Page 19 of Benga's Rise
The houses aren’t in bad condition. Banks found some that are a little off from town, but it’s by less than five minutes. Paul will fix them up and either flip them or get Brothers in them and we’ll hold the mortgage. I meet Banks tomorrow about the Credit Union, but he’s all set to buy out all the notes. I don’t know how he does at-cost shit and I’m not asking. Cort seems to understand and they talk while we ride to town to see the houses put aside for Brothers coming in from out of state. After talking to Jinx, I think he’s right, I don’t need all that to do my job.
The ride has my head wandering. The last few months have my mind more focused on my job and how to get shit done. Jinx has been a big help with all that. I guess he focuses me like I focus Cort. I think Crow taught us all how to do that. Whatever it is, the Brothers are calling me VP more than Raid and respect is showing to me in different ways every fucking day. I’m smiling as we turn the corner, but it doesn’t last.
Oh shit. Cort speeds down the road and is off his bike running before my leg is even over the seat. My Brother is pissed. A dickhead is screaming and whipping boxes out the front door until he sees Cort. I chase Cort, who is chasing the idiot. The house is bare except for boxes that look like they were hit by a tornado. They’re everywhere, making moving tough. Cort skips over them like he’s running tires in football practice. Looks easy enough, so I follow amazed that I’m not on the floor when I get to the kitchen.
Fuck. The fridge is laying down and food is everywhere. I do the tire thing and almost make it to the door when my foot slides. Grabbing the counter, I slide my way to the door jam and pull, then slow down before I slide into Cort one step out the door. Banks is holding the moron’s arm when Cort hits him.
I wince hearing bone break. “Damn, that’s gonna hurt.”
“Mooom!” Fuck, a kid is yelling in that mess we just went through.
Cort turns. “I got it, Brother.” I turn back to the house.Moving fast, I prepare for the obstacle course of food and boxes again. “Stay where you are, I’ll come to you.”
“Yeah. You got my mom?” He sounds young and scared, shit.
I edge along the cabinets and avoid the slimy shit on the floor. “Not yet, give me a minute.” I do the tire thing again and make it closer to the door.
“You’re the VP guy. Is my mom okay?” Shit. Leo. He looks about ten with tears in his eyes ready to fall.
I stop and make a path pushing boxes to the side so he can come in. “Leo, I’m glad to see you back in town. Come in and wait here. I’ll look for your mom.”
His tears fall. Fuck. I guide him in and flip a box that isn't broken. “Sit here and let me look. She may be hiding in another room. We ran in, then right out the back.”
He nods while looking around. I move clearing a path as I go. The stairs are a mess of broken banister, putting me on alert. Pulling my phone, I hit my mic to off and call Patcher. “Get my twenty from tracking and get here or send someone. At the least is a kid from C, the most, I need a medic.”
“On my way, VP.” He’s gone quick.
At the landing are more boxes and a small tabletop that looks like it was once a nice side table. “Ma’am?” I try not to be too loud as I walk through. I don’t want Leo up here until I know his mom is okay. The first room is empty, but I check the closet and bathroom. “Ma’am, I’m from Phoenix. Leo is waiting downstairs.”
Walking the hall to the next room, I hear a moan and step faster. It’s a kid’s room or was, it’s a disaster area right now of broken furniture, pictures and curtains are slashed, but are up and there’s only a couple of boxes. The bed is tilted and I hear the moan again coming from the other side of it.
“Ma’am, I’m from Phoenix. We got the dick that was in your house. I’ve called a medic. Leo is safe, he’s downstairs.”
She looks wrong in the small space between the bed and the wall, but she’s dressed and no blood is on her. “Leo.” The moan is soft and sounds like a plea.
“He’s safe, but nervous that we couldn’t find you.” Fuck. Her leg is bent wrong. I slide sideways, trying not to step on her and push the bed out so I can kneel down. “Where are you hurt?”She’s a thin woman with dark hair and surprisingly light brown eyes.
Pain is on her face and in those eyes. “My shoulder and leg. I feel like I just woke up in a bad, painful dream. What happened?”
“Your back and neck are okay?” I get a yes, wondering about moving her. She’s smaller than Seren, so she must be light. Cort’s always carrying her around without hurting her. Sliding my hands under her has her sucking air in between her teeth. “Sorry. I’m going to carry you downstairs. Leo is worried.”
“He’s okay?” She grunts out as I lift her.
“He is.” My answer is clipped.She weighs almost nothing and for some reason, that pisses me off.
“VP!” Banks yells.
“Coming down. Patcher is on his way. I need a place to put her, Banks. She’ll need to lay down.”
He’s at the bottom of the stairs when I take the first step, but he’s looking toward the front door. “Got it. Hey, kid, help me clear shit to lay that mattress down.”
I hear shit moving and the door opening. “Here,” Patcher says, moving fast across what should be a living room.
“Mom!” Leo runs my way.
“She’s going to be fine. Finish helping, so I can put her down and she can tell you herself.”
The kid listens, getting on the floor and pushing shit that fell out of boxes to the side. Patcher and Banks get the mattress down and I lay her on it. Leo wedges himself in the corner by her head.
