Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 82187 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82187 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Law sat up straighter in his chair, but Wes gripped his shoulder, shaking his head for him to stay quiet.
“They were in way over their heads, Cap,” Day continued, voice rising. “They’re not enforcers. They’re civilian consultants for fuck’s sake. Their job is inventions. Smoke and mirrors, not—”
“Flames,” Law muttered.
All heads turned in their direction at Law’s interruption.
“Excuse me,” the captain said, narrowing his eyes.
“Smoke and flames…he’s flames…y’know, fire, not mirr—”
“Will you shut up!” God snapped.
“Fine,” Day snarled. “They’re smoke and flame illusions. They don’t know shit about dodging bullets and diving through glass!”
“They panicked and bolted,” Syn added.
“That’s not what happened.” Law cut in.
Wes knew that tone. Law could accept being called a lot of things, but a coward wasn’t one of them.
“We weren’t running—we were getting out of the way so the team could focus.”
Day let out a hysterical laugh that lacked genuine amusement. “You ran so goddamn fast, Law, you almost teleported.”
“Fuck that, I didn’t run.” Law stood.
Wes yanked his soon-to-be-ex-best friend back down in the chair.
His chest was so tight he felt like he was suffocating. He stared at Law as if he’d grown another idiot head.
Didn’t run? Allowing the team to focus? Yeah-fuckin’-right.
They’d run faster than the last guy left in Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
And when it was all said and done, Law had cried into his shoulder half the night, shaking and broken. Now he wanted to play it off as if they’d been thinking strategically the entire time?
God’s incredulous glare was leveled on Day. “Are you saying we failed?”
“I’m saying they’re not soldiers,” Day bit back. “They didn’t sign up for this. We dropped them into the deep end with cinderblocks tied to their ankles.”
“They handled themselves,” God countered. “And the warrant was a success, Cap. We recovered intel, supplies, and new trafficking routes. I have enough for an arrest warrant.”
Day pointed at them. “Is serving that warrant worth their lives to you?”
God didn’t answer, his jaw locked tight enough Wes could see the muscle twitching from across the room.
The tension crackled like electricity.
Wes bounced his leg, unable to remain still as he listened to people argue about him as if he wasn’t in the room.
Law stood again, this time moving away so he couldn’t be forced back in his chair.
“I’m good. I even came up with a new cloaking mod for the optics. It’ll be even better next time. I can guarantee it.”
I? Next time? Da fuck?
“But Wes is, um…he’s gonna sit it out. He’ll be providing support from the command site with Free—mostly handling the tech and supplies while I execute in the field. That way we won’t distract each other.”
Wes wanted to speak up but the words he wanted to say burned. It felt as though someone had shoved glass down his throat.
God narrowed his eyes, but Day glowered as if he wanted to tear Law a new one.
Well, the lieutenant was going to have to stand in line behind him.
“They’ll never be that kind of combat-ready and they’re not expendable to your cause, God,” Day gritted.
“They’re not leaving,” God growled, his voice all gravel and iron.
“One more shot, Cap. That’s all I need, and Cade Mercer will be off my streets.”
“Your streets.” Day was two inches from his husband, glaring directly into his eyes. “Wow, your name has really gone to your fuckin’ head.”
“Leo, all I’m asking is for you to back me up. I just need one more chance, and I’ll nail this bastard.”
“One more chances are for people who’ve failed and can’t accept defeat,” Day said gravely.
Wes never thought he’d see a man as imposing and powerful as God, look devestated.
Syn stepped between them, diffusing their standoff.
“There’s another issue.” Syn said.
The captain sighed, rubbing his temples. “What?”
“We believe the warrant was compromised. We were made before we even entered the building. That’s what went wrong.”
The confession silenced the room. Five seconds later, the door was pulled open.
A man walked in, all clean, polished, and sexy as hell. Smooth black hair, skin the color of sun-warmed sand, and eyes that looked as if they could see through a man as easily as they did glass.
“I’m Inspector Kiran Joshi,” he said, flashing a brilliant gold badge. “Internal Affairs, commissioner’s office. Did I just hear someone mention leaked information?”
And the tornado touched down.
Hart turned from the window, shaking his head as if disappointed.
God cleared his throat. “That’s not confirmed. It could’ve been anyone who alerted Mercer’s men. Neighborhood eyes. Street kids on the payroll.”
Day stepped forward. “No. Someone leaked the warrant from inside. And if we don’t pull Wes and Law out now, we’re gambling with their lives. They’re done.”
“No,” God snapped. Short. Final.
Day spun on God. “Excuse the fuck outta me. I thought there were two lieutenants running this task force.”
“Look, I said I can handle this,” Law interrupted again. “God is right. Give us one more chance. Atlanta is my home. We want to help.”