Page 34 of Master's Rise

The guy looks around. The Prospects are watching but keep moving behind the counter. When he looks at Cort, he nods. “No one. Putting this on another Brother without telling them puts everyone at risk. I’ll call Hade, Boss.” He looks at me. “I’m sorry I didn’t keep my eye on the job. I’m glad the Boss is here and it didn’t end up costing us you or your workers. If I get back to jobs, Iwilldo better.”

I have no idea what to say, so I nod.

Cort puts his hand on the guys shoulder. “Good answer, Milo. I believe you’ll get back and remember this.”

“I will, Boss.” He walks out and I smile at Cort.

“Good job, Cort.”

He laughs bending for a kiss. I give him that and clear Milo’s table. “It’s slow. Is this normal?”

I shrug. It didn’t use to be. “Fifteen minutes into this hour and Milo is our only customer.”

The phone rings and he smiles. “Maybe not.”

“Seren, we have twelve for Aetna Insurance.” My trainer doesn’t wait for an answer.

I look at Cort. “I’ll be free in ten minutes. She’ll cover the ovens, I just need to make them.”

He shakes his head. “I got shit to do and just came to check status. Milo is new, we got extra Security around in case something like this happens with new members. Relax to a point.” He smiles. “I will too. Go do your thing.”

Pulling his arm straight down has his face closer to mine. I kiss his lips. “You’re perfect. See you when I see you.”

He laughs as I walk away. “You will.”

~*~*~

Cort

I walk out and Beacon whistles like he was waiting for me. It’s been what, five minutes? He’s got a woman by him that looks pissed. “Boss.” He waits for me to nod. “Carol tells me that Matt beats his wife. She hides it. Mel gives his wife an allowance to get food and gas, she saves to buy herself shit tomakeher clothes.” He’s pissed and I can’t say I blame him.

I look at the woman. “We’re not supposed to talk to Seren or shop in town. It’s been getting worse. My husband is big. I want him out before my kids start thinking this is right. I want to know if he’s one that your men are arresting.”

“I told you, we’re not cops but maybe we can help,” Beacon tells her.

Shit is spinning in my head. Freedom wasn’t far off. “Get every family here for six. Use a bullhorn going up and down the streets if you have to, but get the word out. Food and drinks free to women. You do that for me and I’ll have Brothers follow you home and move your man out right after.”

She smiles like a kid on Christmas. “It’s a deal.”

Turning, I call Hade. “Impromptu women’s movement at six. Every available Brother in the town center.”

“On it, Boss.”

Calling Amos, I get him on tacos, tables, drinks and a ton of napkins. Ant Irma has eight kids that can handle taco tables. Falcon will have all the Prospects here and get a DJ station up. I give him the songs I want and he laughs. My messagewillbe clear.

Walking into the hardware store I get the Brother to set barrels when the tables get here and the Prospect coordinating trash. He’s due to be patched in and is eager. I like that.

At the art store, I will not call it haberdashery, I tell Freedom and Victory what’s going on. Freedom agrees to teach the women once a week and Victory is on the phone with her customers getting them here.

Walking into the pizza joint, I stand at the counter. Seren is making pizza so I’m not going to bother her. I catch her second’s eye. “I need to place an order. I don’t need Seren to do that.”

She looks at the girl filling a fork container. “Customers are acknowledged and served.”

The little girls face turns red. “I thought he was waiting for Seren.”

“He’d still get greeted.” She’s tough. With a pasted on smile she shows the girl what she expects. “Hey, Cort, you hungry or waiting for Seren?”

I smile. I like this girl. “I need an order for tonight but I’m fucking starving too. The order tonight is big and detailed.”