Free BOMAW Vol. 10-12 by Mercedes Keyes Page A

The fact that he hadn't, gripped Benjamin. He suddenly wanted those test results back. He wanted the hardcore proof that indeed, this phenomenal man who blew him and Mundo away, was truly, his father. That in itself, would make this trip, the highlight of it all.
    They stayed for an hour, talked, shot a few games of pool until Shawn, checking his watch informed King Louie they had to get back. Besides, the hall was starting to fill in, some of the patrons recognizing Shawn, speaking with him and greeting them. However, his protectiveness of them wouldn't allow him to keep them there any longer. He promised King Louie that he would bring his wife by to meet him as well Crystal and Angela. Back in the Hummer, they headed for the condo.
    First day of their time in L.A. down.
    As Shawn drove, he was tempted several times to phone Jeremiah Franklin to arrange to meet with him. He couldn't do it. He didn't want to just yet. They'd just gotten there. He instinctively knew that whatever was going on, would stress him out. He wasn't ready to deal with it yet. Maybe he'd call him in a week, or ... maybe he'd wait until the day before they left to meet with him. Either way, it would not be that day, that night. Whatever was going on, it would wait until he was ready to deal with it. He had his family there and all he wanted, was to have a good time and show them a good time. The mess with Deidre and Jeremiah Franklin would wait, he would make it wait.

Chapter 226
     
    First thing that Monday morning, Jake road into work on Shawn's blue Harley; early before his time to punch in and start. He had one thing on his mind, more money. Carl Eachus, his boss was always there hours before the workers showed up. This was the perfect time, only a handful were already there for work; greeting Jake as he stood, swinging a long leg from straddling the bike, pocketing the keys as he waved at them. Wasting no time, he trotted up the tall wrought-iron steps leading to the top offices, skipping one or two on the way. He stopped at Carl's office looked in through the glass paned door to see him preparing a cup of coffee and knocked, opening it at the same time. Carl turned and looked back, a happy look on his face to see Jake standing there.
    "Come on in! Damn vacation lasted forever! Never again, from now on, I'm telling you, you take your vacation before the year is up, or you lose it. Damn place just about fell to pieces, orders are not being met on time. Two goddamn batches of lumber shot to hell! Warehouse 2b racking fell, knocked two shades of shit out'ah Chris Beaman; had 10 stitches for that, now Osha's on my ass talking about health and safety! Tried to get a hold of you, couldn't reach you at home! Tried on your mobile! No such goddamn luck!" He suddenly stopped, switching gears, softening his tone. "The guys only just told me about your place bein' burned down; uh, sorry about that. But the least you could have done, is called in and told me where I could contact you!" His boss switched back to normal, "You know damn well, I don't hire from outside when it comes to correctin' things around here, when I got you! Now woods stacked up every goddamn where, two orders to clear a woods, haven't gotten done, 'cause three of your buddies up and put in final notice, say they're building your brother a house? Startin' their own business! You know anything about that?"
    While his boss had started and gone on and on, Jake made his way to making himself a cup of coffee, waiting to answer where a space opened up for it; so it seemed, one had, he answered, "Yeah, I know about it."
    "Well damn you, Jacob, least you could have done, is waited until you come back, to tell them about it, you know how short handed that left me? Had to hire goddamn temps to try and get things done and I'm telling you the place has fallen clear to hell." Softening again, he murmured gently, "Oh uh, heard about Doris, sorry to hear that. You ... uh, okay?"
    "Yeah, I'm fine ... it's