Page 10 of Benga's Rise
Chapter Two
Raid
I pull out at eight, glad to see Cort coming down the road. He slows so I’m on his side for the minute ride to work. The first view of the building as we turn always makes me smile. Cort has always been a bit mystical when he tells you his feelings or long-term plans. His voice changes and almost feels like it’s calling you to see his idea of the future. The building, for me, is one of those realized ideas he had. I remember him telling me about housing everything together and how he saw it happening. The first day we walked in, I felt it to my very bones. He’s someone that we should be listening to. He had a plan, a dream, and made it come true. Crow would be so proud of him. I know that I am. I wish his dad and Crow were here to see this. I know he thinks they’re in the building, but I think it’s Cort we all feel. He planned on expanding and did it in fucking technicolor.
Or at least in a blaze of glory. I laugh at myself for that thought. The flaming columns and portico are cool as shit. At night it looks like the portico is on fire with the LEDs switching color and shining like a fire’s glow on the edge of the lake you can see from here. It’s awe-inspiring.
A Prospect is waiting when we pull up. The sign says ‘Officer Only’ so Only Officers and VIP’s from other Clubs ride under the portico, the lot is on the side and another across on the other side of the driveway, away from the building’s front view. I like it this way too.
“Pres, VP.” The Prospect acknowledges us. I throw him chin.
“How’s your chest?” I ask reminding myself to get Hade to order him a new jacket. That’s the third time he’s been shot, the plating will need to be checked on it.
“Good, but it left a bruise. Seren saw it and was pissed. I’m glad the dicktwat is locked up. She gets mad fast now.”
I laugh. “It’s the momma bear coming out. What is she called in Swedish?”
“Mor and I’m Far. She doesn’t know a lot of Swedish so we’ll stick to mamma and papa.” He throws chin to a Brother walking out. “Thanks, Michaels,” he says to the Prospect before the doors open with a gust of air.
“Mamma with an A not O. That’s why you say it like that?”
“Yeah, similar to the o sound, but holding the first vowel longer. You’re getting good with the sounds, Brother. Did you eat?” We nod to the Prospect on the desk when he acknowledges.
“No, I’ll get a burrito sent up.”
“I’m fucking starving. Seren was tired, I kept Caelan so she could sleep later.”
She was here yesterday. “Freedom call her?”
“Victory did, Freedom wouldn’t, knowing she’d go fucking ballistic. Victory was there when I got home.” He doesn’t look happy about it.
We walk into the crowded cafeteria. “Pres, VP.” Is thrown out loud enough to get the server's attention. A Prospect moves toward us. “Pres, VP.” He waits for us then says, “I’ll get juice and coffee out. Do you want your regulars?”
“Yeah. Thanks, Prospect.” Cort keeps moving.
“I’ll have the same as him this morning, thanks, Mack.”
Once coffee and juice make it to us, he starts talking. “Victory is nervous about coming back. I promised her one of our Enforcers when she’s on the floor. Freedom doesn’t care. She took three down before Mounty made it to her, she doesn’t need anyone there, but she’ll put up with it for Victory and Seren.”
Shit. “Does Hade know?”
He shakes his head no so I text Hade a heads-up. Web is cool, it says heads-up on the drop-down so I can just hit it. “Seren is pissed. Victory knows the moves, but she isn’t out to hurt anyone.”
I nod waiting to see if he has more. “She’s teaching the positioning and moves. She shouldn’t have to hurt anyone. She’ll be okay with the Enforcers on the floor. Nova would be good, he’s protective of the women.”
He nods. “Yeah, Brinks likes him as a partner, but I think he’s needed more in training right now. Make that happen, Brother.”
“Brinks going to have a problem with Victory here?” I see Victory with him on and off, but she’s a lot to take. I send another text to Hade.
“I wondered that myself. He’s not committed, so I want to say no, but he keeps his shit close. We should ask Jinx.”
“Ask Jinx what?” Falcon asks, sitting with Jinx sitting right after him.
Cort smiles. This will save time. “About Victory. She’s got one of our Enforcers at her back. I like Nova for it.”
“She fucked him, but I don’t see it as a problem. He’d do the job.” Jinx has my mouth falling open.
“She fucked Nova too?”
