Page 106 of Master's Rise
My Brothers are unbelievable. “I love the fucking Brotherhood. We’re building it?”
Web hesitates. “We have some Masons helping. They’re a big group or whatever and have people moving here. It’s like the Amish or something. They’re popping up everywhere, but you don’t see or hear the fuckers. We got some apps from them too. I haven’t gone through them yet.”
“They’re a bigorder.” I correct him.
He shrugs. I can’t believe all this is going on. I’ve been working every fucking day. I’ll talk to the Officers about anything else hidden from me. Seren squeezes my hand so I look at her.
“Because of issues in the past, the Brothers came to me with the plan for the steakhouse at the very beginning. Rex agreed that it may piss you off, but me and him being informed the whole way will be worth it when you get to eat in your closer steakhouse.”
That’s reasonable so I nod.
“The Masons, specifically Dan, talked to me about the condos and cement printer thing. I put him in touch with Paul because I don’t know about construction. The Masons and Paul went to Amos and Banks. They had extra money but didn’t want to hide anything from you so I put in personal money with them until you got your surprise. The Masons are paying for their own houses.”
“Okay. I’ll get that back to you. So, it was just the steakhouse and everything snowballed?”
She looks exasperated making me smile. “You would not believe how fast. Every damn day Dan or Paul would show up with someone wanting a store or house. I sent them to Rex. I was trying to get through training.”
Web laughs catching Seren off guard. She shakes her head and smiles at me. “Yes. It was just the steakhouse until everyone else jumped in.”
I lean over and kiss her lips. “Thank you, Kram.” I look at Web. “Thanks for keeping her involved.”
He shakes his head with a sad look in his eyes. “Never hiding shit from you works when it’s not a surprise. This one grew but it wasn’t anything that could hurt you. Raid got advice from Jordan and Major, just so someone else knew what was going on. Major loves the Masons by the way.”
I shake my head. “You did good. Thanks.”
“I do have something that was hidden from you but it was more personal and Crow knew.”
I nod for him to go on. It’s got to be about the albinos.
“You know I worked in California. I was a Silicon Valley startup right out of college. It was a crazy time when technology was booming. My thing was programming for mass marketing. It was a knack that paid off. I had everything, cars, a boat, motorcycles. It was a hell of a life. A good life where reality was pretty fucking hard to see. I grew up hard but left it far behind.
“Badass has a Club outside of San Mateo. I helped them out with jobs for a couple of Brothers and they let me hang at the Club. It wasn’t long before I hooked them up with a couple of programs. They loved anything new. It wasn’t my world, but I didn’t mind getting my feet wet.”
I smile at that. I can see him moving around the edges like when he came into our Club. He was quiet and watchful, but Crow kept him and his albinos secluded on the reservation so we didn't see much of him at first.
“The Brothers I hired were in shipping, so we didn’t really cross paths. I was surprised to find them at my house one night. They wereinmy house. Since I had security up the ass, I was scared. They had an albino with them who never said a word. He never looked up or acted like he even heard what the Brothers were saying. When the President of the Club walked in with eight more, I didn’t know what the fuck to think. They weren't really part of my world but were in my house and the President, of all people, sat down and said he needed my help.
“I just nodded like an idiot. They did Ops like we do but I had no idea what all that meant at the time. It wasn’t my reality. He said the ship the albinos were on was going to Asia. They sent the women to a shelter that would get them home but the albinos weren’t from the US and didn’t know where home was. They were experiments, experimented on and knew nothing but computers. It explained how they got in my house and the little guys sitting with their heads down as if they were the help or something.”
He looks down and I look at Seren. Her pretty blue eyes have tears in them but she gives me a little smile and squeeze. Web looks up with glassy eyes but doesn’t turn away. “I lived in a way that I never saw shit like that. There were nine skinny little guys in my house that were obviously not normal and mistreated. I agreed to keep them until they found a place that was safe for all of them.”
He looks down and I see the tear hit the table. Fuck. He wipes his face and takes a drink. “Two weeks,” he whispers then clears his throat. “Two weeks. I took off of work and was amazed with what they knew. They are so smart. The oldest were sixteen, youngest fourteen. Some are obviously Asian, they’re all twins. Anton is the youngest. His brother died when he was given a shot, according to the oldest. They were given shit to enhance or change how they think. They didn’t interact with people and lived in a lab setting. None of them remember parents or anyone but their teachers and doctors. They didn’t know about television or radios. They knew computers. I spent two weeks showing them stupid shit like the ocean, the refrigerator, the stove amazed them so I cooked everything myself then with them, my garage with cars and the pool. They loved the fucking pool.” He smiles as if remembering.
“When the Brothers came back, it was for two. They found someone to take two. I couldn’t do it. They only knew each other like a fucked-up family, but they were starting to talk to each other and they were always helping each other.
“I refused to let them go and the President showed again. He explained about them needing to be kept safe for life. Someone paid big money and would be looking for them. I told him I’d do it. I’d keep them safe. We went back and forth, but I had never seen or been a part of something so fucking special as hearing Akai ask for another cookie or Anton ask to swim and Allen helping him find his bathing suit. I couldn’t let them go.” He shrugs like it was nothing but I can’t swallow past the lump in my throat. “So, I liquidated everything and paid to get them out of California. We were brought to the New Mexico border and Crow came and got us in a big RV. We lived on the reservation until Badass said we were safe to move around but not to draw attention.”
He looks at me with a smile. “They’re my family. I never had anyone so I’m theirs too. Allen asked if Seren was a mom. She brought them cookies and moms do that. They never met anyone that did anything for them besides Crow and me. The Club chicks ignored them for the most part but they weren’t exposed to anyone much.”
Seren nods. “I know how that feels. What can I do for you or them?”
Web smiles. “Just be you. They don’t expect anything from anyone so your words, a smile and they love the cookies. They said mine aren’t good like yours. They’re older now and like being more independent. The new office has them with their own rooms and common room. They like eating in the cafeteria and coming to my apartment for dinners. I schedule them with Brothers that treat them well and they love working more now that we’re settled.”
He looks at me. “Crow didn’t think it was necessary to tell you how we came to be a family. It never bothered me until you left. You and the Officers became our family too. I lost Crow and your dad, then you. We were all excited to move here, you asked about them thinking I didn’t trust you and I needed you to know. They are kept close because they need to be, but I’m not holding them back. They’re happy and love the Brothers, even if they don’t know how to interact with them. Crow, then your dad, told me if anything happened to them, I was to stay with you. Crow said you wouldn’t need a reason to protect us. You’ve always shown that. It had nothing to do with trust, I’ve always trusted you with our lives.”
With my hand on his shoulder, I speak softly so I’m not overheard. “I’m honored that you do and I’m so fucking proud of the man you became, David Sanders.” He seems surprised I used his real name. “All Crow told me was your real name and your new one. He said you’d do the rest. You always have but I’m glad you told me.”
The look of relief has me smiling. Seren hugs him making him laugh. “I’m glad you’re not pissed and it feels good to finally have it out in the open. Well, with you.”
