“They used him up and it killed him.”
Oh, dear god. When had his boring life suddenly gotten so crazy?
Chapter Five
Two Months Later
Bennett Somerset ran his hand over the riveted orange metal, admiring the boat his client had brought in. It was a seventies model made of aluminum, which was a better material than the fiberglass used to make new boats. The fiberglass shit didn’t last as long as aluminum. Bennett ran his hand over the spot where the paint was chipping, and the metal gray underneath showed through. He couldn’t wait to start on the paint job and make the old girl look brand new again.
The owner of the boat had paid him for a complete restoration of the whole thing, inside and out, and it was costing the guy a lot of money. It was worth it in Bennett’s opinion. Bennett probably would have done if for free, but then he would want to keep the boat.
He had to overhaul the motor. His portable toolbox already sat on the top ledge of the boat. It should do until he needed a tool that was more obscure. He climbed into the boat and moved the cover for themotor to the side. He was getting ready to take it apart when his phone rang.
He dug his cell phone out of his pocket and pressed the button with his dirty finger. “Hey, Mom.”
“Bennett, I need you to pick up your brother from school.”
“I’m right in the middle of something. Make Ramsey or Owen do it.”
“He needs you and you need him. He’s defying me just like you did when you were his age.”
“It’s probably just shifter hormones or something. Dragons have a hard time shifting for the first time. You know that.”
“Yes, which is why he needs his older brother.”
“He has six, Mom. Why me?”
“Because I said so, that’s why.”
“Fine.” The kid was clingy and had always been that way with Bennett. Most days Bennett didn’t mind, but today he wanted to spend time with the boat. Damn it.
Bennett sighed. His little brother, Ladon, had always had abandonment issues, ever since he’d came to live with their mother. The poor kid had it bad before coming to them.
Ladon’s family had left him with a neighbor when the kid was still pretty young. The neighbor happened to know Mother Estelle and had dropped him off after a couple of weeks. It was Bennett’s opinion that something very violent had happened to Ladon’s parents, not that Ladon would listen. He had never wanted to hear that explanation when it was given.
It was especially bad since he’d hit teenager status and had become pissy about everything.
All his brothers and his sister had a similar story, including Bennett. Bennett’s childhood story was much more violent than most.
“When was the last time you left your house, son?”
It had been several days. “I’ve had a lot of work, Mom,” he said by way of explanation.
“There’s more to life than your work, dear.”
Yeah, she was probably right. He did need to get out more, even if it was to go get his little brother from the high school. That would be the longest trip he’d taken in a month.
And thinking about that made him realize how reclusive he had become lately.
“Okay, Mother.”
“Okay, dear. Take him for ice cream or something and have a talk.”
“He’s eighteen years old. Isn’t he over the whole ice cream phase?”
“Everyone loves ice cream.”
“How about I just bring him back to my house and put him to work. I need someone to get me tools.”
