Page 60 of Benga's Rise
Chapter Eight
One week
Lorelei
Today is all kinds of busy. Juanita just left and the Prospect called to say Doc is on his way in. I had X-rays done yesterday so today, hopefully, I get crutches. I have been careful not to put pressure on my leg or foot so I never have to do this shit again. It’s killing me, but it will be worth it.
Raid doesn’t seem to care. I slept in his bed last night and his touch is like magic, but I wasn’t allowed to move, which was a turn on and slow torture all at the same time.
Peter was my first and last. Raid questioned me about my partners and was surprised, but he seemed happy. I thought that was weird because I obviously had a baby. I’m not a virgin here. I didn’t tell him, but I feel like it with him. He tells me everything he’s doing and does it really, really good. I hope the elevator doesn’t have feeds. I look around not seeing anything, but this whole building has feeds and I’m smiling like a lunatic while I’m alone in here. When the door opens, I laugh. Really, really good.
“Ma’am?” Moe is watching me roll out. My face must be red because he gives me a weird look.
I shrug. “I may be up and mobile the next time you see me, Moe.” It doesn’t explain anything, but it’s true.
He smiles. “I hope so. It looks like that makes you happy.”
I nod rolling by. “It does.”
~*~
Moe gives me a double take making me laugh. “Ma’am, you’re taller than I thought you were. It’s good to see you standing.”
“Thanks, Moe. It feels so good to stand.”
He nods. “I bet. You were longer than I thought, so I expected you’d still be in the chair.”
“I needed a new cast. This one has a thingamabob on the bottom so I can walk on it.”
He laughs. “I see that. I’m happy for you. VP is on an Enforcer shift today.”
I nod. “I’m glad you knew my next question and saved me a trip.”
He does the weird thing with his chin and answers his phone. I make it to the elevator and swipe my card almost dropping a crutch, then take too long trying to get the card back in my pocket and the doors close on me. With a growl, I move to do it again.
“This may be easier. I’ll swipe and you get in. I’ll send someone up with a lanyard for you.”
“Thanks, Falcon.” He holds the door until I’m turned. “The woman that asked for you this morning, is she a friend?”
I smile. “She would make a great friend. She’s my therapist, but she’s funny and real. I mean she’s realistic and has no problem telling you like it is. She reminds me of you guys. I think it’s because her father and brothers are Masons. Her mom died years ago. She was a firefighter.”
He looks interested. “What’s her name?
Hmmm. Spreading the joy I’m feeling, I help him out. “Juanita Holstrum. She’ll be back next week same time. Or you can catch her at our house tonight before seven or just after eight.”
He smiles. “I’ll let Raid know I’m coming over. Thanks, Lorelei.”
I go up smiling like a lunatic again. I really hope they don’t have cameras in the elevators. I never had to look for a man. I met Peter at college and he followed me back here not wanting to say goodbye. I was captivated by him and the attention for an entire year, then I was pregnant. I smile. I can’t complain. L. is a great kid. Raid I met because of work, or my stupidity, however you want to say it. He’s all man and the differences are astounding. I’m thirty-one and finally in a relationship with a man that I love.
Holy crap, I love him. My body swings to the side and the cast hits the desk. “Lorelei!” Mendoza is up and catching me just before I fall flat on my face. For some reason, I’m still holding the crutch grips. The pain that ran through me from hitting the desk has my brain frozen.
“Jesus. Are you okay?” Of course, the man that was in my head is here, lifting me up. “Thanks, Mendoza.”
When I’m in his arms and he has pried a crutch from my hand, I nod. “Yes, thanks, Mendoza. I swung a little off and the cast hit the desk. It jarred more than my leg, I swear it went right to my brain, freezing it for a second.”
Mendoza nods. “Got shot a few years ago and had the same reaction every time it moved wrong. It takes some time getting used to the crutches. You’ll get it.” He always has an upbeat attitude.
“Thanks. I think I need practice.”
