Page 1 of Benga's Rise
Prologue
Two weeks earlier
Raid
The Club is packed. With just over four hundred members, you’d think I’d expect it. For a Club that’s a month past a year old, this is crazy.
“Full house,” Cort says and I can hear his smile.
“You said you’d meet Beacon here at the meeting. It’s only this packed when they know you’re coming,” Hade tells him.
“The second training class started too. They’ll have walked over, or their bikes are in the back. Everyone wants to meet you.” Falcon pulls his lid off with a smile on his face. He’s proud.
I’m glad to see it. We have both Enforcer and Security training this session. I never realized how much training cost the Club. It’s a good business to be in, with Clubs from everywhere sending Brothers, it was a good idea. Major thinks we should expand now. He’s got more Clubs interested and they aren’t even Badass.
I watch Cort. The new attention unsettles him. I don’t think he realized how the Brothers would react to his plan and ideas. Church is packed every fucking week and the Brothers listen to his words intently. I guess like we do, but they don’t know it’s just who he is. I think the new Badass that jumped to our chapter are shocked that he still works just like they do.
He turns fast and I throw him chin. He’s unsettled. Hade notices and steps to my side. Falcon surprises the fuck out of me. “We got your back, Boss. I’ll find Beacon and bring him to the bar.” He walks in with Cort watching him.
Hade smiles my way. Falcon’s been acting like he did when he first got to the Club. It’s good to see the Brotherall in,but it always reminds me that it’s because of us that he lost faith in the Brotherhood. I can honestly say he always stuck with Cort but feel like he only tolerated the other Officers and that was just barely. He was pissed at the hospital when Cort got shot. It took Hade and Brinks to convince him to ride with us to meet Cort at Rex’s bar. The Brother holds shit close, but I know he blamed me, as he should have. I know it was a bunch of shit coming to a head, but I did play a part in it. They’ll see it like I do soon enough.
“He’sall in, Boss. He’s happier than when I first got here,” Mounty tells Cort as he walks up the stairs behind us. That makes me smile. Maybe it’s already happening.
Cort laughs. “You don’t miss much, Mounty. I know he is and he’s always shown it to me. I’m just always surprised how deep that Badass reaches. Beacon has some kids that I think Falcon is interested in saving. This meet means something to him.”
I smile. “At least it’s not a women’s movement this time.”
Hade laughs. “It’s been busy, but quiet. We need some excitement.”
“Jesus don’t start shit, he’ll make his own soon enough. It’s been good to be settled for the last two months.”
Cort is greeted by “Pres!” as we walk in. He raises a two-finger salute and keeps walking. “Brothers,” he answers.
Mounty laughs. “It’s been quiet because of Seren. She’s scheduled at the hospital for tomorrow but hasn’t stopped yet. My girl and Harmony are there with Freedom and the love-child tonight to help clear shit in the room so she can bring the baby home without worrying over it. My girl said Seren was making pizza today. If he finds out, he’ll shit a brick again.”
Hade laughs. “I switched the feeds to the steakhouse when he came into Ops. Unless someone tells him, she’s clear.”
I’m surprised, but not really. The Officers cover her as much as him. No one says anything more when it quiets down. Falcon has Beacon at the bar. I had no idea what the meet was for, but Web is here, so Cort must have got a heads-up from him.
Once respect is thrown, everyone moves to our table. Beacon has a new Security Lead with him. I think this guy is from Connecticut, as soon as he opens his mouth, I know I’m right. He’s got a gang in the bigger town to our north but tells us they’re young. Ajhil laid a member out that gave the kids a hard time passing out food. Fucking great. This will definitely get Cort’s attention when it should be focused on Seren and his new boy.
I’m surprised when he looks at Falcon. “What’s your stake here?”
Falcon shows surprise, making me laugh. “Gangs grow by little parental interaction, the need for protection and a sense of family. We give them Badass to believe in.” The fucking Brother is smart and to the point.
Cort looks around and everyone waits. I know he’s pulling from our expressions and give him a nod. A gang usually means drugs and it isn’t something we need coming close. We’ve taken over the two towns close to us, the third won’t hurt us and will keep ours safer. It’s a bad time, but necessary.
While he gets Falcon, Beacon and Web’s plan, I think about the Club chick. I don’t see her, but with this many in the house, she’s been fucked already. I’m not thrilled about taking her after she’s been used up.
Sometimes I miss living in the Club. In the city, we had two Club chicks that stuck with the Officers. Here there are more women claimed by the Club, but they’re not picky and fuck anyone. Since that’s what they’re paid to do, I can’t complain. The mammas, the hangers that show daily here, get claimed for the night quick.
I need to show for longer than an hour to meet someone. I must be getting old or too selective. I laugh at myself. I’m two years younger than Cort.
Letting it go, I focus on Beacon. When they finish, Cort gives them the go-ahead and stands. Knowing what’s going on is important, but my job is the businesses and making sure Cort’s decisions are carried out. I don’t need the details until he makes a decision. Now I’m pissed at myself for not paying attention.
“Falcon, see me in the morning with...”
Web interrupts me sliding a folder over. “I knew you’d want the plan so you can do your tweak thing, Brother. I wrote in what he added.”
