Page 61 of Benga's Rise
Raid laughs. “I’ll take you for a walk after work. You can practice with a safety net.” He carries me to my chair.
This is why I love him. “I’ll take you up on that.” Holy crap that buzzed my brain, but not enough to cover theI love himthought, feeling, happiness. Should I tell him now? It wouldn’t be very professional. I’ll wait.
“What did the Doc say?” He takes the crutches from Mendoza and closes the door.
“He took some blood and gave me a new cast that I can walk on. Well, I’ll be able to walk with it in a few days when I get used to putting weight on it.”
His eyes change from smiling to serious fast. “Blood for what?”
“I may need some vitamins. He’ll check and let me know.”
I get a fast kiss on the lips and he’s walking toward the door. “I’ll come get you when it’s time to go. Don’t leave alone.” His Enforcer gear is impressive and even sexy. The black leather with angled zippers can only be described as Badass.
I laugh. “I’ll wait. I’m not breaking it again or ever doing this again.”
He smiles liking the answer.I sit and smile at the door, then remember I’m at work. Damn, the man is distracting and he didn’t even touch me. I love him. I shake my head and get to work with a smile on my face.
~*~
Lorelei
I can’t believe Juanita is here and Falcon is talking to her. I just told him her name a few hours ago. Raid isn’t the only one that works fast around here. He’s claiming me. He said it’s like being married. I told him I don’t want another wedding after I screwed the first one up so badly and he doesn’t care. He’s claiming me and it’s enough for him as long as I go to the party. When he said he wants to adopt L., I cried some more. All along he’s been telling me that the broken me is done. He doesn’t mind the cracks and dents as long as I accept his and somehow, he thinks I already proved that to him. Men are crazy so I agreed.
I’m not even at a chair yet and he tells everyone, “Brothers, ladies, I’m claiming Lorelei and adopting Leo.” Everyone is yelling and L. jumps like he was launched right at Raid. I watch my son with tears in my eyes. Every single person here hugs and congratulates me.
Seren makes me laugh. “Biker-married is awesome. Welcome to Badass. I’ll help you through anything you don’t understand. I didn’t get claiming, but I got this shit down now.”
“Okay, I obviously need a tutor.” We’re married right now?
Her face lights up making the beautiful stunning. “I can be your Badass tutor.”
Cort hugs me. “She’s good at it. Welcome to Phoenix Rising. I have something for you and Leo.” I guess I’m married. We didn’t get any time to feel if that love is enough. I thought we had time.
Raid is holding L. and a box that he moves in front of me. It’s a big box so I know it’s not a ring. When I open it, there’s a ring on a vest like his. “You’re already mine. Wear my ring so everyone knows.”
I look at him. We’re already his. He’s proven it every day right along. I guess we don’t need time. The man is too much. “Yes.” Seren takes my crutches and Raid puts L. down. He kisses my lips putting the ring on my finger. “Every day is mine.” His voice is low making me look in his eyes. I nod at the intensity I see there. He’s literal and I know he means it. Once the vest is on me, another cheer goes around and Raid is hit by all the men.L. cheers like he scored a goal. I just laugh thinking I like just laughing for every little thing that happens lately.
“Leo, I have something for you,” Cort says, handing Leo a box. Freedom has her phone out and is videoing him.
Raid kneels down and holds the box. My hand is over my mouth. He got him a vest too. L.’s hands are shaking. His slow movements have me watching closely. He’s scared it’s not real. This is so good for him. I’m finally doing it right and his reaction tells me how wrong it all was before. His little hand slides down the front of the vest like he’s just admiring it. Everyone is quietly waiting. Raid lifts his chin up so he can see him. “I hope Leo Benga works for you. Adopting you means you’re mine, with my name. That’s for always, Leo.”
I cry as he lifts the vest out of the box and shows L. the back. “Property of Benga. For the rest of your life, that’s who you are, Leo Benga. Are you okay with that?”
L. pushes his hands aside and hugs him. “You’ll be my dad? I can call you Dad? You’re really mine?”
My heart swells with his low voice thick with emotion. “I am, Leo. Always.”
“Can I have two new names, Dad?”
Raid looks stunned. Tears are dripping down my cheeks and I’m smiling like that earlier lunatic. “What are you thinking of?” He asks with a husky voice.
“Daniel Benga. Then I’m not junior, but I can grow up to be just like you. I’ll be a good man and Brother better with Daniel Benga.”
“Sonofabitch, he’s killing me.” Falcon has us laughing.
“Fucking kids,” Hade says. They both walk away.
I’m still watching Raid. “I’d be honored.” He hugs my new Daniel looking at me with glassy eyes. I nod to him with the tears, a laugh and my heart ready to explode. I didn’t pick Leo and have always called him L. I’m good with the change.
