2. Chapter 2 #2
“I work for a travel insurance company. We’re contractors for the government,” I said, slipping easily into the lie we’ve all been trained to tell outside of our organization.
Thomas leaned forward on the table, resting his chin on his hand and fluttering his lashes at me.
“Wow, what a great job for someone so young… I’m only assuming you’re young by your appearance, but what do I know?”
“I’m nineteen. ”
“Wow, so am I!”
“Thomas!” someone called out. We both turned our heads toward a woman behind the counter, waving at a new line forming.
“Gotta go! Nice meeting you, Easton. I hope to talk again.”
“Bye.”
I watched him saunter off, curious about him, and strangely not annoyed by his constant chattering. I took a bite of my roll, watching him work, now full of smiles instead of stressed out like before.
When I finished my drink and breakfast, he waved goodbye to me with a huge smile on his face.
What an odd guy.
I headed back to the office and went straight downstairs, which housed our sparring room, gun range, and computer servers, where Layla, our hacker, worked.
I walked into the new office we’d set up for Dalton to work in.
He was Sid’s lover and new husband, and a former FBI agent.
We had saved Dalton from our own government when he stumbled upon a rape video featuring a politician.
He went on the run, and we were tasked with taking him out.
Instead, Sid saved him because they had gone to school together.
I never understood it, but Sid was mine, and I would protect him and what was his.
That made Dalton and Owen mine by default .
Now, Dalton worked with us to hunt down criminals the government or police let slip through the system or refused to punish.
“Easton, what can I do for you?” he asked. His dark brown hair was wavy, and his blue eyes behind glasses stared at his computer screen.
“I want to ask someone out on a date and I’m going to fuck him.”
“Who are they?”
“Thomas over at Sweet Bean.”
“He works at the new coffee shop?”
“Yes.”
“What makes you interested in him?”
“I like the way he looks, and he doesn’t seem bothered by me.”
He chuckled. “Why should he be bothered by you?”
I tilted my head and looked at him. “For the same reason you were afraid of me at first.”
“Yes, but I already knew about you. This Thomas apparently doesn’t.”
“I suppose. I want to fuck him all the same.”
Dalton smiled at me as he leaned back in his leather chair, folding his hands over his stomach. “Well, I suppose congratulations are in order.”
“Why? Isn’t this what everyone does normally? They have their needs met by someone they’re attracted to?”
His smile grew broader, which softened his features, reminding me of Thomas in a way. “They do sometimes. So, why are you telling me this then if it’s nothing more than a fuck? ”
“Should I do something for him? Bring him flowers? Or a present? It’ll be exhausting to fake being someone else with smiles and act like I’m in love, but it’s what they want, right?”
“You rarely pretend, East. Did you do that with Thomas when you met him? You said you were just yourself, right?”
“Right.”
“There you go. If he’s willing to date the real you, then you’ll be fine.”
“So, no chocolate or flowers?”
“I don’t think that’s necessary. For now, it’s just sex, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then leave it at that unless you find you want more with him. Then worry about the rest later.”
“Okay.”
“Now go see Maverick. I have an assignment for both of you. He already has the details.”
“Thank you, Dalton.”
“You’re welcome. And thank you for taking Owen to school today. He loves it when it’s you who takes him.”
I nodded and headed out to see Maverick, who was upstairs in the library section, reading through some files.
I sat at the wooden table across from him, surrounded by shelves of books.
The library and tables were situated on a raised platform, and in the center was the pathway to the lounge, kitchen, and offices.
The windows were massive and had a surrounding view of Washington, DC.
I sat across from the massive man, wearing reading glasses. He wasn’t that old yet, not as old as Sid or Dalton, but he was close. He had dark brown hair that fell to his shoulders in waves, and his eyes were hazel with a touch of green.
Maverick was recruited years ago by Malik, who had stumbled upon him on the dark web.
He’d been part of a powerful motorcycle gang and second in command.
When the leader learned Maverick was gay, he challenged him and nearly killed him.
His story wasn’t unlike Sid’s, who had gone through something similar.
Criminal organizations had no tolerance for those who are LGBTQ+, which was stupid.
Who cared who you slept with? A person was a person.
“Dalton said he has a job for us.”
“Yep. Juan Ruiz. He is a Venezuelan leader of the Los Inquebrantables gang, which is expanding in the U.S., particularly in Washington. He specializes in the basics—drugs, weapons, sex trafficking, and prostitution. He’s also violent as hell.
We’re to go in quietly to take out Juan and his men.
Dalton believes they’re small enough to end them entirely if we cut off these particular snake heads.
Dante and Khai will go into their warehouses, and clean them out of men, and see if there are victims who need rescuing. ”
“When do we go?” I asked.
“You have two days. Study the file thoroughly. We’ll be going to Juan’s personal home Wednesday night, so it shouldn’t be heavy with guards.
Only a select few, but they will be professionals.
I’ll take out the ones outside, guarding the perimeter.
You’ll handle the ones inside. The floor plan is there, along with all the men who work for him. ”
I nodded and grabbed the file.
“Killing people like these brings me joy.”
Maverick grinned, looking at me over the rim of his glasses. “You and me both, kiddo.”