Page 68 of Master's Rise

“I’m staying too, Boss. I like being in town and food is at Amos’ or right across the street.” Banks is happy.

“Whatever keeps you smiling, Brother. Does anyone have anything I need a heads up for?”

Trask nods. “Yeah, Boss. I’m looking at Ramirez. He’s been at the Sheriff’s station twice this week.”

“Ramirez, the deputy looking at the wall, Brinks?”

“Yeah, Boss. I took his app from him.” Brinks is more confident lately. I like it.

Turning back to Trask, I tell him. “We can get a shadow on him from Security. Just schedule it with Falcon.”

“On it, Boss.”

“Anything else?”

Hade leans in. “The track not being up will jam us up with adding the Brothers within the next three weeks. Training will be set back right after with the other Clubs.”

I nod. “I’ll pull it to the top of my list. I’m glad you saw it.” I get a nod and nothing else.

“I’m riding to the Club.” I throw money on the table and stop Paul and Trask. “It’s an Officer breakfast. Raid will pay with the Club card. I just leave a tip.”

“Nice tip.” Beacon makes me smile. I love my Brothers.

I take the back roads toward home. The new office is on the way. Beacon and Trask throw respect riding by as we turn. They have the afternoon shift and training.

Seeing the columns and black trim, I smile. “Jinx, you were fucking right, Brother. That is about as Badass as it gets.” I ride right around the building. A sea of Security and Enforcer bikes are sitting under the awning in the back. “Jesus, Banks, how many?”

He laughs. “Enough to bring up all the apps and cover two training classes. Forty Enforcer bikes for us have the new technology and our colors. I paid you for the guns and helmets too. Amos said you’d see it on the first.”

Holy fuck. “I think it’s time to let the Club start paying the bills.”

“I told him we stop on the first. You said to run until we got everything we need. We do and I have the money for the last draws and emergency waiting. The only thing I didn’t stock is food and alcohol.”

“Fucking unbelievable, Banks.”

The Brothers agree and let him know.

Brothers and Prospects are moving in and out every door but the front. I stop under the portico and shut my bike off while looking up. The fire looks alive up there.

“You should see it lit up at night, Boss,” Paul says.

I nod. I love the Badass in black just under the fire. “I plan to tonight.”

The doors open automatically and the mural stops me. The counter and a computer are in. A Prospect is there waiting. This is it.

“After crashing and burning in the city, we are back, we are bigger and we are better than ever.” I am in awe of what we got done and how we got to here so fast.

“You are Phoenix Rising, Brother.” Raid makes me laugh.

“Seren said that too but you’re both wrong. This wasn’t me. Crow said being human means we get to fuck up, but being Badass means we fix it, making the world around us better because of our mistakes. We need to trust in each other and the Brotherhood we were taught. The Badass will always shine through guiding our way. Just like the ceiling on the portico. Phoenix Rising is Badass reminding us that we don’t ever quit, Brothers.”

“Brotherhood above all,” Web says sounding as amazed as I am.

They all repeat it making me smile and my feet move.

“What are you feeling, Boss?” Hade asks with his weird sensing shit.

“The energy I feel just walking down the hall is empowering. Crow and my dad feel so fucking close. Our Brothers lost, our biggest wins and even our mistakes and lessons learned feel alive here.” I smile walking into training. “Our heart is ready for us, or maybe we’re ready for it.”