Chapter 5: Shadows at the Clubhouse
Word travels fast in a small town, especially when it involves the Road Captain of the local motorcycle club. When Jax pulled up to the club’s repair garage with a young boy sitting on the back of his bike, half a dozen hardened men stepped out into the afternoon heat.
""Who’s the mini-me, Jax?"" asked Big Mike, a burly mechanic with grease-stained arms and a thick gray beard.
The other men chuckled, but Jax didn't laugh. He stepped off the bike and stood firmly between the club members and Leo, his body language making his stance crystal clear.
""This is Leo,"" Jax said calmly, his voice dropping an octave. ""He’s my son.""
The laughter died down instantly. Big Mike wiped his hands on a rag, looking from Jax’s dead-serious eyes to the quiet kid holding a folded piece of paper near the bike.
""Your son?"" Mike repeated softly, his tough expression softening. ""Since when do you have a kid, Jax?""
""Since eight years ago,"" Jax answered. ""His mom passed last month. He's staying with me now.""
Mike looked at the little boy, then back at Jax. He walked over slowly, crouching down so he didn't tower over the child. ""Hey there, short-stack. You like motorcycles?""
Leo nodded shyly, taking a small step out from behind Jax's leg. ""Jax said his is the fastest.""
May you like
Mike let out a booming laugh and tossed a small chrome wrench to the boy. ""Don't listen to him, kid. Mine's faster. But if you're Jax's boy, you're family here. Welcome home.""
Jax breathed a quiet sigh of relief, watching as the rough-around-the-edges men instantly softened up, bringing out sodas and showing Leo the tools in the shop.
