Ford's Rise - L. Ann Marie Page 0,101

Kill because I can...” He’s struggling so I hold him tighter. “... not Badass, not Brotherhood lesson I learn.”

Cort shakes his head. “I am so fucking honored you’re mine. I want them dead, every fucking one of them. The 16.21% Alpha-Bit survival rate has them dead in my head, Brother. Because it does, I’ll be in Ops watching your back and let the EROP unit make the call.”

Alder nods once. It’s done.

“If I heard that number sooner I would have used it. I’ll get what I can out of what I’ve already written, Alder. Let your Brothers know I’m not going anywhere and I’ll help when you need me. You have my email.” Perez is pissed.

Saber smiles. “It’s a guarantee, Alder. He won’t let the government fuck with you anymore. We need to plan and get the Alpha-Bits back.”

Alder nods and wiggles. I set him down. “My Brothers honored you help to us when we need, Commander Perez, Saber. FBI Brotherhood feel good.”

We all laugh. “We’ve got Ops to plan. Let’s take the seats and get this done. Twenty-two Little Brothers are waiting for a chance to meet us.” Ben James has everyone sitting. He doesn’t say much but watches and listens to everything. Now I get why BSC West are all here. I’m not sure about the Director. He gave information that helped. That’s something. I wouldn’t mind seeing what that information is. It could explain a lot.

~*~*~

Alexia

Akai runs in just as I’m getting my backpack on. “BSC here. We stay.”

“Oh. They’re planning for the Gs here?” I slide the straps down and set my backpack on my desk.

He shakes his head looking like he’s going to bust. He’s been smiling a lot lately. “FBI here with BSC. Twenty-two Alpha-Bit location. Four Team collect two day. Alder, Justice get gear, leave tonight. Alpha-Bit all get passport. You, Michael, Web.”

He cries and I bend. Twenty-two. I found a possible nine. How do they get passports? How do I get one? “Are these happy tears?”

He nods still crying. I’ve never seen him cry like this. “Web lose everything. Today he real. Today he real. He, he lose...”

Oh no, I hug him. “No he didn’t. He said he had never been a part of a real family. That’s what the As did for him. You gave him a reason and purpose. He never felt like he lost anything. He got a whole family, Akai.”

“I did.”

I look up fast. Web, the Director and Cort are right in the doorway. Alder pushes through legs and stands by me while Web lifts Akai up. “It’s like with Lexi, Akai. I didn’t start really living until I met you. I needed the As as much as you needed me.”

Alder smiles up at them. I’m smiling as I look at the door. “You lifted them up too.”

Cort laughs. “It was Crow that brought them to us. He patched them into the Club. I followed his lessons and patched them into the BSC. The Brother was so fucking smart. We’ve learned more about Brotherhood because we have them to show us the why.”

That’s such a nice thing to say. “I’m glad I’m here, Cort. It’s a good place to learn.”

“It is that. We’re honored you’re ours.” He turns to my father. “The Director asked for a minute.”

I nod. “You did this? You helped find the Alpha-Bits and got them passports?”

He shakes his head no. “I had some documents that helped find the Alpha-Bits. Senator Baxter and the FBI got the land grant and passports. I supplied information for yours.”

I have a million questions racing through my brain. Land grant? “The minute you asked for is more than a minute and you’ll explain about land grant and passports?”

He smiles looking younger than on the computer. “It’s more than a minute and I can explain it all.”

I nod and turn back to Web. He’s talking softly to Akai. I love how sweet and gentle he is when they need him to be. Alder watches with a sweet smile. I bend. “I’m going to the cafeteria. I’m so glad they found more, Alder. Wait until the Alpha-Bits find out. They’re going to be so excited. Email me with anything I can help with.”

He hugs me. “Thank you, Boss Alexia. You reason Alpha-Bits found, exist.” Me? He steps back and wipes his face. “I honor you mine, Boss Alexia Ford.”

Cort comes in and I stand looking at the Director. “Will you explain that too?”

They all laugh but he nods smiling. “I’ll be