by L. Ann Marie
Everyone, but Jessie leaves. “Bet that felt good,” he says smiling.
“Yes. Brotherhood is good.” The fathers laugh reminding me they are here.
“They did good, let’s get some food,” Danny says making us laugh again.
When they leave Jessie has a serious look. I wait for him to talk. “The whores will not be a problem starting tomorrow. There will be women that hang at the Club that may. They aren’t paid, but they’re just like the whores in looking for an Officer. I’ll talk to Chris making sure they know walking in that we are off limits unless we approach, but they may not all listen. I’m glad the other Officers know and can help. Can you throw commands to keep people away if someone is touching you?”
“No, not while they are touching me.” Sometimes gifts don’t feel like gifts.
“I’ll let the others know to keep watch always. With you thanking us they know you have that, but I’m not willing to share more. We’ll have to keep our guard up until the newness wears off. Then it will just be habit and word will get around without any effort on our part.” Again, I am choked up, but thank him out loud. He throws chin. “Let’s get some food.”
Chapter Seven
Eagle Eye
I stand by my oak and practice. When I feel a presence close I stop and open my eyes. Cloud, Kevin and Danny are here. They get in a line and Kevin leads us in a set I do not know. I am happy to learn and feel my muscles burn with the new moves held so long. When we are done I thank them for the new set and ask about getting some new material so I have all I should.
“You have sets I don’t know too. I’ll trade even for what you have,” Kevin says smiling. I laugh and agree right away trading numbers so he can send them to me and I him. We shower and meet in the kitchen. Danny makes breakfast and I help since I do not have a class until later. A whore comes in and he yells at her to get out. “You got a kitchen fully stocked. This is off limits!” She scurries away without a sound. He looks at VP. “I like the new rules. We need it at home.”
“How do you know what they are?” I ask not knowing what they are myself.
“I asked Little Ben last night,” he says smiling. His face lights up when he’s happy making the patch look less intimidating. I would not ask making Prez think I am questioning his decision, but I am glad when Danny tells us of the rules. I can breathe easy knowing the women will not be in the common areas until five and are only allowed in the common room, bar or their own suite.
When the Officers sit, I help cook and serve them breakfast, happy to get the chance to show my appreciation for their support.
The Officers go to their blocking class and the Prospects come in to clean. The fathers head out to the garage and I go to the tent to assess defensive tactics. The Brothers are in good spirits making this easy. We already know who will be going where, but they do not. It is good to see the Brotherhood shining through as they learn and demonstrate their lessons.
At lunch I meet with the Officers about next week’s schedule. Everything goes well until Prez asks about my empty schedule. Everyone stops and looks at me. “With everything opening and the town’s new normal beginning I thought I would not schedule anything that would interfere with me putting out fires when they are happening. Showing our commitment and presence in difficult times is more important than the good times. I have another reason for one of my days being open, but it is not something I can discuss with everyone present.”
Chris and Lee object to a secret at the Officers table. I tell Prez it is about Jeremy and he tells me to announce that. “Thursday I need to meet with Jeremy.” Everyone calms and the meeting goes on. No one questions my day or the secret. When they leave Prez, Jessie and Darren stay.
“Today I am reminded that you are new and I will have to explain to the other new Officers about the kids with abilities. Every Officer knows it is not up for discussion unless they are involved and brought into that conversation. When you have a meet with any kid with abilities you don’t have to say it or you can do just what you did. If the Officers think there are secrets between you they will lose trust. You fixed that so no harm was done. Honesty is always best, but omitting it altogether if it is a Security issue is allowable at our table. Please tell me this is not a Security issue.”
“No. Do I tell you what it is about now?” He nods for me to continue. “Jeremy is at the reservation. Nunánuk is working with him to gain understanding and some control over throwing his energy. He has been emailing me his progress and what he believes are his setbacks. Nunánuk believes he has control of his ability, but Jeremy is nervous and keeps pestering her for more insight and training. I agreed to walk with him through this with the help of my Shaman and Nunánuk on Thursday. The Elders will be present and I checked your schedule asking Brantley to keep it open until I could talk with you.”
He nods looking at me. “When did you find out about Jeremy being at the reservation?”
“Cloud mentioned it yesterday, but I got the email from Nunánuk about meeting this morning. They will be leaving from Connecticut.” He relaxes and I wonder why. “My email shows your name too, did you get them?”
“I didn’t get all of them apparently. Nunánuk has never emailed me and I thought she was at the compound. I didn’t know Jeremy was at the reservation.”
I understand why he is concerned now. “Do you want to see what I have from them?” He waves it away and tells me he will be there Thursday.
Jessie asks about the need for Brothers, but Prez tells them no. “The Shaman don’t see the need for connection to the Brothers. They have the ancestors that walk with them as the Brothers do us. We can’t show up without the understanding of their belief and expect them to understand ours. It will be better for Dakota and Jeremy to walk with their people with the knowledge they have. I may ask for Cloud to be there with us. He understands both sides and can help as a buffer for me.”
“Little Ben, you do not need a buffer with our people. They are yours and accept you as such. You will always be welcomed as I am.”
He laughs. “They don’t welcome me as much as Nunánuk does. She emailed you, but not me. The Rhode Island tribe, aside from you, doesn’t even talk to me.”
I look at him and see he believes he is not welcome with our people, my tribal home. “Our tribe are the Elders to Connecticut. They are based in ancient time traditions and beliefs. We are the same as the others, but different. Like you and your fathers. The same, but different. Rhode Island Mohegan are a reserved people.” I stop because he does not see it.
“I can see that. I would have thought I wasn’t welcomed either, but learning about Dakota’s life has shown me a different, but equal normal. He didn’t have the Brotherhood, but he learned what we did and works like we do. Just different,” Darren says and I am relieved he understands.
Jessie agrees and Little Ben looks at them. “We lived where it started different. Tracy stopped me from feeling wanted and it changed me somehow. I was so relieved I was wanted by Kate. I can tell you every single thing that happened that day. I bet Darren remembers his life before Kate and Uncle Danny too. Your normal has never been different, I can see it being hard for you to get.”
I watch and read his consideration of their words then mine. “It’s good to have wise men by my side. It keeps me from looking like an ass.” I laugh. “Let’s get to work before the ‘rents get back. I can’t believe I’ll get to sleep in my house tomorrow. Finally!” We carry everything into the Club, smiling until we see Chris yelling at a woman.
“Stop!” Prez says and Chris freezes.
“Chris tell me what has you yelling at a woman.” I busy myself adding the plates to the dishwasher.
“She was in the back hall with her hand on your office door. When I told her to stop this is where she did. The Prospect called me when she went in. I was maybe four minutes.” Chris is pissed.
“Give me five minutes, keep her here and get the rest of the women in their common room.”
He
calls me to follow in my head and I do behind Darren and Jessie. When I close the door he says he needs to get the Security feed up. We do not video the offices so I wait. I see where she was and can tell him. He smiles at me. “Tell me.”
“She walked in and went to your desk. She did not find what she was looking for and went through your coat pockets right here. She looked at your trophies, but thought no and walked out.”
Jessie laughs. “What was she looking for?”
“Money.”
He watches the monitor and laughs. “You got it perfect!” Jessie and Darren look at me.
“You have admin level surveillance,” I state the obvious and feel like an idiot.
“Yeah that’s how we got rid of your broken armed friend so quick,” Jessie says distracted. He is watching the monitor.
I go around and watch. Chris is in the women’s rooms while the woman is in Prez’s office. “Is this setting him up?”
“Yes,” I tell him then see the other woman is relieved when Chris leaves.
Darren signs, ‘Better than the camera.’
“Yeah.”
“Jessie, get the woman to the room and send Chris in here.”
I stand back and wait not sure if I should leave. “He’ll need to know they were setting him up. Stay.” Prez looks at me smiling. I am not sure I should be thinking anything around him. He laughs, but stops quick as the door opens.
Chris already knows he was set up, but is ready to face losing his cut over it. Shit, I hope he does not, he is a good man. Prez looks at me and I stop reading Chris.
“The whore that called you to her room was setting you up. The second didn’t take anything, but was looking for money. If you’re missing any that’s where it is.” Chris just nods. “Tell me this is the last time I have to talk to you about whores and what they are capable of.”
“I knew as soon as she ran. I didn’t think they’d do anything like this, but I know now. It hasn’t happened before and I’m ashamed I allowed it now. If you allow me to stay I can guarantee it won’t happen again.”
“Relax Chris, no one is taking your cut over a whore. This was a mistake, but you’ve learned, albeit the hard way, but it isn’t going to be a lesson you’ll need twice.”
“Fuck no Prez.”
“Let’s get rid of the two,” Prez says and I almost laugh at the relief on Chris’ face.
I follow and watch the shock on the women’s faces when Prez tells them of surveillance throughout the building and the movements in his office. He tells them again about the common room, bar and their rooms from five on. Brothers can bring them to their rooms, but they need to be walked out of the Brothers wing by whatever Prospect is on duty. The women agree and do not seem to have a problem with the new rule. He tells Chris to get rid of the thieves and get two more women in. They cry and he walks out with me following. I am not staying with crying women.
I have to be at the brewery and Prez offers to ride along since my Security was pulled away and his last assessment is not until three.
We do last minute checks on the yeast while talking with the brew master about the opening on Monday and the trucks rolling with the orders for the local bars. Sebastian is here and happy with the HR paperwork being complete.
“Where is it not complete?” Prez asks.
Sebastian looks at me not wanting to answer. I nod sending him encouragement to be honest. “Princes Security. Some of the men think their paperwork will follow them from the MC. They told Joey to get what they had from before.”
“Why didn’t she say anything?” he asks. I smile.
He does not have a problem answering this one. “She said they’ll understand she isn’t a maid on the first payout. They won’t get paid if she doesn’t have it.”
Prez laughs. “Badass all the way. We’ll let her teach them that lesson.” Sebastian smiles. “You like working with Joey?”
“Yes, she’s cool. She doesn’t take shit from anyone, but she’s so damn sweet all the time it’s hard for them to get mad at her.” I get that he more than likes working with Joey, but keep my mouth shut.
“She’s special. Even Badass she deserves to be treated with respect. You make sure that happens. If someone gives her a hard time every Brother should be stepping up for her.”
Sebastian laughs. “She’d beat them with her crutch, but I’m watching out for her.”
Prez nods and I am proud of Sebastian. I man hug him shocking him and tell him I am proud to call him mine. We leave and Prez tells me it was right to show him what I am learning from the Brothers. I nod then think. It hits me as I am riding. Approval and acknowledgement.
After the last class Security Officers meet to separate and pull the Brothers for different departments. We end up with eight more HS and thirty-four in Security. We have twenty-two on building Security that will rotate from surveillance and seventeen on IT.
Something that has been bugging me from the start of all of this jumps in front again and I ask. “Why do we have the Security Company and town and Club Security separated? It would be much easier to keep everything under one roof and it would not put as much stress on everyone running back and forth. It is fuckin’ hard to keep track when you say Security and mean the company.”
They look at me shocked. “You merged with the LB Security.”
I do not get it and they are not clear in their thinking. “I did, showing my commitment to my new Brothers in our combined effort to the cause. This was supposed to be one company showing all of us behind one purpose, ‘Making a better life for more.’ I have to tell you, it would be easier for Jessie to run Ops all the time and not on a schedule. Something will get missed and I already have a full time job on top of running Security for the company. I do not think I will have time to run Ops.”
“Fuck! That’s what you meant by our merge being a mirror’s pieces put together. It would be a fuck of a lot easier as one. I misunderstood and fucked it up Brothers. Dakota why didn’t you say?”
I am not sure what to say. I might as well just tell him. “You get pissed when someone questions your orders. You told me to run Security so I did. Then you split it up and told me to train and assess and be the Secretary. I do not want to disrespect or disappoint you, but I cannot run Ops like before. I do not have time on top of the businesses.”
“Jesus you have him working like a dog. When the fuck do you sleep Brother?” Jessie asks looking from Prez to me.
“I normally do not sleep much.”
Brantley laughs, “Like Jeremy.” I nod and look at Prez.
“Fuck I’m sorry Brother, I need to fix this and get everything together. You giving up your company for the Brotherhood should be recognized for what it means. I didn’t do that for you. I’ll fix it before we open on Monday and recognize the gift to the Princes at Church.”
Shit. “Since you are not pissed at me can we forget the recognition and get my name off as owner? I do not think I can handle much more acknowledgement; the Brotherhood is enough.”
They all laugh like I told a joke. “Any fuckin’ thing you want Brother,” Prez says wiping his eyes. “Go somewhere and relax. I’ve worked you to death these last two weeks.”
I get up quick before he changes his mind and walk to my oak. Chevy and Sebastian come over. We sit and talk like when we lived on the reservation. It feels good and they smile more now. Brotherhood has been good for all of us.
Chapter Eight
Jessie
It’s been a hell of a week. After working all night on Friday, and coming back from the run yesterday, we met again at Little Ben’s and finished putting all of Security and Surveillance together. We’re set up like MC-Baxters, and I for one, think we’ll be stronger because of it. It was a fuckin’ tough lesson, but not one we’re likely to make again. Next time Dakota starts talking cryptic Indian every fuckin’ one of us is asking him what the fuck he means.
Joey was pissed she had to change everything and all the payouts again, but with Brantley,
Jason and Sebastian they got it done on Saturday. Jared helped set our Ops in the Security building and all the stations are complete. Thank God Dakota already had the building set up for Ops.
LB has the paperwork ready to go to the lawyer Monday morning to switch out the names. Like we need one more fuckin’ thing to do Monday. We should have cleared our schedules too. With so much happening Dakota will need some help clearing paths. I didn’t realize how much we put on him until he said it Friday. The fuckin’ guy never complains. I need to keep watch on what he’s got going on. That isn’t today though.
I do a time check, I’ve got more than an hour.
Grabbing coffee and an apple I walk out the back and laugh. Darren is trying to shadow Dakota, but he’s failing miserably. His leg is shaking and his body is leaning to the side. Dakota slides to the next position and holds it steady. I sit and watch. This is a hold I’ve seen Jeremy do. After twenty minutes Darren walks away. I throw him a water from the cooler.
“Thanks Brother,” he says, but it isn’t clear. I look and see he has the old piece on.
“Jess need to adjust for you?” I say and sign.
“Fuck she’s here today?”
What the fuck? I watch him and he’s not exactly happy. It’s been a fuck of a week and he’s not excited to see her? “Tell me about this resigned expression on your face Brother.”
He sits down hard. “I don’t need her to fix my pieces. I’m like a fuckin’ project for her.”
“Why am I just getting this now? Maybe more importantly does she know?” A fuckin’ year and I’m getting this now? I’m a fuckin’ biker we don’t date for a fuckin’ year. You find your woman and claim her. That fuckin’ simple.
