Page 55 of Ranger's Rise

“Got it. I hope I get that same look.” He really is pouting now.

“Yours comes with fantasies.”

The smile has me bending again. “Web, Rs are on their way. Patcher, call Doc. I need him ready and at the chopper. They’ll be here in less than an hour. Akai, Allen, we’ll need help, they’re sick. Ranger, can you get them out and back home? No, fuck. We need the chopper and crew.” He’s holding a tablet and I’m wondering how he got it. I shake my head. Ranger is dangerous and distracting.

Web takes Jacques from Ranger. “Cort, I’ll get them home with Patcher. Take Ranger, Raid and Doc.”

“Raid, get dressed and take Akai and Allen back to change.”

He’s throwing out orders and Web asks me to help him with Jacques. I hold Jacques while Web runs in for a bag of clothes. Everyone is moving everywhere and I notice Daniel looking a little pale. “Daniel, can you help me out over here?”

He comes running. “What do I do?”

I smile at my little buddy. “Web is getting clothes for Jacques. I’ll need to put him down and he probably would like to be covered while being changed.”

He nods and pulls a lounge chair closer then runs in the house. Web comes back with a bag and towel. I put Jacques on the chair and Daniel is back with a blanket. He turns and holds it out like a curtain. “Good job, Daniel. Thanks.”

“He’s older than me. I wouldn’t want to change in front of girls.”

Web laughs and makes quick work of getting a diaper and pants on Jacques. The poor thing is skin and bones. I hope the Rs aren’t.

Ranger comes out dressed and gives me a quick kiss. “Sorry, Freedom. I’ll make it up to you.”

“Go, I’ll be at Web’s. Be safe, Ranger.”

I get another kiss and he’s gone. I help Web get Jacques in the chair and Jacques moves the control making me laugh. “You’re good at this already, Jacques.”

He makes gurgling sounds and Daniel laughs. “He drove it out here. He’s a smart Brother too.”

“Thanks for helping, Daniel. The next pool party will have some more Little Brothers.”

He nods following Jacques. “I hope they’re like the rest, they’re smart and nice like the Brothers. I can’t wait to tell Juanita about my new Brothers.”

Web stops and I pull him along. “You shouldn’t tell anyone but Juanita and Falcon.”

He’s nodding again. “Dad said we keep them safe and only talk about Web’s boys with Officers and Juanita. We have to be careful for them. I’m learning to be a good Brother and learn all this so I can teach the other Little Brothers. When you make a promise, you have to keep it so they know they can trust you. Cort said that’s right.”

I watch Web shake his head as we move the chair into the garage. “It is right. You’re going to be a good Brother to everyone if they can trust you.”

“I’m going to be like you and dad. Everyone trusts you.”

“I’ll always be proud, Daniel.”

I get a hug and climb in the back of the ambulance while Web and Patcher get the chair in. “We need him to be locked in. Jacques, don’t move the control.”

I tell him in French and Web looks relieved. “Thanks. Raid picked up the chair. I didn’t get the directions.”

Jacques’ hands are in his lap so he understood. Anton gives Web his phone. He swipes and the phone tells him,don’t move the chairin French. I laugh with Web. Fucking kids.

Banks and Amos climb in with towels. “Prospects will be here to clean up and two will meet us at your door,” Amos says sitting down.

“Thanks, Brothers. This has been a hell of a day already. I wonder what happened that the Rs are here early.”

~*~*~

Ranger

We lower to set down and I’m smiling. “Shultz, is that Ford?”