get some extra sleep this weekend.

Knuckles is giving me a lift to the club as he is doorman tonight. Hearing him shout for me to hurry, I best get myself moving before he gives me grief for being late.

We arrive at the club around six, so I didn’t do too badly given I’m standing in tonight.

Silver meets me behind the bar and gives me a grin, ‘Sorry you got called in Mia, but Sue called in sick.’

‘It’s okay Silver, I don’t mind, I’d rather be busy than bored.’

People are slowly coming in, getting a first drink and talking quietly. I know it won’t be long before it gets noisy. I notice Jewel is hanging at the back of the room, near the stage. I keep looking over and see someone talking to her, but something looks off.

Stepping into the back, I rush over to the office, tap on the door, and open it a crack. ‘Silver, can you come out to the bar? You need to watch what Jewel is doing near the stage.’

I quickly return to the bar and serve a customer that is waiting. Silver walks out and picks up the cloth and wipes the bar top but is casting looks over to Jewel and the man who is standing in a position that we cannot see what he is doing. But it looks like they are arguing.

Target and Chaos walk into the club and I pretend I don’t know them, but when they reach the bar and I’m serving, I whisper, ‘Hi Target, watch Jewel, something is going on.’ They take their drinks and I turn my back and continue washing glassware, but glancing into the mirror above the sink.

Jewel turns and sees Silver at the bar and hurries away from the man she was with, picking up empty glasses and beer bottles on her way back towards the bar.

‘I see you lazing around again, Jewel, and I’ll cut your pay. The others are not here to pick up your slack.’ Silver snarls at her. He gives her a dirty look at the same time.

Carol and Twig reach the bar, give me their orders, and pretend they are not listening to what’s being said.

‘Get in the back, clean out the kitchen and the staff restroom, I don’t want to hear a word Jewel, you either do it or go home and never come back.’ Silver snaps at her. He is really giving her the evil eye now.

Turning from the sink, I notice Chaos walking out the door and saying something to Knuckles as he passes. Looking over at Target, he nods to Silver, who walks over taking a beer along with him.

I stay alert and a movement catches my eye and as I turn to look; I notice Jewel entering Silver’s office. I quickly shout to Silver and rush down the hallway, standing in the office’s doorway, effectively blocking Jewel leaving.

‘Get out of the way, bitch.’ Jewel snarls as she tries to push past me, but I hold my own. She doesn’t know in prison you have to stand up for yourself.

‘Not happening.’ I state and keep myself in a position to block the doorway.

Silver storms down the hallway and shouts, ‘What’s goin’ on?’

‘Jewel came out of the restroom and went into your office. I stopped her leaving so she couldn’t lie about being in here.’ I say, then step back so Silver can get past me. I don’t wait to see what happens. I quickly go back to the bar rather than leave it unattended.

I can hear some shouting in the office, but not enough to know what is being said. Making sure the other two waitresses keep busy and don’t go into the hallway, I get Target’s attention and he walks over to the bar.

Leaning over the bar, I run my finger down Target’s forearm while whispering what is happening. I tell him not to panic that I’m hitting on him, just making it look that way to the eyes of everyone in the club.

Nodding and letting me know he understands, he grins and tells me Chaos will be annoyed it wasn’t him, which has us both laughing.

The club gets busier from this point and I don’t find out what Silver has done with Jewel, but she is keeping her head down and busy at this point. Something is not right with her, but as of yet, it is not obvious what is going on.

Walking into the clubhouse, I’m exhausted and feeling worse than I did earlier. I want to vomit. My head is throbbing and I’m dizzy.

‘You okay, babe?’ Axel asks me as I walk through the common room to the stairs as I head up to bed.

‘I don’t feel very well. I think I must have picked up a bug of some sort.’

‘Do you need anything?’ Axel wraps me in a hug and I rest my forehead on his chest, taking a deep breath of his leather and woodsy manliness.

Mumbling into Axel’s chest, ‘Can you grab me a bottle of water, please. Then I’ll go to bed, I’ll be okay in the morning.’

‘Sure babe, go up and I’ll bring it in a minute.’

Once in my room, I have a quick shower, brush my teeth and throw on a pair of sleep shorts and a tank top. Climbing into bed, I take out some pain meds for the headache and hold them in my hand, ready for Axel bringing the water.

I must have waited a while as I woke up at four thirty in the morning still holding the meds and a bottle of water is sitting on the bedside table.

Feeling somewhat better, I place the meds next to the water and settle back under the covers to have more sleep.