Operation 28 Cops and Cowboys #2
Genesis laughed. “It’s his wedding weekend. He can do whatever he wants as long as he’s smiling and meets me at that altar tomorrow night.”
Dale clicked his tongue lazily and his horse walked at a slow, easy pace toward the side of the house. Curtis waved like a homecoming king while God stared after them with revulsion.
“This is why I hate that fucking guy,” God said.
Bull chuckled. “Dale’s a good guy. Y’all just got off on the wrong foot.”
“Wrong foot. That guy almost killed me,” God balked. “I still ain’t got a fuckin’ apology yet.”
Bull hissed through clenched teeth. “Yeah uh, don’t hold your breath on that.”
Ro turned toward Hart. “Where’s Tech and Free?”
“Ravens headquarters,” he answered. “Steele too.”
Fox’s brows lifted. “They said they’d be back in time.”
Hart crossed his arms. “He left home at like six this morning. Apparently some secret shit came up last minute. They said they’d be here before the ceremony though.”
“How’s Free liking it?” Ro asked.
Hart’s expression changed. It was subtle, but God saw it. Pride.
“He loves it,” Hart said. “Unlimited tech. Unlimited budget. His own lab and department with a gang of people who can understand what he’s actually talking about. Not to mention, the commuting to work on a private jet part.”
God whistled low.
“I know right?” Hart chuckled.
“I can’t believe our boys joined a covert assassin organization,” God muttered.
“I can,” Hart said. “Free’s always wanted to use his inventions and knowledge to do good in the world. And the Ravens are definitely doing that.”
“I saw a headline this morning on CNN that the missing whistleblower who was supposed to testify against some corruption in the DOJ was safely recovered after he vanished the night before the hearing, but no one is giving any details on the rescue,” Day said. “I’m pretty sure that was the Ravens.”
“Every headline you read that sounds mysterious, you think it’s them.” God pfft’d. “Fact is, no one knows when or where they strike. Especially since there’s eight of them.”
They walked around the side of the big house toward the venue, and the ranch opened up in front of them.
Even God had to admit it looked damn good.
More than good.
Beautiful.
A massive white tent had been erected near the back pasture, its peaked roof glowing in the warm light. Wide panels were tied open so the breeze could move through.
Long wooden tables were already dressed beneath it, with cream runners, greenery, lanterns, and clusters of wildflowers in deep blue, white, and gold. Strings of lights hung from the tent beams and stretched outward into the trees like low stars.
Beyond the tent, an aisle had been marked across the grass with wooden benches on either side.
At the end stood a high arch made of dark timber and climbing greenery, with white flowers threaded through it.
Further back, near the fence line, God could see the carriage Fox had promised, polished and waiting, with ribbons tied along the rails.
Gen stared transfixed. “Oh my gosh, Curtis is going to lose his mind.”
“You said he wanted a fairy tale,” Bull said beside them.
Gen shook his head. “I don’t know what to say…thank you so much. This far exceeds what we’d imagined our wedding would be.”
God stood near the edge of the aisle and looked over the place where the boy he’d rescued from a life of crime would marry his baby brother.
For a moment, he didn’t see the tent.
He saw a young kid with wild eyes and more fear than sense.
He saw the whole team coming together to keep Curtis’s pockets full so he never felt that desperate again.
He saw Ruxs and Green stepping into a broken boy’s life and building a home of love for him, mingled with a bit of profanity and reckless advice.
And now that kid was getting married.
Day slid his hand into his.
“Where’s the time go, huh?” Day said quietly.
God gazed at him for a long moment, before he leaned down and kissed his forehead. “Don’t start your mushy shit.”
He turned toward the far side of the venue where Curtis was still on the horse with Dale, pointing excitedly at the carriage while Dale said something that made him laugh so hard he folded forward.
Genesis stood watching him.
God bumped his brother’s shoulder. “You’re gonna make a good husband.”
Genesis’s eyes stayed on Curtis. “Don’t be too busy in Hollywood to take my call. Because I know I’m gonna need some advice in the spouse department…probably often.”
God understood. “I’ll never be too busy for you.”
Genesis turned and faced him, his expression somber and serious. “I love you, Cash. I’m glad we found our way back to each other.”
God gave his brother a tight hug.
Yeah, he was glad too.
Fox walked backward in front of them, hands spread. “So, since we’re all emotional and getting old, I have a question.”
“Oh boy,” Hart rumbled.
“You don’t even know the question.”
“I know you.”
Fox ignored him. “Wonder who’s gonna tie the knot next.”
Groans rose from half the group.
Day perked up. “Now that’s a good question.”
Ruxs pointed at Hart. “Free and Hart.”
Hart’s head snapped toward him. “What?”
Green nodded. “Yep.”
Hart rubbed his hand over his long beard. “I’m not totally opposed to it, and Free’s definitely got me by the beard, but I don’t think we’re ready for that yet.”
Fox pointed between Furi and Syn. “Could be those two.”
Furi smiled at him.
Syn pointed at him. “Careful.”
Michaels chuckled. “I’m with Ruxs. My money’s on Hart and Free. He turned down Hollywood for him.”
Syn leaned against the fence rail, grinning at Ro and Johnson. “Nah. I’m betting Ro and Johnson.”
Ro turned. “Excuse me?”
Syn nodded with conviction. “After living with them for a week, I can confirm they are domesticated to the max.”
Johnson’s brows lifted.
Syn continued. “Fully. Completely. Embarrassingly domesticated. They eat at a table. They have throw pillows and matching monogrammed hand towel sets. Johnson makes tea, and they actually have tea time where they talk.” Syn used air quotes around the word ‘talk.’ “They even go to bed at the same time.”
Day frowned. “At the same time? Really.”
God tilted his head. “Damn, brother.”
Ro scowled. “Y’all are childish.”
Johnson stepped behind him and wrapped both arms around him, pulling Ro back against his chest.
Johnson cupped Ro’s jaw with such open tenderness they all went quiet despite themselves.
“What do you think, Sasha?” Johnson asked. “Think it’ll be us next?”
Every head snapped toward them.
Then the entire group yelled at once.
“Sasha!”
Ro whipped around, glaring at everyone. “What?”
Furi blinked. “Your first name is Sasha?”
Ro’s scowl deepened. “Yes.”
Ruxs shook his head. “Since when?”
“Since birth, dumbass.”
Bull appeared genuinely confused. “You guys didn’t know his name?”
Everyone stared.
Bull laughed. “How is that possible?”
Day shrugged, looking just as baffled as everyone else. “No fuckin’ clue.”
Johnson’s face went from tender to amused. “Did y’all think his first name was Ro?”
“Yes,” Fox said immediately. “Ro Ronowski.”
Michaels bent at the waist laughing.
Syn covered his face.
Hart turned away, shoulders shaking.
“What kind of goddamn name is Ro Ronowski?” Ro growled at Fox.
Fox was laughing too hard to answer properly. “I don’t know. We never questioned it.”
God crossed his arms. “To be fair, cops don’t use first names.”
Day nodded. “And you’ve always just answered to Ro.”
“It’s a nickname for my long last name, obviously.”
Ruxs threw out both hands. “How were we supposed to know? You could’ve been named Roscoe.”
Ro looked ready to swing.
Furi smiled. “Or Rodolfo.”
“Roman,” Michaels added.
“Roosevelt,” Day said.
Ro flipped them all the bird
Johnson kissed the side of Ro’s head. “Ignore them, Sash.”
The second round of laughter was worse.
Ro shoved at Johnson’s chest, but Johnson held on to him easily.
God laughed despite himself.
A van pulled up near the house.
A woman climbed out first, brisk and stylish in dark slacks. Two others got out behind her carrying garment bags, and a big steel case.
Fox clapped his hands once. “All right, fellas. Let’s take this inside. Tailors are here.”
Curtis’s voice carried from across the grass. “Already?”
Fox shouted back, “Let’s go. Ride-a-cowboy time is over.”
Dale guided the horse back at an easy pace, with Curtis still sitting proudly in front of him.
Genesis moved to meet him, and Curtis reached for him before Dale finished easing the horse to a halt.
“You’re looking a little jealous, Godfrey.” Dale tipped his hat toward him, giving him a teasing wink. “You wanna ride too?”
“Fuck. All. The Way. Off,” God gritted.
Day laughed.
Dale let out a low, deep chuckle, before he clicked his tongue, turned his big beast around, and kicked her into a fast gallop.
God slipped hand into his husband’s as Fox herded everyone toward the house for tux fittings, measurements, and whatever else came with that.
Ugh, a tux.
He always felt his neck was too big for a tie.
His brother better be glad he loved him so much.