Page 25 of Benga's Rise
She looks at her wrist and shows Leo the snap button. “It’s on the snap.”
“Cool.”
I laugh. “I can get you one before we go, Leo. You have to be careful with it and only call for help when you need it. It’s not a toy. When you hit the button, Brothers with guns show up.”Oh fuck, he looks like he’s going to cry.I scared him.
“I don’t need it. I’m with you and I can call my mom.” He says it with his lip trembling and he’s asking.
I nod hoping I don’t get yelled at by Lorelei. “You don’t, I’m glad you understand what it means.” She looks at me like she’s ready to laugh. Maybe the drugs do work. “I think the phone will be enough.”
I got that. “Okay.”
Thank God the Prospects are here. They have a tray thing like the hospital for Lorelei and our table and chairs. “I have the phones too, VP. Amal set them up and said they’re ready.” Cage hands me the two boxes.
“Thanks, Cage.” While the other two set our dinner out, I open the phones and call one from the other, puttingMomon one andLeoon the second. Leo smiles for his picture making me laugh, he’s cute.I give Lorelei hers and Leo his, then watch them both play with them.
When my phone rings, I step out. Banks says there’s nothing open, but he’ll keep looking. I don’t believe him because I can hear his smile. He’ll see me tomorrow. I’m shaking my head when I walk back in. My life is fucked. If he talked to Cort, he isn’t looking for anything.
“Do you need anything else, VP?”
A house for them would be good. “I’ll call when we’re done. Thanks, Moe.”
He turns to Lorelei. “Ma’am, I’m on for you until eleven. I’ll be in the Prospect office if you need anything. That’s just around the corner from here. Patcher put me on because I’m an EMT. He’ll be down at eight to give you something for pain, but if you need him before that, call me. Cage said he put the front desk on your phone. Call that number and ask for Moe.”
Lorelei looks surprised, but nods. “Thank you, Moe.”
When they leave, she asks, “Do you get a lot of patients here?”
“I think you’re our first. We own a lot of businesses, but Security is the biggest. They all learn to take care of the package so they have a steady job. Today you’re the package. They’ll do whatever it takes to keep you happy.”
She nods like she doesn’t quite believe that. I check that she has everything on her tray thing and sit with Leo. We’re almost against the bed with him sitting facing his mom. “No phones at the table, little guy. You can play later,” I tell him.
The phone is dropped and he smiles at his mom. “I ordered your food from Raid’s phone.”
She looks happy. “You did a good job, it’s all my favorites. How was school?”
I eat listening to them and remember I need bedtime and school time before I go. I’ll wait. She’s a good mom always saying nice shit when he does right. I like that. Leo is happy to be back at his old school with his friends.
“You know how my day went. How was your day, Raid?”
I’m surprised and swallow my mouthful before I talk. “It was good. Jinx offered help just when I needed it and I met this cool kid. I’ve got no complaints.”
“What does a VP do besides hire staff?”
I explain my job overseeing the businesses then the Enforcer job and the on-call shit. No woman has ever asked before. I don’t know what’s just boring, but I tell her what I do.
“That’s a lot of jobs for one guy. Watching L. must seem like a vacation.” Everything she says has a compliment attached, not said, but I hear it in her soothing voice.
I laugh. “I work about ten hours a day, five days a week so it isn’t all work. If something is happening, I deal, but it’s a job I love, so I’ve got no complaints.”
Her smile has me smiling. She looks genuinely interested in my job. “You’re my new boss.”
“Technically Cort is. He’s President of the Club, if he says something, it’s law. My job is to make sure it’s followed and oversee businesses. Amos deals with Club money so you would see him before me and Jinx is watching over HR for me until you get there, so you’ll see him when you start.”
She laughs, I like the sound. “It’s aFifty Shadesmoment. You’re my boss’ boss’ boss.”
I shrug, knowing of the book, but not the moment thing. “Okay. Yeah, I guess so.”
I’m not sure if she’s just amused or trying to keep from laughing at me. “What is bedtime and school time?” I go for the distraction so she doesn’t laugh. She held her shoulder when she did, telling me she’s feeling pain.
