Page 28 of Benga's Rise
Chapter Four
Raid
I text Cort to see if he’s up and get acoffees ontext back. We walk over with Leo talking about all the clothes the Prospect brought. You’d think it was Christmas. They’re just clothes. He does look better in the cargos and leather jacket. He’s going to bust a gut when he sees what young Cowboy does to his room.
Seeing Patcher’s bike in the driveway, I knock once and walk in. “Raid and Leo,” I say, but not so loud it carries in case Seren is still sleeping.
“Kitchen,” Cort answers.
Patcher is holding Caelan at the table. Cort is cooking. Leo said he eats at school. I’m not sure if it’s because his dick of a father left them no money or he likes to, but I didn’t ask and he needs to eat. I don’t have anything for him at my house so we’re here.
“Cort,” I say automatically.
He smiles our way. “Prospects went for clothes, but no food. You’re slacking, Brother.” He called the Prospects?
“I called young Cowboy for shit in his room. I didn’t think about food. I’m slacking.”
He looks at Leo. “Did you pick cool shit?”
Leo spins. “Yeah, and I got clothes. Enough for ten days and everything fits me.”
“That’s good. Patcher will talk to your mom about getting you in Little Brothers. You need to fit in so you’re comfortable. Raid will keep you straight. Eggs scrambled or over easy?” He points to a stool.
Leo takes his jacket off and hangs it from the stool then sits. “Over easy is good.”
Cort gives him a nod of respect then turns to make him breakfast. “I like you, Leo. You’ll do good in Little Brothers. If you stick with it and keep showing those Badass traits, I’ll have a job for you when you’re older.”
I sit watching. “What’s Badass traits? I don’t have to carry drugs and shoot people, right?” Jesus, he’s fucking ten.
“Never on the drugs and shooting people depends on your job. Enforcers shoot people that need to be shot. Security always uses laser when they can. We have other businesses that don’t require you to even carry a gun, but most Brothers do. Our biggest job right now is training. That’s where we teach Badass traits. Brotherhood, loyalty, honor and respect are what we teach and you’ve shown a few of those already.”
Patcher comes over to the counter and I steal Caelan. I get a look from him, but he turns to Leo. “Keep your nose clean, learn everything you can from everyone willing to teach you. No drugs, no putting your hands on girls. And you always remember to watch out for your Brothers. You showed Pres you got a backbone, if you join Little Brothers, that’s what we expect to see.”
Leo nods wide-eyed. “Do I have to have a dad to join? My mom is girly.”
I smile looking at Cort. Patcher answers. “You got Brothers at your back. That and some Badass will get you in. To stay in is work. You willing to put that work in?”
“No drugs and I can go to school. Yeah. If my mom says it’s okay. I got to learn how to be a good man. She can only teach me some stuff. She’s a girl and doesn’t know everything like a man. I already take care of stuff, but I don’t know how to fix things and help with money and the house stuff.”
Cort slides a plate in front of him. “Your mom works for us, she won’t be worried about money now. Money isn’t somethingyoushould worry about. You do what Patcher said and you’ll learn how to be a good man. That’s what Little Brothers is all about. You stick with your Brothers and you’ll get it. Your mom did good teaching you already. We have women trainers that teach the Brothers too. Girls are just like boys, if they know a job, they can do it. Your mom manages, she’ll teach that to you and all the people that work for her now. Your job is learning. Learn from everyone, then teach your Brothers.”
Leo has been watching Cort the whole time. I’m smiling, he’s already listening to every word. “I will. I’ll ask my mom about Little Brothers.” He looks at Patcher. “Will she come home today?”
Patcher looks at his watch. “Doc should be in soon. She has a concussion so it’s not written in stone, but she had a good night. If he says she’s okay to leave, I’ll bring her to Raid’s today.”
“Aren’t you a doctor?” Leo’s face is scrunched at the nose and mouth, he’s funny.
Cort laughs sliding me a plate. I love my Brother. “I’m a doctor’s assistant. I could release her, but he has more school than I do. She’s got a head injury and should get seen by the best. We’ve got the time and she’s comfortable, so we can give her that.”
Leo smiles with food in his teeth. “Thanks for taking good care of her, Patcher.”
“We’ve got her back too, Little Brother. Hurry up. I’ll get you to school.” Patcher is a good Brother. I wonder why he was here. Cort wouldn’t call him after warning me not to.
When Leo’s done, he washes his face in the sink and drops his plate in the dishwasher. I know something’s wrong before he looks up at me. “I can do extra chores and yard work or help you after school.”
I nod. “I bet you can. Why do you need to?”
“I can’t get free lunch. My mom makes too much. They gave me lunch yesterday, but we can’t charge and...”
