Page 23 of Benga's Rise
Cort’s whole body tenses up. I shake my head no. “I got it, but I’ll call you if I need help. With Jinx giving me more hours, I have less that I’m directly involved in.”
Cort watches me and I know he’s seeing that it won’t happen. He relaxes back with Caelan on his shoulder.
Leo hands me back my phone. “I ordered for both of us. You can just put yours in, VP.”
I smile down at the little guy, he’s cute. “Raid. VP is what the Brothers and Prospects call me, like Cort is Pres with the Brothers, but at home he’s Cort and I’m Raid.” I put my order in and get the Prospects to deliver it to Patcher’s medic room for six.
“Like the bug spray?”
Cort laughs. “His name is Tanielu Malosi Benga, Raid is easier.”
I nod at Leo. “Tanielu is Daniel in English. Malosi means strong and Benga is my last name. My family is from the Samoan Islands. Like Hawaii, but Samoa. Raid is my road name. Like a nickname.”
He smiles. “And VP is your title. I get it. We learned about the islands last year. We have Samoan kids that were new and our teacher showed us. You’re big people like amazons she said.”
We’re all laughing. Seren tells him about being Swedish and Cort is Norwegian and Samoan. He’s cute asking her questions and looking for the countries on the map on my phone.
I talk to Cort about Reynolds. Banks has the notes ready to be bought through the Credit Union. He explains and I understand about half of it. As soon as he stops, I stand up before he starts telling me how the world spins.
“I’ll see you in the morning. I need to get Leo to his mom.” Lorelei. I like that name.
“You need a Prospect to take him to school?”
I shake my head no. “She wasn’t okay with him being watched by Prospects. I’ll bring him to work until it’s time, then drop him off. Maybe Patcher will be in early.”
Cort laughs. “He’s a PA, not a Prospect.”
I shrug. “He works with the kids andhesays EMT.”
“That’s because he likes the EMT job, but he’s a physician’s assistant.” He shakes his head. “You know the schooling he went through, regardless, he isn’t a Prospect meant to taxi the kids. He helps Amos run Little Brothers and Sisters. I’ll ride with you to the school.”
Seren and Leo are watching. “I can take him and get his bus switched to Raid’s.”
Cort nods. “We’ll do that. Bring him over in the morning. Ant Irma is coming early, she can watch Caelan.”
Seren rolls her eyes, but nods to me.Shit, now his bus will pick him up at my house. Fucking Brothers.
This woman is going to flip the fuck out. I hope Banks finds something fast.
~*~
Lorelei looks tired, but happy to see her boy. “You made it before dinner. Good job, L..”
He kisses her cheek and puts his arm across her loosely. I like that he’s being careful of the sling but wonder if this is a learned thing.
When she looks at me, I see pain on her face. She’s tired and the smile isn’t real. “I don’t know your name. VP is all anyone has said.”
Leo stands up smiling. “His name isTanielu Malosi Benga, but Raid is easier. Tanielu is Daniel in English and Malosi is strong. He’s Samoan, like Rakam in my class. Raid is his road name. Like L. for Leo.”
I smile. “You’ve got a good memory, Leo. He’s right. I’m Raid, it’s nice to meet you, Lorelei. You were interviewed and hired by my Brother Jinx this morning because I was swamped, or I would have met you earlier.”
She nods. “He did better than I do interviewing. He’s very thorough. It’s nice to have a name. I’ve been told by everyone that has talked to me that you’re trustworthy and would take good care of L..”
She looks nervous with her eyes showing some fear now. Fuck. “I will. I have a big house about a minute away. Do you have a phone?”
“I did, but the ex-deputy said he didn’t find it.”
I pull mine. “Get me two phones delivered to Patcher’s medic room. Make sure they’re charged and ready to use. I’ll be here for at least an hour.” I get a ‘roger, Boss’ and thank him.
