by A. E. Via
“I’m in Charleston, give me until tomorrow… okay… yep.” Judge hung up. Godfrey was a man of few words, just like him. But if it wasn’t for the big guy, Judge wouldn’t even be there today. God had saved his ass a couple times on the battlefield in their enlisted days, he owed the man, and Judge was a man of his word if nothing else.
“You leaving.” Duke swung his legs over the side of the bed, letting the covers pool in between his thighs covering his deflated erection.
Judge was already pulling on his still damp leathers. “Yeah. I gotta’ job. You know how it goes. If you’d got a call from the jail right now, you’d be leaving to go bail someone out.”
Duke nodded his head in understanding but he still looked disappointed before schooling his expression. That right there is exactly why Judge didn’t get further involved. He didn’t stay in one place long enough to make anyone happy. He put on a fresh black v-neck t-shirt and went for his boots. When he was ready, he hefted up his duffle bag and went for the door. He looked back to say bye and noticed Duke was still sitting there looking down at the floor.
He walked over to him and gripped his chin between his thumb and pointer finger. “Hey.” He whispered. “Thanks for tonight.” He swiped his thumb down Duke’s cheek, his version of a kiss, and walked out the door. There was no need to linger.
The downstairs was empty, all the employees gone home for the night. He grabbed Bookem’s food and whistled for him to come. Shit, even the dog looked like he wasn’t ready to get back on the road. Book was up there in the years too, for a dog anyway. Surely his bones was starting to feel the effects of jumping in and out of that big truck. “Sorry boy. We’re almost to quitting time. Few more jobs.”
As they settled in for the drive. He’d had enough of a power nap to make it to Atlanta. He’d probably find a place to park and nap, then he’d go to the police station and see how he could help his long-time friend.
Chapter Ten
Michaels had slept like shit. After he’d packed a bag last night, pulling things in and out, trying to determine what was needed and what wasn’t. He was clueless how to pack for a few days on the road with a bounty hunter. He didn’t want to over pack and weigh the guy down and he didn’t want to be without something that was needed. Finally, he’d packed like he was going to his family’s cabin. Plus his weapons.
When he felt ready, he’d tried to sleep but his mind raced with crazy scenarios. The meeting before he left work hadn’t helped. The informant Greg Myers– named Switch on the streets - was a dealer who’d been popped and flipped by God and Day. He’d agreed for lighter sentence if he cooperated in taking down The Kid since Switch was high up in Kid’s organization.
He’d been arrested for murder, but when he agreed to turn over evidence on one of the biggest drug lords in Atlanta, they had to make a deal. The DA wasn’t the happiest with the plea but had signed off on it. Now not only had they lost their convicted murderer, they’d lost the drugs along with him. The Kid was arrested but all they had was weapons and money… they needed the drugs.
Michaels dressed in black cargo pants and a plain grey t-shirt. He tucked his small 38 automatic in is boot and secured his 9mm at his back. With his loose fitting jean jacket, you wouldn’t be able to see anything. Last but not least, he put his brass knuckles in each pocket so he could reach in and slide them on if needed. Fighting was ingrained deep inside him and he was good at it, but on the streets the rules were changed… as in there were none. So fighting dirty was imperative.
He parked his truck in the lot and met up with Ruxs and Green at the same time.
“What’s up Michaels? You cool, man?” Green asked, patting him in the center of his back.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” Michaels replied casually. He hoped his lie wasn’t that transparent. He was beyond cool, into scared, and past terrified. The way God and Day talked about this bounty hunter, it made Ruxs and Green seem like a Mormon men. I think Day even mentioned some fatalities too. Michaels tried to shrug that off. Criminals didn’t want to go to prison. It was no different than the arrest they had to make and how they had to shoot their way out of bust sometimes. Surely the guy was defending himself if he had to kill.
“I’ll see you guys in there.” Michaels veered off to the break room, wanting some time to himself. His hands were sweaty and his back had annoying little droplets of sweat dripping down the center. He fidgeted in his jacket and turned the corner to find Day in their fixing his probably fifth cup of coffee, regardless that it was only eight in the morning. The gorgeous man, perked up and smiled happily at him.
Michaels sighed not really in the mood for Day’s shenanigans. “Morning, Lieutenant.”
Day’s eyebrow rose up. “Morning, Detective. Why so serious and formal this fine morning? ” He mocked Michaels voice, puffing up his chest before laughing that annoying chuckle.
“Ugh, geez. Do you ever stop joking?”
Day feigned ignorance. “I wasn’t joking you. I was saying lighten up.”
“I’m fine.”
“Mmmhmmm.” Day hummed with his mug to his lips.
“I’m just trying to stay focused. I’m gonna get Switch back.”
“You’re not going with Judge, Austin. Forget about it.” Day’s voice had gone serious.
Michaels slammed his own cup down on the counter. He thought this was all settled.
“What? Why can’t I?”
“For the same reason you can’t have a wife and 1.5 kids… because God said so.”
“Which God?”
“Pick one.”
Michaels was getting pissed. Day was fucking with him and it was getting on his nerves. “God said I was going, last I heard.”
“Well what God says doesn’t matter around here he knows that.” Day sipped again as if he didn’t have a worry in the world.
“Don’t listen to, Day.” Syn said coming into the break room with God and Ro. “You’re going with Judge, like we all decided.” Syn’s voice rose as he stared at Day with defiance. Day shrugged, looking innocent.
God was propped on one of the break room tables, watching him before he finally spoke, “But we do still have some concerns. With none of us there to watch -”
Michaels huffed and cursed cutting off what God was saying, making a show of yanking the cream out of one of the cabinets and slamming the door back. “You guys have already voiced your concerns. I said I can handle this. Damnit! You’re treating me like I’m a fucking kid!”
“Well you are acting like you missed your little nap.” Day murmured.
Michaels dropped his hands on the counter and took a couple deep breaths.
“You have to stop acting like this is all on your shoulders alone, Michaels. Your screw-up.” Syn said, standing next to him. “That’s what’s got us concerned. Because when you’re in that mind frame, you’ll get yourself killed doing any and everything to fix it. We work and operate as a team. If there was a fuck up, it’s on all of us. Not just you, man. And not just on Powers, either. He didn’t know an underground tunnel was built… it’s not his fault either. We are the ones.” Syn motioned between him, God and Day. “That cut him the deal and got him, a killer, back out on the streets. Switch got away from all of us. So stop feeling like it’s all on you to make this right. And the sooner you show us that, the better we’ll feel about you going out with Judge to get Switch back.”
Michaels nodded his head, knowing Syn was right. “I apologize. You’re right. I’m going to get him back, because he doesn’t belong on the streets… not because he bested me… us.”
“Atta’boy.” Day smiled. He gripped him by his neck and pulled him out of the break room.
He sat talking with his team while they waited on Judge. God said he’d be there in the next few minutes. It was after one and Michaels was getting restless. They had all the intel they could possible get. Judge had told God he’d piece it together himself. Michaels wasn’t completely sure how tracking worked, but Syn said it
s ten percent science and math and ninety percent instincts. Some people had and some didn’t. So Michaels had determined he would follow Judge’s lead, backing him up if need be and then when they encountered Switch, he’d get in there and make the clean arrest. Plan determined.
Michaels head was down in the one of the files when he heard Ruxs deep voice murmur. “Oh. My. Fucking. God.”
Chairs squeaked and groaned as everyone turned to see what or who Ruxs was referring to. Michaels however, didn’t turn around but his heart had begun to race a mile a minute. Everyone was looking out the large glass wall that separated their teams department from the rest of the precinct. The look of confusion, shock and horror that most of their team wore on their faces had him not wanting to see. Obviously it had to be Judge but damn what the fuck did the guy look like? Shrek.
It wasn’t until Vikki stood and straightened her skirt with a seductive, “yum,” escaping her red lips that Michaels decided to turn and look.
Holy hell. All Michaels saw was a tall, walking Adonis. Decked out in all leather accept for the tight black shirt hugging his thick chest. As he got closer his eyes were dark and mysterious as he seemed to keep his eyes on target but took in everything around him too. People watched him but didn’t engage him. It was obvious he wasn’t a criminal because of the gold star hanging around his neck but damn he looked like he was on his way to kick someone’s ass. Moving through the precinct like he was the Captain. Confident and sure. He wasn’t frowning but he damn sure wasn’t smiling or saying ‘I’m open to approach.’ Michaels stood and swallowed hard. Jesus. The man had to be six foot three, maybe four. Taller than his own six one. It was all the hair. Oh my damn. That beard that looked course but possibly soft to touch. Damn, he hoped so. Trimmed neatly with a spattering of grays, at least five to six inches of hair beneath his chin. Enough to pull. Shit.
“We all thought you loved yourself, Michaels.” Day said out of nowhere, watching along with everyone else as the bounty hunter approached.
Michaels frowned at his Lieutenant. Now really was not the fuckin’ time.
Day’s eyes bugged and Michaels turned back just in time to see what everyone else did as Judge reached for the door.
Day leaned toward God and hissed. “Why the fuck is he bringing a horse into our office.”
Chapter Eleven
Judge saw that everyone was watching him as he entered the Atlanta precinct but he could care less. Stares were nothing new to him. If they weren’t looking at him then they were gawking at the full grown, almost four foot tall beast at his side. He kept his eyes on Godfrey the entire time. Damn the man was still sex on a stick. Even bigger than him now. His thick arms crossed over his massive chest. When Judge was inside he saw the two gold Desert Eagles holstered at his sides. The man always did yield a big gun. Judge almost smirked at his double innuendo but kept his face stoic.
Ignoring all the other so-called badasses that made up God’s team he approached his old friend and stared him down as they stood eye-to-eye. You could hear a pin drop in the room. No one moved, no one broke their stare-off. It was like a cheesy scene out of a Wild West showdown. After a couple more seconds, Judge shifted the sugarcane, quirking one side of his mouth up. God did the same and the next thing he knew he was pulled into a bone crushing hug. He slapped God roughly on the back before pulling back and looking at him.
“You look good old friend.” God said with a huge smile. “Look like you’re ready to work.”
“Always.” Judge gave a slight laugh. “It must be some real shit you got yourself into that you’d need to call me.”
“You could say that. But I knew you’d come.”
“Of course I came.” Judge said seriously. He’d help God anytime he called. He’d never met a more loyal and trustworthy man. A man that believed in brotherhood. Who’d lay down his own life for anothers’. There was no reason Judge would deny a man like that.
“You sure that thing doesn’t need a muzzle.” Day blurted out pointing at Bookem.
Judge kept his arms folded glancing over at God’s partner. “You’re the only thing that needs a muzzle, Day. Godfrey, I see you’re still with this asshole.
“And I see you’re still buying your clothes in the Matrix.” Day quipped back. “What’s with all the fucking leather, Morpheus? It’s Atlanta in fall for shit’s sake.”
God looked like he wanted to strangle Day but Judge just waved him off. “When you’re grappling with convicts, it’s nice to have something to protect your skin from the concrete, but you wouldn’t know anything about getting your hands dirty, would’ya’, pretty man.”
“Hey, if you think what I go through every night in bed with God doesn’t require protective gear and dirty hands, than your wrong.” Day said with mock seriousness.
“Ugh. Shut up, Leo.” God groaned.
Day laughed and reached out shaking Judge’s hand. “As usual, it’s not a pleasure to see you, Judge.”
“Likewise, Day.” Judge laughed along with everyone else. “You’re still with the big guy, huh?” Judge pointed at God.
Day sighed. “Yeah, well I’m trying to get into heaven. They say God is the way.”
God rolled his eyes while Judge sat down in one of the chairs in front of his desk, Bookem dropping down and sitting next to him. “Now tell me what’s going on.”
God and his team started with just a small briefing, giving him the quick facts of the case. After an hour, a pretty woman named Vikki took everyone’s lunch order while they piled into the large meeting room to really get down to business. Judge carefully scanned each document that was relevant to tracking someone. He could care less about what laws the man had broken, it wasn’t his job to determine if he needed arresting or if he as guilty. His job was to bring him in. “I take it you want this guy alive.” That comment got him a lot of stares.
“If you don’t mind.” Day said between clinched teeth.
Judge looked around. “You do understand this guy is a murderer. You think he’s gonna roll out a welcome mat for me.”
He watched God rear back in his seat and run his hands through his long hair. “I know that, Judge. Just try. I’m not telling you to get yourself killed. But if you don’t have to take a kill shot, I’d appreciate it.”
“I make no promises.”
“Of course not.” Day said drily. “you just make sure to bring my sniper back alive and you won’t have any beef out of me.”
Judge snapped back up, pulling his cane out of his mouth. “Excuse me.”
God grimaced and glared at Day. “I hadn’t exactly told him yet.” He whispered but Judge heard him loud and clear.
“Told me what, God?” Judge stood. “And it better not be what I think it is.”
“Judge. I need this guy in custody and I need it done quietly. So I want one of my guys to go with -”
“Hell no.” Judge backed up. “I don’t need any help you know that.”
“He’s not gonna be there to help you, he’s there to keep things quiet.”
“You think I need a goddamn do-gooder-baby-sitter, telling me how to do my fuckin’ job?”
“You know damn well I’m not saying that. I need assurance that this will keep kept quiet and I also know you wouldn’t be bothered with giving me updates.
Judge scoffed. “Quiet. You think I haven’t heard of these two.” He pointed to the two men that were introduced as Ruxs and Green. Now that he had a face to go with the names he knew who to point to. “These guys are the epitome of loud noise and ruckus.”
“Because that’s their job.”
“Fuck no.” Judge growled.
“You owe me, goddamnit!” God stood and came around the table to square off with him. Bookem stood and growled but didn’t attack. He’d never do that without command. God ignored the warning and stood directly in front of him. “Now, I’m asking for my favor. Are you going to refuse me, Judge?”
Son of a -. Judge gritted his teeth. God knew he’d never go back on h
is word. God gave him a few minutes to stew in his anger. All eyes were on him, waiting. Reluctantly he asked, “Who is he?”
“Detective Austin Michaels.” God replied. His voice and demeanor looked as if he was proud to present this guy.
Judge rolled his eyes when he saw Detective Michaels stand up. Of course it had to be him. The sexiest one of them all. Shit. When the man came over to glare at him, Judge had to be sure not to show his surprise or amusement. The little fucker. Actually he wasn’t so little. He was tall and built. Compact muscles over smooth ivory skin. No doubt he was as macho and straight as an arrow, those kinds usually were. Judge was eager to see how the man handled himself.
Chapter Twelve
Michaels didn’t dare offer the guy his hand to shake in introduction. The man was glaring like he wanted to kill him, not meet him, and damn sure not team up with him. Michaels had been quiet most of the time. Watching Judge carefully, playing close attention to every page of data he lingered on and then reading it himself trying to decipher what the man was putting together. Fact of the matter was is he had great instincts and he was positive he knew the way Judge was going. So maybe he had what Syn was talking about. He’d be damn if he’d let this big leather daddy intimidate him, he’d worked too hard for his title to have it diminished by a glorified chaser.
He stood in front of Judge¸ their chest only inches apart. He could smell Judge’s sweet breath from that fucking sugar cane stick but he held his breath and said his piece. “I’m not here to slow you down. I just want to get this asshole back in prison where he belongs. I’m not concerned about your ethics, your routine, your schedule, your pace, or your goddamn feelings. I’ll do my job and get the fuck out of your way. You’ll never see me again… if I’m lucky.” Michaels yanked his coat of the back of the chair. “I’m gonna step outside.”