Page 76 of Benga's Rise
“You too.” I should probably ask her name.
On the walk back, I can’t get the chick’s words out of my head. “You know when I met you, I thought there was something hidden inside. I wanted to see what that was. Every fucking day was like peeling an onion. The sweet was so deeply ingrained, but there were cracks and dents. We’d talk and I didn’t see the cracks and dents. I saw the sweet in everything. You took me around the town with your words telling me about everything you remembered that was good in your life. You had me seeing it when I’d ride by those places. Such sweet moments hitting me would make my days happier. I told Cort I didn’t know how I felt about you. You were like a ruby or something, but I couldn’t figure it out. Today, I think you’re definitely my ruby. You’re shining bright and making those little moments you told me about mine. I’ll remember them. Like today, I’ll remember the song that had you starting the game for the first time. I hope you have more. I like those moments.”
Fuck, she has tears in her eyes.“I’m glad you saw what I couldn’t. I feel it now, but I think it’s you. I love you, Raid, and hope all our moments are ones to remember.”The tears don’t fall. I’ll take it.
“I’ll try to make sure we have plenty of those, but I don’t have that sweet ingrained, baby.”
“I think you do.” She pulls and I bend for a kiss. I like the moments.
“A song,” I say like a question.
She laughs at me. I was looking for that smile.
~*~
“I need an assistant.”
I nod at him. An assistant? “What do you want the assistant to do?”
“Email and phone calls. Fucking Badass is calling in and emailing. I can’t get shit done. I have twenty-two liquor stores still needing to be managed. The fucking print shops and Roger wanting more space for him and two dealerships. I’m one fucking guy!” he yells like I’m seeing six of him.
I smile. The Officers are looking everywhere else. “I can get someone on the chains.”
“I’ll take them, Boss. My second is fucking awesome with the businesses. I’ll get him help and take them.” Jinx has his smile on.
Cort’s not done. “They’re yours. I still need someone on the phone. My mobile number better not get out to Badass! They’re fucking killing me.”
I keep the laugh in. “I’ll get a Prospect going into admin to take your calls.”
“Don’t get me a dickass. If it’s a thanks, I want real appreciation. If it’s for a stupid fucking complaint, he needs to have the balls to say it. And never give my number out. All calls are to the office!”
The whole table laughs trying to quiet it. I’ve never seen him throw what can only be considered a hissy fit.
“On it, Pres.”
He finally sits like the weight of email and calls are weighing him down. “Thanks, Brother.”
I hand him a water. “Everything okay?”
“No, it’s not fucking okay! I get in and have a million fucking calls from Badass and it’s not even all Presidents or for training. Fucking training is in there. I had eight calls for training before I walked out of my office and I haven’t opened the first of forty-one fucking Badass emails. Now Seren wants different music. I like the music. This is your fault.”
He points at me with those razor-sharp eyes and Hade laughs. “What the fuck did I do?”
He rolls his eyes and Jinx, Brinks and Falcon laugh. “Lorelei can’t dance at the Club party.”
“The dick in the dish did it. I didn’t break her fucking leg.”
The table is laughing out loud, but he’s glaring at me. “You found Leo/Daniel!”
What the fuck? “You wanted them back! He was in a gang that you wanted to get rid of!”
“You didn’t have to fall for her, now Seren is pissed!”
The fucking Brothers are still laughing. “Jesus. Different music won’t kill you. She’s Seren, she isn’t going to get rid of your favorites. Stop adding shit to us and your job over fucking music. Give her her songs and go fuck the shit out of her so we can get to work. I’ve got shit to do today.”
He nods. “Yeah, she won’t make us listen to elevator music.”
I give a look to the Brothers to stop their fucking laughing. “No, she won’t. She’ll want you happy so you’ll get to hear your music.”
