Page 24 of Master's Rise
He throws his leg over. “Badass said they’d send us both what they have for this type of council. Your trainers, my numbers and Jordan’s IT will make all of our lives easier. Badass has more Nomads coming in from Michigan too, they’ll be here Tuesday. Are you sure you’re okay with me heading the council? I’d have no problem with you there.”
I shake my head thinking of how all this started. “Crow and my dad were great teachers, but sometimes things have to be lived to learn. I had a part in how this played out. I’ll stand with my Brothers in honor as we learn true Brotherhood. When you retire, I may be ready.” I’m smiling letting him see my truth.
He laughs pulling me in for a half hug. “You’ve already learned, Cortland. I’m honored too.”
He swings his finger and the bikes start up with a roar. I stand still as they move forward throwing respect when they go by. This feels good. Major has over a thousand members and two locations that he oversees. He’s always been a resource for us as the district Lead of Badass. When Crow died, he came down and stayed for two weeks helping me get everything changed over and even listened and approved of my new business plans. He showed for my dad and Jules’ funeral and stayed for a few days. He didn’t talk much but showed his presence in the Club. It was calming and reminded me that I wasn’t alone.
I want to grow into that man. He was pushing me to take the council seat, but I have a responsibility to this new Club and my Brothers. If this happened when we were settled, I may have taken it, but now isn’t the time.
The last Colorado Brothers go by and I check my watch. Shit. Church happens early so everyone can ride and do whatever they do on Sunday. I set the meet with Major giving no time in between for a drink with our new members. Rex had everyone moving to help set up so they wouldn’t have missed the Officers or me.
“You okay, Cort?” Raid has me turning toward the Club. They stayed back giving me time alone for last words with Major.
“Yeah. I need to pick up Seren in thirty.”
They’re waiting for me to dismiss them or talk. “This will work well. It puts Badass back in the city and has us all with help for growing our own Clubs. Major has the members and Officers to split and we have Brothers close.”
“IT merging will be easier than all the fucking calls for information. They’ve never turned us down, but it sucks having to ask all the time.” Web is happy with Jordan’s plan.
“It keeps our Brothers here too. Banks, we’ll need a little more to get enough equipment to train full classes regularly. Falcon, I’ll need Brothers scheduled to do the training. We’re no longer traveling, they’ll come to us, we’ll end up finding trainers as we go.”
Banks nods. “The crews will be working starting Monday. Quite a few run Security, but none are Enforcers for them. I’ll make sure we’re good and all equipment orders are at least doubled. Hade can help with details.” That’s good.
“It’s the apps for them, Boss. They’re not always picking good fits. When we were up there, that’s what I did almost the whole time. Amos talked to Jordan today about us doing that. We’ve always done it, so it won’t be anything different for us,” Falcon tells me with a shrug.
I nod, I didn’t know that. “Do what you do. Make sure we are training viable members, otherwise it’s a waste of time and money. Nothing about training changes. Hours and progress logged by everyone training them.”
“I’ll make it happen. Is Major doing the uniforms?”
I shrug. “Everyone comments on them, but we didn’t talk uniforms. Over the next two days, they’re gearing up to clean the city Club out. Hold your questions until they’re set, meaning at least Saturday. Council meetings will be on the first. They’ll need progress on our status. I’d like to be able to tell them we’re ready on the first. We have three weeks.”
“You say you didn’t talk uniforms like they’re not important. We train Security different than Enforcers because of the uniforms. We’re a hell of a lot more fierce because we know a bullet isn’t taking us out.” Raid points out.
“You’re right. They want us training just because of that. I’ll call later and make sure their Enforcers come with our space-aged gear. Make sure I know your concerns right away. I don’t think about my gear or how it defines training. I tell you my thoughts on effectiveness as new gear shows and let you train.”
They’re all relaxed and comfortable with this. “Anything else?”
Amos raises his hand. I almost laugh. “We got the plans for the hospital. They’re a draft the architect said.”
“Did Brinks’ and Jinx’s plans get here?”
Jinx is smiling so they must have. “It’s going to be sweet, Boss. Jordan said a different crew is doing it this week.” Jordan? It clicks for me, the app Banks is excited about.
“Good. We’ll look at the plans tomorrow but I’ll take them home tonight. Anything on the condos?”
Banks slaps his forehead. “Fuck. Yeah. He’s doing one horseshoe-shaped building with nine units. It’s two floors, but he said something about it being printed by a company in the city and the two units being completely finished in two weeks. They have shit in the back, a covered picnic area he called it. It’s poles with a roof in the middle of the horseshoe. A big grill and smaller ones closer to the unit. The other units and back weren’t a priority so I told him to get that done and move to what’s needed at the hospital.”
“Good job. I talked to him about an outside room for pop-ups and Falcon wanted Jordan’s simulator.” I think it’s FBI’s, but I’m not asking.
Banks is typing away while Amos mumbles at him. This is normal for them, so I look at the others.
Raid holds my eyes, so I nod. “I need to say this. What you’re doing will make us all stronger Clubs. We need it here more than Major and Jordan. We get this was to fix what we fucked up. The community will never suffer for what we did, because of what you’re doing with the council to connect us all. Saying I'm honored doesn’t even come close. You should have taken the council. You know and show Brotherhood better than all of us.”
I feel that and smile. “As Major was leaving, his crew threw me respect and I thought of those times he showed when it mattered. I can’t say I would or wouldn’t have done the same for him. Because I don’t know the answer to that, I believe being here, growing this new Club without the limitations of the city or past Presidents, is right where I’m supposed to be. This place was part of my expansion plan. Now that plan is wide open, Brothers.” I spread my arms indicating the bikes and Club. “I’m happy with our chance at this new beginning. I need to do this for me, getting Badass back in the city was for you and spreading Brotherhood so fucking far is for all of us.”
“To the Brotherhood!” Someone yells behind me making me turn. A shit load of Brothers are slapping backs and smiling.
Everyone is yelling when I look back at my Officers and smile. “See.”
