Page 9 of Master's Rise

“Roger, Boss,” Hade says.

Falcon shakes his head no. “I had him staying until the Six-Guns took over. He won’t drop his cut when they drop Badass, so he’d be a target.”

We watch the midget mobile swing around and head down the road. “Deacon won’t send Brothers and they’re afraid to come here. He can’t have many Enforcers left.”

Hade clicks in again. “Web said he can pull up video.”

Cool. “We’re on our way.”

~*~*~

The mechanic was good for information. With eight lower rung Enforcers left, I’m confident Deacon won’t be coming back at us. He’ll try for trucks hauling our supplies but that’s it. Since Web’s whole team is here, Deacon is running like it’s nineteen-seventy. No Ops leads means he’s screwed. He called it a waste of money before, I guess he really believes it.

We watch Deacon get the call from the midget mobile. He yells at Valdez Jr. in the phone but swipes it off looking dejected and sick. He knows he’s got no fight here.

Standing has surprise on Web’s face. I shrug at him. “He’s not coming here again. I got better shit to do than watch him fall.”

Raid stands with a smile. “I need a house.”

I nod. “We got training, then we can look at the one between me and the hospital.”

My phone stops my feet. Rex, fuck! “Yeah, Rex.”

“Get to the hardware store. The little girl is in trouble.” He’s gone before I can say anything.

I start moving toward the door. “Hade, get anyone in town to the hardware store. I’m on my way.”

“Two Enforcers and cleanup heading toward town from here. No one is closer.”

Shit. “Roger.”

Raid follows me out. We fly, making town in four minutes. People do the most ridiculously stupid things and it always amazes me. My gun is out before I’m even off the bike. “Drop it or I’ll drop you.”

The guy does a double-take. “Who the hell are you? SWAT don’t wear that.”

Swinging my leg over, I keep my gun aimed and walk toward the crazy dipshit. “Everyone is entitled to be stupid. I have a gun pointed at your head, I’d say you’re abusing that privilege.”

He puts the sledgehammer down. “This is between me and the bitch.”

“No, it’s between you and me. My gun saysIget to decide. If you do not own this store, it is not yours to destroy.”

“That dyke is holding my order! I can’t get paid if I don’t finish the job!” This dickass is something else. I bet he owes for more than this order.

“Since you get the concept of being in business, let me ask you something. Is this woman your wife, mother or can she in any way claim you as a dependent?”

He gives me a look then puffs out his chest like he’s proud. “I own my own business and the bitch is a dyke, no man touches her.” His focus on her sexual orientation tells me she’s shot him down.

“So, this woman isn’t responsible for you or your business?”

Raid is laughing on the side of me.

“No. She’s holding my order! I need it to get paid!”

I nod. “Did you pay her for your order?” I don’t really need to ask.

Dickass rolls his eyes. “I can’t pay until I finish the job! I’ll be able to pay for the last two jobs with this one!” Now he whines like I’m going to help him and I know he owes more.

“Did she agree to bankroll your business?”