Page 121 of Ranger's Rise

Her smile lights up her face. “Wewill dance together from now on so the ol’ lady isn’t alone up here. She’ll have us at her back.”

Cort laughs. “Badass and fair enough. I need five minutes...” a Prospect hands him his fire knee-pads. “Two minutes, Kram, then you can dance.”

They walk away and I’m laughing. Seren just changed a Club tradition and Cort is okay with this. I watch him. “You knew.”

VP laughs. “She’s been on him for months. Women aren’t willing to be claimed if they have to dance in front of everyone. The club chicks put some of them to shame and they’re embarrassed.”

I can see that. I’d hate to be an ol’ lady if I had to do a dance in front of all the Brothers. I used to hide so I wouldn’t have to sing.

The women come back and they’re in a black leotard, covered in a mostly see-through skirt thing and heels with hats on. My eyes are on Freedom. She points to the DJ and I swing my head. She can’t be serious. I am not singing with a hard-on in front of all my Brothers.

Victory runs to me and I’m fucking scared. “Edwin McCain,” she stage-whispers and Freedom smiles.

Okay. I got this. I go up and see what she picked. Fuck. She knows how to get me. When I turn around fast, she laughs. She doesn’t know it, but I dreamed of singing this song for my ol’ lady when I was younger. I watch as they get set and wonder what the fuck they’ll do to this song. Freedom is right in front of me.

The music starts and they sway. Oh fuck. I breathe deep and start singing. Freedom smiles and I watch her eyes. Every word I say is to her. She moves when I get to the chorus. Shit, this is faster, louder and with feeling. I hope to fuck I keep it together.

She sways in front of me and moves all around me but never touches me. Thank fuck. When the song slows, I slide my gloved hand around her waist then back as she moves, but don’t stop her. The chorus has her stepping back and her dance goes from the light playing with me to more intent like she feels the words. I’m watching the lines of her body, her eyes, her smile. Everything I say is true and she knows it. I think that’s what is so amazing. She knows it. As soon as the wordsI could not ask for moreare out, she stops with her eyes on mine.

“Me either.”

She jumps and I catch her. The Brothers are loud, but I don’t care. “Thank you, mylo’u alofa. You could have made that hurt.”

She smiles pulling away to see my face. “Never happen. I like you to sing, you like me to dance. Compromise is way fucking better than pain. You have a Badass voice to match the hat and glove. Love you, Ranger. Now put me down so I can put some fucking clothes on.”

I laugh and put her down. She walks away with other ol’ ladies and I’m swinging my head. I have no idea what they did, I had eyes only for mylo’u alofa. The DJ gets his mic back and I go find a beer.

“You’ve got a hell of a voice. Who knew?”

I turn fast and smile. “Ford? What the hell are you doing here?” I hug him and he laughs.

“Some friends were showing and I knew I had to be on that plane. I’m glad you’re okay, Ranger. Aiyana healed me too. I’m glad she was able to help you.”

Holy fuck. “It was crazy to be covered in goop one minute, then walking around normal the next. She is amazing, Jeremy and Dakota too.”

He nods. “They’re here. Well, Ben, Taylor, Dakota and Jessie. Rafael would have come, but we’re on high right now.”

I nod and walk to the bar where Cort is talking to the President of Territories. He turns from Cort and smiles. “Ben Knight. Everyone calls me Ben or Prez.”

Jessie laughs. “We call him POT when he’s not around.”

“It’s good to see you again. Thanks for coming, Brothers. I’m guessing it’s not for me, but I’ll keep pretending that it is in front of the Brothers and all.”

They laugh. “I like you, Ranger. We used your day as the excuse, but do have a reason to be here.”

I nod. I hope no more kids died because we’ve been looking for them.

“Not that we know of. We brought two Ls and would like to see the others.” They had three from reports. He has the barely swing of the head down too so I don’t ask.

I don’t have to talk since he’s answering. He laughs and swings his head.

Cort is watching with a smile. “When Seren and Freedom come out, we’ll go over to Web’s. Doc is with them now.”

That’s good, I hope they’re okay. “They are like the Ps. Animated is good. Web holds the key and will get them to happy.”

I smile. They’re incredible people. “Thanks, Dakota. Happy is a big word with the Alpha-Bits.”

They laugh. I look at Cort. “Alpha-Bits. It’s a new one for them.”