Page 39 of Property of Raider
“It’s going to be okay.”I whisper against his shoulder.“We’re going to figure it out.No one and nothing will ever harm you as long as my heart beats in my chest.”
Rusher sniffs, his breathing sounding shaky and small.Then, as if something deep inside him shatters, he starts sobbing.He clings to me, holding on as if I’m the only thing keeping him from falling, and my hold on him is just as tight.I stand there just letting him break until he is able to pull himself together.
“What we have to ask next is going to be quick.”I place my hands on his shoulders, shifting him away from, “Are you up for it?”
He just nods, refusing to meet my eyes.I guide him into a chair, taking the one beside him as Terro comes to lean on the edge of my desk.
“Why don’t you just tell us about Shea and your Ma?What’s the dynamic like or why you’re with your Ma instead of your mother.”
He takes a deep breath.“All I know is what my Ma has been willing to tell me.”
“What is that?”Terro wonders quietly.
“She would tell me that my mother came to her right after she found out she was pregnant.Shea was scared and told Ma that she needed to get away because she was in danger.Ma asked her who the father of the baby was, and all Shea would say is, at this point it isn’t important because he doesn’t want me anyway,” he says sadly.
“Anastasia told you I didn’t want you?”I demand, rage building in my chest.
“Oh, no, no.She would never.Shea told me my father didn’t want me, and that I ruined her life.Ma would just say that you didn’t know about me, and if you did, you would be prouder of me than anyone.Ma always tried to make it sound like I was wanted and loved while Shea was just a bitch.Anyway, Shea and my Ma ran, and Shea was around until the day I was born.She took off shortly after that, only showing up off and on when she was checking in,” he tells us.
“Why didn’t Anastasia just come back to Auntie Lynn’s with you?”Terro asks him.
“To be honest, all she ever said was that when it was safe, she would.She doesn’t know I heard her on the phone often telling Auntie Lynn that hell would have to freeze over before she would come back because she didn’t lose anything in this hellhole.Until then, all we needed was each other,” he tells us.
“Well, as far as I know, hell hasn’t frozen over, so why did she bring you back?”I snap, the anger at her words getting the better of me.
“Auntie Lynn,” his tone implied it should be obvious.
“Thank you, Rusher.”I pat him on the back.“Can you find your way back out to the pool?”
“Yeah, I’m good.”He nods, standing.“Tomorrow is Monday, and I have practice.”
“Okay, that’s not a problem.We’ll get you there,” I tell him.
He watches me as if he needs to ask a question and is scared to ask it.
“What is it, Rusher?Don’t be afraid to ask me anything,” I tell him.
“All of my ball gear, phone, and clothes were in the house,” he finally tells me.
“Oh, shit.Okay.I’ll get one of the Ol’ Ladies to take you to get what you need.”I shrug because that is something I can do.
“It’s really expensive, and I don’t know if Ma has the money to get it all.Maybe I can just have someone take me Monday so I can work something out with the coach.”Rusher’s tone is frantic and stressed.
“Don’t worry about it.We’ll get you what you need, and then when your Ma gets back, I’ll square up with her.Now, have some fun by the pool.We’ve got another meeting to get to.”I pull Rusher into a quick hug before guiding him to the door.
I watch him until he gets to the end of the hall before closing my office door, leaning back on it.Terro stands with his arms crossed over his chest, looking at his feet deep in thought.
“Fuck me, man.What the actual fuck did Shea and Relic drag us into?”The anger I’d been fighting finally erupts.
Turning, I start laying punches into the door, hit after hit until the door is split, and my knuckles are bloody and raw.The anger is still not satiated, so I turn and grab the chair, throwing it against the wall.After that, it’s a matter of if it’s not anchored down, I attempt to destroy it.
“Feel better?”Terro chuckles, looking around at the destruction.
“No,” I grind out.“Let’s get this shit done.”
“After you, Prez.”Terro waves his hand out towards the door.
I flip him the bird, shaking my head.I reach out, attempting to pull the door open, and find it jammed due to my attack on it.The door itself is already split, so with a shrug I step back and prepare to plant my foot through it.It takes only one solid kick, and it splits open, allowing us to wedge our large bodies through the fractured door.
