Free Behind the Scenes: Book 0 (MC) by L. Ann Marie

on to cover your ass on the fuckin’’ run. Where in there is it the Club’s job to cover your growing drug habit?”
    “Would be better for the Club to take liabilities off the runs,” JJ says.
    “It was something I ate. You ain’t taking me off for that!”
    Knight stands up. “Shut the fuck up. Don’t have enough sense to ride straight I’ll take you off. Keepin’ the Brothers safe means in everythin’. Not safe if you’re too high to have a Brother’s back.”
    Caps backs down when some of the soldiers agree. Thank fuck for that. Pres gets us back on track and closes the meeting. Tommy and Less walk out with the Brothers.
    “JJ, meet me today we got shit to go over.” He looks at me. “Watch your back Brother.” I nod. It’s the beginning of the end. “Knight give it time but drop the users from the circuit. You need to learn to be a mason and do flooring so Providence keeps running.” Knight looks surprised but nods. “Tiny you keep their backs and watch out for Geek.”
    “I will Pres.”
    JJ stands and looks at the middle of the table. “It’s been an honor Pres, Axe. Know that,” he says then walks out.
    Knight and Tiny stand. “What he said,” Knight says and Tiny throws us chin.
    Pres smiles. “Go see your boy Axe.”
    I throw him chin and walk in the common room. Brothers are split again. JJ has some good soldiers and old timers standing around him. Knight is turned scanning the room. He throws me chin as I walk by.
    I ride to my boy’s thinking I need to give Tiny the instructions for him. It’s time. When I pull in Danny’s I find him in the back working on the tree house.
    Rich comes running. “Axe!” He makes me laugh. It’s the first time he’s said my name.
    “Hiya Rich. You been good?” He nods so serious. I know he has. The boy’s never been a problem. He says something I don’t get but pulls my hand when I set him down. Danny’s smiling. Pres says he makes it to happy. Again, it throws relief to see that smile.
    “Glad you came today. You want to help get his treehouse done?”
    “Yeah Brother. He’s excited saying something about it. Let’s get it done for him.” He hands me a belt and we get to work. Rich brings nails and boards when we ask. It’s fuckin’’ cute to see him bump his dad’s hand every time. He tells me about school. He’s doing good but doesn’t say how good. This makes me think it’s real good. He doesn’t talk shit.
    Rich talks to him and he must understand because he always answers. I have no fuckin’’ clue what the kid says. When Rich climbs down I ask him. “Can’t understand half of what he says. I get a word and say something back about it.” I laugh. Fuckin’’ kid is a good dad. We finish and he gets the grill running while I get beers.
    When I come out Rich is running the rope bridge laughing and talking. Danny watches him smiling. This is the picture I’ll keep of my boys. My throat gets tight. I hand him the beer and watch Rich. “He loves everything but this is big for him.” He laughs. “The kid doesn’t talk much but when he’s excited he doesn’t stop.”
    He gets food on the grill and I help with plates telling him about Geek. He’s smiling and says it’s a good thing we’re doing. We eat in the treehouse with Rich. I’m always surprised the kid eats everything. I don’t know many kids but I didn’t think he’d eat the vegetables. When we’re done he tells Rich he has some time to play and we’ll be outside. I swear the kid tries to throw him chin and I crack up. Fuckin’’ cute.
    “You doing okay?” he asks as we sit by the pit.
    “Yeah, Club’s changing. It will take a couple of years but it will be better.”
    He nods with that intense look. “You need help?”
    “No son. You stay away until Rich is grown. Pres was pretty clear, he knows shit and when he talks it’s for a reason. The Club will find its way to good. Just needs the time.”
    He watches me for a minute. “That changes