Page 1 of Master's Rise
Prologue
One month earlier
I watch Raid ride up wondering what the hell this is all about. I’m already aggravated to be at the liquor store that I never intended to have to deal with personally.
Now the fucker that should have had this job shows up. Nine fucking months and more headaches than I want to remember, not to mention the one that’s growing right now, brings me to right here where my past slams me head-on. He shuts the bike off and gives me a nod.
“A little out of your way, Raid.” What the fuck is he doing here? I moved more than a hundred miles away per the bible amendment I used to walk after I was challenged for Presidency.
“Cort, it’s been a while. We got some problems.” The look in his flat gray eyes is a warning, his only tell, the rest of his face is blank.
My shoulders tense at that warning. “I dealt with my part of that ‘we.’ My problems now are dealing with fucking businesses.” Businesses I never wanted. Just before the shit-show started, I had the bright idea to buy out my uncle for a future that, apparently, only I was interested in. What a colossal mistake. Then all hell broke loose and, for the first time in my life, I didn’t have Brothers at my back. I don’t need a throw down with the Club. Resigning myself to at least listen, I draw in a deep breath and mentally close my eyes. I’d never give him the chance to get the drop on me. It’s a move we both learned so he knows.
His blank face changes to relief. He was worried? “Hade, Brinks and Jinx, Falcon and Amos are waiting at the bar. Your uncle said to let you know before you hit it.”
Brothers, at one time, my closest Brothers. Since he was relieved that I listened and my uncle sent a heads up, they aren’t a threat...yet. I get on my bike without another word and ride to the bar.
Raid isn’t a Brother I trust anymore, but it’s respect shit that had to do with Courtney. No man should be hurting women unless she likes that shit. Courtney didn’t and he left marks on my woman that had me seeing red. It’s not something I ever saw in him, but I saw it. More than twenty-five years together and I missed shit like that. He’s lucky I never saw him pull that shit with my wife Jules. I never looked back to find out what else I missed. The shit-show my life turned into was enough to deal with.
Turning into the bar, I recognize the bikes and it throws me back. My Brothers.
When I turn the key, I’m shaking my head to clear that thought. They aren’t mine anymore. I beat the fuck out of Deacon in a seat challenge for President and yielded once I knew he couldn't get back up. I’m pretty sure I broke his legs to match the ribs I knew Raid broke. I’m not sure why he’d do it, but he fought Deacon a few days before I did. I was already done and couldn’t care less what the hell all the fighting was about. Deacon’s plan to run women with Allison and Courtney’s help, on top of getting shot, was enough for me to see I didn’t know shit about my Brothers or woman.
I realize Raid is waiting for me to stand. “Why didn’tyouchallenge me?” I have to ask. It’s one of those questions that I can’t seem to let go of.
With his eyes on the Brother’s bikes, I figure he isn’t going to answer. When I stand, his hand is on my arm. Looking down reminds me of all the times he’s done that.Steady, calm, give it a second, all those moments fly through my head. I still and wait.
His eyes are intense, respect, determination and pain are all right there. “I fucked up. I should have told you what was going down. Because I didn’t, you didn’t believe in anything anymore. You took a bullet alone, dealt with the bitch alone, leveled Deacon - just out of the hospital - alone and walked alone. I knew what you felt for her. You were fucking happy, Brother. For the first time, since Jules and your dad died, you were happy. I should have told you. I let you down, there was no way I’d take on the Club in the middle of all that chaos and let them down too. After saying all that, I never once even thought about challenging you. You’re more than my Brother, Cort. We’re family.” He stands and starts walking. The emotion in his voice hits me hard. He knew? He knew about Courtney. My head was a mess for most of that month of chaos, so sifting for truth isn’t happening right now. There isn’t enough time, the Club’s Officers are waiting.
The bar is quieter than usual. My uncle decided on this for his retirement, I don’t see it as relaxing, but it’s his life. After dealing with the crazy businesses, maybe he’s got something here. The liquor store I just left comes to mind.I smile at the thought.
Getting one from him when I walk in keeps the smile on my face. “Cortland, you got some Brothers visiting in the back.” He’s relaxed and smiling. Not his normal lately.
Him and my dad were twins. When my dad and Jules died three years ago, he started aging right before my eyes. The businesses were too much for him alone and he withdrew. This, of course, left me with a bigger hell hole than the Club shit that went down. Some of his store managers were running roughshod all over him and the employees. I can honestly say, in nine months, it’s finally leveling out. It’s not great, but we’re heading in that direction, I’ll take it and be happy he’s smiling again.
“Thanks for the heads up.”
With a nod, he hands me a bottle as I walk by. Not knowing what I’m walking into has my step faltering. I’m not sure we’ll be drinking. “Just listen to them, Cortland. They’ve given you time. Give it back.”
With my eyes straight ahead, I swallow the lump in my throat and nod for him so he knows I heard. Giving me advice is another indication that he’s climbing out of his own hell hole. I’ll take that too.
I want nothing more than my Brothers, my family, back, but they hid shit from me. I never got the reason, then got shot and it didn’t matter. A majority wanted to go against everything we stood for. They knew and didn’t tell me. That’s not the Brotherhood I was patched into. My father would have killed me before I pimped out the first woman.
Hade, Falcon, Brinks, Jinx, Amos and Raid are sitting around the table with a bottle in the center. It’s not open and they aren’t drinking. Not one stands, is in Club colors or takes their eyes off me. I drop the second bottle on the table and turn for glasses on the shelf. I hear their breath let out when I turn my back on them. I know they aren’t here to fuck with me and now they know I do.
“Rex said you gave me time.” I sit at the head of the table, slide glasses down like a card shark, then look directly at Raid. “Explain.”
Falcon laughs. “Good to see you, Brother.”
Everyone says something but Raid. He watches me take it all in and relax, then he does.
When it quiets, he talks.“I already told you my part in fucking with your life. Hade can tell you about Deacon’s threat to the trucks. He heard the plan. Brinks and Jinx walked when they were ordered to get rid of three users.” I look at the twins wondering why but Raid keeps going. “Falcon covered Amos in protection when Deacon tried to kill him for mentioning the hookers weren’t profitable because the Brothers were using them up.”Falcon had to cover Amos?
They have other businesses besides Deacon’s new hookers. “The garage and car washes?”
Amos leans forward. “Deacon’s using the garage to buy the girls, clothes, food and drinks. The Brothers are the only ones using them so they don’t make money. He’s a shit pimp and Courtney is one of the addicts Deacon wants out of the way. Allison split a few months ago. The car washes have Brothers working them but they aren’t showing for work every day. All but one mechanic quit and the new aren’t experienced.”
Fuck, that means they’ll all go under. Deacon has the build to keep everyone in line but not the brains. “Why are Officers covering each other in protection?” I ask, looking at Raid.
