by L. Ann Marie
Chapter Ten
Three Months later
We got training today. I like the easy days. When the Brothers leave for the Club Pres pulls up.
“Brothers I got the new cuts for Church.”
I look at Danny. I don’t know about new cuts. We walk over and he pulls a leather vest from his bag. Our colors are on it with a rocker under. “Fuckin’’ nice Pres but we just got new bikes. How the fuck we paying for all new cuts?” Leather yet?
He laughs. “Made a deal with Providence. They paid up front. Brothers should get that.”
We laugh. “Fuckin’’ Pres. Nice.”
He nods and Danny’s beeper goes off. Pres looks at me. Fuck. “I got to go.” He looks at me. “It’s for Rich.”
“I’ll ride with you.”
We ride to Darlene’s and I see the bitch on the step banging her shoe on the door.
Darlene looks out the window. I wave to her as Danny gets the bitch away from the house. Pres is just watching. Darlene comes out and stands close to me. “She’s crazy. I don’t know what she’s on but I wasn’t giving her the boy. He doesn’t need to be in a car with that.” I nod.
“You ever have another problem like this you call me. I’ll take care of it. I’ll talk to her now so it won’t happen again but if it does call me direct,” Pres tells her surprising the hell out of me walking to us.
Darlene nods. “Thank you. I need to get back in. My daughter is watching the kids in the back room.”
Pres hands her some money and gives her a card with his number. “Direct.” She nods and goes in.
“Thanks Pres.”
He walks toward Danny and the bitch. I watch him pull her away and talk to her. She has an attitude at first then settles. When she gets in her car she looks scared as fuck. I smile watching her leave.
“I don’t know what you said but thanks Pres.” He turns. “I need to check on my son.”
I come down the stairs and wait on my bike. “What did you say?”
“Told her if she didn’t stay the fuck away from here I’d tell him the truth about her.” I’m wondering if I need to know the truth. “You don’t need to know anything but your boy gets right. Every day it looks better for him.” I nod and watch him come down the stairs. “Don’t know how everyone misses he looks just like you. Must be the beard.” He says softly. I laugh. When we first met I was clean shaven. I haven’t shaved for years.
“He’s good.” He throws his leg over and smiles. The kid’s always smiling.
Pres heads to the Club and we go back to training. I finish a new set we started last week. He’s pretty good at the martial arts.
We grab a beer then he’s off for his boy.
Petey comes in with his crew. “Tiny’s doing good Axe. I need to cut Hammer loose. With Tiny I don’t need him but now he’s whining about our take being split for Tiny.”
I look around. “Hammer!” This is the kid I keep away from me. I never did like him.
“You’re off Transport. Tomorrow you ride my Teams.” He nods giving Petey a look. “You got a problem with a bigger take on the drug side?”
His eyes light up. Fuckin’’ greedy bastard. “No Axe. I’ll take it. Thanks Petey.”
Petey throws him chin and turns back to the bar. He’s got nothing for this kid. I turn back and Pres is watching me. He doesn’t look pissed but he’s not happy. “What?”
“He can take LP’s place.” Fuck. I nod.
“What’s wrong with LP?” Petey asks. He’s got a fuckin’’ big mouth. Shit.
Pres looks at him. “Old lady’s not right in the head. He’s raising his boy and running drugs. Just today we had to get the old lady away from the daycare. She’s not fit to care for a baby. Her head is fucked.” Petey nods and I’m thinking fuckin’’ Pres is a genius. “I’m letting him walk. He goes and we’re good. He didn’t know the kid would turn her bad.”
“That’s a good thing to do Pres.” He pushes away from the bar and I know it will be all over by the end of the night.
“We got to go talk to him,” he says to me.
I nod. “I need to get his pay and some money for school.”
“I have some for him too. Maybe he can find his sister.”
I go in the office and pull a brick for him then a bigger one from my trunk. With the books I’ve been writing and the bricks in my bag we make the ride to his house. The bitch is yelling outside the house in her underwear. When she sees Pres she runs in. Danny looks tired. “Pres, Axe I have no clue what to say so I’ll just say sorry you had to see that. She’s not right.”
Pres puts his hand on Danny’s shoulder. “We got that today Brother. I didn’t know how far it went. You gave me six months but I’m letting you out today. You get this straight so you can go to school. Be here for your boy.”
Danny closes his eyes. “Thanks Pres.”
Rich rolls over to me. I hand the bag to Danny and lift him up. Rich watches Pres with a smile. “Your pay for the runs and some extra for school and living while you’re there. Put it to good use so you get through. I wrote all the shit I thought you could use. I can explain at dinner on Sunday. It’s the first.”
He smiles and does that half hug. “Thanks Axe. Looking forward to it.”
Pres hands him a brick. “Find your sister.”
Danny’s eyes are huge. “She’s in care. They won’t give details.”
“Then you wait until she’s out but you find her,” Pres says in that order voice. He’s not taking no for an answer. Danny nods. “I mean it. If they give you problems use the money for a lawyer and sue their asses.”
“I will Pres. Thank you.”
I kiss Rich’s head and hand him over to Pres then hug Danny the right way. “I’ll see you Sunday.”
He holds on for a couple of seconds. “Thanks Axe. I’ll be here waiting.”
I walk out and wait for Pres on my bike. He’s out. I’m so fuckin’’ glad he’s out. Pres comes down the stairs smiling. “He’s a good man. He’s putting the money away for when he needs it. Been saving from his take for school.”
I nod and start my bike. I can’t talk right now and need a minute. My boy will live happy. He’s going to school just like JJ. I wonder if he met JJ then drop it. He’s going to make a good life.
Chapter Eleven
Six months later
The common room is packed. Tiny whistles. Everyone shuts up. Pres laughs. “We got our youngest Officer here and he needs a beer.” The Prospects are running around handing beer out. “Now JJ spent four fuckin’’ years in school and brings us back a diploma and his knowledge. Use it Brothers. Kid’s smart as fuck.” We laugh. “The world is changing Brothers, we need to change with it. This is our start. A drink to your new Officer Ben James.” We take our drink and JJ gets slaps on the back.
I give him a hug. “Officers cut looks good on you JJ.”
He gives me the biggest smile. “Thanks Axe. I know you helped get me in. I appreciate it. I’ll make you proud Brother.”
I have to smile at that. “I know you will Brother.”
“You heard from Knight?” he asks with concern in his eyes.
I nod. “Yeah Brother, he’s doing good. Got a friend that keeps an eye on him. Says he’s the best he’s ever seen.”
He relaxes. “I haven’t gotten anything in a while.”
“You will. He’s got a busy schedule. He’s with the SEALs now.”
He smiles. “Brother always surprises me.”
Pres talks to him and I turn for the door. It’s the first Sunday and I know my boy’s waiting for me.
Pulling up I laugh. He’s got the house looking good. Fuckin’’ kid is good with his hands.
“Looks good son,” I say looking up at him on the roof.
“I’ll be right down.”
I get Rich from the playpen. “You’re getting big little man.” He’s got my tags on and shows me. I kiss his head. “Yeah Rich from me to you. Wear them proud little man.”
Da
nny laughs. “He won’t take them off. I made it smaller so he doesn’t get hurt but he likes them on. I figure you wore them every day so he can too.”
“Maybe he’ll be a SEAL when he grows up.”
He smiles. “I’ll be proud if he is.”
“House is looking good. What are you doing on the roof?”
“Put a skylight in and added some glow stars for Rich. Come on I’ll show you his new room.” I follow him in and see he’s done more to the downstairs. He walks in the room and I laugh.
“Fuckin’’ kid.” Rich bounces in my arms so I set him down. He runs for his bed and climbs the ladder as if he’s been doing it for years. He’s going to be smart too. “You did good Danny. You’ll make a good architect. The details are incredible.” He’s got a replica of his truck with a slide coming off the roof. Rich slides down and laughs.
“It’s the first room I’ve done up here but it’s done. Watch this.” He turns the light off and the headlights show dim with a dim light in the cab. Stars are on the ceiling and walls and he points up. I laugh, he has a couple of stars on the skylight. That’s why he was on the roof. “I figure even if it’s cloudy he’ll have stars to look at.”
“Nice.”
“Come on Rich let’s make dinner.” He starts walking out and Rich runs to catch up. Danny holds his hand as he goes one step at a time down. He’s a good dad. I missed all this with my boy but he won’t miss it with his.
I help him get dinner cooking. He makes the same meal for all of us and I’m surprised. He just cuts Rich’s up small. “No more baby food?”
“No he’s got teeth and wants my food all the time. That stuff tastes like shit anyway, I don’t know how it can be good for him.” I smile. “Everything good with you?”
“Yeah, got a new Officer today. The kid that was in school is done. He’s been running with me and does good. He’s put on Prospects. Get the Brothers to act like Brothers and all that.”
He nods. “That’s good.”
“Yeah, you good in school?” He started early since he wasn’t working but he doesn’t talk about it much.
He smiles. “Got a friend going through the academy and I trade him. He’s coding my assignments and I’m teaching him to shoot straight. It’s been working well.”
I laugh. “Good deal.”
We talk and play ball with Rich then I head out telling him I’ll see him soon.
I don’t want to leave knowing my time is coming up but I do. Riding home I take the back roads thinking about the bed he made for his boy. He’s all in for his son and everything he does shows it. The bitch is never there on Sundays and I’m glad.
I pull into the yard and there’s a circle around what can only be a fight. Pres is on the step watching. I see Tiny in the middle then I don’t. I smile. Who the hell would fuck with him? I climb the steps and stand with Pres. “Who’s Tiny fighting?”
He laughs. “JJ and they’re done.”
“JJ? Tiny put his hands on a fuckin’’ Officer?”
He slaps my back. “Relax it needed to be done and JJ took the cut off so Tiny wouldn’t get shit for it.”
“Why they fighting?”
“Bitch been hanging around. She don’t stay for either but they need this. Shows for JJ. Brothers won’t fuck with him.”
I nod. JJ puts his hand out and pulls Tiny up. The Brothers make room for them. “Buy you a beer Brother.”
I laugh and JJ smiles at me. “Fuckin’’ kids.”
He throws me chin and walks in with his hand on Tiny’s shoulder.
Chapter Twelve
Three months
I’m waiting at the airport with JJ. Knight comes walking out and a woman stops him to say thanks. He looks stunned then throws her chin. JJ laughs. Knight drops his bag standing in front of me. “Been for fuckin’’ ever.”
I hug him laughing. “It has been Brother. Glad you’re back. Got good reports on you. Did a fuckin’’ fine job and learned all they gave you.”
“Yeah.”
He lets me go and hugs JJ. “Brother.”
“I missed the fuck out of you Brother. Glad you’re home.”
He lifts his bag and walks with us not saying a word. JJ is telling him about the Club and work we have. He’s scanning the building then the lot. I let JJ talk but watch Knight.
At the Club JJ shows him his room and gets him some clothes. He takes his shirt off leaving just a T-shirt on and comes into the common room. Pres hugs him telling him he’s proud to have him back. Knight looks shocked.
“Tomorrow we’ll settle up your take. JJ will bring you for some gear and shit,” I tell him. We have training but I can do it with Petey.
He nods and takes the beer JJ’s holding out for him. “Brother why didn’t you come see us when you came stateside?”
“Saw my brother. He wasn’t happy to see me. Just left.” He’s watching everything around the common room. His eyes come back to JJ and he shrugs. “Didn’t know you’d be happy to see me.”
JJ looks shocked. “Of course we’re glad to see you. I had to get updates from Axe. Fuckin’’ Brother talks as much as you do.”
I laugh and Knight smiles. “Didn’t know. Feels good to be home.”
JJ nods. I’d swear the kid was related to Knight but I know better. “Glad they let you keep your hair.” JJ says making Pres laugh.
“Yeah. Said no when they wanted it off.”
“I’ll let you catch up Brothers. Just wanted to let you know I’m glad you’re back Knight. You come see me tomorrow when you get back. I got your cut waiting for you.”
He nods. “Will do Pres.” When Pres walks away he relaxes.
I turn to the bar and listen as they talk. Knight answers JJ but doesn’t offer anything. He asks JJ about school then the Club. He mentions Hammer and I look over. They’re looking at Hammer with some Brothers in the corner. None of them wanted JJ as Officer but they were a minority.
“Hammer. He’s taking Nomad. I hope to fuck he’s going soon.”
Tiny comes over. “JJ watch your back Brother.” He stands in front of them blocking their view. “Hammer’s spouting shit getting the Brothers riled up.”
“Who are you?” Knight asks him.
“Tiny Brother, he’s got my back,” JJ tells him.
Knight pushes by him and walks right up to Hammer. I smile. “Got a problem with my Officer?”
Hammer laughs. “Didn’t know he was owned by anyone. Explains a lot. You bunk together too.”
“Oh fuck,” JJ says and Tiny laughs.
Hammer is down. “Take Nomad starting right the fuck now.” Knight pulls his cut off him. “Anyone else got a problem with the Officers?”
The Brothers Hammer was talking to put their hands up. Pres is laughing at the other end of the bar. Fuckin’’ Pres.
Chapter Thirteen
One month later
I’m with Pres at a table in the common room. Pres called Church because Officers are clearing a problem. Knight and JJ come in and walk right for us. “No more complaint in Woonsocket. Knight dealt,” JJ says and Pres nods.
The fuckin’’ kid is deadly. He’s got a good head for running crews too. “You order what you need?”
He looks at me. “Yeah. Enough for six.” I nod. He’ll kit out the Brothers he’s training. “You get the head pieces you wanted?”
He nods. I just smile. He’s still not a talker. He wants us all with headsets or some shit so we can talk to each other. Not a bad idea but times are changing and I’m feeling old. I wonder how they’re going to work with our lids but I’m not asking. I’ll wait and see what he orders.
“I got a job for you Knight. It’s for after hours or mornings. Got a kid working on a computer. Teach him what you know. He’s smart as fuck and willing to work. He got into the state records so whatever he knows is good.”
“Will teach him if I don’t have to do it anymore,” he tells Pres.
“Good. Name’s Geek. You teach him and you’re off the hook.” Kn
ight nods at him. “He’s young but a good kid. Don’t kill him for saying stupid shit.” I laugh and JJ looks the other way. Knight just nods.
They walk to the bar and I look at Pres. “How young?”
“Sixteen. Found him digging through the dumpster for food. Had him take a shower and he about creamed when he saw the computer. Had him look something up for me and he got in the fuckin’’ state’s system.”
“Not such a good system if a sixteen year old got in.”
He laughs. “They work with him. He becomes good friends with Knight and is loyal to the Brotherhood.”
I’m thinking anyone that is friends with Knight is good. He’s loyal and protective of his Brothers and the Brotherhood.
We hear yelling and run. Tiny’s got what’s got to be Geek against him but his feet don’t hit the floor. Knight is beating the fuck out of a Nomad. JJ is trying to pull Knight off the Brother.
“Stand down!” I tell him and his arm drops and the Nomad falls. “What the fuck?”
Knight is scanning the room, he looks at Tiny and walks over. Tiny looks nervous. “Put him down Tiny.” I tell him before Knight starts hitting him. He sets the kid down and steadies him.
“Fuckin’’ Nomad is trying for the kid!” Tiny’s voice booms out. “Should fuckin’’ kill the pervert!”
Pres looks at Geek. “You okay little Brother?”
“Fuckin’’ jerk thinks I’m his toy! I ain’t payin’ for a room like that Pres. I’ll work for my room.” The kid’s got fight in him. Good.
Pres looks at Knight. “Get rid of him. Get our name off him while you’re at it. Geek’s got my protection. No one fucks with him ever again.”
Knight nods. “Mine too Pres.” JJ adds his then Tiny. Good fuckin’’ Brothers. Tiny drags the Nomad out by his hair.
I look at the kid. “Never take shit from the Brothers. You have a job just like the Brothers. You get paid just like them. You work you get a room. No one puts hands on you Brother. They try, you tell him you have our protection, they’ll back off. Knight will train you and I’ll get you a gun. Someone tries it again you shoot the motherfucker. Yeah?”
