Raging Barons MC – Book Two – Axel
Axel: Chapter 12

Things are moving along fairly nicely for the club at the moment. The sandwich shop is the start I hope of things improving on the business front.

After getting away from all the 1% shit we were involved with has been an enormous relief.

As President, I have to make sure the club is making enough money to give everyone security, which means jobs and money.

The night club ‘Club Whisky’ has brought in a good amount, but not enough for all the brothers. Rock, Clay and Dice are building the custom bike business and it is providing money that is needed for the club’s continued progress.

Today I’m going to speak to old man Jenkins about his recovery and repair business. It can’t hurt to see where he’s at regarding retiring. He is much older than my dad was, but they built a friendship regardless of age and they sure got into some antics.

Mia is asleep from her shift at the club last night, so I’m going to leave her to rest and get as much done as I can before I take my woman out to eat.

Shouting to Buzz as I walk through the common room, I head straight to my bike. ‘I’m going to visit Jenkins.’

Buzz straddles his bike, gives me a nod, which lets me know he’s coming along for the ride.

The ride over to the other side of town is pleasant, the traffic is mild. I have hopes that Jenkins will sell the club his business. It will be ideal for some brothers and will help when the size of the club increases.

Pulling into the garage forecourt, it’s blatantly obvious the place needs some work; they have painted the frontage of the building a puce green and it is peeling and looking shabby, not helping the overall look of the place.

Parking our bikes near the main door, we walk inside and it’s dark, dirty and a fucking mess, to put it mildly. The counter needs replacing as it’s dirty with oil that will never clean up.

Jenkins had no kids, so I know he’s led a lonely life since my old man died. He never married and has always kept to himself. When he retires, he will have nothing much to live for, flits through my thoughts.

‘You busy Jenk?’ I call out, that is what my dad used to call him and, in turn, myself.

‘Hi Axel, sorry to have kept you waiting. Busy in the back.’ Jenkins says as he comes around the counter and gives me a man hug. ‘So, what can I do for you?’

‘Well, I heard you’re thinking of retiring and was wondering if you’d give me first chance to buy it?’ I go straight in with it because I know Jenkins hates backstabbing or anything else that’s not straightforward honest.

‘Follow me into the office Axel.’

We both follow him in and stand before his desk. The office is another place that is in a damn state, I notice, and that is just glancing around.

Jenkins turns to a small safe standing in the room’s corner. When he opens it, I can see there isn’t much in it, some cash, papers and a parcel.

Taking out an envelope, Jenkins passes it to me and gives me a head nod to open it.

I open the envelope and take out the paper inside. When I unfold it, I see at the top it states, The Last Will and Testament of. I snap my head up to look at Jenkins and he nods again for me to read.

My mind is struggling to understand what I’m reading. Jenkins has left everything to me, the business, his house, his financials.

Looking up, I say, ‘Why?’

‘Well, two reasons, one I never had kids, didn’t want an old lady, didn’t want responsibility. I loved your parents, and they loved me in return. Never was friendship as strong as ours and you’ve been the son I never had.’ he rubs his hand over his head and I can see his eyes are watering.

‘Two, I’m dying. I’ve got lung cancer and they say I’ve got about nine months. I was coming over to see you in a couple of months to sign everything over before the end happens. I don’t want any shit occurring once I’m gone.’

I throw myself down into the chair which faces the desk and look at Jenkins carefully and you can see he’s tired; he has that drawn look and that odd color to his skin. I feel like shit because although I’ve kept in touch with him, I’ve not been as close as I could’ve been.

‘Fucking hell Jenk, I’m sorry to hear this. I’m sorry I’ve not been around as much as I used to be either.’

‘Stop. Don’t be sad for me Axel, I’ve lived a good life. I miss your parents badly and I’ll be glad to join them. I just want you to take over what I’ve built, so it isn’t all lost once I’m gone.’

Nodding, I look at Buzz, who I can see is as affected by the news as I am. I can’t imagine Jenkins not being here, and I don’t mean the garage I mean on earth, the last link to my parents. I used to turn up at his house and just drink the night away laughing at the antics of him and my dad. What mischief they got up to. My heart is heavy.

‘It’s all legal Axel, we just gotta do the signing. Once we’ve done that, you can take over and I’m going to rest. Sit on my porch and enjoy the last few days.’

Standing, I walk over to Jenkins, grab him up from the chair, and wrap my arms around this incredible man. We stay like that for quite some time and when I turn; I notice Buzz left quietly.

After I sign the papers Jenkins places in front of me, I arrange to come back in a couple of days, but in the meantime, I’m going to be sending Joe here to help out. I know he’s a mechanic, so although still a prospect; he is being given a massive responsibility.

Back at the clubhouse, I walk into my office, sit in my chair and put my head in my hands. If it wouldn’t make me look like a pussy, I would cry my heart out, but it’s not an option, instead I text for Joe to come to my office ASAP.

I unfold the papers that Jenkins gave me, read them through once more before walking over to PT’s office and telling him to lock them in the safe.

I’m not sure if it is a look I have on my face, but PT asks no questions. He just takes the papers, places them in an envelope and writes Axel before locking them away.

Back in my office, I stand looking out of the window, run my hands over my head and clasp them behind my neck while thinking, what a fucking morning.