Page 12 of Benga's Rise
“Sonofabitch. I’ll get someone to manage it. I thought it was done. Why haven’t you said anything, Brother?”
Web shrugs. “I thought you’ve been looking and I’m busy. Banks helps in there when I get jammed up.”
“I don’t mind helping and can hire a manager, Boss,” Banks tells him.
Cort nods. “Yeah. Web, if you have any other jobs, tell me now.”
I laugh at Web’s face. “That’s the only non-IT job I have. I’ve never had to pull the As in there before. It leaves me short on my schedule for this week. They’d work for free, but I don’t do that shit. They need to be paid like everyone else.”
Cort nods. “They need to know their time and skill is worth something and appreciated. Offer them overtime if you want, or Falcon can get Security to cover what you need for hours.”
Web nods with a smile. “They’ll take the overtime. I had two at eight hours. They got all HR’s paperwork up to date yesterday.”
I nod and wonder what they spend their money on. “I’ll sign off when it hits my desk or,” I lean over so I can see Falcon, “just note it on the alert.”
He nods. “I will, VP.”
Web is happy as he walks away.
“We need to give him a bonus or something,” I say and they all agree.
Cort looks at me, then Banks. “Do that. Make sure it’s equal to a year at a second job. The fucking Brother never stops.”
Banks smiles like he was told he’s getting a new bike. “On it, Boss.”
Brothers are funny. I turn to Cort. “When are we meeting Banks?”
“Dan is here at ten. Does anyone need anything before tomorrow?”
“No, Boss.” Goes around the table.
“Security meeting is canceled. Falcon and Hade handle anything Beacon or McCabe have unless I need it. Enforcers are with Security at town C until we know it’s clear. Mounty, I don’t care if every fucking trainee is shot, teach them to listen to orders. Nova is on with Victory. Hade will send someone for Freedom, but she doesn’t need him.” He waves his hand. “It can be a trainee for all I care. Just keep Victory safe or Freedom will come after you, then me. Seren has three weeks left. She isn’t going to make it, or I’m not if Victory feels threatened again.”
We’re all laughing knowing he’s fucking serious.Mounty rogers him.
“Banks, my meeting room at ten. I’m out,” Cort says, standing.
I’m out with him. I have a ton of shit to do today if I want to make dinner. Seren has us coming in shifts. Today I’m with Hade. Yesterday was the As and Web. I was fucking jealous. I missed my nephew.
“The tablets are cool, Brother.” Cort points at my hand.
I lift it looking. “Yeah, it will be better than the laptop for meetings. I use my phone for everything the rest of the time.”
“The keypad is bigger than the phone. Anton showed me how to use it last night.”
I don’t say anything but follow him into his office and close the door. “What’s with the As lately? We never heard anything about them, then moved here and they have a building no one is allowed in and are working out in the open, even went to your house.”
He’s surprised? “Is this a jealous thing?”
I smile. “No. Web isn’t known anywhere, but Jordan says he’s the best IT he’s ever seen. Jordan went to MIT. Web never answered where he went to geek school. The albinos are names and move freely between this building and theirs. They’re talking to the Officers and in Ops. None of them have a past, Cort. I am not the only one that notices shit. If we’re a shield, we should know.”
He takes a deep breath and sits. “We’re a shield. I’ll talk to Web, but until I do, it’s between us.” His weary look has me worried.
I nod. “This started with Crow. Are we a shield for life?”
He looks at me and I see pain in his eyes. “Yeah. I’ve got Brothers to cover if something happens to Web, but lately, I think it may fall to Seren.”
I nod. “I’m here. I don’t need a why, but I can be a shield.”
