Page 36 of Master's Rise
“That’s different, she knows you’re Pres. Did they make it like this because it’s for you?” my caveman VP asks.
“No. Look at what she left. She really did gear the food toward men. Heavy on the meat is their regular.”
He pulls his phone and calls Hade. When he’s done, he waves a server over ordering what Seren has. He doesn’t even ask what it is. I push him out so I can sit with Seren while he eats.
She laughs about the women's movement and pussies hanging from buildings. When I tell her why, she doesn’t say a word. Her eyes are glassy making me want to beat the fucks. I jump right to the order I need and she makes a schedule so fresh pizzas will come out for two hours. I only need one but people may linger. Her tears never fall but she’s quiet and has a serious look when I stand.
“I have to get back out there then go up to the office for a while. I need to pay for my order now in case shit gets busy later.”
With a nod she takes my hand and walks with me to the register spinning it so she can punch the order in. I slide my card on the counter while she does. Moving right behind her, I wrap my arms around her keeping away from her typing fingers. She finishes and holds her hands on my arms.
Turning her around, I see the tears and lift her up walking to the back. I don’t talk until her office door is closed and I’m sitting. “You did nothing for them to act like this.”
She nods looking at the wall. “I know and it’s been years that they’ve ignored or harassed me. I didn’t know the women weren’t allowed to talk to me. For years they’ve let someone else dictate their lives. That’s just sad.”
I thought the tears were about how she’s been treated. Fucking women. I kiss her nose. “It is, but we can and will fix this. Freedom agreed to teach women to defend themselves. I’m going to offer them a way out. They can take it or stay with their men, but it will be up to them, not the men.”
She swipes tears off her cheek. “You’re a good man, Cort Masters. Thank you from all of us.” With a kiss to my lips she stands up. “I have a pizzeria to run.”
I shake my head smiling as I follow her out. I’m never understanding her.
Raid finished eating and follows me out. “You have to get the Italian. It’s eight bucks for the regular with chips and a drink.”
“We need the fire station to send a crew and pumper truck for tonight. Victory said something about cleansing. I like it.”
He laughs pulling his phone. Falcon rides up and stops in front of the hardware store. “Boss.”
“Did everything go okay with the supplier?”
“Yeah, they’ll be no problems and she’ll get white-glove treatment.” He smiles. I’m not asking what he did for that.
“Jimmy?”
“Done.”
I’m not asking that either. “I need to check on how many pussies were at the meeting and who they’ve collected. I have a woman at the café, last name Caron. Get her transport home and the glazier’s number. She needs to be back here at six with her kid.”
He nods. “Got it, Boss. I’m taking lunch after. Fucking Raid sent a text showing his food. I’m fucking hungry.”
I laugh. “Go talk to the woman so you can eat.”
When I make it across the street, I ask Beacon why we got six pussies hanging like Christmas decorations on one building.
“Fourteen at the meeting. Old geezer is in a chair, tied. Eight will be here, haberdashery has two, studio has three. They have more windows and aren’t as big.”
“Good enough. Go get lunch. We got enough Brothers around to watch.” I see Sharp come out of the store with rope. “Get lunch. Security can hold them until you’re back.” I turn to Security by the truck. “Keep them until Beacon and Sharp get back then get lunch.”
Everybody is happy and yes bosses me. Swinging my leg over has Raid running toward me.
“Firemen are happy to help. EMTs take domestic calls over and over. They aren’t happy about it.”
I nod starting my bike. Fucking pussies.
~*~*~
I love my fucking Brothers. The road is closed off and a million fucking people are eating, laughing and the kids are running looking happy. An ice cream truck has a line and a half in front of it and I smell fry-bread. How they get people moving so fast amazes me. It’s like a carnival. A Prospect moves the barrier and we ride in slowly. People move without anyone saying a word. It’s a good start.
At the pizza parking lot, I shut off my bike and check the time. My plan was six twenty and I’m glad we made it. I walk right to the DJ station that’s set up to the side of the Hardware store and take the mic. Seren is at the door to her shop watching with a smile. I give it back with a wink.
