Behind the Scenes: Book 0 (MC) Read online

  I gave Knight Geek’s gun and the smallest holster I could find. I ride to training to see if I need to pick him up a smaller one.

  I watch the Brothers throwing pointers at two with some potential. Knight has Geek trying different guns. He’s good with an old Smith & Wesson. Not a bad choice for his size. The holster doesn’t fit. “I’ll take him when we’re done here.”

  Knight nods. “I got this. He can do ride and shoot next trainin’.”

  I smile and take the kid for a holster. I get him a knife and sheath and a small backup for his ankle. “You have Knight train you shooting with the backup too. That one you need to do close range. Yeah?”

  He nods putting the bag in his saddlebag. “I will Axe. He said it was important I learn everything the other Brothers know so I can be prepared. Since they’re all fuckin’’ crazy I need to be prepared.” I laugh. “Why does Knight talk like that? When he’s pissed it’s worse but he never says ‘g’ at the end of verbs.”

  I think about how to answer. He’ll be around long after I am, what the hell. “He’s diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. Some type of autism. Most people like that are thought to be retarded.”

  He laughs. “He’s fuckin’’ smart Axe.”

  I smile at him. “I’m not saying he isn’t. Just that he thinks different. For Ops his mind is like a machine. He takes everything in and gives you the best outcome. He does that talking funny but he does it. While he thinks better than most he talks worse. Like his brain can’t do everything together. If he can come up with plans to keep his Teams safe and save lives I can live without the ‘g’ and the missing words.”

  He nods. “Me too. He knows a lot about computers. He’s going to teach me what the military taught him.”

  “You listen to him. Learn everything he has and put what you know with it. He’s a smart Brother that doesn’t talk shit but he was taught how to wire and hack into places. He knows his shit. His Officers wouldn’t have signed off if he didn’t know it.”

  “I’m going to learn everything he knows. He says I’m good but I want to be the best. Pres got me the equipment now I got to do my part to keep the Brothers safe.”

  I laugh. “Already thinking like a Brother. Keeping your Brothers’ backs is what it’s all about Geek.”

  He looks serious. “Not just because of the cut Axe. I got a home, a bed and food. You pay me to work and I can do my part like JJ said. I have to show it and give what I have to the Brotherhood to make it better. I can’t wait until I can help someone else. I’m gonna be good like the Officers and help the people that need it.”

  “You’re going to be a great Brother Geek. Remember what your Brothers teach you.”

  “I will Axe. I’m going to learn it all and remember it.” He throws his leg over and starts his bike. Fuckin’’ little Badass.

  We’re coming out of the City and hit the bridge. A truck veers across the lines coming right toward us. There’s nowhere for Geek to go but the walking path. “Jump it Geek!”

  Casper’s asking what’s going on. I watch and Geek stands in a crouch and hits the curb jumping it up. Thank fuck. I hear the tire screech and know this isn’t the end.

  “Need Brothers at the bridge headed south.”

  “Roger Axe.” He makes the call and JJ is close.

  “JJ get Geek back to the Club. He’s coming off the walking path.”

  “I got him Brother.”

  I see him ahead and spin my bike heading for the truck. He stops and I shoot. The passenger stays low so I spin and head back toward JJ and Geek. Cars are stopping and beeping all over the fuckin’’ place. JJ slows and stops at the Power Plant Road. “What the fuck was that all about?”

  “No clue. Let’s get little Brother back before we find out.” I tell him starting up my bike. Geek and JJ pull their guns and shoot behind me. Fuck me. I don’t move until they stop. I know JJ is good but I’m not giving Geek a chance to hit me.

  The fuckin’’ truck again. I get off my bike and walk over. “It’s fuckin’’ Brothers?” Rogue took a shot to the head and is slumped over the steering wheel. Guess he won’t be trying again.

  “Let’s get him back to the yard.”

  JJ nods, “Rogue?”

  “Yeah.”

  We make the yard with no more problems. Knight is in Ops with Casper. “Good job Geek. Next one aim for the head.” Knight says smiling. Casper looks shocked.

  Geek nods. “I will but JJ already hit him. I was just trying to get the lights.”

  Knight laughs. “Did good then.” Geek gives him that smile.

  JJ runs his hands through his hair. “It was Rogue and probably another Brother. Anyone know the truck?”

  “I can get it.” Geek sits and starts typing. His hands skate across the keys more than type. He’s got the lot camera running backward. “Him.”

  Sonofabitch. I look closer. “When did he get a new truck? Casper get Pres.”

  JJ looks closer. “Fuckin’’ VP?”

  “I don’t know who he is but he told me not to get comfortable. I played dumb and said Pres made sure my new chair was padded.” I laugh. Fuckin’’ kid is funny.

  Pres comes in and Geek plays the video of the bridge then the lot. “Casper get a couple of Brothers on cleaning that up. Get the truck to Salvage.”

  “Roger Pres.”

  Knight watches him walk out. “Gonna get blowback.”

  Pres nods. “Yeah.”

  “You need to put a VP in.” I tell him.

  “Yeah I’ll put JJ.” He looks at JJ. “You get your Officers set to roll when it’s time. Bylaws allows a full change with presidency. You do that. Take no old.” JJ nods but doesn’t answer. He’s clenching his jaw so I know he’s feeling that.

  “Where are you going?” Fuck. Geek is looking at Pres.

  “Fuck.” Knight says.

  “If anything happens to me you stick with JJ. He’ll keep you safe and get the Club through the wars. He’s going to make it to good Geek but he’ll need your help. You stick with him.”

  Geek looks at Pres then JJ. When he looks at me I see his tears ready to spill. “I’ll stick with my Brothers and remember all I learn. I promise Pres.” He looks back at him. JJ walks to the window.

  Knight walks out. “Fuckin’’ kid.”

  I bend down. “Little Brother those aren’t just words. You need to make sure you stick close to JJ, Knight and Tiny. Learn how to keep yourself safe so they don’t have to work so hard at that.”

  He grabs onto me. I hold his head against my shoulder. “I will Axe.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  We have two Officers from old left. Tommy takes care of Club money and Less who keeps Brothers in work at the flooring company. He’s a contact for Providence and makes our runs with some of his crew. They’re pissed Pres gave the cut to Geek. No one has a problem with JJ as VP.

  JJ stands up. “The bylaws don’t say he has to be eighteen. He’s already working and made an Ops room. Maybe you should see what he’s done before you bitch about money he’s working for.”

  I stay with Pres while they go to the Ops room. Knight and Tiny follow. “Tommy’s going to be a problem for them,” I tell him.

  “JJ will have less Brothers and pull only his closest with him. With the membership drop he doesn’t need all the Officers. It will be bare for a couple of years but they grow and run it good.”

  I nod. I used to get a chill when he’d talk like this but lately it throws relief on me. They come back in and sit. JJ has his poker face on. “You see enough?” I ask Less.

  “Yeah. I want headsets for my crew.”

  I look at Pres and he nods. With Less in, Tommy will go easy, but he’ll bitch to the Brothers.

  “Brothers know he’s making more will be a problem for him.” Tommy says with a smirk I want to punch right off his face.

  “Only Officers know what he’s making. Look in the paper Brother. Computer jobs pay a hell of a lot more than what he’s getting. I took his age into c
onsideration and he’s happy for the work. Only way for a Brother to know he’s making more is if you tell them. I’d say it’s not smart on your part if that happens. Knight learned money in the military.” Oh fuck. I can’t believe he just said that. I clench my jaw to keep my mouth shut.

  Tommy stands. “I ain’t saying shit and Knight is a soldier. Don’t throw that shit at me thinking I’m backing down to get hosed. The kid is too young. Yeah he can work and maybe it’s worth more but he’s still a fuckin’’ kid Brothers are losing from their take for.”

  “Lose for you too. Don’t have a job in the Club but draw more than most ‘cause you make a spreadsheet. Geek can make the sheet. I learned computer and money in. Got no problem markin’ off who paid and won’t need the extra take.” Knight says looking relaxed but he hasn’t moved anything but his mouth.

  “They didn’t teach you how to talk and you think you can do my job?”

  JJ sits up but Knight puts his hand up. “JJ can do it too. Smart fuck took everythin’ in school. Sayin’ you start shit we got the job covered. Got ‘enough shit goin’ around we don’t need fuckin’’ Officers stirrin’ it up.”

  Pres is smiling, he knew what he was doing. Tommy sits. “Ain’t saying shit.”

  Knight nods, “Guess I was crystal clear.”

  JJ laughs then Pres does. I shake my head. We get on with the meeting and finish so the Brothers can come in. They’re not happy but they’re not bitching. Geek is mentioned and no one says shit. They knew about the try for him. Fuckin’’ Brothers.

  Tommy gives financial then they start bitching. They want more drug runs and less guns. Pres says no. He’s got salvage and is working on more clean. The Brothers are too greedy to hear anything he’s saying and he gets pissed.

  “We’re making the same runs. What the fuck is your problem? Nothing changed.”

  “Shit’s more expensive now. We get the same but we don’t bring enough home and there’s more Brothers running.” Caps says. He spends his life at the Club what the fuck home is he talking about?

  Pres looks at him. “Stop using and you’ll have more money. You spend your money however the fuck you want and I don’t say shit. When you start using more, you bitch wanting a bigger take, how is that our problem. You got a drug problem own it. You get the same as before.”

  “Less Brothers pulling I get more. You keep adding soldiers and they get my extra.”

  I’m done. I stand up. “We added soldiers because the fuckin’’ users are useless. Last run you fuckin’’ stopped to puke and the new fuckin’’ soldiers kept your back while you did. If it weren’t for them you’d be dead.”

  He has no answer. “We’re doing everything we can and making money. You keep using you’re not a help anymore and we’re losing money for your habit. Ain’t fuckin’’ rocket science. We had slaves you got them hooked and was killing them off so we took more runs to cover that. Now your habit effects the runs and we have to put more soldiers on to cover your ass on the fuckin’’ run. Where in there is it the Club’s job to cover your growing drug habit?”

  “Would be better for the Club to take liabilities off the runs,” JJ says.

  “It was something I ate. You ain’t taking me off for that!”

  Knight stands up. “Shut the fuck up. Don’t have enough sense to ride straight I’ll take you off. Keepin’ the Brothers safe means in everythin’. Not safe if you’re too high to have a Brother’s back.”

  Caps backs down when some of the soldiers agree. Thank fuck for that. Pres gets us back on track and closes the meeting. Tommy and Less walk out with the Brothers.

  “JJ, meet me today we got shit to go over.” He looks at me. “Watch your back Brother.” I nod. It’s the beginning of the end. “Knight give it time but drop the users from the circuit. You need to learn to be a mason and do flooring so Providence keeps running.” Knight looks surprised but nods. “Tiny you keep their backs and watch out for Geek.”

  “I will Pres.”

  JJ stands and looks at the middle of the table. “It’s been an honor Pres, Axe. Know that,” he says then walks out.

  Knight and Tiny stand. “What he said,” Knight says and Tiny throws us chin.

  Pres smiles. “Go see your boy Axe.”

  I throw him chin and walk in the common room. Brothers are split again. JJ has some good soldiers and old timers standing around him. Knight is turned scanning the room. He throws me chin as I walk by.

  I ride to my boy’s thinking I need to give Tiny the instructions for him. It’s time. When I pull in Danny’s I find him in the back working on the tree house.

  Rich comes running. “Axe!” He makes me laugh. It’s the first time he’s said my name.

  “Hiya Rich. You been good?” He nods so serious. I know he has. The boy’s never been a problem. He says something I don’t get but pulls my hand when I set him down. Danny’s smiling. Pres says he makes it to happy. Again, it throws relief to see that smile.

  “Glad you came today. You want to help get his treehouse done?”

  “Yeah Brother. He’s excited saying something about it. Let’s get it done for him.” He hands me a belt and we get to work. Rich brings nails and boards when we ask. It’s fuckin’’ cute to see him bump his dad’s hand every time. He tells me about school. He’s doing good but doesn’t say how good. This makes me think it’s real good. He doesn’t talk shit.

  Rich talks to him and he must understand because he always answers. I have no fuckin’’ clue what the kid says. When Rich climbs down I ask him. “Can’t understand half of what he says. I get a word and say something back about it.” I laugh. Fuckin’’ kid is a good dad. We finish and he gets the grill running while I get beers.

  When I come out Rich is running the rope bridge laughing and talking. Danny watches him smiling. This is the picture I’ll keep of my boys. My throat gets tight. I hand him the beer and watch Rich. “He loves everything but this is big for him.” He laughs. “The kid doesn’t talk much but when he’s excited he doesn’t stop.”

  He gets food on the grill and I help with plates telling him about Geek. He’s smiling and says it’s a good thing we’re doing. We eat in the treehouse with Rich. I’m always surprised the kid eats everything. I don’t know many kids but I didn’t think he’d eat the vegetables. When we’re done he tells Rich he has some time to play and we’ll be outside. I swear the kid tries to throw him chin and I crack up. Fuckin’’ cute.

  “You doing okay?” he asks as we sit by the pit.

  “Yeah, Club’s changing. It will take a couple of years but it will be better.”

  He nods with that intense look. “You need help?”

  “No son. You stay away until Rich is grown. Pres was pretty clear, he knows shit and when he talks it’s for a reason. The Club will find its way to good. Just needs the time.”

  He watches me for a minute. “That changes you call me.”

  “Yeah.”

  The bitch pulls in yelling. “My signal. You’re a good dad Danny. You’re raising him right.”

  He gets up and calls Rich down. “Axe is leaving little man.”

  I laugh, he comes running across the bridge missing every other plank. I walk to the porch steps and he jumps. Fuck. I catch him laughing. “So fuckin’’ cute.” He shows me my tags. I kiss them and put them back under his shirt. “Keep them close little man.” He kisses me and I set him down.

  Danny hugs me. Not one of his half hugs this time. “Take care Axe. Call if you need me.”

  I nod slapping his back and walk away knowing I won’t call and I won’t see them again. I ride the coast watching the lights play on the water. When my head is clear and all I see is my boy watching Rich run the bridge I head to the Club.

  I come in the back way and Knight sticks his head out his door. He throws me chin and goes back in. He must have a trip on it. In my room I get the books and instructions ready for Tiny. I put my cut over the money with papers on top then put a good lock on it. With the bag and note
on top it’s ready.

  Time to find Tiny. He’s standing against the wall watching the Brothers. “Need to show you something.” He follows me back.

  “Something happens to me, I left instructions, it’s important.” I turn the shelf and the door opens to the safe room. “Trunk and books go in my truck to a Brother that got out. It’s one of those important things so make sure it happens right. You keep anything else you want but this goes to the address on the directions. Yeah?”

  He nods with tears in his eyes. “I won’t let you down.” He walks out.

  With nothing left to do I shower and lay across the bed picturing my boy smiling at Rich running across the bridge.

  Chapter Nineteen

  One week

  Shots wake me up. I pull on pants and grab my gun following the yelling to the common room. Less is being held back by JJ. He looks at me. “He talked to Caps about staying clean to ride and Caps shot two soldiers on his team. Said he’ll get a better take. Knight shot Caps and Less got pissed.”

  I look at Less. “Why you pissed?”

  He pushes JJ away. “Knight had no right to shoot him!”

  “He just hit two clean soldiers.” I look at him; it’s something more. “That’s okay, but not Knight hitting him before he takes out more?”

  “Was aimin’ at Less,” Knight says.

  Less gives him a look. “He wouldn’t have hit me he’s my wife’s nephew.”

  Knight throws his hands up. “Watch the feeds. Walked in Caps shot a Brother. Less yelled. Caps pointed the gun at him. I shot him when he was set to fire.”

  I look at Less. “Let’s go see the video.”

  He follows me whining the whole way about Knight being trigger happy. I get Geek to show the area bigger and see Knight is right. “Knight saved your ass Less.” He pulls Geek’s barrel and pukes in it. Fuck. Geek doesn’t say a word.