Page 96 of Benga's Rise
“That’s bad. Mom makes me eat good. You should too, so you don’t have a heart attack. We need you. I bet you still need your dad too and he’s gone now. If he was here, I’d tell him to eat good food for you.” He’s right, shit. Fucking kids.
“I’ll eat better. I like being here and your mom doesn’t have a choice but to eat good. I’m probably not helping her by eating junk food.”
“Can I try a corn dog before you give the food to the Prospects?”
I laugh. “Yeah, but just one. Love you, Daniel Benga.”
He giggles. It’s cute. “Love you, Dad.”
When I get up Lorelei is at the door watching with a sad smile. Jesus. I’m glad she’s not crying, but I hope the sad is for Daniel. My life was good. I had my dad, Crow and Reed. The twins’ mom and dad always fed or watched out for me. I liked having them as little brothers. Hade came after, but his mom looked out for me too.
I go to the sitting room and wait thinking about my family. It’s huge now. I can’t say I ever expected all this. I laugh. Cort is nuts. Choppers and training.
“What’s so funny?”
“Cort is buying choppers and wants to open Training for it.”
She rolls her eyes making me laugh. I’ve never seen her do that before. “Who is on managing that one? I wish he’d give me some time to learn the others before adding more businesses. Can you throw that in somewhere? Two weeks to learn and breathe would be enough.” She sits on my lap probably knowing I’d drag her over anyway.
I laugh. “I told you he was crazy. No one can control him. Seren thinks she does, but he decided he wanted a fleet of choppers today and told Banks to buy them. I’m managing it right now so you have your two weeks. It will take that long to get them, or I’ll make sure of it.”
She smiles. “Thanks, it feels good knowing you love me.”
I kiss her head. “I do. Two days is the party. Are you up for it?”
“Yeah, I’m ready. Patcher and Chase have Daniel and five other boys camping at the Training Center. Chase was excited he gets two Prospects.”
I laugh. “He’s due to be patched in. He’s a good Brother already. He’s been helping Jinx with the twins and he watches out for Daniel.”
She smiles. “They all watch out for him. Akai asked Daniel if he wanted to go swimming today. They have a pool at the office? I’ve never seen it.”
“Fuck. I’ll talk to Cort and Web. Tomorrow some Ms will be coming. I’m not sure what to tell you, but it can’t be repeated. To anyone.”
She looks up at me and I see nervous. Jesus. How the fuck do I explain without explaining? “The As are kids that Web took in. It’s surprising because he’s from an orphanage, but he took them in and Crow took Web and the kids in. They’ve been in the Club for a while. We’re what’s called a shield for them. That just means we keep them safe.”
“Like witness protection?” That will help.
“Yeah, just like that. The why isn’t important. Their safety is. There are more like the As and Web will be getting four more. They’re younger, ten and twelve. They need the same shield. We don’t talk about them to anyone so they’re safe. They stay in the office, well, Cort’s building them a house so they’ll stay on the office grounds. They have an Activity Center that has a pool, game room and kitchen. It’s their place and only Seren, Rex and Ant Irma are allowed in. If Daniel goes swimming it’s without adults or cameras.”
I feel her body tense. “I don’t let him swim without an adult. He’s only ten.”
“They’re all adults now. Anton is the youngest and he’s twenty.”
She gives me a look. “You’re kidding.”
“No. They were given shit to change them. They’d never hurt him or anyone. They’ll also never have kids or any kind of sex drive or sexual need. Whatever was given to them stopped that. If Daniel has had any shots recently, he shouldn’t be around them. Caelan can’t for another few months. His next shots are okay, but what he just had could hurt them.” I wipe tears from her face and kiss her head.
“That’s so sad. Daniel is finished with shots for now. Do they know how to swim and keep him safe? He’s still only ten.” The point is valid and it was my thought too.
“That’s why I have to talk to Web and Cort. I haven’t been in their building and don’t know.”
“They could swim here and I’ll be able to tell then. I won’t be comfortable unless I know someone will watch out for him. I thought they were all kids.”
“I’ll ask Web tomorrow. Maybe we can have a pool party for the new Ms.”
Her smile lights up. “Daniel would love it. He’s never had friends over.”
I kiss that smile. She’s not worried about their age hanging out here with our ten-year-old. They’re friends. To me they’re Brothers. I guess it’s the same thing.
