Breaking Bad: 14 Tales of Lawless Love

by Koko Brown

  “Yeah, yeah, I know the drill.” He was such a worry wart, but if she were honest, she liked that he cared about her safety.

  Laz squeezed her hand and opened the passenger side car door. “Take care of her.” Were his parting words to Prentice before he closed the door and walked away from the vehicle.

  “So, you and Laz, huh?” Prentice grinned. “Didn’t see that one coming.”

  Journey laughed, smiling from ear to ear as she told Prentice that it was all pretty new.

  “I know you guys worked together a bit in the past. What do you think of him?” she asked.

  “He’s a good guy. A little high-strung, but if I ever wanted someone to have my six, it would be him.”

  “Do you think he’s capable of planting evidence?”

  After a short hesitation, he said, “Yeah, I do. Whether or not he did that in the Monsuli case, I don’t know, but I wouldn’t put anything past him.”

  Journey’s heart sank. “How can you say that you’d want him to be the one watching your back when, if I’m hearing you right, he’s just as much of a criminal as the ones he gets off the streets?”

  She had asked herself more than once: out of all of the men in the city, why’d she have to fall for him?

  “Journey, Laz is…complicated. He has his own set of rules that he lives by. I actually admire him. He always gets his man…or woman.” Prentice grinned.

  “Seriously though, Laz gets the job done and if you get in his way…” Prentice shrugged. “Let’s just say, he will trample you. Rules be damned. He doesn’t fit into some tidy little morally correct box. So if that’s what you’re looking for, he’s not your guy.”

  …but he was her guy.

  THIRTEEN

  “Journey thinks you tampered with the evidence, huh?” Ashton asked.

  Laz put the cell phone on speaker as he tied his black tie. He was meeting with Mason Bennett at Club Masquerade to discuss some part-time personal security work.

  “She hasn’t said that, but I have a feeling she’s been thinking about it.”

  “So she doesn’t trust you?”

  The other day at the cafe, Laz was pretty sure she was struggling with what to believe as it related to him and the case. Even that night, the way she hung onto him when he first arrived at her place. Holding her in his arms, all types of warning bells went off in his head. It was as if she was afraid to let him go. Afraid she’d lose him. Since then she seemed her normal, secure self, but still he wondered.

  “Journey has every right to be leery of anything I tell her,” Laz finally said to Ashton. “She has had plenty of dealings with me when it comes to my cases. She’s a smart woman who knows I only share what I want her to know.”

  “Are you going to tell her the tru—”

  “I’ve told her everything I’m going to say about me, you and the Monsuli case. But right now, I have a meeting to get to.”

  “Okay, before you go. What did she say about offering Melody Kane witness protection if she agrees to testify?”

  “She’s hoping Monsuli’s case doesn’t go back to trial. But if it does, her office is prepared to offer Melody a whole new identity.”

  “Good to hear, but let’s hope this doesn’t go back to trial. Then we can be done with Monsuli once and for all.”

  “Yeah, let’s hope.”

  After disconnecting the call, Laz finished dressing. Earning Journey’s trust was important to him, but when it came to how he handled cases, he wasn’t sure if he could trust her with the truth all the time. He never wanted to put her in a compromising position to where she had to choose him over the law. That was one of the reasons he had decided to finally talk to Mason. Once the Monsuli case was wrapped up, Laz planned to turn in his badge. He was finally ready for the next chapter of his life, and those plans included building a life with Journey.

  First he needed to prove to her that he had changed his ways. Hopefully, the changes he had planned would do just that.

  Hopefully.

  Hours later, Laz strolled through the first floor of Club Masquerade pleased with his meeting with Mason. For now, Laz would handle small security assignments on an as needed basis when he was off duty. If all went as planned in the next couple of months, he would work with Mason and Supreme Security Agency full-time. He looked forward to being one of Atlanta’s finest, as Mason had called his growing group of police officers who worked for the firm.

  “Excuse me,” one of the servers, carrying a tray of drinks, said when she bumped into Laz.

  “No problem, sweetheart.”

  Laz wasn’t surprised by the increased number of people in the club. He moved around the oversized circular bar where people were sipping their drinks, talking and laughing, while others bobbed their heads to a popular hip-hop song. The place was a hot spot in Atlanta, and it looked as if business was better than ever. If Mason ran Supreme as smoothly as he and his siblings ran the club, Laz had no doubt he’d enjoy working for the guy.

  Laz stepped outside, the air cool but comfortable. He loosened his tie noticing the line of people still waiting to get into the club had died down some, but still hosted at least twenty-five people. There was also a line of cars waiting to valet. The car in front of the line, a BMW, caught Laz’s attention. Not because it was a shiny, white, seven series BMW, but because of the man who stepped out of it.

  They made eye contact and as usual, every muscle in Laz’s body tightened. Attorney Gabriel Hall. The sight of the man immediately brought back the memory of how the guy had manhandled Journey. There was also something else about Hall that never sat right with Laz. The guy was a little too slick for his taste, always strutting around as if he was God’s gift to the world.

  “Detective,” Hall said after he accepted a ticket from the valet and moved toward the front of the building where Laz had stopped.

  “Counselor,” Laz said dryly, the adrenaline in his body quickly amping up as the man stood next to him.

  “Kind of an upscale club for someone like you isn’t it? I figured you for more of a corner bar kind of guy. Then again, I guess if you’re screwing a certain prosecutor then maybe yo—”

  “Be careful, man.” The lethalness behind Laz’s words caught the attention of those nearby if the ooh’s were any indication.

  Hall laughed, the sound grating down Laz’s spine. The last thing he needed right now was to let this guy goad him into doing something stupid.

  “Have a good night, counselor.” Laz turned, but hadn’t taken two steps before Hall spoke again.

  “What? You don’t want me talking about your woman? No problem. I’m done with her anyway. My only regret is that I should’ve fucked her when I had a chance. Maybe when they haul your ass to jail, I’ll get…”

  Laz didn’t even feel himself move. All he saw was red as he slammed his fist into Gabe’s face, and then pounded him, jabbing him in his chest, his ribs. Punching him everywhere he knew would cause the most pain. Making every lick count.

  “I will kill you if you ever go near her.” Laz vaguely heard the screams, hoop and hollering from those nearby as he continued Gabe’s punishment.

  “Man, get off of him!” Hamilton’s voice pierced the haze in Laz’s head as his friend pulled him off of Hall, practically lifting him off the ground. Hamilton didn’t release him until they were several feet away. “You have lost your damn mind!” he fumed, standing directly in Laz’s face.

  He spewed a few more words, but Laz tuned him out. Aware of the sirens in the distance, his gaze went to Hall who was laying on the ground. Several of the club’s security team tended to him as a crowd formed around him.

  “Dammit, Laz. You already know they’re going to haul your ass—”

  “I’ll turn myself in,” Laz said finishing Hamilton’s sentence. He knew he had just fucked up, but it was too late to care.

  “I can tell you now, Mason is not the type to give you too many chances. If he still plans to give you a shot, you’re going to have to get your
shit together and work on your temper. What I just saw back there…isn’t going to fly. You feel me?”

  Laz nodded as Hamilton continued his rant, but at the moment, all he could think about was Journey. He couldn’t lose her. Not over this. But he had promised her that he wouldn’t do anything to embarrass her or taint her reputation. But this…this was bad. If she kicked his ass to the curb it would serve him right.

  “What have you done?”

  Laz lifted his head from the cot he was laying on when he heard Journey’s voice. Seeing her on the other side of the jail bars made him feel worse than he already did, knowing how disappointed she’d be.

  He placed his feet on the floor then stood, moving slowly to the bars. “I assume that’s a rhetorical question since I have a feeling you know what I’ve done.” His curt response only made her angrier. And she was definitely mad if the way she narrowed her eyes and balled her fists at her sides were any indication.

  “Laz,” she said through gritted teeth. “I am so angry at you right now, it’s a good thing you’re in there and I’m out here. I can’t believe you put the man in the hospital,” she whispered when others in nearby cells grew silent. The arresting officer had placed him in one of the interrogation rooms, but Ford had him moved to one of the holding cells. Told him that if he wanted to act like a criminal, that’s exactly how he would be treated.

  “When Hamilton tried bailing you out, why did you insist on staying? That doesn’t make any sense.”

  “The streets aren’t safe for Hall if I walk out of here.” He knew himself well enough to know when he was out of control, and the way he was feeling, jail was the best place for him right now.

  “Laz, you’re one of the sweetest people I know. How—”

  “Don’t get it twisted, Journey. I’m not that guy. I meant what I said to Hall. I will fucking kill him if he comes near you again.”

  “Stop it! Stop talking like that or you’ll be spending more than a day in here.” She shook her head and he stiffen when he saw her eyes water. He hadn’t seen her cry since that night she was attacked and he never wanted to see tears in her eyes again unless they were happy tears.

  “Sometimes I don’t understand you. I’ve tried, but…”

  Unease crawled through Laz’s body. He hoped she wasn’t giving up on him. They were going great, getting to know each other and really making a go at their relationship. He couldn’t lose her because of Hall.

  “What are you saying, Journey?”

  She scowled at him, her hands on her hips. “I’m saying that I’m so pissed at you right now I could—”

  “You could what?” He moved as close to her as the bars would allow. Grabbing hold of the front of her jacket, he gently eased her as close as he could get her. “You could what? Kiss me? You already know that when you’re mad at me, it’s a serious turn on.”

  “Laz, this is serious. Do you have any idea of how much trouble you’re in? Do you?”

  He released her. Yes, he knew. No doubt he would be charged with a minimum of assault and knowing Hall, probably a few other charges.

  “You threatened and assaulted a government official. That’s a class C felony at best and a fe-de-ral,” she said slowly, “crime, Laz. I’m talking FBI involvement.”

  “Dammit, Journey! You think I don’t know all of that?” What could he say? If he had it to do all over again, he’d probably do everything the same. There was no way he was going to let that asshole disrespect her. “You didn’t hear him, Journey. You didn’t hear what he said.”

  “I don’t give a crap what Gabe said. I already told you I can handle him.”

  “No you can’t, Journey!” Laz yelled. “I’m sick of you saying that shit. I know men like him. He thinks he can do and say whatever the hell he wants and then hide behind his position in the DA’s office.” Laz got louder with each word.

  One of the officers came back and before he could say anything, Laz said, “We’re good, Kevin.” The cop nodded and left them alone again.

  “Oh, so like you do whatever the hell you want, and say whatever you want and hide behind your badge? Sounds like you and Gabe are a lot alike.”

  “Don’t. Don’t you dare put him and me in the same category. I would never put my hands on a woman to inflict pain. You or no one else in this world has ever heard of me hurting or disrespecting a woman. Never. So don’t put me in the same category with that bastard.”

  He was right, Journey thought. He and Gabe might’ve both been arrogant, stubborn, and a host of other adjectives, but she had never heard of Laz mistreating a woman. Gabe on the other hand, was a whole different story.

  Journey turned and leaned her back against the bars, her arms folded across her chest. Laz remained quiet, but she felt his presence immediately behind her. At least he had sense enough not to touch her right now.

  He gripped the bars on each side of her, his warm breath near her ear sending a shiver through her body. “Baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen, but I couldn’t let him talk about you like that. His words…they got to me. He made it sound like he…”

  Journey tuned him out. All she could think about was how she knew getting involved with Laz was risky, but this? This was ridiculous. And no matter how stupid the situation he’d gotten himself into, she wanted to wrap her arms around him and never let go.

  Lucky for him, there were witnesses who heard what Gabe had said about her. If Laz was officially charged, his motive for threatening to kill Gabe would be taken into consideration. Journey was determined to do whatever she needed to get Laz out of this. No matter the cost. And then she needed to decide if there was a future for them.

  She pushed away from the bars, barely sparing him a glance as she walked away. “I’ll talk to you later,” she said over her shoulder.

  “Wait. Where are you going?”

  Journey stopped and huffed, then slowly moved back to his cell. She wasn’t as mad as when she first walked in, but seeing him behind bars pained her. She needed to get her head back on straight and the longer she was there, the more she felt as if she was losing herself.

  “Talk to me. Where are you going?

  “Since you prefer to sit in jail, what I do going forward is no longer your business.” Laz jerked back as if she had slapped him, but didn’t respond. “Goodbye, Laz.”

  Though it was one of the hardest things she’d ever done, she walked away despite him calling out to her.

  “I need to go back to taking care of me,” she mumbled to herself. But first there was something she needed to take care of once and for all. Something she should have handled weeks ago.

  FOURTEEN

  The next morning, Journey knocked once before pushing open Gabe’s hospital room door, not prepared for what she saw. He was almost unrecognizable with the number of bruises on his face and his left eye swollen shut. Add those injuries to his fractured ribs and it was safe to say he was in some serious pain.

  “What do you want? Plan to pick up where your boyfriend left off?” he spat, looking at her as if she was the lowest form of human life. “If you came to plead his case, don’t bother. I want his ass to go to prison for a long time for what he’s done to me.”

  Journey hadn’t slept much the night before and had gone into the office before the sun came up to prepare for this conversation. “I don’t think you want to press charges, Gabe,” Journey finally spoke.

  “Like hell. Do you see what he did to me?” He pointed at his face. “If I could prove he had something to do with me getting jumped last month, I’d tack that onto the current charges against him.”

  Journey had no doubt that Gabe planned to dig up as much dirt as he could on Laz. What she had planned had to work. At least she hoped.

  “I just don’t understand you,” Gabe continued. “You and I could’ve been so good together. Not only would we have made a good-looking couple, but we could’ve been one of the most powerful couples in the city. Instead you end up with that jerk. Don’t you
want better for yourself?”

  Journey was too tired to list all the ways that Laz was more of a man than Gabe could ever dream of being. Besides that, she couldn’t believe that Gabe was still hanging onto his infatuation with her. She had never disliked someone so much as she did him, and there was no way they could have ever gotten together.

  Instead of speaking, Journey held up a small stack of papers in one hand and a flash drive in the other before letting them both fall back to her side. She had decided that morning to treat this conversation like one of her closing arguments, dramatics and all.

  Gabe looked at her warily, as if afraid to ask what was going on. When he didn’t ask, she explained.

  “For the past few months, I have tolerated you getting in my face, talking crazy and harassing me, but then you crossed the line when you put your hands on me.” Still he remained quiet. “If you don’t drop the charges against, Laz, several things will happen. I will move forward in filing sexual harassment charges against you, and I have proof.”

  She held up the flash drive. Laz had gotten a copy of the courthouse tape that had footage of her encounter with Gabe. He’d given it to her days after the courthouse incident, encouraging her to use it to get rid of Gabe once and for all. Just recently, he had given her more ammunition to use against him.

  Gabe chuckled but stopped and groaned, one hand going to his face, the other to his ribs. “You do know blackmailing someone is a crime, right? You really have stooped to your man’s level. My answer is no. I’ll argue whatever is on that drive.”

  “Funny thing is, you two probably could share a jail cell.” Journey lifted the papers in her hand. “I already have fifteen names of women who you have either groped, made some type of sexual advances on, verbally harassed, and the list goes on. Oh, and I forgot to mention. You’ve been under surveillance.”

  Gabe’s features hardened, but he remained quiet.

  Those late nights recently when Journey thought Laz had been working a case, he was following Gabe. The pictures he’d given her would not only cost Gabe his job, but his law license as well. And depending on how some of the photos were interpreted, he could do time.