Page 44 of Benga's Rise
Lorelei
Holy crap he’s built.His size and dark coloring should be intimidating, but he always looks calm and open. I like his dark brown eyes and hair. At first, I was nervous because of his coloring but he’s so gentle with me and L.. The door was open a little when I rolled by. Holy crap!
His office is nice, but once I saw him in his boxers, I didn’t see much of the office after that. It’s been years since I’ve been with a man and I think every second of that hit me all at once.He’s built like a wrestler or football player, huge and solid muscle.
I get back to the elevator and ride up fanning my flaming face. Seren said I should tell him I’m interested, but it’s not something you just blurt out. I like talking to him and he hasn’t shown me anything different than kindness. Maybe he’s just a nice guy. L. thinks the world revolves around Raid. They’ve been fishing and playing ball. Raid even got him a pole so he can fish from the lake. The man is more than kind to L.. He made a room I could only dream of for him and spends time talking and showing him how and why he does things.How can I not be interested?
Freedom says he’s good and honest, but she didn’t look happy with my interest in him. I asked, but Victory hasn’t slept with him so I don’t understand that one, but I don’t understand much about Freedom anymore. She’s mad at Hade because he sent a man to keep her safe after men tried to get Victory in a closet. I’d be happy with the help, but Freedom says the guard is to guard them from her. Since she’s scary with the martial arts and can hurt people, I don’t think that’s bad either. I just don’t understand her.
In my office, I put it all away and get back to reading about the liquor stores. They’re buying a few stores at a time, but it looks like they’re shooting for the whole damn chain. I check payroll for the last month in the city stores getting lost in the numbers.
My alarm has me jumping, then smiling. It’s time to go home. I just realize L. hasn’t been up. He called when the bus dropped him off, but I haven’t seen him. Packing up, I go to find my son so I can kiss his face. What a good day it’s been.
Rolling by the Prospect, I wave. “Bye, Chase.”
“Ma’am,” he says and I want to correct him, but he’s doing his job how he was told.
The door opens with a blast of air and I see Raid in the grass on the other side of the portico with Cort. It’s odd, but everything here is odd. I push to get to their side of the driveway and hear bikes, but they sound different. Shielding my eyes, I look where they are looking and my heart sinks to somewhere in my stomach.
Kids on little bikes ride closer and I look at Raid. He didn’t. The smile on his face says he did. “You got him a bike?”
They notice me and Cort’s smile gets bigger. “Yeah. He’s in Little Brothers so he needs one. Because it’s new to him, I went for the smaller motor. When he learns and practices more, I’ll get a new motor put on it. He’s got riding down, but he needs to learn how to be safe. Amos said he can start the Saturday practice. He can only ride on Club grounds and that’s in the grass until he passes the course. Then he can ride home if you think he’s got it.”
“How do you do that? You got him a bike and didn’t ask. You taught him to ride and didn’t ask. You enrolled him in class and didn’t ask! Why the hell do I want to thank you for thinking of his safety?”
Cort shrugs with a non-apologetic grin. “You’re welcome.”
Raid laughs and I hear more behind me. Turning, I look at Jinx and Hade. “Is this normal?”
Hade points to the field. The kids ride right up to us and stop. “He’s kind of old for first lessons, but he’s been doing good. I’ll get him on the track and we can work on rider safety. He’s like Seren. He’ll keep at it until he’s better than good.”
“Seren rides?”
Jinx nods. “Better than most. Falcon and Hade did her training.”
“Mom! I didn’t know you’d be here. Look at my bike. Cort put me in training Saturday because I can ride it good on the grass. I’m safe and showed him.”
Cort laughs and Raid messes up his hair. “You did good and earned the spot. Read the book Amos gave you and be ready to learn on Saturday. If you get thrown out for playing around, you have to wait for an open spot and earn it all over again. Do the work, Little Brother.” That’s a good policy to have and he’ll be safe.
I shake my head and look at the other kids nodding so seriously. They’re younger than L.. “How old are they?”
Jinx bends by one of the boys. “Seven, they’re twins. They can ride, but I’m helping them with the book so they’re ready for Saturday. Are we done, Little Brothers?”
“We have to bring the bikes and gear back and wipe them down. We don’t have a watch so we’re late.”
The twin adds. “Sorry, Jinx.” They are adorable.
“You handle the bikes and gear. Tomorrow I’ll send a Prospect so you know it’s almost time and you won’t be late. Go on now. I’ll be in my office. Let the Prospect know and he’ll send someone up with you.” He’s like Raid for them. That’s so nice to see.
The twin closest to him hugs him. “Thanks, Jinx.”
L. whispers to Raid getting a smile. “You won’t know unless you ask.”
L. looks nervous so I smile for encouragement. “Jinx, I’m good at reading and understanding. I can help with the books.”
My son is too cute. I thought he was going to ask me if he can clean his bike too. I look at a smiling Raid who is watching Jinx. “If your mom says it’s okay, I’ll drop you off when we’re done.”
I’d look like a bitch if I said no, but I’d like to hear about riding, the book for safety and how his day went. I need to share him crosses my mind. “Go ahead. That was nice to offer, L..”
