by E. M. Leya
"No, it wasn't your fault. A neighbor happened to get up to breastfeed her child. She glanced out the window and saw you picking the lock. She made the call. We had no way of knowing. Carter didn't hear the police being dispatched, but when we went back and listened to the recordings, it was clear as day. He could have given you a few minutes warning if he'd heard that. It was a bunch of things that went wrong, but it was no one's fault." Bryon stared at him. "I'm going to miss working one on one with you."
"Yeah, me too. The team's all I've ever known. It's going to be hard starting someplace new, doing something else." Dyson's chest physically ached at the thought.
"Well…" Bryon stood and walked around the desk, slowly taking a seat in the chair. "What if I told you that yes, you do have to start someplace new, but you don't have to do something else?"
Dyson sat forward. "What are you saying?"
"Before I say more, I need to know, do you wish to continue hunting? Do you want to risk getting caught again? Or are you done and looking for something safer?"
Dyson didn't have to even think about it. "I want to continue what I'm doing. I had a lot of time to think things through while I sat in that jail cell. Not once did I regret my actions. More than anything else, I hated that I wouldn't be able to continue helping children. No, I don't want a normal, safe job. I want to stay part of STK."
"Okay, then here is what I'm offering. Remember, you don't have to agree to any of it. You say the word and I'll get you anywhere you want to be and you can go off on your own and start a new life, but if you wish to stay with STK, I'll make it happen. We're starting a new team in another state, and if you're interested, I'd like you to lead it." Bryon was watching him closely, probably looking for any doubt or hesitation.
"Yes, of course." He gripped the edge of the desk. "You're serious? You're not banning me from hunting anymore?"
"No, of course not. You're too good. You've always been good at what we do. I know what it would do to any of you to not have STK, but I especially know what it would do to you. It's how you fight your demons, how you keep breathing. Without it, I'm scared to think what would happen to you."
Dyson blew out a relieved breath. His world had been stopped on its axis for nearly a month, but with Bryon's words, it slowly started to spin again. He closed his eyes, swallowing tears of relief that threatened to break free. "I was so scared…" He opened his eyes and looked at Bryon. "Thank you."
Bryon smiled. "Don't thank me yet. You don't know where I'm sending you."
Dyson narrowed his eyes. "Where?"
"Ever been to Colorado?"
Dyson's eyes widened.
"Arvada, Colorado, it's a suburb of Denver. There's been a huge spike in sex trafficking and sex crimes in that part of the country. When we looked at things, we decided it would be the best place to start a new STK team." Bryon leaned back in his chair.
"Colorado? You mean the state, right? Like snow, skiing, snow, cold, snow, hard winters? You do remember I'm from California. I don't do snow." Dyson pursed his lips tightly.
"Are you saying you don't want the job?" Bryon asked.
"No, I'm not saying that, but couldn't we consider something like Florida, Arizona, hell, even Louisiana or something? Anywhere warm?"
Bryon laughed. "You'll get used to it. It's a very beautiful place. I think once you've settled in, you'll grow to love it."
"Yeah, the four months out of the year when it's not freezing." Dyson sat back with a huff. "Okay, so Denver area, I can get used to it, but who's going with me?" He hoped it would be Xander.
"No one. You'll be going alone and working with others. In fact, it will be your job to create much of the team. Right now, I have another man who will be your equivalent to Carter. The two of you will be co-leaders of the team. The two of you will build your network." Bryon leaned forward, resting his arms on the desk. "Jeremy is a computer genius like Carter is. They are good friends. Carter is there now, setting up the system and making sure you have everything you need to track people. It's going to be a very slow process, one that you might have to wait months on before you put into action, but I know from experience, people are out there who are willing to join the team. You just need to find them."
"How the hell do I do that?" Dyson shook his head. "I need a doctor and someone who is accepted in the dark web circles, not to mention hunters."
"I'm looking around too, and will let you know when I find people, but it will be up to you and Jeremy to talk to them. When Carter and I started STK, we didn't know how we'd do it either. As sacrilegious as this might sound, I believe God will provide. You'll find a team. You just need to be patient."
"Do the others know about this?"
Bryon shook his head. "Other than Carter, no."
Dyson rolled his shoulders. "This is huge."
"It is, but I wouldn't offer it to you if I didn't think you could do it."
Dyson sat silent a moment, thinking about all that this would mean. He'd watched Bryon run the team for years, and he respected the work he put into it, but the truth was, without Carter and the hunters, Bryon was nothing. "I need to know I have a good team. I can't do this alone."
"You'll meet Jeremy as soon as you get to Colorado. The two of you will be able to work through everything then. I can vouch for him. He's worked closely with Carter in the past, and like you, had the need to start over. His story isn't mine to tell, but I will say that he's going to be struggling to leave the past behind, the same way you are." Bryon folded his hands on the desk. "This job isn't easy. In fact, at times it's hell, but it's worth every minute of it."
Dyson grinned. "You have a lot more friends in higher places than I ever thought. Rob, Brad, and God knows who else."
"And they will become your friends when you take this job. They'll be there to help you, the same way they helped me. I pray you'll never need to call them. The day you got caught was the second worst day of my life."
Dyson didn't have to ask what the first was. He was sure it had to do with Bryon's sister. "Yeah, think it topped my list too." He shook his head. "I thought my life was over when I saw those cops standing there."
"You did what you were trained to do. You didn't fight. You just let them take you. We always knew this would happen sooner or later. Unfortunately, it happened to you. Though I have to say, I'm not the least bit upset that I can now have you leading a new team. You've got the skills to do it. Just promise me one thing."
"What's that?"
"With your sex addiction, don't fuck all the members. The last thing you need is the drama of a relationship with a team member."
"You speaking from experience?"
"Not yet, but things with Becca could go bad, then what would happen? I was stupid to get involved with her. I broke my own rules with her, and can't bring myself to let her go now."
"Not everything ends in disaster," Dyson told him.
"Let's hope you're right." Bryon stood. "Anyway, Rob's going to get you to your new home outside of Denver, where you'll meet up with Jeremy. He's already been briefed by me and Carter, though either one of us can fly in and visit if you need help. My advice to both of you, trust your gut. You'll know who you can trust and who you can't. You'll know who has the balls to do this job. Don't rush into it. If it takes a year or two to get everything running, take it. Sadly, the abuse isn't going to stop anytime soon."
Dyson took a deep breath, hoping he wasn't pushing his luck. "I already have a guy I'd like to bring on. I know he can do the job, but there's going to be an issue getting him."
Bryon raised a brow.
"His name is Patrick. He was arrested for killing his sister's husband after the guy kept beating and raping her. He was my cellmate in jail."
"Ah, fuck, Dyson." Bryon ran his hand through his hair.
"I know, but he's a good guy. He's facing years in prison for protecting his sister, surely you can understand that." It was really unfair to use the sister card with Bryon, but if Dyson was going to lead
a team, he wanted certain people working with him, and Patrick would be a perfect fit.
"I don't know if we can. That's asking a lot. It took us weeks to plan your escape. They'll be on high alert right now, watching for mistakes, changing the systems to avoid this in the future."
Dyson nodded. "I know how impossible this might be, but I'm asking you to see if it can be done. He's a good guy, and I'd planned on asking you to help him even before you mentioned a new team, but now, with me going to Colorado, this would be the perfect start for him as well."
"He'd have to cut off all ties with his family," Bryon said.
"For his freedom, he'd do it. I'd just ask that you send someone to let his sister know he's okay, and if the time ever came that it's safe to do so, he'd be in contact. Just give her peace of mind." Dyson grinned. "He's got what it takes. He'd fit right in with the team, but like with me, he can't stay here. He needs to move on."
"Give me his info and I'll look into it, but I'm not making any promises. It took a lot of work to get you out, I'm not sure I'm ready to take that kind of risk on someone I don't even know." Bryon pushed a notebook and pen at Dyson.
He quickly wrote down Patrick's name and other info he knew. "Thanks. I know it's a long shot, but I had to ask. He's someone I know I can work with."
"You fucking him?" Bryon asked.
"No, actually. I haven't gotten my dick wet since the night before my arrest. I'm dying here. Even Xander's looking good."
Bryon made a face. "You are desperate. Keep it in your pants until you get to Colorado. I'm sure you'll find plenty of playthings there. Things you need to remember, they can trace your tattoos…"
"I plan on getting them covered up when I find a good artist I can trust," Dyson informed him.
"And…" Bryon grinned. "I had Rob pick this up for me. Use it and I don't want to hear a single moan about it. Right now, we need to do all we can to get you out of this State. The less you look like you the better." Bryon opened the desk drawer and pulled out a box before tossing it to Dyson.
Dyson read the box and shook his head. "Oh, fuck no! I'm not dyeing my hair blonde." He tossed the box back on the desk.
"You are. If you don't want me to kick your ass out on the streets, that's exactly what you're going to be doing. And you'll wear what I tell you to wear as well. I'll have it to you before you leave. I'm not putting my other men in danger because you refuse to change your appearance before you drive out of here."
"You could have gotten me a wig," Dyson growled.
"I could have, but what fun is that?" Bryon grinned. "Seriously, for the next six months or more, do everything you can not to look like you. This is serious. Your face is all over the news, and not just here. You're nationwide."
"I'll never get fucked if I have blonde hair." He couldn't even begin to imagine how he'd look. Didn't want to.
"Suck it up. It's a small sacrifice considering you're not going to become someone's bitch in prison."
"As if." Dyson tossed the pen at Bryon, then got serious. "Honestly, thank you for getting me out of there, for having my back. Tell everyone who helped thank you. Speaking of which, you said Carter was in Colorado, why didn't Trenton come down with you?"
"He had some personal stuff going on with his brother. He said to tell you he'd talk to you soon, but to wish you the best. I have no doubt you'll hear from him once you get settled and get all your systems set up so nothing is traceable. So, do you have any questions? You good with what's going to happen?"
"When am I leaving?"
"Tomorrow afternoon. You'll leave with Rob, then we'll leave later. Rob will let me know when you get there, but I want you to keep radio silence for the first few weeks. Take care of things around the new house, then once things calm down here, you can exchange numbers with the team here. From here on out, you'll be William."
Dyson shook his head. "Fuck you. I'm D. It's the middle initial you gave me. I'll use it. I'm not going by William and you fucking knew I wouldn't when you picked it."
"Wasn't me." Bryon shrugged.
"Then remind me to punch Carter when I see him." He glared. "I'll be going by D. It's the best I can get from that shit you guys made up."
"Just be careful. Saving your ass will be near impossible if there's a next time." Bryon came over to stand beside Dyson's chair. "I'm glad you're safe. I know I don't show it often, but you mean a hell of a lot to me."
Dyson stood and pulled Bryon in for a tight hug. "Thank you for all you're doing and all you have done. It will be an honor to work for you, even if I'm a few states away."
"Just stay safe." Bryon pulled back and stared him in the eyes. "You're going to do great. This job was meant for you."
Dyson nodded, praying that Bryon was right.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Dyson smiled as he watched Faith and the other kids down on the beach. Matt and Noam walked with them, letting them play in the surf as it rolled over the sand.
"Wishing you could be out there with them?" Xander asked.
"Wishing I could be anywhere but here." Dyson turned to face Xander. They'd spent nearly the whole night talking, remembering the good and bad times together, but both avoided the fact that in just a little while, they would be parting ways, and neither knew exactly when they'd see each other again.
"You excited to lead a team?" Xander asked.
"Yes and no. I'm nervous, but excited. Not too happy with the location, but it's still better than prison." Dyson sighed. "I wish you could come with me."
"I've thought about it. You know Bry would let me if I made a big issue of it, but I can't do that to Matt and Faith. Their lives are here. Faith is happy at school, and she's got Lisa, or should I say Lisa has her. I don't want to think about how Lisa would be without Faith around. There are just too many factors now that I'm married."
"I know that. I don't hold any grudges. We both knew the day would come when we went our separate ways. It's not like it's over. You guys can come to visit. I'll call and keep in touch once things settle down."
"You better. Faith needs you as much as I do." Xander smiled.
"Keep an eye on her. The cops will be watching to see if I contact her since she was the one who wrote me in jail. Don't let her get caught up in all that. Lay low for a while." Dyson glanced out at the beach, watching Faith carrying Lisa's baby. "She's growing up so fast."
"I know. Soon enough, she'll be off to college. Hell, I never dreamed my life would be this way. I was just some fucked up kid, trying to stay sane after all the shit I'd gone through. I know you get it." Xander stared at him. "You going to be okay alone?"
"Yeah, I will. I'll keep it together like I always have."
"By distracting yourself with sex, refusing to let anyone close to you, and acting like all is right in the world."
"It is if I'm getting laid," Dyson joked, but Xander saw right past it, he always did. Xander knew better than anyone what Dyson was running from, what demons haunted him. "Seriously, I'll be okay. It's not going to be easy, but I'll get through it. When things get tough, I'll call you. I promise."
"Call me even when they aren't tough." Xander smiled.
"Dyson, time to get ready. You still need to do your hair." Bryon stuck his head out the doorway.
"Yeah, fuck." Dyson glared at Bryon. "Seriously, can't I get a wig, or find some cool color like purple?"
"We're trying to not bring attention to you." Bryon rolled his eyes.
"What color?" Xander asked.
"Blonde, like surfer boy bleach blonde."
"It won't be that light with your hair. It'll be more a sandy blonde." Bryon sighed. "Either way, get your ass in the shower and get changed. Rob will be ready in about an hour."
Dyson glanced at Xander. He refused to cry. He wouldn't let this goodbye be emotional. He'd beat someone up or fuck someone hard as soon as he could, but he would not cry. "Guess I'll be back."
"Yeah, I'll go grab the kids so you can say goodbye to everyone." Xander reached out an
d grabbed Dyson's arm, holding it for a moment as they stared at each other.
Dyson shook his head. "I gotta go get ready." He rushed off the deck and into his room, slamming the door shut. He leaned against it, breathing heavily as he tried not to think about all he was going to be leaving behind. This was hard. So fucking hard that he almost didn't want to do it. He could refuse, risk hiding in California, and still be close to everyone.
Angry and frustrated he strode across the room, grabbing the stupid box of hair dye from his dresser. He tore it open as he sat down on the toilet and read the directions. It didn't seem too hard. It would be the waiting for nearly thirty minutes to wash the shit out that would suck.
"Dyson?" Faith's voice came through his bedroom door.
He tossed the stuff on the counter and went out to open the door. Even though he was not in the mood for conversation, he couldn't say no to Faith. He slowly opened the door. "Hey, what's up?"
"Let me in." She pushed past him. "Dad said you're dyeing your hair."
He rolled his eyes.
Faith laughed. "It's actually smart. I mean, you don't want people to recognize you and end up back in jail, do you?"
He sighed. "No, of course not."
"Then let me help you." She smiled up at him.
"You know how to dye hair?" He asked.
"Of course. I've helped my friend, Carrie, do hers. It's easy, but it's easier if someone helps you, especially your first time." She grabbed his hand. "Where's the box?"
"In the bathroom." He didn't resist as she led him in there.
"Okay, sit down, take off your shirt and put a towel over your shoulders." She picked up the instructions and read them. "This will be easy." She set the directions back down and started setting things up. "So I was looking at Colorado. It's a pretty cool place. I'm excited to be able to come to visit you. I was even looking at their universities. I don't know if they'll have what I'm really looking for, but maybe. Then I could come live with you when I'm in school."