Page 60 of Ranger's Rise

She laughs and climbs off me. “Let’s make breakfast and talk.”

I follow.

She tells me about her new schedule starting tomorrow. She’s got two new instructors, so her days and nights won’t be so packed. I’m already liking her new schedule and don’t even know the details. She’s been exhausted the last few nights. I’m surprised Seren is teaching a class. The woman does everything. She’s a good match for Cort.

We’ve done everything together and are sitting in front of bacon, eggs and toast. We work well together without having to say a word about what we’re doing. When she gets to Victory, I pay attention. She tries to cover the sadness with a smile, but I see it.

“We can visit and she can always visit us.”

She smiles through that. “I’m never going to another commune. I told her I’d send a ticket whenever she wants.”

I laugh. She told me about her parent’s vacations. “Got it. Creature comforts on any vacation we take.”

This time her smile is real. “I don’t mind the no clothes as long as it’s with you and not the neighbors.” She makes me laugh.

“I’ll remember.”

We eat and I get the art supplies for the As, the bar going in and her ordering cabinets from Cowboy for the As building. She’s been busy and I haven’t done a fucking thing to help with any of it.

When she’s done, I tell her, “I’ll do better,lo’u alofa. You shouldn’t have been carrying all that for a fucking week.”

Her hand on the back of my neck stops anything from moving, including my mouth. “Thank you, but I’m good. You’ve been just as busy. Tell me what’s happening.”

I breathe easy and tell her I’m the SAA temp for now then the plans for the Club for Falcon, the Flight Training and Cort buying the extra choppers and giving a signing bonus for the Crews. She swings her head laughing. Heiscrazy so I don’t take offense. She’s shocked about the town, school and guard posts going up for the new compound and around town. She laughs when I tell her we’re moving in between Cort and VP, then has tears when I tell her about Web’s new house and the As being able to go to town with Security.

When everything is out, the kitchen is clean and it’s time for me to go. “Baby, I’m glad you stopped me and we talked, but I have to go.”

She spins fast. “Where’s my Samoan name?” She’s not happy with baby. Okay.

“Lo’u alofa, I need to get to Church.”

She smiles. “I’ll meet you at the party. I can’t wait to dance for you.” Her eyes changed, I’m not sure the dancing for me is a good thing.

I heard about the women dancing for their men when they’re claimed. It’s a weird fucking tradition. Fuck.“You can dance?” I don’t want her stressing over this.

She laughs and pushes me away. “We were in Harmony’s first pole dance classes. Strip Clubs would make a fortune off the women in town. Go or you’ll be late.”

Shit, pole dancing. “Everything in me is saying stay right the fuck here.”

She laughs pushing my chest as she walks forward. “SAA, Church, Cort being pissed you’re late after he let you out of their breakfast ride.”

“Fuck.” I turn and move toward the stairs fast. Cort can be as dangerous as Freedom when he’s pissed. “Love you,lo’u alofa.”

I smile hearing it back as I take the stairs two at a time.

~*~*~

Freedom

“Freedom in,” I say walking into Lorelei’s.

“Kitchen,” Seren answers. I’m glad they’re both here. “Tell me you talked.” The Badass gestapo is out today.

I sit smiling, “We talked. The shit they’ve been up to is crazy. Your man is like a steam roller once he gets shit in his head.”

She shakes her head. “This all started with Hade. He’s keeping the town and us safe the only way he knows how.”

“He’s building a Badass school. That’s kind of cool.” I throw it in to get away from Hade. She’s pissed about that. I’ll wait and ask for the why when she’s calm.