Page 39 of Master's Rise

Chapter Six

Seren

“I need to get my car,” I tell him rolling out of bed.

He pulls me back. “Why?”

What is this? “I need to change my clothes and get to work. I could drive here instead of you hanging around for me.”

He nods like a typical weird man. “Prospects got your clothes here. I’ll have someone get your car to you at the pizzeria today. I had a meet last night, so it wasn’t a problem. Tonight you’re off earlier. If you want your car up here, drive it but I’m off close to when you are. I’m on Ops if I’m needed so that’s not a guarantee.”

Okay, where to start? “My clothes are here?”

He walks me to the closet and my clothes are here. Okay. I guess that makes my life a little easier, if not just a little bit scarier. I did tell him I’d ride it out. Prospects can easily bring them back.

With that settled, I move to the next. “I’ll need my car to get to class after work. It’s Tuesday’s at seven every week. I eat with Freedom and Victory before and get home after nine.”

“Fuck. Does Falcon know?” He’s pissed?

What? “Why would he? Maybe I should ask, why should he?”

“Security. I’ll need a schedule of what your work hours are then anything you do so you’re covered. Freedom is with you tonight. I can schedule one if you’re in town.”

Holy mackerel. “No, it’s two towns away. You don’t have to cover me for this, we do it all the time and Victory is with me too.”

He nods. “Tomorrow, the city Club will be hit by Badass from all over the fucking country. With Six-Guns mixed in there, any place I am and anything I touch is guarded. New video was going up as of last night. All roads in and out of town are covered. Soon, one Security and the Prospects on with you will be good in town. Leaving town, you need physical Security presence with you.”

I nod dumbfounded. “I’m not free to go anywhere alone?”

“Why is this throwing you? I put Security with you before you agreed to stay here.” He’s not mad but confused. Why?

I breathe deep thinking that through. “You’re right. I didn’t have a problem when it was in town. Outside people are just stunned but not so mean. After last night and the men being hosed down, I thought Security would be less not more.”

He pulls me to his lap. “I can see that, but reality is that it will get tighter. You know Rex and my dad owned the print and liquor stores?”

I nod and he goes on. “I inherited my dad’s portion and bought out Rex. That means I own both chains of stores on top of what my mom left me and my own businesses from the city. The Club will start transferring ownership of the chains but that doesn’t mean I’m losing money. Besides the hit to the city Club, I have enough to cause safety concerns. Being with me means you take on more value than I have,” he says it all in a normal voice like it’s all normal.

Fuck, fuck, fuck. I knew Rex had money but, Oh My God! He owns gun places, garages and some sort of bike dealerships. I can’t remember how Rex said it. Then all Rex and Reed owned. Now even a hardware store. With a deep breath, I try to put it in place quickly. I got this. “I’ll give you my schedule before we leave. You did explain this and it shouldn’t have taken a map for me to figure it out. Since I just rolled out of bed, I’m blaming it on lack of caffeine and surprise that you just moved me in.”

He laughs. “Let’s get you some coffee and a shower.”

My feet follow automatically.

~*~*~

Cort

We’re just out of the shower and a Security alert is lighting up my phone.

“Yeah, Jinx, what’s going on?”

“Raid is four out for you. Beacon and Sharp are picking up Seren. We have a hostage situation at the market.”

What the hell, it’s not in town. “Why am I traveling?”

“Ant Irma was picking up food for Rex. He called it in.”

“Fuck, I’ll be out in four. Seren will give Beacon her schedule. Let Brinks know she needs coverage tonight. I’ll hit you on the bike.”