by L. Ann Marie
I close out my station. “Jason, you’re on lead until they’re in.”
He throws me chin talking to Jessie about clear roads. I smile when his eyes scan the boards from left to right around the whole room.
Billy follows me out. His thumb doesn’t open the door and he looks at me. “Usually inner circle or HS Security meets here.” I thumb us in and watch Prez pace. “Get the hologram board up with the new connections I added,” I tell him.
Prez looks at me and shakes his head. “I shouldn’t be surprised.”
I don’t know what to say to that and I wonder if I was slow or fucked shit up before. “Billy needs to be added to the room.” He nods. Him and Darren are the only admins with clearance here. Well, besides me, but I don’t add to this room.
He nods. “I didn’t think. Sorry Brother.” He throws chin to Billy. “When you have a spare minute add him in.” I’m shocked, but nod.
He smiles. “They were expecting or planning. Why did you say that?” He gives me a weird look that makes me nervous.
“Too many from California. We checked the feeds two days ago and had locations for everyone. We didn’t see new faces or we would have put them up. The only added threats I put in were the women.” We should have run them last night.
He relaxes and nods. I don’t understand what the nod is, but I relax. “I’m just wondering if I missed that you’re a fuckin’ seer.”
I laugh and Billy covers his mouth. “No Prez. We should have checked last night, but it’s just a guess.”
He nods looking at the board. “Seeing it here, I get to the same place. I’ll get Dakota to pull what he can from the pussies in holding.”
My head snaps to Billy. I’m not sure he gets all that Dakota is. Prez moves and I look back at him. “He’ll find out today. Go get lunch and meet back here in an hour. Everyone should be here. Make sure I’m on an updated board.”
“Roger Prez.” I look at Billy “Leave it up. We’ll get lunch and update it before we come back.”
He looks at Prez and gets a smile. “This room isn’t open to everyone, you need HS clearance and a nod from me or VP to get in and that’s not even everyone. I’m glad you’re cautious. This is the only room that leaving a board up is allowed.”
Billy stands up. “Roger Prez.”
In the break room I grab a takeout tray and sit. ”Aren’t you going to see what there is?” He’s standing at the counter looking at me.
I laugh. “This tray is deli. I like all their food.”
He nods and takes a tray without looking at it. “I like their food too. Why was Prez pissed he thought you were a seer?”
“He wasn’t pissed, more like anxious. If he missed something like that he’d miss little shit.”
He opens his tray smiling. “He doesn’t miss a fuckin’ thing. I’m glad VP sees it. I used to get pissed when they acted like they needed to cover him. They never did it when he was there.”
He doesn’t miss much either. “It’s a dad thing. VP jumping in today will calm them all.”
He nods. “Uncle Danny never did the dad thing. He let us all run without the safety net. I shouldn’t say that, they’re always there, but you know what I mean.”
I nod leaving that alone and eat. Uncle Danny lives steps ahead of us and always has. I figure Billy already knows it.
When I’m done, I call Holly but get Ally. Amanda is covering her and I tell Ally to send me pictures then thank her for watching Mucimi. She’s so fuckin’ cute telling me she wants to take him home with her. I get a shit load of pictures, but none that are focused and laugh. I text Holly telling her I can’t wait to see it in person.
Billy’s smiling when I sit back down. “Whipped.”
I smile. “Yep.”
“What’s going to happen with Dakota?”
I look at him. “In my office after I check on Ops.” He nods and follows me out.
In Ops, I see the teams rolling in and four pussies being moved into the holding cells here. I’m surprised they’re here and not at Central Holding, then realize I don’t have much time.
“Jason get lunch and set the schedule for the rest of the day. Run three hour blocks alternating leads and Ops until Jacob gets in. VP will call for added Security, make sure the alerts are current and checked hourly.”
“As a concern or just in case?”
I look at him. I’m not saying anything here with it quiet and so many Security IT in. “It’s always a concern.”
He nods turning back to his boards. I check with the techs to make sure they’re still running leads. Jason has them following the California pussies here. Billy grabs his bag and follows me to my office. I close the door and sit wondering what I should say and what I should keep.
When he sits I decide on vague. “Dakota has abilities. We don’t talk about those to anyone.” He rolls his eyes. “He can do things that you’ve never seen from anyone before.” His body freezes. “What you see isn’t talked about. He doesn’t have to move to get what we need and he uses everything in him to clear our path. Just do your job and don’t think about it as it’s happening. Push everything away Billy. You’re going to want to understand right at the moment, but push it away and do your job. If you have questions later you come to me. I had a fuck ton of them so I get it.”
He nods looking apprehensive but alert. “You aren’t telling me?”
“I have no idea what he’s showing today. I can’t talk about abilities unless you have a specific question and even then, you’ll get as little as possible unless it’s necessary.”
He nods. “Understood. I need to get the boards updated before Dakota scares the shit out of me.”
I stand laughing. He’s right. Jason will have them almost done, but we get to Prez’s meeting room and I thumb us in. I sit at the console and Billy waits watching Prez and Darren reading the board while they eat. When I stand he moves right to the computer. He’s nervous. “I added you into the room.”
“Thanks Brother.” He starts typing.
Dakota comes in with Jessie and Taylor. I look at Prez. “Do we need the tablets?”
“No, we’re good with the board.”
I pull my laptop and make sure everything new from the files is on the spreadsheets. Prez pushes his tray away and starts while everyone is still eating. “We have connections of the added people up.”
“Fuckin’ planning something,” Jessie says making Dakota laugh. I watch.
Taylor waves his hand. “Why else would they be here?”
Prez looks at Billy. “Are we current?”
“I’m putting the last detail in now.”
“Update so we have them all.”
I look at him. “They’re all in there including the arrival time here. We were following the movement from California until they landed.”
Darren laughs and Prez gives him a look. “The surprise we show at him doing what he’s always done has got to be wearing thin. It hit me today. He’s always done his job, but we saw Badass shine through and now pay attention to every detail. That same thing happened to Uncle Danny when we were younger. Seeing it from inner circle here concerns me. I was one who missed it too, but collectively one of us should see it and point it out.”
Taylor smiles. “About fuckin’ time. Prez, Brantley is Badass and overlooked.” Everyone laughs and I throw him chin.
“Got it Brother.” He looks at me. “Our Security meetings are with you in place at the table. Jason or Billy are running IT unless it’s Ops planning with the MC.”
I nod not knowing what to say.
“He should be at the patio too. So should Jax. I know Bull and Driscoll don’t show, but they were invited,” Jessie says.
“Chris and Lee too,” Darren says.
Prez nods. “Consider that your invite. You can show or not, talk or not, but the door is open to you. There are nights I ask for a meet there, it’s informal and I try to keep it quick.”
“Thanks Prez.” I push everything out of my head
, but I’m honored to be included.
“Darren make sure Jax, Chris and Lee get that invite.” He looks around. “Are there any other Club issues I’m not seeing?” We all look at each other. “See me in the morning Jessie we’ll get it straight. Brantley we’ll need you there.” He looks at Jessie. “Eight?” He nods at me. Jessie hasn’t said a word out loud and I check on Billy. He knows Prez is a reader, but I don’t know if he’s ever seen how far that goes. He’s watchful, but not reacting.
Prez looks at me. “He’s pushing it away just like you told him to.” Dakota laughs. Billy’s face shows shock and he turns to the monitor. I guess he knows now.
“Now that everyone is done eating, let’s get the pussies’ plan. Who wants to go down?” Taylor and Jessie stand up. “You’re just asking, give Dakota time to get what we need and I’ll tell you when we have it.”
Dakota stands. “You will only need to ask the questions.” Taylor nods.
I look at Billy. “Put the holding cells on the big board. Be ready to switch between cells. Put Ops on the third board so I don’t have to keep switching to the laptop.”
“Roger.” He gets everything up and I scan Ops. Their hologram board shows on the right side. Jason’s got it handled so I look at the holding cells. The pussies are talking until the door opens.
“Run the conversation to text from when they got in until now and print it. Don’t run anything else—just up to now.”
“Roger Coder.”
I roll my eyes. Prez smiles then looks at the boards. Dakota is standing against the back wall. Jessie’s in the first cell and Taylor is standing in the open gate of the second. “The assassin. You ain’t gonna get shit,” the higher soldier says. He knows Jessie’s face. Shit.
“Why were California second and third level soldiers here?” Jessie ignores the pussy and asks. I’m surprised he saw that on the board, but he’s Jessie.
Prez sits hard. “Fuck.” He looks at me. “List.”
I open a clean doc and wait. He always talks slow like this so I’m not worried. “Bomb daycare. Compound. Support techs taken. Hacker taken.” He looks at Dakota. “Move into towns. PD taken by foot soldiers. Ship transporting kids.” He stops and we watch the board. The pussy screams in agony and falls forward then to the floor.
Taylor moves into the cell. “My turn.” He smiles at a pussy that’s shaking. “What were your plans?” The pussy screams, then settles. He clamps his jaw tight and gives Taylor a murderous look.
“Hit tomorrow. The daycare first. Support at home. Two HS. Jeremy and Justice.” He looks at Dakota. “No!” The pussy slams back into the wall and I see the blood splatter. Jesus. “Control your fuckin’ temper! We need everything.” Prez stands up pacing.
Dakota shakes his head and looks at Prez. “You are right my all seeing leader of Princes. I will keep better control. A seer is next. He was going to the MC tomorrow. It will be better to take him last.”
“Who?” Prez looks at the boards.
“Striped shirt.”
“Stand him up then we’ll leave him for last. Jessie the pussy standing is last.”
Oh shit. I look at Billy, he’s holding it together so I turn back seeing the pussy standing spread eagle against the wall.
Taylor looks at the crying pussy. “You bring your shit to us and cry now? What did you think would happen?” The pussy shakes his head no. “What was your plan?”
“MC. List. Jeremy, Aubrey, Tess, Mace, Elizabeth.” He growls. “Bomb compound. Ship transport. Pres. VP. Choppers over water. Cloud, Bumps.”
My jaw clamps shut. I want him dead. I keep typing until Prez stops then watch the pussy fall to the floor.
“Jessie give me a minute,” Prez says and starts pacing. He bends at the waist and breathes. His hair is covering his face giving him a minute.
I scan the boards in Ops and see Jason’s note at the top of the console. “Billy update the hologram board.”
He’s pale, but nods and moves. Prez stands and looks at Dakota. “I’m ready Brother. Jessie go ahead.”
“You’re a seer. I bet being pinned against the wall isn’t comforting.” The pussy looks shocked.
“Shield Prez,” Dakota says so calm. The pussy spins and his arms go up as he’s looking at the wall. “Don’t let anything out. He’s trying to reach a reader.”
I move fast to the console and OC Chevy. “I need you to shield in the holding cells.” I watch him give his headset to Jason and run.
When Chevy gets to the cell Prez looks relieved. He nods to Dakota. “Ready Brother.”
I sit with my hands at the keys and wait. Jessie moves right up to the pussy’s ear. “Your plan?” The pussy doesn’t say a word.
“Woman at the Diner watching. Bakery. PD here. Cleaner. Ramsey talking. Strapper? Pres and VP on Main road. Three choppers. A plane. Ship transporting. IT tech taking money. Ortiz here. Boats to shuttle coming up the coast. Carrier with mercs.” He stops and looks at Dakota.
“End him. With nothing else we can’t afford the readers to shield holding him.”
“It is right my great warrior Prince.” He looks at the pussy on the board and I see him fold screaming.
He rolls in a ball and Jessie walks away. “You think you could keep the fuckin’ burning held until we’re out?” Jessie says moving fast.
I look at the list and print it for all of us.
“I am sorry Jessie, I did not think about the smell,” Dakota says sitting down.
I hear a noise and look at Billy. His eyes are huge. I sign, ‘Just do your job.’ He looks at his computer.
I get the lists and have them ready when Taylor and Jessie come in with bottles of water. “That was fuckin’ gross Brother. Tell me it was worth smelling that shit.” Taylor sits down disgusted and I point to the list.
Prez is bent in half again; this time when he stands his eyes are hard making his face look fierce. It reminds me of my dad when he’s pissed.
“Let’s get through the list so we have it for the MC. My dad didn’t get all this.” I look at him then push it away.
It takes an hour, but I get an outline and have Billy shred the lists.
“Get this up to VP,” Prez says when we’re finally done.
“Geek too?” I ask.
He shakes his head no. “VP only. He’ll bring it to Pres. There are too many kids on it to throw at Geek. Pres will give it to him in the meet.” I nod. Geek has a soft spot for the kids and is protective of Pres. He may try to soften it, but he’d tell Uncle Danny and Tiny. I OC Uncle Steve with the list. He sends a ‘thanks’ back.
“We have forty minutes. Go do whatever you do. Don’t be late getting back.”
Billy looks at me he’s still pale, ‘drop the board?’ he signs.
‘No. Go to my office. I’ll meet you.’ He walks out and I stand up closing my laptop.
“I don’t read you well Brantley, do you shield?”
I look at him. Taylor and Jessie stop and the door closes again. “I’m not a reader Prez.”
He looks like he’s concentrating on something and Dakota stands. “He pushes away thoughts to be looked at later; he always has. I expect it is because of Jeremy that he does. Jessie and Taylor do the same, but Brantley is better at it.”
Jessie plops down in a chair. “What-the-fuck-ever.”
Taylor smiles as if pushing thoughts away is a competition. When I look at Prez, I see this bothers him. “My dad taught us when we trained. It was a way to keep thoughts away from Jeremy and Christian. We started working then and couldn’t bring it home to them.”
He’s surprised. “You did it with me from the start?”
Shit. “We didn’t tell Dad, we just pushed shit away. We don’t talk abilities with anyone Prez; our brothers are Christian and Jeremy.”
He nods. “How is that different than shielding?” He looks at Dakota.
“Not unlike me Prez, they have thoughts that are not read by you. I cannot allow some shields to move, but you can always see my int
ent and heart. They are no different. You read Brantley fine –just not all his reactions. Since Mucimi, he is getting better at pushing what would cause him to be anxious away. Fatherhood does that to men.”
He is younger than me, making me smile. I throw him chin. Prez looks at me. “Don’t give Billy too much.”
I laugh. “You read me fine Prez. I got vague down.” He smiles and I jog to my office.
I forgot all about Billy. “Brother. Sorry I took so long.”
He’s on the couch. “He killed them from the meeting room.” He’s got a glass of Jack in his hand. It was longer than I thought.
I sit looking at him. “That’s not a question.”
He slams the drink back. “I saw, I know, I’m just having trouble believing that’s in Dakota. The guy does everything to make this good.” I nod because he does. He watches me. “Fuck. Prez too? Jeremy? Aubrey? Holy fuck!”
“Stop!” He jumps. “I was fuckin’ freaked when I first saw too. Prez explained it to me. What happens is for the good of the Brotherhood, community and country. Dakota will use everything in him to defend against someone that will hurt what he values. That’s Brotherhood, what he considers to be his tribe, and the mission of good that was handed down to him. I saw him almost lose it over a threat to Aubrey. Ten minutes later the threat was gone. He used what was in him to clear that threat.”
“Everyone else can do this too?”
“Not everyone and I can’t talk abilities. It’s a Security issue for both you and those that have them.”
He nods. “Prez reads more than I ever knew. He’s like Dakota, Christian and Jeremy.”
“Yes.” I need to be done here. “Are you okay to finish your shift? I need to pull Jason into the meeting with the MC. He’s done it before for me.”
He nods. “Yeah. What do you call what he did?”
I laugh. “Taylor calls it a mind fuck.”
He laughs. “Good name.” He’ll be fine.