Behind the Scenes: Book 0 (MC) (5 page)

“Knight we’re dodging fuckin’’ bullets left and right here.” Petey says.

“On my way.”

I can hear the shots. “How long?”

“Four out.”

“I don’t know if we can hold them.”

“Fuckin’’ shoot and stop talkin’ to me. Tiny, he calls me again, shoot him.”

“Roger Knight.”

Pres is smiling. Petey doesn’t say another word. We wait for fuckin’’ ever.

“Knight clear.”

Geek laughs. “Fuckin’’ guy is like a machine.” He slaps Pres’s hand. “I love Ops Pres.”

Pres laughs. “I know you do little Brother. You’re doing a good job. You need anything else in here?” I look around. There’s fuckin’’ wires everywhere.

“I could use a bigger monitor and I could put the feeds on the small one for you. If I had another computer I could keep tracking up all the time.”

Pres holds his hand up. “Order what you need. Tell them to deliver it and I’ll pay cash.”

Geek just looks at him. After a few seconds he finds his voice. “It’s like thousands of dollars Pres.”

“Tell them to send you a fuckin’’ desk too; this table’s going to fall apart with all the weight on it.” He walks away and Geek watches.

“Knights talking to you Geek.”

“Fuck! What did he say?” He turns and holds his hand over a button.

I laugh. “Asked if he’s clear to come in.”

“Roger Knight.” He lets the button go and looks at me. “He really means I can just order the shit I need and a desk?”

“Yeah kid but Pres tells you to do it, you don’t ask, you do.”

“On it Brother.” I smile while he pulls a book out and starts flipping through the pages.

I listen to Petey and Rogue. They’re talking shit and I’m getting pissed. “Tell them to shut the fuck up. This ain’t a fuckin’’ Sunday drive.”

He tells them and goes back to his book. I get when they stop and drop the trailer. They pick up the empty and ride back with no problems.

JJ and Knight come in. “They good?” Knight asks.

“Yeah. I got training. Who’s in here?”

JJ takes the headset. “I got it Axe. Pres said I need to learn.”

“Don’t let them talk shit. Fuckin’’ Petey will talk about anything over the air.” He nods and asks for a check in.

Geek puts the book down and gets him his Brothers.

While we’re walking out I tell Knight we got Casper back. He nods and keeps walking. It’s days like this that I miss Danny being here. He doesn’t talk much but he talks.

The training goes good until Casper starts talking shit to another Brother. Knight gets in his face. “You got to talk about it you ain’t good enough.” He pulls Casper’s gun and turns his upper body hitting dead center every shot. “You can do that. You won’t be talkin’ about it. Shut the fuck up.”

He’s effective. I don’t hear another word from any of the Brothers. Ride and shoot doesn’t work for Casper. He can’t hit running past thirty. I’m getting ready to pull him aside when Knight takes a Brother’s bike. He tells Casper to follow. He runs it slow talking to him the whole way. I’m stunned just watching. Casper hits them all. He runs him back telling him to feel not look at the speed. Casper hits the targets at fifty. When they get back I slap Knight on the back. “Good job Brother.” He throws me chin.

“You meet me here tomorrow mornin’ we do it again till you hit right. Yeah?”

Casper nods. “Yeah Brother thanks.” He looks relieved.

He tells the Brothers to get a beer at the Club and hangs back. I wait. “He isn’t good on the runs. Needs to run Ops. Will give him his status. Won’t work under pressure.”

I nod. “You teaching Ops?”

He cocks his head as if he doesn’t understand. “Anythin’ you need Brother.”

I nod. “You need to teach Ops to your choices here. Tiny and JJ.”

He nods. “Started Ben. Will pull Tiny and Casper tomorrow after the run. Don’t like none of the others.” 

I laugh. “Your call Knight.”

He looks at me like he’s deciding what he’s going to say. “You’re teachin’ Ben to take over. Me too?”

Shit. I think about how to word this. “You, Tiny, JJ. You bring the Club out of the drug wars. We’re teaching you all to do that. You know Brotherhood. You know Ops. JJ knows every fuckin’’ thing. Tiny is loyal and protective. He can do any job but he’s not an Ops soldier. He’ll keep your Brothers in line and always have your back. You stay close and keep Geek protected.”

“You and Pres ain’t in there.”

Fuckin’’ smart kid. “We need to get back.”

“No.” He shuts my bike off and looks over at the targets. “Only family ever wanted me was you and Ben. You’re gone is just Ben. Taught me about bein’ a man. Believed I had more in me and pulled it out. Know you did that. However long isn’t enough. You’re the best father ever had. Honored you’re mine.”

“You’re a good Brother Steve. You have been right from the beginning. I’m proud of you son. You keep going and protect Ben, Geek and Tiny. They’re your job now. You make it to good. Find a way to make it good for more son.” He turns and hugs me.

“I will Axe.”

He lets me go and I see him in my mirror watching me ride away. Fuck. I ride the reservation and take a minute. I need to see my boy. It feels like time is slipping away.

I ride the coast until I know Danny’s home then make my way to his house. I hear the bitch screaming and run up the stairs. I see Danny with Rich at the table. He’s reading to his boy with a smile on his face. Rich points at a picture and Danny laughs. I guess he didn’t hear the bike with the screaming.

I turn around and walk down. “Axe. Come on in.” I look up at the top windows. “She’ll be done soon. If I don’t react she gets tired of it.” I laugh and walk in behind him. Rich runs to me. I lift him up and kiss his head. “Rough day?” he asks.

“Yeah you could say that. It’s better now. Had a nice ride along the coast. Always good for clearing the head. How is school?”

“Good. Aced the finals. With the extra classes I’ll be done a year early. I’ve been reading about clean building. I think I’m going to take the courses for it and get LEEDS certified.”

I nod. “You should. Energy efficient is going to be big. It’s already started. It’s only a matter of time before whole houses are being built more efficient and using clean energy.”

He’s nodding. “I’m glad you stopped.” He shows me a magazine on solar power. We talk until it’s Rich’s bedtime. I kiss Rich’s head and tell Danny I’ll see him soon. As I ride away I hope I’m not lying.

The Club is quiet when I walk through the door. Pres is at a table with a whore on his lap. I sit at the bar until he’s done. None of the regular Brothers are here. I get a second beer and get surprised by a slap on the back. “You good Brother?”

“Yeah Pres.” I turn. He’s concerned. “Went for a ride and stopped to see Danny.”

“He doing okay?”

I smile. “Yeah he’s taking green building classes. Knight been okay?”

He doesn’t answer right away. “No. Came back talking staccato. JJ and Tiny took him for a ride. They even took Geek with them.”

I look at him. “He knows.”

He nods. “JJ too. Figured it was only a matter of time before Knight got it. He’s a smart fuck. They make a good team.”

I smile at that. “Yeah.”

“Get me some Jack,” he tells the Prospect. He drops the bottle and shot glasses and walks to the other end of the bar. “To us. We made some fuckin’’ good Brothers. They’ll be a force to be reckoned with.”

I smile and hit his glass. “We did. I’m proud of every one of them.”

“Fuckin’’ A.” Tiny says and I laugh looking behind me. JJ, Knight, Tiny and even little Geek is standing there with big fuckin’’ smiles.

“Get them glasses,” Pres says to the Prospect.

They all take a glass. “To the future Brotherhood of Badass Bikers.” We hit glasses and drink it back. Geek starts sputtering. “Gotta do better than that little Brother,” Pres tells him and we laugh.

“Get my little Brother some water,” Tiny yells to the Prospect. He slides a water down and Tiny teaches him how to do a shot.

“You got shit coming tomorrow. Don’t get so wasted you can’t get the shit put together,” JJ tells him. Pres laughs.

“That was it for me. Fuckin’’ Brothers are going to kill me it’s still burning my throat.”

Tiny slaps his back and I steady him. “Lay off him. You’re a fuckin’’ giant and he isn’t.”

Knight laughs surprising the fuck out of us. “Will be as big as Ben.” We all just look at him. He shrugs. “Just sayin’.”

I look at Pres they’re staring at each other then he nods at Knight. “Sonofabitch.”

JJ laughs. “Fuckin’’ Brother learned too fuckin’’ much in the military.”

We all laugh. Geek falls into me. “Come on little Brother. You need to get to bed before I have to carry you.” He nods making them laugh again. “I’ll get him squared then I’m out. Tiny you check on him before you turn in. I’ll check him in the morning.”

“I will Axe.”

He’s in the room next to me. I get him in bed and show him the barrel in case he don’t make it to the bathroom. “You puke in your room you clean it.”

“Fuck, stop talking about it.” He rolls over.

I leave a lamp on and lock his door. I take the key to Tiny. “Slide it under my door after you check on him.” He throws me chin.

I pull a whore to my room and feel good for at least one more day.

Everyone is looking for breakfast as I’m making eggs, bacon and toast. Knight and JJ show and I slide plates to them. I figure Petey, Tiny, Pres, and Geek will show soon so I add more and make plates. Tiny comes in and makes toast handing it around and adding it to the plates I made. I make him extra eggs, figuring he’s a fuckin’’ giant he must need them then tell him to eat.

Pres comes in with Geek. “You doing okay Little Brother?” Tiny asks him.

Geek nods. “Pres gave me something for the headache. I’m good.”

I laugh. He sits and eats like an animal. JJ slows him down and gets him to use his fork. Tiny gets him more toast dropping it on his plate. When he sits he looks at JJ. They’ll watch out for him.

“Always.” Knight says looking right at me. I look at Pres and he smiles. Fuck this is weird. JJ watches everything.

“Geek you need help today you get a Prospect or two to give you a hand.”

He nods chewing his toast. “I will Pres.”

“Swallow ‘fore you talk,” Knight tells him.

He nods and swallows. “I will Pres.” He watches Knight and gets chin. Pres laughs.

Knight stands and hands Geek a hundred. “Order lunch. Prospect can pick it up. You don’t leave here. I get back we’ll get you clothes and a bike. Yeah?”

Geek looks at him. “What do I have to do for it?”

Knight looks surprised. “Work. You get my headsets straight and better boards. Yeah?”

Geek looks at Pres and gets a nod. “Yeah. Thanks.”

Knight looks at JJ. “These Brothers right here threw you protection. No one touches you Geek. None of us are into kids. We won’t hurt you. If one of us gives you something it’s for work you did or work you’re going to do. Knight will get you a bike because you can’t be in the Club without one. He does that as a Brother. No strings with that kind of gift. When you can you help someone out like he’s doing. Yeah?”

Geek gives him that big fuckin’’ smile. “Yeah. Thanks Brothers.” He throws Knight chin making us laugh.

“Fuckin’’ Badass needs a bike,” Knight says walking away. JJ laughs.

“Where’s he going?” Tiny asks JJ getting a shrug.

“Training Casper. He’s helping him with ride and shoot.”

Pres looks surprised. “What happened?”

I look at the Brothers sitting here. Petey didn’t show so I figure I can tell them. “He couldn’t hit above 35. Knight helped him and got him hitting at 50. Told him he’d get him hitting center today.” JJ starts cleaning up and Geek gets up to help.

“Casper wasn’t satellite?” Tiny asks.

I laugh. “Not even close. Satellites learn everything and specialize in a few. Knight got computer and is good with figuring and following money but he specialized in stealth, sniper, Ops planning. He thinks different than us and it makes him good at those things.”

“The way he talked I thought he was with Knight,” Pres says.

I shake my head no. “Satellite works alone. Casper wasn’t even on the Team Knight was listed with. When the Team was down Knight was in training, he had one furlough, but took all they offered so he could come back ready to be our soldier. He’ll get Casper ready but he wants him on Ops. He doesn’t think he’d be good under pressure.”

Pres nods. “With what he knows let him make the call.” I throw him chin. I already did. “Geek. Come sit so we can tell you about the pay.”

I laugh at Geek’s face. He’s excited, scared and nervous, every emotion crosses his face one right after the other. I kick a chair out and he sits.

“You’ll be working computer. The field makes more than truck drivers. I’ll put you higher than that pay. I’ll have JJ get you an account. Equipment comes from the Club. You need something the Club buys it. Your pay buys you clothes, special food you want or bike parts. Your bike gets serviced from the garage. We take it out of your pay. The rest you save. You make extra you save it. Being a biker doesn’t mean poor. Fuckin’’ bikes are expensive, you keep enough to buy a new one or fix the old. Get a house when you’re old enough. Don’t make payment on shit. Save and buy. “Yeah?”

Geek’s nodding his head fast. “I will Pres. Can I buy a laptop?”

“Is it for work?” Pres asks and gets a nod. “No, didn’t I just say the Club buys that shit?”

“It’s a computer that is mobile Pres. I don’t 
need
 it for work but I can monitor from my room if I have a phone jack. I just wanted it.”

“Monitor is work, the Club pays. You want to play card games it’s a toy.”

Geek makes a face. “Fuckin’’ card games are stupid. We could get the video from around town. That’s better than cards.”

JJ laughs. “You get video from around town I’ll buy you your first leather Brother.”

Geek gives him that smile. “You owe me a coat JJ.”

We laugh. “Fuckin’’ Brothers. I’ll go with you and Knight later.” He walks out.

Pres looks at Tiny. “You keep Geek safe Brother. Shit goes down you make sure he’s not forgotten during it.”

Tiny bobs his big head. “I got the little Brother’s back Pres.”

“Let’s get to work Geek,” I say standing up.

We get to the room for Ops and I look at the next room. It’s a cell that everyone hates, no window the bathroom is way the fuck on the other side. Walking out I get three Prospects and tell them what I want. They get me plastic and I put it up so Geek’s shit doesn’t get damaged. In two hours we have the wall down and the furniture moved. Another hour and I have the walls closed in and a couple of new outlets. One of the Prospects is good with his hands so I let him add the molding making it look like it’s always been a big room. We pull two more Prospects and have them running cleanup. When I take the plastic down Geek starts jumping around.

His shit comes in and I watch the headsets while he puts everything together. He’s telling the guy from the company how he wants shit wired and I laugh. Fuckin’’ kid knows his shit. He finally tells the guy he’s got it and pushes him out of the way. Everything is in and the kid’s happy.

Pres comes in pushing a chair with a box on it. “I got a Brother hooking a phone line in your room. You forgot the chairs Brother. That fold chair fuckin’’ kills my back.” A Prospect is pushing a chair in right behind him.

Geek laughs folding the chair and putting it against the wall. “I may never leave this chair,” he says leaning back into it.

He starts showing us the video he has around town. We see and he explains the tracking he put on some of the bikes and headsets and the Club and Salvage video. The kid was meant to run a computer.

Knight and JJ come in amazed with what he’s got running. “Need sheets for trainin’.” Knight pulls paper from the printer and writes what he wants on it. “I just fill in. Yeah?” Geek nods. Then JJ wants sheets for the Prospects.

I walk away laughing. I got training to get to. At the field I explain martial arts and defensive moves. We do martial arts first because Brothers lose a fight if they aren’t centered and thinking. When we move to defensive Tiny has it down and I use him to show the Brothers how to move giving maximum pain without killing themselves to do it.

I send them to the Club when we’re finished. Tiny asks about getting Geek a cut. I thought about it this morning but didn’t want to say it in front of the kid. I don’t know the bylaw on age. “I’ll talk to Pres.”

He nods. “He’d be safer with the cut on in the Club.”

“He don’t go out alone Tiny. Make sure that happens for him.”

He nods. “JJ told us last night about shit coming at us. I told him I’d keep Geek’s back. Told Pres this morning. I meant it. He’s too fuckin’’ young to be here but he’s got no family to take care of him. I’ll be his Brother.”

“You’re a good Brother to have Tiny. JJ’s right shit’s coming our way. You keep your Brothers close. JJ, Knight and Geek are who you watch out for. They’ll watch out for you.” He just watches me then nods.

“Let’s get back. I’m supposed to stick close to the Club.” I throw my leg over.

“Axe, thanks for watching out for us. You and Pres could have split. Thanks for keeping us straight.”

I look at him for a minute. “Don’t work like that Brother. What we do today impacts lives ten years from now. You fuck it up and someone is screwed. Could be your kid, could be mine, I ain’t fuckin’’ with it. Brotherhood is in everything. Can’t just be the good shit.”

“Glad you’re my Brother Axe.” He starts his bike.

We ride to the Club and they’re fighting again. Tiny walks up pushing Brothers out of the way. I smile and walk up the steps. Pres isn’t smiling today. “Who is it this time?”

“Rogue and Laney. Fighting over drugs and money.” He shakes his head and walks inside. I follow asking about Geek and his bike. “Hasn’t shown yet. Kid was working till they pulled him away. Knight got Casper on surveillance.” I nod.

Petey is at the bar and there are some Brothers fuckin’’ in the corner but the fight drew most out.

“Need to ask you something. Let’s take your table.” He sits and waits. “Geek is gonna need a cut. He’s young and I don’t know about the bylaws but we need to cover him in the Club. He wears it out it will be a target for him but here he needs it.”

“Yeah, got him one. Knight and JJ both said the same thing.”

I laugh. “Tiny too.”

He nods. “They’re going to be good Axe.” Why does he keep saying this? “I tell you so you know it’s right. They do good for more than just Brothers. Your kid, his boy, our new Officer’s kids. All make it good. They don’t forget us and learn from our mistakes. Smart Brothers every single one of them.” I like hearing this. It brings a peace knowing it’s all worth it. You don’t get that kind of guarantee every day. I’ll take this one.

The Brothers come in and split the room. I almost smile. Looks like they beat the shit out of each other. Pres just watches.

Geek comes running right down the middle of the common room. “Pres, Axe I got a bike!” Laney shoves him and he hits Brothers on the bar side. They push him back and he hits the floor.

Tiny shows and lifts Laney then throws him against the wall. “Fuckin’’ little Brother didn’t do shit to you. Keep your fuckin’’ hands off him!” He looks around. “Any of you fuckers touch him you deal with me!”

“He ain’t our Brother. You get Officer and now you threaten us? Should have voted no.” Rogue says.

I pick up Geek and send him toward Pres. “Geek will get his cut at Church. You won’t see him, he’s computer. Set our Ops with headsets and tracking so we can keep the Brothers running safe. He’s got Axe, JJ, Knight, Tiny and my protection. That’s a lot of fuckin’’ Brothers to make it through.” 

Knight and JJ come in. Knight scans the room. No one says shit. “Geek, tell them about your bike?” The kid nods but doesn’t look at him. JJ looks around. “He rides like he was born on it Pres.” He’s watching for reaction.

“Let’s go see your bike Geek.” Pres slaps his back. Geek gets his smile back but moves away from Rogue as he’s going by. Knight watches and lets them pass but doesn’t take his eyes off the common room. Tiny follows me out and we check out the kid’s bike. A first bike is big so we make sure he feels it. He rides around and Knight tells us they brought him to the track to learn and he’s safe.

JJ got him a book to get his license and he read it while Knight was paying. “The Brother is smart Pres.”

Pres nods and watches Geek go around the lot then building. He’s proud of the kid. When the kid’s tired of his circle he backs in by Knight’s bike. “Thanks for the bike and teaching me Brothers. This is the best day of my life.”

Tiny laughs. “First bike is little Brother. Gives you freedom. Nothing like it. You don’t leave the lot without one of us. We’ll take you out but you never go alone. You got me?”

He bobs his head up and down. “After in there I ain’t going anywhere alone.”

“What happened?” JJ asks.

“Pissing contest. Didn’t have to do with Geek but they used him,” Pres tells him.

Knight looks at him. “You’re in trainin’ tomorrow. Casper can cover.”

Geek gives him that smile and throws him chin. The kid is cute.

Walking in you could cut the tension with a knife. It seems to be directed at us this time. We walk to the bar and take the seats right in the middle.

“You get clothes today?” Pres asks Geek.

“Yeah and I ate in a restaurant. They brought us everything.” Pres smiles but I see concern in his eyes. Sixteen he should have been in a restaurant before now.

We talk about training and Geek tells Knight about his sheets and filling in the information. He says he set up the old computer so anyone can use it for the sheets. They need a password but he already set Knight so he can put the information in. JJ’s smiling. He likes Geek helping out Knight.

The Brothers are starting to move around and Knight turns. He scans the room constantly. I’d think he was a machine if I didn’t know better. It strikes me as Schwarzenegger from the movies.

I push off the bar. “Let me know if you need me.” I start walking and Geek stops me.

“I’m going to set up the laptop.” He tells Pres and walks beside me. He won’t be going anywhere alone. I look at Pres and he nods. I pull a whore off the couch and she follows. I wait for him to get in then move when I hear the lock click.