Behind the Scenes: Book 0 (MC) (4 page)

I’m waiting at the airport with JJ. Knight comes walking out and a woman stops him to say thanks. He looks stunned then throws her chin. JJ laughs. Knight drops his bag standing in front of me. “Been for fuckin’’ ever.”

I hug him laughing. “It has been Brother. Glad you’re back. Got good reports on you. Did a fuckin’’ fine job and learned all they gave you.”

“Yeah.”

He lets me go and hugs JJ. “Brother.”

“I missed the fuck out of you Brother. Glad you’re home.”

He lifts his bag and walks with us not saying a word. JJ is telling him about the Club and work we have. He’s scanning the building then the lot. I let JJ talk but watch Knight.

At the Club JJ shows him his room and gets him some clothes. He takes his shirt off leaving just a T-shirt on and comes into the common room. Pres hugs him telling him he’s proud to have him back. Knight looks shocked.

“Tomorrow we’ll settle up your take. JJ will bring you for some gear and shit,” I tell him. We have training but I can do it with Petey.

He nods and takes the beer JJ’s holding out for him. “Brother why didn’t you come see us when you came stateside?”

“Saw my brother. He wasn’t happy to see me. Just left.” He’s watching everything around the common room. His eyes come back to JJ and he shrugs. “Didn’t know you’d be happy to see me.”

JJ looks shocked. “Of course we’re glad to see you. I had to get updates from Axe. Fuckin’’ Brother talks as much as you do.”

I laugh and Knight smiles. “Didn’t know. Feels good to be home.”

JJ nods. I’d swear the kid was related to Knight but I know better. “Glad they let you keep your hair.” JJ says making Pres laugh.

“Yeah. Said no when they wanted it off.”

“I’ll let you catch up Brothers. Just wanted to let you know I’m glad you’re back Knight. You come see me tomorrow when you get back. I got your cut waiting for you.” 

He nods. “Will do Pres.” When Pres walks away he relaxes.

I turn to the bar and listen as they talk. Knight answers JJ but doesn’t offer anything. He asks JJ about school then the Club. He mentions Hammer and I look over. They’re looking at Hammer with some Brothers in the corner. None of them wanted JJ as Officer but they were a minority.

“Hammer. He’s taking Nomad. I hope to fuck he’s going soon.”

Tiny comes over. “JJ watch your back Brother.” He stands in front of them blocking their view. “Hammer’s spouting shit getting the Brothers riled up.”

“Who are you?” Knight asks him.

“Tiny Brother, he’s got my back,” JJ tells him.

Knight pushes by him and walks right up to Hammer. I smile. “Got a problem with my Officer?”

Hammer laughs. “Didn’t know he was owned by anyone. Explains a lot. You bunk together too.”

“Oh fuck,” JJ says and Tiny laughs.

Hammer is down. “Take Nomad starting right the fuck now.” Knight pulls his cut off him. “Anyone else got a problem with the Officers?”

The Brothers Hammer was talking to put their hands up. Pres is laughing at the other end of the bar. Fuckin’’ Pres.

I’m with Pres at a table in the common room. Pres called Church because Officers are clearing a problem. Knight and JJ come in and walk right for us. “No more complaint in Woonsocket. Knight dealt,” JJ says and Pres nods.

The fuckin’’ kid is deadly. He’s got a good head for running crews too. “You order what you need?”

He looks at me. “Yeah. Enough for six.” I nod. He’ll kit out the Brothers he’s training. “You get the head pieces you wanted?”

He nods. I just smile. He’s still not a talker. He wants us all with headsets or some shit so we can talk to each other. Not a bad idea but times are changing and I’m feeling old. I wonder how they’re going to work with our lids but I’m not asking. I’ll wait and see what he orders.

“I got a job for you Knight. It’s for after hours or mornings. Got a kid working on a computer. Teach him what you know. He’s smart as fuck and willing to work. He got into the state records so whatever he knows is good.”

“Will teach him if I don’t have to do it anymore,” he tells Pres.

“Good. Name’s Geek. You teach him and you’re off the hook.” Knight nods at him. “He’s young but a good kid. Don’t kill him for saying stupid shit.” I laugh and JJ looks the other way. Knight just nods.

They walk to the bar and I look at Pres. “How young?”

“Sixteen. Found him digging through the dumpster for food. Had him take a shower and he about creamed when he saw the computer. Had him look something up for me and he got in the fuckin’’ state’s system.”

“Not such a good system if a sixteen year old got in.” 

He laughs. “They work with him. He becomes good friends with Knight and is loyal to the Brotherhood.”

I’m thinking anyone that is friends with Knight is good. He’s loyal and protective of his Brothers and the Brotherhood.

We hear yelling and run. Tiny’s got what’s got to be Geek against him but his feet don’t hit the floor. Knight is beating the fuck out of a Nomad. JJ is trying to pull Knight off the Brother.

“Stand down!” I tell him and his arm drops and the Nomad falls. “What the fuck?”

Knight is scanning the room, he looks at Tiny and walks over. Tiny looks nervous. “Put him down Tiny.” I tell him before Knight starts hitting him. He sets the kid down and steadies him.

“Fuckin’’ Nomad is trying for the kid!” Tiny’s voice booms out. “Should fuckin’’ kill the pervert!”

Pres looks at Geek. “You okay little Brother?”

“Fuckin’’ jerk thinks I’m his toy! I ain’t payin’ for a room like that Pres. I’ll work for my room.” The kid’s got fight in him. Good.

Pres looks at Knight. “Get rid of him. Get our name off him while you’re at it. Geek’s got my protection. No one fucks with him ever again.”

Knight nods. “Mine too Pres.” JJ adds his then Tiny. Good fuckin’’ Brothers. Tiny drags the Nomad out by his hair.

I look at the kid. “Never take shit from the Brothers. You have a job just like the Brothers. You get paid just like them. You work you get a room. No one puts hands on you Brother. They try, you tell him you have our protection, they’ll back off. Knight will train you and I’ll get you a gun. Someone tries it again you shoot the motherfucker. Yeah?”

He smiles. “Yeah, thanks mister.”

Pres laughs. “Axe. His name is Axe. He’s one of your Brothers. Ain’t no misters here only Brothers, Geek.”

The kid nods smiling. “Brother Axe it is.” I laugh. The kid’s cute.

JJ comes back in and goes right to Geek. “Let me see your back Brother.”

“I’m good.” Geek looks at us.

“He isn’t going to hurt you Brother. This is JJ. He’s a smart Brother and I’m thinking he has a reason to ask,” Pres tells him.

He nods and lifts his shirt off. Fuck. The kids got bruises at his kidney and scratches on his shoulders. “Tell me your pants didn’t come off Brother.”

He shakes his head no. JJ looks at Pres. “He was fighting him when we walked in. It didn’t get that far. Tiny got him away before Knight hit the pussy.” Geek nods. “Come on Brother let’s get you cleaned up. I’ll put some cream on the scratches so you’ll know how to take care of them. Yeah?”

Geek looks at Pres and gets a nod. “Yeah Brother.” I hold my smile. Kid’s smart.

They walk out and Pres looks at me. “Fuckin’’ Nomads. Let Petey know Geek is here and has our protection. Better yet tell him he has Knight and JJ’s. Fuckin’’ Brothers are terrified of them.”

I walk out wondering when I became a pussy. I hear Pres laughing and keep walking. I give Petey the message then keep going right out the door.

It’s Sunday. I help my boy get a deck built. With two of us we get it done in a day. Rich is happy under the tree by us. The kid never complains or cries. I brought him a tiny bike last week and he’s happy to ride it and touch all the parts. Danny’s got him a big area to play here. He wants to make a swinging walkway to a tree house for him. He shows me the plans he made on the computer.

“Fuckin’’ nice. We just got a kid to run a computer. Fuckin’’ things make me feel old.”

He laughs. “The computer is easier than a book. I can teach you if you want.”

“I’m good. When I need it I’ll ask for help.”

He nods watching me with that intense look. “If you need me for anything Axe you’ll ask right?”

Fuck. “Yeah son. I’ll ask.” I pick Rich up. He’s still wearing my tags. I put him on the deck and he does a little dance. “You like that little man?” He puts his little fist out.

Danny laughs. “Watch.” He bumps his knuckles to Rich’s. “Fist bump.”

Rich puts his knuckles up for me and I bump his little knuckles. He jumps around then dances again. I just laugh.

“Fuckin’’ kids,” Danny says smiling. “Stay up there Rich. I need to put the tools away.” Rich nods at him and starts picking up little pieces of wood. He stacks them by the stairs but never tries to get down. I grab the big stuff and carry it to the garage. Danny points to some stacked wood. I add it on and go back to make sure Rich isn’t climbing down.

Danny laughs. “He won’t come down. He listens good.”

I nod and pick him up. “Let’s get this in the pit.” I grab a handful of pieces and set him down. He throws them in the fire pit one by one. “Got a pretty good arm there little Brother.” I pile the pieces at his feet and sit watching him. He’s a cute kid.

Danny hands me a beer and gives Rich a cup. He drinks and goes right back to the wood. “His new thing is hot dogs. When he’s done we’ll show you how we cook them.”

I nod and relax back in the chair. The best days I’ve had in the last few years have been right here. I can’t think of another time that life has been so good. We stand with Rich holding the wires over the pit and cook the hot dogs. They’re not my thing, but for my grandson, today they are my favorite.

When the bitch drives up its time for me to go. I kiss my little guy on the head and he puts his fist out for me. I bump him and he laughs. “I’ll catch you later Danny. Thanks for dinner.”

He laughs. “Thanks for the deck Axe.”

“Axe, I need you sticking close to the Club.”

I look at him. “All right Pres. Something I need to know?”

He looks behind him. “Brothers are turning. It’s the start.”

“The start would indicate a middle and end. How long?”

He watches me. “Maybe two months Brother. We need Knight and Tiny as Officer.”

I nod. “I’ll get the votes.” I forget breakfast and go back to my room. “Get out.” I tell the whore. She grabs clothes and moves through the door fast.

I sit with my head in my hands. I need to get money to Darlene for Rich’s care. I had a bike built for Danny that I’ll need to get to him too. I already have my truck signed over to him. I’ll get Tiny to make sure he gets the trunk and any of my shit with the books explaining how this worked. He needs to understand why I didn’t tell him. Once my head is straight I dress and pull a brick from the trunk. I bring it to the lawyer and have him dole it out every month from a trust like I set up for Danny. I call Darlene and give her JJ’s name if she ever has a problem with the money.

With that set I ride around collecting votes. Brothers are getting greedy. They want more drug runs and less guns.

Pres calls Church again and Brothers are pissed they have to show. Not a good way to meet but we get our Officers. Petey is proud and talking them up. It’s not such a bad day. The Brothers all get to meet Geek and he explains the headsets and video feeds. When a Brother starts giving him shit Knight and Tiny stand behind the little Brother. Everyone backs off. I can see them making it. They’ll stick together and JJ will find a way to make it work. He’s that fuckin’’ smart. Pres takes him to his rooms and we don’t see them until the night.

JJ looks shell shocked. I guess Pres told him. Knight and Tiny stick close to him but he isn’t talking.

A Brother with a drug beef comes at Tiny with a knife. Fuckin’’ Knight turns and has the knife sticking out of the Brother’s neck before anyone realizes what happened. “Get him the fuck out of here.” JJ says and Brothers move.

I look at Pres. They’re going to make it. I think. He nods. When the Brother is out JJ looks around. “Do you see what the drugs are doing here? This was a place you could come to and be free to live fuckin’’ happy. Brothers are willing to stick a Brother because he doesn’t want to run drugs? When the fuck did you all decide everyone should live by your rules? You want to use. Go ahead. You want to run the drugs. Go ahead but every fuckin’’ Brother doesn’t. There’s not many fuckin’’ rules here. I know I read one that says you don’t fuckin’’ kill your Brothers. That’s not the fuckin’’ Brotherhood I pledged to. You don’t believe in Badass anymore, use the fuckin’’ door and walk the fuck out. The rest of you can grab a drink with your Brother, take a whore. Do whatever the fuck you want that makes you happy. But don’t kill your fuckin’’ Brothers.” No one says a word. He walks toward his room.

Knight looks around pissed. “Kill every fuckin’’ one of you for this Brotherhood. Grow a fuckin’’ brain.” He grabs a beer from the Prospect and sits down. Tiny stays by his side. Whenever JJ isn’t with him Tiny is. I’m watching Pres but he’s watching the Brothers in the mirror.

It’s going to be a long fuckin’’ two months.