Page 57 of Ranger's Rise

“Roger, Boss.” Comes from me, VP and Doc.

We walk out with our helpers and Allen has tears on his face before we hit the ground. “Boss, help.”

Cort nods. “You can help on the chopper, Brothers. Doc said they like to be held.”

Allen runs to the chopper and the Brothers laugh. “We have your back, Pres,” Akai says following Allen.

“They’re cute. How old are they?”

“Akai is twenty-four. I think Allen is twenty-two.”

“Jesusfuckin’Christ,” Jessie says.

“They’re small,” my follower says. I think Jessie said he’s Mondo.

“Yeah. They’re fucking smart though. These Little Brothers are seven,” Cort tells them.

“They will grow like the others. Christian said they will be fine and your doctor will be a help.”

“Thanks, Dakota. He’ll meet us when we set down.”

“That is what I am told too, Cort.” At the chopper, Dakota steps back and the Crew takes the poles as we climb in. Ford salutes me and I smile throwing him chin.

‘It would be wise not to mention the lost boy to Web.’ What the fuck?

I look around and Cort nods. “Thanks, Dakota. I had the same thought.”

I look at Dakota in time to see him throw chin. Holy fuck. “Safe journey, Brothers.” He closes the doors and I sit.

Cort smiles at me. “Raid, did you get that?”

“What?”

“Never mind. You got it?” he asks me.

I nod not sure what I got. “Dakota is a Prophet. He holds the vision that his ancestors passed down and guides to ensure it is carried out without harm to the future or others. He is what’s called a seer. We grew up on the reservation hearing of powerful shaman, seers and warrior protectors like our Enforcers.”

I nod again. He’s a Prophet and sent me his thoughts. Okay. I’ve read about them but never met one.

“Me, Boss?” Allen helps focus me to the little guy in my arms.

I kiss his head and nod to Allen. “Be gentle. I’ll put him in your arms. We have to watch the line so it doesn’t hurt him.”

He nods and puts his arm out. I put little Roman or Rolan in his arms. Cort gives Akai Rostya. VP doesn’t look like he’s letting anyone hold Radimir. I smile watching him.

“You need a baby, VP.”

He nods. “Not now, but we’ll have one eventually.”

“Two maybe three years. Lorelei is doing good.” Something is wrong with her?

VP smiles at that. “Thanks, Doc, I thought it would be longer.”

“No, she’s doing everything right. It won’t be long.”

Cort laughs. “When I have my next kid, he won’t be hounding me day and night. You need one, Ranger. Make it quick so he’ll be at your house and leave me alone.”

I laugh. “I haven’t seen Freedom long enough to talk about claiming her, Boss.” Kids aren’t a priority to me. Claiming her is.