Page 51 of Ranger's Rise

I nod. “Add that. This was a spur of the moment stop. We went to the market and were just riding back.”

She nods. “Anything for them is covered by the Club. The charge is just your meal. The same for any Club businesses you take them to.”

I nod. “I didn’t know. Thanks.”

“I’ll have someone get this out to you. I’m not close yet.” She’s cute not saying enough to get any one’s attention.

I remember the mask. “Thanks, Seren.”

“I hope you liked your ride, Akai and Asa. I’ll send cookies with the platter. I just finished a batch.”

“Roger, Boss Seren!” Akai is almost yelling making me laugh.

Seren pulls the girl away with her. I’m glad because she was staring at the boys the whole time. “Let’s sit.”

They look a little lost, so I guide them to a booth. “We can eat right here. The pizzeria is a restaurant. If you order, the Prospects can deliver it. That’s called take-out meals. If you come here, you can sit and eat like the other Brothers. That’s called dine-in.”

Akai sits then Asa slides in on the side of him. “Chat, Boss?”

He’s looking at his paper menu. “Here.” I put my phone down and show him the Prospect app then the take-out list. When I scroll to the pizzeria, it shows the menu items and I click them. “Seren said for all of you is the platter. If you scroll down, they have special items or orders and you can put that here. Platter is a big tray of sandwiches.”

He nods. “Cookies, Boss?”

I laugh. “She will send anything you order, but cookies aren’t good to eat all the time.”

He’s nodding with a smile, like I’m wrong. “Cookies aren’t good to eat instead of meals. It’s a snack and one or two is okay. Too many and you’re not eating the vitamins you need. Cookies can be bad if that’s all you eat.”

He nods. “Web said two for As.”

“That sounds right. I don’t eat more than two either. It’s not good for everyone, but you are small so everything you eat matters. You need proteins and vitamins and cookies don’t have that.”

“Roger, Boss. Two for As and Ms and Js.”

I laugh as a Prospect puts a tray down. “I can’t believe you’re out, Akai. I’m glad you stopped here. I made these. Seren said the small, but I can make you more if you’re still hungry.”

Fuck. I look at the Prospect. “Them being here isn’t spread, Cage.”

He gives me a weird look, then I see him get it. “Roger, Ranger.”

Akai moves and I watch smiling, he pulls Cage’s hand and puts cookies in it. “Two for As and Boss.”

Cage looks at the cookies then me. “Good job, Akai, two cookies are enough for us. Too many can hurt us.” I try to explain without laughing.

“I’ll share them with Miter, he’s the new Prospect. I only need two.”

Akai nods seriously. Eating is quiet and I’m glad Cage made them smalls. They eat half and a few chips. “We can take the rest home.”

Akai groans. “No cookies.”

“Boss?” Asa says.

“I’ll get it wrapped and we can take the cookies home too. You can eat them later.”

When I turn, the girl at the counter calls Cage. I’m glad she did. He comes right over. “I can bag this.”

I nod. “They want the cookies too.”

“Got it, Boss. I’ll bag all of it for them.” He walks away and they follow, so I do.