Chapter 25
Noah found Booger doing push-ups on the floor of the command center, the intricate tattoos on his muscled arms shiny with sweat. Noah rolled his eyes. Booger had been with HERO Force a couple of months already, but Noah had yet to figure out why anybody liked the asshole.
He was opinionated as fuck and as likely to do jumping jacks in front of a tango as to shoot the poor bastard. “We have to talk,” said Noah.
Booger jumped to a stand, putting his hands on his hips. “What’s up?”
“Logan and I are taking the chopper back to Hilton Head tonight. We’ve got at least one major asshole who’s still breathing. Hannah and the kid are in danger.”
“You should take Hawk.”
“He’s going to Paris.”
“Then take Cowboy.”
“I want you.”
Booger narrowed his eyes. “Why?”
“Because you’re quick on your feet and the best shot on the force, aside from me.”
“We don’t work well together.”
“That’s because you don’t trust me.”
Booger scoffed. “I don’t trust you because you’ve demonstrated your inability to handle stress.”
Noah stepped forward. “Bullshit. My sister had just died and you didn’t trust me to do my damn job. You put our guys in jeopardy.”
“Cowboy agreed with me. You were a goddamn mess.”
Noah’s hand clenched in a fist. “I could make the shot.”
Booger shook his head. “Not a chance I was willing to take. There were kids involved.”
“Fuck you.” Noah punched him in the gut, Booger doubling over. “Come on, hit me,” said Noah.
Booger came up with a left hook, catching Noah in the jaw, pain exploding like fireworks, and it felt good to finally get it out. He got Booger with a kidney punch and a head butt to the solar plexus, knocking the wind out of him with a whoosh.
“You’ve got a damn death wish,” said Booger, his fist sinking into Noah’s abs with great force. “You want me to stand up for you, fight next to you, you’ve got to deserve it.”
Noah got him with a two-punch combination. “I’m fucking here, aren’t I? Asking you for help? Telling you I need you on my six, damn it.”
Booger pushed him back against the wall, and Noah used it as a springboard to attack him, pummeling him with his fists. Booger came back hard with another hook, making Noah see stars. “Fuck,” said Noah, staggering away.
Booger was breathing hard. “Tell me what’s different this time.”
“I killed the bastard who shot my sister. That ghost isn’t hanging off me the same way anymore.”
“You’re sure you can handle it?”
“I’m sure.”
The sound of the men breathing was the only sound in the room for a long moment. “I’ll go with you,” said Booger.
“Logan’s getting the chopper ready now. We leave in ten.”
“Meet you there.” Booger walked out of the room as Noah straightened, his fingers touching his bruised and battered face, coming away bloody.
He didn’t see Brady hiding at the far side of the command center with Mr. Bojangles—determined to stay with his hero while his momma talked to Trevor. And when the boy retraced his steps to the helipad and stowed away on the chopper, neither of the men ever knew he was there.