From Bullets To Billions novel Chapter 201

Chapter 201: Ground Rules

There was a reason why every empire, no matter how strong, eventually crumbled.

It wasn’t always because of enemies or lack of power. Most of the time, it was because they spread themselves too thin. Grew too fast. Reached too far. And when they did, they lost control of the outer edges, the cracks formed, and betrayal seeped through.

Max knew this. And that was exactly what weighed on his mind now.

Sure, the sight of all those students kneeling before him, asking to join the Billion Bloodline, was satisfying. It validated the strength he’d shown. The name he had built.

But that didn’t mean saying yes was simple.

Just accepting anyone into the group was dangerous. Where would their loyalty truly lie when push came to shove?

Would they really be a part of the group in the way Max needed them to be?

If he gave them a direct order, something specific and demanding, would they obey? Would they follow without hesitation? Or would they turn their backs when things got tough?

Maybe he could pay them, offer cash incentives. That would buy short-term loyalty. But that wasn’t sustainable, not for the kind of empire he was trying to build.

He didn’t want mercenaries. He wanted soldiers. Devoted members. People who believed in the group, not just in the perks.

That was the whole point behind the Rangers, the inner circle of the Billion Bloodline. The ones close to him. The ones on the payroll. The ones who had proven themselves.

Still, he couldn’t help but reflect.

He had done something similar before, back when he was with the White Tiger Gang. Back then, he’d created the Cubs, young, upcoming fighters hand-picked to grow under him.

And that hadn’t exactly ended well.

Was he making the same mistake again?

But maybe... just maybe... he didn’t need everyone in the group to be blindly loyal. Maybe just being part of something big was enough for most of them. Maybe the fear of what would happen if they left, if they betrayed the group, would be enough to keep them in line.

"All of you..." Max finally said, stepping forward. "I guess I have a few ground rules."

There was a hush among the delinquents, both the leaders and their followers. Max’s voice wasn’t loud, but it didn’t need to be. Every single person was locked onto him.

"First," Max continued, "I want to make something clear. Those in the Billion Bloodline don’t do alliances."

Murmurs broke out immediately, but Max raised his hand to silence them.

"I’m not saying don’t help each other out. I’m not saying you shouldn’t work together. But from this point forward, there are no more borders between schools. There are no separate factions. No more alliances or rivalries between groups."

He paused, letting it sink in.

"Instead, everyone here is part of the same group, The Billion Bloodline. And you all follow the same hierarchy. Not the one that’s been set by your schools. Not the one your previous leaders enforced. The Bloodline’s hierarchy."

The leaders, Print, Erik, Rick, all stood with token members of their groups, each watching Max closely.

But the moment he said that, several of their members turned to them. Concerned expressions on their faces. The implication was obvious. Accepting Max’s rule would mean giving up power. For the leaders, that wasn’t just pride, that was control.

Delinquents aren’t always known for loyalty, but they do follow strength. Right now, they were checking to see if their leaders truly meant to hand the reins over.

Print broke the silence first.

"That’s not an issue," he said. "Some people are born to lead. Others are born to follow. And I think everyone who was there that day saw which one you are."

Max gave a small nod of approval. But then he raised his voice again.

"Hold on. We’re not done yet."

He stared at them, eyes sharp.

"We need to talk about the rest of the requirements if I’m going to allow you in. There are a few more conditions. And if any of them are dealbreakers for you, then you won’t be part of the Billion Bloodline. Simple as that."

To them, this was a good thing.

It explained why the group was so strong, why its members dominated every fight they were in. It had to be the gyms. The training. The discipline. And if joining meant access to that, then it was something they were more than willing to pay for.

Most delinquents already trained somewhere. Going to the gym was part of their routine, a way to vent, a place to bond with others. Switching gyms wasn’t a big deal. If anything, joining the Bloodline gyms felt like an upgrade.

He looked over at Jay and Joe as he said it, this was something new, even for them.

"Everyone who wears the uniform, whether they’re officially part of the group or not, must be protected. As long as it doesn’t put you in direct danger, you protect them."

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