Page 89 of Benga's Rise
“You’re my next stop.” He smiles.
“That’s good because I need help. I had no idea there were so many businesses and Raid said you’re the guy that’s in the know and can point me to managers.”
“I can do that.” He’s so easy going.
I nod and turn to Seren who is eating. Holy crap. “The music. Cort’s mom used to dance for his dad. It was a big deal, according to Raid.”
Brinks jumps in and I’m ready to laugh. “It was, she could dance too. She taught us all kinds of dances, but when she danced for Reed, it was beautiful. She went to school for it in Sweden and could do everything from ballet to swing.”
I nod smiling and waiting for whoever will jump in next. When no one does, I look at Seren. “So, it was a big deal. The music has been the same since she died. Crow added newer music and those became favorites also. Then Crow died, a few years later, his dad died. Raid says he connects to people in different ways and music is what he uses to keep the connection with his mom, Crow and Reed.”
She looks up and tears are on her face. “The music is for his mom, Crow and his dad. Why didn’t I see that?”
I give her my napkin and Ranger brings me more. “I’m not sure he knows himself, but it was important enough that Raid asked me to explain it.”
“It’s his constant. He connects to loss with something in the now. For his mom and Reed, it’s music. For Crow, he still has his bike and we ride every year to show respect at a cross he put up on the highway. He doesn’t collect anything, but he connects his memories to something he can see, feel or hear daily. He gets unsettled when his constants change.” Brinks said it better than I did.
“Really unsettled,” Amos says.
Mounty, Falcon and Banks agree all looking sad. “What happened?” Seren asks. Everyone looks at Falcon.
I keep the smile off my face as he glares at them and I mean he goes from one to the other around the table. “He went off, but Raid pointed out that you’d make sure he still got his music. He’s been fine so I’m guessing it worked out.”
She nods and wipes her eyes. “It did.” The woman would make me sick if she weren’t so damn good at everything. She even cries pretty.
She laughs when I tell her. I was hoping to change her sad to happy. The Officers laugh too. “Raid didn’t tell me all of that, but he did want me to get the explanation to you. I’m eating while I can so I can hold Caelan before I meet with Banks.”
She hugs me. “Thanks. I’ll make sure he hears his music and I was going to ask if you’d watch Caelan tonight. My first ride in forever is the plan for tonight. Feeding you was the plan for today. I was supposed to send you lunch.”
I shake my head with the smile that never seems to die lately. “I’m definitely up for watching Caelan and I’m eating now. Thanks for making sure that happened.” I stick a forkful of mashed potatoes in my mouth.
~*~
Raid
Lorelei is gone before I’m finished. It took forever to get my email clear. We got some good pictures from Badass everywhere. Apparently, they all feel we’re good for Badass’ image.
Pulling my phone, I look for Daniel on tracking. Just thinking his name has me smiling. He wanted mine, in English, but the thought was behind it.
“VP?”
I stop and turn, thinking I was so fucking close. “Yeah, Beacon.”
“Can we talk in your office?”
“Yeah, Brother, always.”
He follows me the three steps back. Inside he closes the door. “I have a Brother we’ve been watching. He’s made some pretty raunchy comments about Seren, Victory and now Lorelei. While the comments were just that, he’s gaining a following at the Club. The bigger concern is kids, he switched places with another on Security at the last minute. He’s been with us for a while and uses seniority to get the new Brothers to agree. Strickland has been with the kids and they like him. The boy asked him not to send the creepy guy back. He stands in the bathroom when he showers and his room when the boy dresses for bed. Strickland put a camera in and I watched him. The boy tried to get him to leave, but he wouldn’t. He never said a word, just stood there watching. It was fucking weird.”
Billy comes to mind. He’d switch shifts or jobs and was always talking shit about the women. I’m not doing this again. “Take him off the schedule, get me the video and I want him in my office at nine tomorrow. He’s done.”
He looks surprised. “Kids and women are who we protect, if we’re not, then who is?” I remind him.
He nods and hands me a flash drive. “The video. I didn’t expect you to decide so fast. You haven’t seen the video.”
“Did you watch it?”
Again, surprise is on his face. “Yeah, VP.”
