Ford's Rise - L. Ann Marie Page 0,38
have readers that will help. The reader here says Zale’s still shocked they can go everywhere. He’s afraid he’ll get locked up again and wants to live as much as he can before that.”
“I’m glad they are willing to help. I thought the bonding was just about belonging. I never thought it could be a freedom issue.”
A freedom issue? I think about that. They didn’t talk to each other in the lab. They had no ties other than seeing familiar faces. Being here with so many that look like them should have settled them. I can understand the ones that lost Brothers in the rescue or injections. The others might be freedom issues. They want to see everything they can before they get put back in the lab. I bet this is unreal to them. They’ve never seen real life. “We’ve gotten Alpha-Bits back from the other Clubs faster than I expected. Do you think they were freedom issues? They saw the Alpha-Bits there working and interacting so they believed?”
Cort nods. “I do now. I wouldn’t have if I hadn’t talked to Zale. Alder understood, he just didn’t have the words, he’s been in the Club forever. I asked Doc and Patcher to keep an eye out.”
“Thanks. I don’t really understand either. I left the orphanage and went crazy eating when and what I wanted, but I was in school so it only went on for a short time. I had to make enough to live outside of school. I learned to be free in moderation.” I smile when they laugh.
We set down at Bravo and go right to Jack’s. Alder, Gloria, Tyson and Solei are in the kitchen. “Jack is changing him. AJ is sleeping,” Tyson says.
“AJ is doing good?” Cort asks Alder.
“Perfect, Pres Cort. Tired normal.”
Cort nod. “The midwife?”
“Left. VP Jack have OBGYN come check. She come two day. Baby good. Bones, me will monitor.” Alder rolled his eyes in there. He thinks its all over the top. That is a lot of doctors showing for a mom and baby when she’s at home.
Cort nods to him. “Thanks, Brother. I know she didn’t want to go to the hospital. I’m glad everyone is good. Where’s Seren?”
Solei laughs. “With Carmen. They went for coffee. Mucimi has been here the whole time. He held the baby then tried to pull Carmen away, she wants to see AJ.”
Cort’s eyes go sharp. “What did Mucimi say?”
“The baby is good and healthy. Aiyana confirmed so he was done hanging with the women. He won’t leave Carmen and she dug her heels in so he went for coffee with them.” Solei thinks it’s as crazy as it sounds. Cort nods.
Jack comes out smiling with his boy in his arms. “Brothers, I didn’t expect you so soon. Thanks for coming.”
I get to hold Chenzo for three minutes. Carmen and Seren come in and Carmen puts her hands out to steal him from me. “I’ve been waiting forever. You can have him when I get my fill.”
I stand handing him over. “Yes, ma’am.”
Seren laughs. “You learned that quick.”
Our phones go off while Cort tells Jack about Chenzo being the name he’s using.
I shake my head relieved to see Jack’s smile. “I’m using it. AJ already said it.”
I read my phone and start walking. “Ops alert, Boss. Congrats, Jack. Tell AJ to relax and take what she needs, she’s covered.”
“I’ll cover you, Brother. Stay with AJ and Chenzo.” Cort and Raid follow me out.
We get to the Bravo office quick. Falcon looks relieved when we walk in. “Thanks, I didn’t want to call Jack in. Ranger is getting to Ops now. Same set up, we’ll be hit from everywhere. BSC South called it in.”
My phone rings. I’m not sure the last time I heard it ring. “Hello?”
“They shot Brad.” I hear shooting in the background.
“Alexia, where are you?” I move the Brother at the console and sit. Hitting the speaker, I put the phone down and pull up tracking. She’s in this yard at a store.
“Cort, Security taking fire at the strip mall.” Everything gets loud. “Alexia, you’re in the SUV. It’s bulletproof. Where are Garren and Michael?” I’m pulling feed from everywhere around them and throw it on boards that don’t have the threat to the yards.
Shit, shes crying. “A car. Brad got them in a car. The Security man took me back from the perp and more men showed up. He put me in the SUV. The perp shot the driver and Brad shot the