Read Online Rising by Kassanna - Free Book Online

matter the situation.
    Riley wiped a palm down his face. He would collect Pops and wait a few minutes to see if she left. Her distinctive lime-green convertible stood out in the sea of beige and silver cars.
    “What’d you do with the pretty colored girl?” Pops lifted up his soft cooler and stuffed the plastic bag in it.
    “Left her with the gimp.” Hopefully, she left him lying there.
    “She could call the police.” The old man hefted up the bag over his shoulder. “Let’s get out of here. I’ll be your alibi.”
    “I won’t need one. He didn’t see me and I don’t think she’ll tell.” They walked out the building. “What about the night man?
    “He came in early, while you were—busy. I sent him to patrol the floors, told him I’d lock up behind me. Good white kid, but dumber than a doorknob when it comes to common sense.” Pops snorted. “As for the black girl, if she don’t tell on you, that will be a first. Them kind protect their own.”
    They walked to the curb. A little green convertible came shooting past the stop sign. Riley wiped a hand down his mouth to hide his smile. Sweetness found her way to her car.
    “That’s another thing; damn animals can’t drive worth a damn.” Pops grumbled.
    “You’re on a roll, you old goat.” He stared down the lane and watched her fading taillights. Mobile wasn’t a major city like the ones up north, but it was large enough that he shouldn’t keep running into the same woman at every turn. He crossed the street. He was probably reading something into nothing.
    “To hell with you.” Pops hobbled to keep up with Riley. “I hear Isaac is calling for a meeting with you. When you plan on going?”
    “Not yet.” He would make the old bastard come begging for a meeting. “I’m higher in my position with the Aryans. He is only the equivalent of a Kleagle in the Den. There is no need to lower myself.”
    “Isaac is a Grand Monk now, voted in by the ghouls. Or he would be, if we still used titles.”
    He disengaged the locks as he moved to the driver’s side. Riley opened the door and climbed into his truck, then waited for Pops to do the same. “When did that happen? I didn’t know the Klan held their elections.”
    “He’s in line to become the Grand Cylops. How will you deny him a meeting then?” Pops cocked a busy brow. “It doesn’t matter. Only we old-timers prefer to use titles. These new members like to keep it simple to encourage young people to join. Times, they are changing. Some of the recruiting bullshit they come up with. The Grand Imperial Wizard is surely turning over in his graves. Everyone is either a Page, a Squire, or a Knight depending on their membership. Where the hell is the originality?”
    “I’m not old.” Riley started the heavy-duty truck. “I also have my own way of doing things.”
    “True, but your Aunt Lizzie asked me to take you under my wing. As your mentor, I taught you the proper way to conduct yourself as a White Knight of the Invisible Empire. When you took off on your own, that knowledge paid off, am I right?”
    Pops wrapped crooked arthritic fingers around Riley’s wrist. “Listen well to a man that has not only seen, but damn near done it all. I ain’t never seen Isaac’s brand of crazy and that’s saying something. He don’t think like you and me, so be careful when you tangle with him. He’s like a snake. You never know which way he’ll strike. Now take me over to the chicken place. I’m hungry and when you convene a meeting, you get longwinded.”

Chapter Five
    “I think we covered everything.” Brad clutched the motions for an emergency hearing. “I’ll let Bobby Jack know the time and date of the hearing.” He rose. “I can wait for you, and we can lock up and leave together.” He moved toward the hallway.
    “No, I have some documents to go over. You go ahead.” Savannah waved her hands in his direction.
    “You’re sure?” He hesitated at the threshold of her