Behind the Scenes: Book 0 (MC)

by L. Ann Marie

  He smiles. “Yeah, thanks mister.”

  Pres laughs. “Axe. His name is Axe. He’s one of your Brothers. Ain’t no misters here only Brothers, Geek.”

  The kid nods smiling. “Brother Axe it is.” I laugh. The kid’s cute.

  JJ comes back in and goes right to Geek. “Let me see your back Brother.”

  “I’m good.” Geek looks at us.

  “He isn’t going to hurt you Brother. This is JJ. He’s a smart Brother and I’m thinking he has a reason to ask,” Pres tells him.

  He nods and lifts his shirt off. Fuck. The kids got bruises at his kidney and scratches on his shoulders. “Tell me your pants didn’t come off Brother.”

  He shakes his head no. JJ looks at Pres. “He was fighting him when we walked in. It didn’t get that far. Tiny got him away before Knight hit the pussy.” Geek nods. “Come on Brother let’s get you cleaned up. I’ll put some cream on the scratches so you’ll know how to take care of them. Yeah?”

  Geek looks at Pres and gets a nod. “Yeah Brother.” I hold my smile. Kid’s smart.

  They walk out and Pres looks at me. “Fuckin’’ Nomads. Let Petey know Geek is here and has our protection. Better yet tell him he has Knight and JJ’s. Fuckin’’ Brothers are terrified of them.”

  I walk out wondering when I became a pussy. I hear Pres laughing and keep walking. I give Petey the message then keep going right out the door.

  It’s Sunday. I help my boy get a deck built. With two of us we get it done in a day. Rich is happy under the tree by us. The kid never complains or cries. I brought him a tiny bike last week and he’s happy to ride it and touch all the parts. Danny’s got him a big area to play here. He wants to make a swinging walkway to a tree house for him. He shows me the plans he made on the computer.

  “Fuckin’’ nice. We just got a kid to run a computer. Fuckin’’ things make me feel old.”

  He laughs. “The computer is easier than a book. I can teach you if you want.”

  “I’m good. When I need it I’ll ask for help.”

  He nods watching me with that intense look. “If you need me for anything Axe you’ll ask right?”

  Fuck. “Yeah son. I’ll ask.” I pick Rich up. He’s still wearing my tags. I put him on the deck and he does a little dance. “You like that little man?” He puts his little fist out.

  Danny laughs. “Watch.” He bumps his knuckles to Rich’s. “Fist bump.”

  Rich puts his knuckles up for me and I bump his little knuckles. He jumps around then dances again. I just laugh.

  “Fuckin’’ kids,” Danny says smiling. “Stay up there Rich. I need to put the tools away.” Rich nods at him and starts picking up little pieces of wood. He stacks them by the stairs but never tries to get down. I grab the big stuff and carry it to the garage. Danny points to some stacked wood. I add it on and go back to make sure Rich isn’t climbing down.

  Danny laughs. “He won’t come down. He listens good.”

  I nod and pick him up. “Let’s get this in the pit.” I grab a handful of pieces and set him down. He throws them in the fire pit one by one. “Got a pretty good arm there little Brother.” I pile the pieces at his feet and sit watching him. He’s a cute kid.

  Danny hands me a beer and gives Rich a cup. He drinks and goes right back to the wood. “His new thing is hot dogs. When he’s done we’ll show you how we cook them.”

  I nod and relax back in the chair. The best days I’ve had in the last few years have been right here. I can’t think of another time that life has been so good. We stand with Rich holding the wires over the pit and cook the hot dogs. They’re not my thing, but for my grandson, today they are my favorite.

  When the bitch drives up its time for me to go. I kiss my little guy on the head and he puts his fist out for me. I bump him and he laughs. “I’ll catch you later Danny. Thanks for dinner.”

  He laughs. “Thanks for the deck Axe.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  “Axe, I need you sticking close to the Club.”

  I look at him. “All right Pres. Something I need to know?”

  He looks behind him. “Brothers are turning. It’s the start.”

  “The start would indicate a middle and end. How long?”

  He watches me. “Maybe two months Brother. We need Knight and Tiny as Officer.”

  I nod. “I’ll get the votes.” I forget breakfast and go back to my room. “Get out.” I tell the whore. She grabs clothes and moves through the door fast.

  I sit with my head in my hands. I need to get money to Darlene for Rich’s care. I had a bike built for Danny that I’ll need to get to him too. I already have my truck signed over to him. I’ll get Tiny to make sure he gets the trunk and any of my shit with the books explaining how this worked. He needs to understand why I didn’t tell him. Once my head is straight I dress and pull a brick from the trunk. I bring it to the lawyer and have him dole it out every month from a trust like I set up for Danny. I call Darlene and give her JJ’s name if she ever has a problem with the money.

  With that set I ride around collecting votes. Brothers are getting greedy. They want more drug runs and less guns.

  Pres calls Church again and Brothers are pissed they have to show. Not a good way to meet but we get our Officers. Petey is proud and talking them up. It’s not such a bad day. The Brothers all get to meet Geek and he explains the headsets and video feeds. When a Brother starts giving him shit Knight and Tiny stand behind the little Brother. Everyone backs off. I can see them making it. They’ll stick together and JJ will find a way to make it work. He’s that fuckin’’ smart. Pres takes him to his rooms and we don’t see them until the night.

  JJ looks shell shocked. I guess Pres told him. Knight and Tiny stick close to him but he isn’t talking.

  A Brother with a drug beef comes at Tiny with a knife. Fuckin’’ Knight turns and has the knife sticking out of the Brother’s neck before anyone realizes what happened. “Get him the fuck out of here.” JJ says and Brothers move.

  I look at Pres. They’re going to make it. I think. He nods. When the Brother is out JJ looks around. “Do you see what the drugs are doing here? This was a place you could come to and be free to live fuckin’’ happy. Brothers are willing to stick a Brother because he doesn’t want to run drugs? When the fuck did you all decide everyone should live by your rules? You want to use. Go ahead. You want to run the drugs. Go ahead but every fuckin’’ Brother doesn’t. There’s not many fuckin’’ rules here. I know I read one that says you don’t fuckin’’ kill your Brothers. That’s not the fuckin’’ Brotherhood I pledged to. You don’t believe in Badass anymore, use the fuckin’’ door and walk the fuck out. The rest of you can grab a drink with your Brother, take a whore. Do whatever the fuck you want that makes you happy. But don’t kill your fuckin’’ Brothers.” No one says a word. He walks toward his room.

  Knight looks around pissed. “Kill every fuckin’’ one of you for this Brotherhood. Grow a fuckin’’ brain.” He grabs a beer from the Prospect and sits down. Tiny stays by his side. Whenever JJ isn’t with him Tiny is. I’m watching Pres but he’s watching the Brothers in the mirror.

  It’s going to be a long fuckin’’ two months.

  Chapter Fifteen

  One week later

  “Knight we’re dodging fuckin’’ bullets left and right here.” Petey says.

  “On my way.”

  I can hear the shots. “How long?”

  “Four out.”

  “I don’t know if we can hold them.”

  “Fuckin’’ shoot and stop talkin’ to me. Tiny, he calls me again, shoot him.”

  “Roger Knight.”

  Pres is smiling. Petey doesn’t say another word. We wait for fuckin’’ ever.

  “Knight clear.”

  Geek laughs. “Fuckin’’ guy is like a machine.” He slaps Pres’s hand. “I love Ops Pres.”

  Pres laughs. “I know you do little Brother. You’re doing a good job. You need anything else in here?” I
look around. There’s fuckin’’ wires everywhere.

  “I could use a bigger monitor and I could put the feeds on the small one for you. If I had another computer I could keep tracking up all the time.”

  Pres holds his hand up. “Order what you need. Tell them to deliver it and I’ll pay cash.”

  Geek just looks at him. After a few seconds he finds his voice. “It’s like thousands of dollars Pres.”

  “Tell them to send you a fuckin’’ desk too; this table’s going to fall apart with all the weight on it.” He walks away and Geek watches.

  “Knights talking to you Geek.”

  “Fuck! What did he say?” He turns and holds his hand over a button.

  I laugh. “Asked if he’s clear to come in.”

  “Roger Knight.” He lets the button go and looks at me. “He really means I can just order the shit I need and a desk?”

  “Yeah kid but Pres tells you to do it, you don’t ask, you do.”

  “On it Brother.” I smile while he pulls a book out and starts flipping through the pages.

  I listen to Petey and Rogue. They’re talking shit and I’m getting pissed. “Tell them to shut the fuck up. This ain’t a fuckin’’ Sunday drive.”

  He tells them and goes back to his book. I get when they stop and drop the trailer. They pick up the empty and ride back with no problems.

  JJ and Knight come in. “They good?” Knight asks.

  “Yeah. I got training. Who’s in here?”

  JJ takes the headset. “I got it Axe. Pres said I need to learn.”

  “Don’t let them talk shit. Fuckin’’ Petey will talk about anything over the air.” He nods and asks for a check in.

  Geek puts the book down and gets him his Brothers.

  While we’re walking out I tell Knight we got Casper back. He nods and keeps walking. It’s days like this that I miss Danny being here. He doesn’t talk much but he talks.

  The training goes good until Casper starts talking shit to another Brother. Knight gets in his face. “You got to talk about it you ain’t good enough.” He pulls Casper’s gun and turns his upper body hitting dead center every shot. “You can do that. You won’t be talkin’ about it. Shut the fuck up.”

  He’s effective. I don’t hear another word from any of the Brothers. Ride and shoot doesn’t work for Casper. He can’t hit running past thirty. I’m getting ready to pull him aside when Knight takes a Brother’s bike. He tells Casper to follow. He runs it slow talking to him the whole way. I’m stunned just watching. Casper hits them all. He runs him back telling him to feel not look at the speed. Casper hits the targets at fifty. When they get back I slap Knight on the back. “Good job Brother.” He throws me chin.

  “You meet me here tomorrow mornin’ we do it again till you hit right. Yeah?”

  Casper nods. “Yeah Brother thanks.” He looks relieved.

  He tells the Brothers to get a beer at the Club and hangs back. I wait. “He isn’t good on the runs. Needs to run Ops. Will give him his status. Won’t work under pressure.”

  I nod. “You teaching Ops?”

  He cocks his head as if he doesn’t understand. “Anythin’ you need Brother.”

  I nod. “You need to teach Ops to your choices here. Tiny and JJ.”

  He nods. “Started Ben. Will pull Tiny and Casper tomorrow after the run. Don’t like none of the others.”

  I laugh. “Your call Knight.”

  He looks at me like he’s deciding what he’s going to say. “You’re teachin’ Ben to take over. Me too?”

  Shit. I think about how to word this. “You, Tiny, JJ. You bring the Club out of the drug wars. We’re teaching you all to do that. You know Brotherhood. You know Ops. JJ knows every fuckin’’ thing. Tiny is loyal and protective. He can do any job but he’s not an Ops soldier. He’ll keep your Brothers in line and always have your back. You stay close and keep Geek protected.”

  “You and Pres ain’t in there.”

  Fuckin’’ smart kid. “We need to get back.”

  “No.” He shuts my bike off and looks over at the targets. “Only family ever wanted me was you and Ben. You’re gone is just Ben. Taught me about bein’ a man. Believed I had more in me and pulled it out. Know you did that. However long isn’t enough. You’re the best father ever had. Honored you’re mine.”

  “You’re a good Brother Steve. You have been right from the beginning. I’m proud of you son. You keep going and protect Ben, Geek and Tiny. They’re your job now. You make it to good. Find a way to make it good for more son.” He turns and hugs me.

  “I will Axe.”

  He lets me go and I see him in my mirror watching me ride away. Fuck. I ride the reservation and take a minute. I need to see my boy. It feels like time is slipping away.

  I ride the coast until I know Danny’s home then make my way to his house. I hear the bitch screaming and run up the stairs. I see Danny with Rich at the table. He’s reading to his boy with a smile on his face. Rich points at a picture and Danny laughs. I guess he didn’t hear the bike with the screaming.

  I turn around and walk down. “Axe. Come on in.” I look up at the top windows. “She’ll be done soon. If I don’t react she gets tired of it.” I laugh and walk in behind him. Rich runs to me. I lift him up and kiss his head. “Rough day?” he asks.

  “Yeah you could say that. It’s better now. Had a nice ride along the coast. Always good for clearing the head. How is school?”

  “Good. Aced the finals. With the extra classes I’ll be done a year early. I’ve been reading about clean building. I think I’m going to take the courses for it and get LEEDS certified.”

  I nod. “You should. Energy efficient is going to be big. It’s already started. It’s only a matter of time before whole houses are being built more efficient and using clean energy.”

  He’s nodding. “I’m glad you stopped.” He shows me a magazine on solar power. We talk until it’s Rich’s bedtime. I kiss Rich’s head and tell Danny I’ll see him soon. As I ride away I hope I’m not lying.

  The Club is quiet when I walk through the door. Pres is at a table with a whore on his lap. I sit at the bar until he’s done. None of the regular Brothers are here. I get a second beer and get surprised by a slap on the back. “You good Brother?”

  “Yeah Pres.” I turn. He’s concerned. “Went for a ride and stopped to see Danny.”

  “He doing okay?”

  I smile. “Yeah he’s taking green building classes. Knight been okay?”

  He doesn’t answer right away. “No. Came back talking staccato. JJ and Tiny took him for a ride. They even took Geek with them.”

  I look at him. “He knows.”

  He nods. “JJ too. Figured it was only a matter of time before Knight got it. He’s a smart fuck. They make a good team.”

  I smile at that. “Yeah.”

  “Get me some Jack,” he tells the Prospect. He drops the bottle and shot glasses and walks to the other end of the bar. “To us. We made some fuckin’’ good Brothers. They’ll be a force to be reckoned with.”

  I smile and hit his glass. “We did. I’m proud of every one of them.”

  “Fuckin’’ A.” Tiny says and I laugh looking behind me. JJ, Knight, Tiny and even little Geek is standing there with big fuckin’’ smiles.

  “Get them glasses,” Pres says to the Prospect.

  They all take a glass. “To the future Brotherhood of Badass Bikers.” We hit glasses and drink it back. Geek starts sputtering. “Gotta do better than that little Brother,” Pres tells him and we laugh.

  “Get my little Brother some water,” Tiny yells to the Prospect. He slides a water down and Tiny teaches him how to do a shot.

  “You got shit coming tomorrow. Don’t get so wasted you can’t get the shit put together,” JJ tells him. Pres laughs.

  “That was it for me. Fuckin’’ Brothers are going to kill me it’s still burning my throat.”

  Tiny slaps his back and I steady him. “Lay off him. You’re a fuckin’’ gi
ant and he isn’t.”

  Knight laughs surprising the fuck out of us. “Will be as big as Ben.” We all just look at him. He shrugs. “Just sayin’.”

  I look at Pres they’re staring at each other then he nods at Knight. “Sonofabitch.”

  JJ laughs. “Fuckin’’ Brother learned too fuckin’’ much in the military.”

  We all laugh. Geek falls into me. “Come on little Brother. You need to get to bed before I have to carry you.” He nods making them laugh again. “I’ll get him squared then I’m out. Tiny you check on him before you turn in. I’ll check him in the morning.”

  “I will Axe.”

  He’s in the room next to me. I get him in bed and show him the barrel in case he don’t make it to the bathroom. “You puke in your room you clean it.”

  “Fuck, stop talking about it.” He rolls over.

  I leave a lamp on and lock his door. I take the key to Tiny. “Slide it under my door after you check on him.” He throws me chin.

  I pull a whore to my room and feel good for at least one more day.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Everyone is looking for breakfast as I’m making eggs, bacon and toast. Knight and JJ show and I slide plates to them. I figure Petey, Tiny, Pres, and Geek will show soon so I add more and make plates. Tiny comes in and makes toast handing it around and adding it to the plates I made. I make him extra eggs, figuring he’s a fuckin’’ giant he must need them then tell him to eat.

  Pres comes in with Geek. “You doing okay Little Brother?” Tiny asks him.

  Geek nods. “Pres gave me something for the headache. I’m good.”

  I laugh. He sits and eats like an animal. JJ slows him down and gets him to use his fork. Tiny gets him more toast dropping it on his plate. When he sits he looks at JJ. They’ll watch out for him.

  “Always.” Knight says looking right at me. I look at Pres and he smiles. Fuck this is weird. JJ watches everything.

  “Geek you need help today you get a Prospect or two to give you a hand.”