Page 42 of Master's Rise
I nod thinking he isn’t wrong. “Is he going to be okay? This is a kid trying to do good. He was helping the woman you saw. He helps her feed homeless. Stepped in to keep her safe.”
Raid’s hand holds my arm and I take a breath. The EMT looks up at me. His features not so accusing, softer. “He’ll make it. This isn’t the first time we’ve been here. The guy is a dick. Two years ago, he shot a shoplifter. Got away with it too. The guy was the cousin of one of our Brothers. Dave shot him because he was dating a cashier that turned him down. The guy is in a wheelchair for life.”
“Fuck.” Raid walks away.
The EMTs lift the stretcher and wheel it out. I follow still feeling unsettled. Short of killing them all last night, I’m not sure I could have stopped this today.
Before I can talk to Rex, Banks calls me. “Yeah, Banks.”
“Her husband stays missing and she’ll take for the store and land. She said stock isdirt cheap.Boss, she ain’t kidding, it’s less than hardware.”
Fucking women. “Get her to sign and deposit the money. Thanks, Banks. The kid will make it. I’m just getting to Ant Irma now. She’s talking again. That’s something.”
“I’ll get it done, Boss. You got a line of Brothers calling shots.”
“That feels good, Brother. I’m not sure Raid is letting this go. I know I’m not.”
“I’ll let Jinx know. He’s bitching about your mic.”
I laugh and swipe him off. “Ant Irma, Ajhil is going to make it.”
Her smile and kiss to my head settles me. “Thank you, child. He’s a good boy. Dave is just evil. He’s just evil with a capital E. I shop for Rex every week never having a problem. Since last month he's been meaner than a bee in a Coke can.”
Patting her hand, I tell her, “His wife sold me the store. You’ll be safe to shop whenever you want. Where do I find Ajhil’s parents?”
Her look turns fearful. What the hell is this? I wait her out. “He’s on his own. His dad works oil and went up to Alaska for a job. I’ve been watching over him. The state will take him if they find out. He’s only sixteen. He’s a good boy, Cort. No trouble and he looks out for me too.”
Jesus Christ. It’s not even nine and more shit has gone down. “I’ll be his guardian,” Rex says.
“He’s going to have hospital bills and need other medical care.”Nowhe’sgiving me a look. I put my hands up. “Call Amos and get the lawyer on it.”
He talks to Ant Irma and I walk out seeing a woman trying to cram a shit load of food in her trunk. The little girl I saw running is whining on the side of her.
I point to Security, “Help her out before the kid has a meltdown.”
He nods looking back. “My partner is helping the old woman.”
Good fucking Brother. “Good job. I got the truck.”
He runs to the woman making me smile. I hit my piece and mic back on. “Jinx, I’m on.”
“Boss, with all due respect. You keep your fucking piece on so I can get through! You’re my Lead only if I can talk to you, otherwise, you’re a fucking Brother in the wind.”
Shit. “I fucked up, Jinx. You’re right, I'm no good to you if I don’t listen. What’s going on thatyou’rein meltdown?” I hope another psycho pussy isn’t running around shooting people.
“Web pulled in a Brother’s app that has a job at Costco. He’s scheduled to be patched in on the next round. Web offered the job, he asked for the cut.” He’s pissed but I’m not sure it isn't for the cut.
“Yeah. I know you’re seeing it as extortion but we’re asking him to run a business and he knows if it doesn’t work, we’re coming for him. This move is all on the Brother taking our word for his and his family’s livelihood. The cut is a promise that we have his back. I’m good with it and see him being a team player helping us out when we need it. Asking for the cut means he’s smart too.”
“The shit I learn. That was it.” He’s back to calm.
What? The fucking Brother was just yelling at me. “That was it?”
“I know what you’re going to say but you know I’m right. You needed a minute and I get that, but you were off for fucking ten. As Lead, you get no privilege.”
I shake my head. “The shit I learn.” I shut my mic off but don’t hear anything back from him. I bet he did too.
Security steps back over to the SUV. “Dan, your partner is helping. Now you’re here, I don’t need to be.”
