Page 24 of When Life Sucks!

“Back to the topic of Jax. I’m going to give it my best because otherwise what is the point? The biker who was watching me, who was it?”

“He is as I told you from another MC. He is, or should I say was, Melody’s old man. But rather than meet a nasty end, he struck a deal. I can’t tell you what that was but you are safe from him and that’s all that matters.” Papa is giving me a look that I’ve seen the others at the clubhouse give their old ladies, and it’s the Club Business look.

Beast leans forward, takes a drink from the tray he placed on my desk, and after taking a mouthful, he gives me a serious look. “Jax has remodeled the way the club will be run. Rules have been set and you’ll find the clubhouse a nicer place to be. As the first lady of the club, you will have responsibilities, but they will be easy for you as you are a businesswoman and can organize easily. Jax will run you through these responsibilities, I’m sure.”

We talk about various things, and I’m getting to know them better as they are me. I feel easy in their company and I’m sure I’m going to have a great relationship with my father. I can feel my heart has warmed to him already.

“Oh, I wanted to ask if you are both interested in a business commitment. I’ve had my eye on an apartment block that is for sale. It’s been for sale a long time, so I know I can knock the price down and get it for a song. There are twelve apartments in total. They will need ripping to pieces, but that’s to be expected. I’m thinking it can be flipped or kept and the apartments leased.” I get it all out there before I lose my nerve. I’m not sure either of them will be interested, but I know Beast likes to gamble on investments.

“I’m in,” Beast states with no sign of hesitancy.

Papa looks at him, and before he can say anything, Beast speaks again. “What? You know your daughter is a fuckin’ money magnet, don’t you? She can double and triple anything in no time. She also knows what to steer clear of. Teckie got a nice return on his investment and said he’d be asking you about another.”

“Yeah, a few of my clients made a killing on that one Teckie was interested in. I’m pleased he had a nice return on it.”

Papa sits straight in his chair, and after giving Beast a dirty look, he snarls, “I’m in.” Beast laughs, gives me a wink, which confirms he’s been pushing Papa’s buttons.

“Okay, I’ll get all the information together, do another assessment as I don’t want to go into it blind. If things have changed significantly, then I’ll look for something else to invest into.” I give them both a wide smile, and finish my drink while we shoot the breeze a while.

Once they’ve both left, Sadie and I knuckle down to business and go through everyone’s performance reports, pay structure, and even the contracts for the cleaning staff. Sadie and I decide we can make some changes for the better and once leaving time arrives, I’m well and truly ready to eat and relax.

Chapter 15

Jax

Beast is at the clubhouse and has eaten breakfast, if that’s what you want to call what the club whores served up. I’m hoping that Alice knows how to whip this place into shape because the domestic side of the club is horrendous. He walks into my office and rubs his chest. “That was just disgusting, given me fuckin’ indigestion with the amount of grease on the plate.”

“I know. I’m going to speak to Alice about getting this place sorted out. Bolt said he asked the old ladies to do some cooking, but they refused. I’m not having that shit happening. They either do something for the clubhouse or they stop using it.”

“Totally agree. You are the president now and you make the rules. If the brothers don’t like the changes, they can move to another chapter or leave the fuckin’ club. Let’s be honest, Jax, if they won’t support the clubhouse, they are not supporting the club and that’s the top and bottom of it.” Beast who I rarely call Pops anymore is giving me an odd look.

“What?” I have to ask.

“What happened at your lunchtime meeting with the brothers?”

Rubbing my neck, I fill him in with the new rules I laid out for the brothers. “I told them all I needed to. But I also said they can leave the club if they don’t like it. But they will lose their end-of-month income if they do. I’m not fuckin’ with them. They’ve been stringing Bolt along for over a year and the more he tried, the worse they were.”

“Well, you do what you have to do, son.” Now, that has me looking up, and the grin on his face tells me a lot of what he’s thinking and what I need to do.

“I will, don’t you worry.”

“I’ve already removed two brothers from being active on any runs. Dime and Stroller. They are both in their seventies and are coming around less and less. But they turn up for church every time, and they attend every function laid on. They are just tired and like sitting on their decking, shooting the breeze together. They actually own a house together, sharing the cost of everything. Oh, and they have a female gardener, cleaner, and even a cook. The lecherous bastards sit watching them working, just enjoying the view, is what they say.

“Christ, I hope I don’t end up like that. I want a woman to cuddle up to and keep me warm at night. Sit on the decking and watch the grandkids playing.”

“Wow, hang on for a minute. No grandkids yet, Pops.”

Beast chuckles as he hauls himself out of his seat. “I’m going to visit Alice with Black. I’ll catch up later.”

Finishing reading the paperwork on my desk, I look up when the office door opens, and Bolt, Gunner, and Lethal step inside. I wait for them to say what they want but they take a seat and relax back, Bolt closes his eyes, Gunner takes out his phone and starts playing a game, and Lethal takes out his knife, twirling it around in his fingers.

Leaning back in my seat, I maintain my blank-faced expression. “What do you three want?”

“Nothin’ Prez. We’re here to watch your back,” Gunner states without looking up from his phone.

“Watch my back in the clubhouse? From what exactly?”

“Psychotic club whores, moody old ladies, raging brothers who are bored, and anyone else.” Lethal adds to the conversation. Bolt chuckles but keeps his eyes closed and his mouth shut.

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