“Got it.” Agreed Splice.
“How are the two new bars looking?”
“Steady customers through the door. Hellfire’s Bar and Grill is bringing in more traffic, especially to the coffee shop part. Scar suggested we do some local advertising. Radio and online.”
Axel smirked. “My little genius. Talk to the Devil, see what funds he can free up to do that. Coordinate with Primo; he should know what shit is needed to advertise online.”
The one-on-one meeting with the Prez lasted a while longer.
“Did Vince catch up with you yesterday?”
“He’s got an idea for that dilapidated strip mall over by the airport. He wants the club to collaborate with him. Anything that big, we gotta take it to the council first, but it’s got me interested.”
Vince had an eye for spotting locations that would make money, and he always brought them to the MC first.
“I can take a ride over, look around, and see what state the place is in. A strip mall would take a sizeable chunk of change even to get it up to scratch. Where do we stand with building permits since the mayor retired?”
“Chains has had a few meetings with the new mayor. She’s a tough cookie; not sure we can get her on the books to cut through the red tape.”
“I heard she’s cleaning up faster than Kylie,” half-laughed Splice. Reno’s funeral director, Old Lady, was the go-to for making crimes vanish, no questions asked.
The new mayor, Caroline Keper, was in her late thirties and trying to make her mark during her tenure as the local power. So far, she’d left the Diablos alone because their club didn’t leave calling cards on anything they did. Every business they owned was legitimate. What those businesses did under the counter was always done carefully.
Fielding, their sourced police officer, informed them about departmental investigations into the MC and warned of raids.
The club hadn’t faced the Riot Brothers in months, but Axel learned they had returned from Alabama once more. No attempt had yet been made to hit the club again.
“Wonder if this mayor has eyes on the Riot Brothers.” Pondered Splice. “Harvey is likely to strike a deal with Keper if he can.”
“Harvey is a nobody,” rumbled Axel, his eyes switching to the right when he saw his old lady waddle her little pregnant self into the area. Splice was about to lose the Prez’s attention because no one else existed once Scarlett was in his orbit.
Sure enough, Axel beckoned his wife forward with a two-finger motion, and the woman grinned, making her way over.
“Hey, you two. Having a secret meeting so early? Is it about my birthday party?”
“Wildcat, your birthday ain’t until next year,” Axel said, roping an arm around the tiny pixie-haired woman.
“That’s just details and something someone would say who wanted me off the party scent.”
“If you want a party, you can have a party.”
“You’ll spoil her, Prez,” remarked Splice.
Scarlett pointed a finger. “You keep your nose out of it!”
Splice, knowing not to cross a woman, held up his hands. “Sure thing, First Lady. You’re his brat to deal with.”
Every biker in the club respected Axel’s wife and treated her like a baby sister.
“What’s this I hear about you being territorial over a woman recently?” Scarlett teased.
“Are you listening to gossip again, Scar?”
“Absolutely. So, who was it?”
“No one.”
“Ha,” she scoffed and then yelled out. “Hey, Mouse! Come over here, please.”
