Page 48 of Benga's Rise

Cort stands. “I will too. I need to get a watch with tracking on him. I’ll get for the twins too.”

“Smart move. He’s pissed at Lorelei right now. He was walking out with a bag to find Raid. He said he’d go to your house or the office if he didn’t find him. I drove him to school.”

“Jesus. I’ll go have lunch with him.”

Cort nods. “I’ll go too and get the watch on him. Lorelei won’t be pissed if it’s coming from me.”

Cort walks out putting his phone to his ear. “I’m glad you said all you did. You’re a good VP and I think the Brothers are getting to where you are right now and they’re seeing it.”

“Be very careful here, or I’ll start thinking you’re turning into a Care Bear too.”

“Fuck off. I did have another reason to talk to you, but it’s personal.”

I nod. Lunch isn’t for a while and I can’t think about work right now. She closes the door and sits. “This is weird because it’s about Hade. I have no idea how to get back to where we were. He’s being weird where we were always comfortable.”

“Where were you comfortable?”

“Talking about work, me opening a shop in the village. I was so close to just doing it, thinking the hours would be good, now I have no fucking idea what to do.”

Hade is being a dick. “Open it. Do what you were going to and live your life, Freedom. He may come around, but if he doesn’t, you’ve lost no time and can be happy with what you have to keep you busy and happy. You love the classes. Don’t let him take that from you.”

She smiles. “I do. Until you said it, I didn’t think of it like that. Thanks, Raid. Call if you need me with Leo. The kid has dealt with enough shit and I’m glad to help.”

“Thanks. I will.”

She leaves and I’m smiling until I’m not. He was going to walk out on Lorelei. This is not good.

I pull my phone and look for her feed. She’s in her office with Cort and Banks. Cort is talking to Banks, who looks shocked. I watch for a couple of minutes andIam shocked when Banks gets up and hugs Cort then walks out. Cort sits and talks to Lorelei then leaves. She cries at her desk. I shut it down wondering what the fuck he’s doing.

I’m called to Ops and run through the building getting there. Hade is holding a headset out and points to our town screen. He’s on with Jordan.

“Enforcer Team One, VP on. Status?”

Pablo tells me what they’re dealing with and I’m pissed. I text Falcon. Three older from the gang have two kids held in a store and are threatening to kill them. Looking for McCabe, I see he’s here. Fuck. Falcon calls in.

“I’m at the Sheriff’s.”

“Town C. Hostage, three older have kids in a store and are threatening to kill them. Tell me you’re dressed. I don’t have your cams.”

“On my way.” He hung up. Fucking Brothers.

“VP!” Anton hits my leg.

Falcon’s feed shows. “Falcon on the side.”

“Thanks,Brother.”

“Pablo, Falcon is four out.”

“Roger, VP. I’d go in, but they’re fucking kids.”

Falcon jumps in. “Keep them talking, send them food, whatever you need to do. I’m two out.”

I look at his tracking. Fuck, he’s flying. I call Jerry while Falcon talks to Team One. He’s good with us handling it, but is sending deputies just in case.

I agree as long as it isn’t with sirens. He laughs hanging up. Fuck. I hope Falcon beats them there.

“Anton, pull the feeds from around the building to one board for me.”