From Bullets To Billions novel Chapter 105

Chapter 105: Bloodline Power

The order had gone out to every member of the Billion Bloodline, a requirement if they wanted to stay part of the delinquent group and continue receiving their payments.

Every member had to sign up at one of the six Bloodline Gyms located around the city and pay the joining fee out of their own pocket.

The first requirement didn’t bother them much. In fact, most of the delinquents enjoyed the training. Working out gave them something to focus on, a place to bond, to push each other, to feel like they belonged to something real.

The second requirement? Every member had to buy at least one piece of gym merch, a T-shirt, a gym bag, whatever they wanted, and wear it both in the gym and outside of school.

Again, there was almost no pushback.

For once, they weren’t being forced into something meaningless. The merch wasn’t just clothing, it was a symbol. It made them feel like they were part of the same crew. A family.

In the school cafeteria, Max sat at one of the corner tables with Joe sitting across from him. Beside them, leaning in with a calm confidence, was Jay, there to give an update.

"Sixty-three," Jay said. "That’s the total number of people now in the Billion Bloodline." _{freewebnoveℓ.com}

Joe’s eyes widened.

"Wait, what? It went up since we met at the cage? How?"

There was a hint of worry in his voice.

Joe knew Max was paying everyone out of his own pocket. And with more people joining, he feared it might affect his own cut.

"It’s because of the rules you set up," Jay explained. "There were a lot of students who weren’t sure at first... but when they saw others rocking the merch, showing up at the gym together..."

Jay smirked.

"I think they felt like they were missing out. Like they weren’t part of something big. So they accepted the terms and joined up."

"Crazy," Joe said, shaking his head. "Who would’ve thought gyms using the same group name would just pop up everywhere? Total stroke of luck. And making everyone wear the same stuff? That was actually pretty genius."

Max didn’t say anything, but he could feel Jay glancing at him. They both knew better, it wasn’t luck. None of it was. Every gym, every branded T-shirt, every little rule that made the group feel tighter, it was all part of Max’s design.

Jay didn’t press it. He knew the money wasn’t coming from nowhere, but if Max wanted to keep the details close to his chest, then that was his choice. Jay had already decided to follow his lead.

Across the table, Max caught his eye and gave a subtle shake of the head. Just enough for Jay to understand: Let it go.

"Our numbers are up, and people are feeling stronger about the group, but... there’s something you should know," he said. His voice was lower now, quieter. "It’s Clapton High. They’ve been sniffing around."

Joe frowned. "Clapton? The school closest to us?"

"Yeah," Jay said. "Some of their guys have been scouting our areas."

Max raised an eyebrow. "Our areas?"

Jay nodded. "Territory."

Max had heard that word before, back in the White Tiger days, when territory meant something serious. But this was school. Teenagers. Delinquents with egos. Still, the way Jay said it didn’t sound exaggerated.

"Remember what I told you," Jay continued. "Dipter kept the other schools in check. Since he’s gone, Clapton sees an opening. They think we’re weak now. They’ve been showing up where our guys hang out. Watching. Waiting. They haven’t started anything, but it’s obvious they’re planning to."

He paused, letting the weight of that settle.

"If they make a move and beat us, it’ll send a message to everyone else, that Clapton’s the strongest school around here."

Max let the information sink in. Just when things were starting to settle, more pressure was creeping in from the outside. It was almost enough to make his head ache.

I really didn’t want to deal with another mess, he thought.

If the Billion Bloodline has a weakness... maybe it’s talent. We’re growing in numbers, yeah, but real strength? That’s something else entirely.

Out of everyone in this school, Max thought, Jay’s probably the only one who could hold his own against an actual gang.

A chance to find other strong students. A way to expand. If I take down their leader and offer them the same deal I gave everyone else...

The Billion Bloodline could grow even more. A giant gang made up of high school delinquents, unified under one name... It’s insane. But it’s also the kind of thing no one would ever see coming.

"That won’t work," he said. "If the Pit handles it, Clapton will fear them, not us. We need to start handling our own problems now. And besides... who’s going to pay them?"

"I could always take it out of your wages. But that might leave you broke for a while."