Sin City Uniform 02 - Copping an Attitude (19 page)

“Don’t you fucking touch her, you lying, betraying
asshole
!”

Samson sat on his haunches in front of them and for the first time, Lonnie noticed that he had a Kevlar vest on.

“I know. I deserve that.”

There was no more Russian accent. Lonnie narrowed his eyes at the man. The pain in Samson’s gaze seemed real, but Lonnie was very confused. Valeena had gone quiet, and Lonnie thought she might have fainted. Samson yelled for someone and a young FBI agent dressed in a similar vest entered the room, his gun holstered at his side. Lonnie took that as a good indicator that the battle really was over.

“I need blankets, right now. Grab some from the kit in my trunk. And make sure a medic is directed here immediately.” Samson tossed his keys at the startled agent who caught them, then left. Samson turned back to face Lonnie.

“Both of you will probably hate me for what I had to do, but I honestly had no choice.”

Lonnie grunted. “Who the fuck are you anyway? I mean, like, for real?”

“I’m an undercover agent. I infiltrated Alexei Gromov’s ring almost three years ago. He had already begun to get involved in human trafficking and had planned to take over the Las Vegas territory from Julio. He wanted to have the best pickings and Sin City is a Mecca to those wanting to sell their bodies.”

“Mecca. Right.” Lonnie sneered. “Thought you’d might as well get a little pussy on the side while you were at it? Break a girl’s heart by letting her think she was loved, making her think she could finally be free then watch as she crumbled?”

Lonnie choked on a sob, but refused to give the asshole the satisfaction of seeing his tears. He was startled when he saw Samson also tear up.

“It seems that way, doesn’t it? But it’s not true. Alexei wanted me to patronize Julio’s sex workers, keep an eye on things, report back to him about what Julio was up to, who might be good to sell.” Samson swiped at a lone tear that escaped his eye. “Before I fell in love, I’d given him her name. Up until then, all of this was just another case I was working on. Then it changed.” He lowered his head before raising it again to look into Lonnie’s eyes. “I know she’ll never forgive me, but I do love her.”

“What was all that bullshit about saving both of us? Huh? That was fucking cruel, man.”

“It wasn’t bullshit, Slade—”

“Lonnie, ass wipe.”

Samson pressed his lips together. “Of course. My apologies. Not that you probably care, but my real name is Mike.”

Lonnie snorted. “Whatever, dude. You still haven’t answered my question.”

The young agent who’d been sent to fetch the blankets appeared. He handed Samson—Mike—his keys as he gave him the blankets. Valeena seemed to be passed out, so Lonnie wrapped the covering around her, still refusing to let Mike anywhere near her. He took the other one and wrapped it around himself. The three of them were left alone once more.

“Well? No good answer?”

“Sla— Lonnie, I almost lost my job trying to help you both. As it is, I’ll be written up at the very least. But they couldn’t afford to pull me out so far into the investigation. It would’ve been disastrous.”

Lonnie didn’t like the fact that he was leaning toward believing the man. “Go on.”

“The money, the ten grand for each of you came from my own personal savings, but everything went wrong. I’d intended to get both of you far away until I could finish the investigation. But Alexei’s men caught me. I had to lie and say that I’d kidnapped her for Alexei to sell by filling her head with promises of freedom.” Mike covered his mouth with the back of his hand, his skin paling. He took a deep breath before continuing. “They believed me, but took her. She cried, begged me.” He shook his head as if to dislodge the awful memories. “I… They wanted… They were going to kill her in retribution against Julio instead of selling her.” Mike fixed his stare on Lonnie. “I talked them out of it by assuring them that Julio had more important workers. Ones that would impact him more. They could sell her and still get revenge.”

Lonnie gulped. “You mean…?”

“Not intentionally, Lonnie, I swear. Things were getting too dicey, I was being watched more carefully so I didn’t dare get my friend involved by meeting you the way he was supposed to. I planned to meet you myself and tell you to lay low until the operation was over. Two of Gromov’s men followed me to verify that I was doing my job. They saw you and thanked me for bringing you to them to be disposed of.”

It was all so sickening. Both he and Valeena had been nothing but pawns in a much larger game neither of them had even been aware of. Mike’s expression was pained. It was obvious to Lonnie that he was deeply affected by what he’d been forced to do. It didn’t make Lonnie any less angry or feel any more charitable toward him, but if he took him and Valeena out of the equation, he could step back enough to understand. Sort of.

“I’m so very sorry for all you’ve both been through. It was my intention to help you, but I was limited by my oath as an agent.” He chuckled darkly. “I even fucked that up.”

He reached out his hand and Lonnie tensed. Mike gazed at Lonnie, pleading with his eyes.

“Please.”

Lonnie bit his lip then nodded. He didn’t relinquish his hold on her, though. Mike softly stroked her hair and whispered words in Russian to her. Lonnie figured it was the only way he could keep his sentiments private, even if she wouldn’t understand what he said. Lonnie still couldn’t tell if she was actually unconscious or had simply retreated into herself.

He startled when he heard a familiar voice.

“Where is he? Goddammit, Beau, you promised me I could see him as soon as the area was cleared!”

Chapter Twelve

There had been more than one questioning glance in their direction when Beau had arrived with him at the initial meeting point before the operation that was due to go down at the warehouse. Despite the overpowering urge to run to Lonnie’s aid, he knew from his experience as an officer that charging in where he wasn’t needed could be more dangerous to his lover. It didn’t make it any easier to behave.

Beau’s car was parked nearby the target location with some of the top agents who’d worked the sex ring case along with members of Beau’s team. The other agents, including SWAT, had already moved in earlier and taken their places. All that was left to do was to wait. The men around him chatted quietly or appeared lost in their own thoughts. The suspense was painful.

Beau’s radio crackled to life and Parker tensed. The message was simple.

“Target’s been taken out.”

Everyone immediately jumped into action, scurrying to their vehicles then peeling out. Dirt and gravel flew under tires as they all fled their desert waiting area. Beau remained tight-lipped and Parker knew there was no way his friend could have any additional info other than what Parker had heard for himself.

Just a few minutes more.

As soon as they reached the warehouse, Parker had to force himself not to freak out. Numerous emergency vehicles were everywhere, more than he’d ever witnessed in one location before. Stretchers with sheet-covered bodies were being loaded onto ambulances as SWAT team members and other law enforcement officers milled about. It was like a war zone. The car had barely slowed when Parker unlatched the door then raced toward the closest medical van. He was vaguely aware of Beau calling after him.

Before Parker was able to reach the first body, he was physically stopped by an investigating officer.

“Sir, you can’t go there. Please step back.”

Beau had caught up to him. He grabbed Parker’s arm, pulling him away.

He growled in his ear. “Remember what I said about not making me regret this?”

Parker nodded, but grief tugged at him. He prayed he wouldn’t have cause to give in to it.

“Sorry. But we’re so close. I have to know.”

Beau regarded him. “Okay. Come with me. You can see him as soon as we have an all clear to go in. But don’t cause any more scenes. Got it?”

“Got it.”

Parker hesitated, not wanting to piss Beau off any further. In the end, his need to know won out again.

“Is there any way to find out if he’s okay before we go in?”

Beau pinched the bridge of his nose then raised his head. “I get it, Parker. I really do. But there’s nothing more we can do right now. We’ll find out more soon.” Beau laid a hand on his arm. “I’m sorry. I know this must be very hard.”

Parker could hear the sincerity in the detective’s voice, but it didn’t alleviate his jangled nerves any. Beau ambled over to a man in a suit who Parker surmised was someone in charge. He appeared to be directing everyone around, and various agents and uniformed personnel approached him with questions. Parker had never seen him at the station, so he concluded that he must be from the FBI.

Beau and the mystery agent looked as though they were deep in conversation. At one point, Beau glanced over his shoulder toward Parker and the agent followed his gaze. He nodded and Parker did his best to remain calm. The same couldn’t be said for his insides. Beau gestured him over and Parker moved to where the men stood as if nothing unusual were happening.

“Parker McLean, this is Special Agent in Charge, Nash.”

Agent Nash held out his hand and Parker took it. “I understand from Detective Williams that a close friend of yours was a victim of Julio Estevez?”

“Yes, sir.” He cleared his throat, not sure what he was allowed to ask. “Is he…? Did anyone…?”

“We didn’t lose any civilians today, Officer McLean.”

Parker nodded shakily, his legs threatening to give out on him. He was like putty when it came to Lonnie, but he held himself together.

Agent Nash turned to Beau. “We’re clear. Go on in, but I want you to take a statement from the young man before he’s released to anyone. Even medical, got it?”

“Yes, sir.”

Parker attempted to keep his voice steady. “Medical? Does that mean—?”

“Let’s go, Parker.”

Beau tugged forcefully on his arm. As soon as they were out of earshot, he angled his head to Parker even as he continued to move them along toward the warehouse.

“He’s going outside of protocol for this. Don’t push your luck.”

At the moment, Parker didn’t give two fucks about protocol. “Has Lonnie been hurt?”

“I honestly don’t know, Parker. But he did say we hadn’t lost anyone, so that’s what really counts, right?”

They continued in silence, Parker’s pace picking up speed the closer they got. When they reached the main entrance to the imposing structure, Parker couldn’t stand it any longer. He fell into a jog as he pushed past agents and medics pouring in and out of the building.

“Parker, wait!”

He experienced a twinge of remorse over not being better behaved, but it was a very tiny one. It wasn’t until he’d reached the main area and saw all the blood, debris, glass and dead bodies that he started to freak out. Beau caught up to him and grabbed his arm once more.

“Parker, there’s still an investigation going on. You can’t just charge through here—you’ll get both our asses kicked.”

“Where is he? Goddammit, Beau, you promised me I could see him as soon as the area was cleared!”

Parker whipped his head around when he heard Lonnie cry out for him.

“I’m in here!”

Shrugging Beau off, he then ran to what looked like a small office on the other side of the open area. He was fairly certain he was making a scene, but it fell under the ‘I don’t give a shit’ category. The moment he saw Lonnie crouched on the floor wrapped in a blanket, he surged forward, knocking into an agent attending a young woman. Lonnie leaped into his arms, throwing his around Parker’s neck, clutching him tightly. The blanket fell away. Parker was horrified to discover that his lover was naked. He held onto Lonnie with one arm then picked up the blanket with his other hand, draping it back over his shivering body. Then he wrapped himself around Lonnie, hugging him back.

“Oh, honey, I’m so grateful you’re okay.” He pulled Lonnie off him to make sure, his gaze traveling over Lonnie’s form. “You’re not hurt, are you? Do you need a medic?”

Lonnie pulled him back into an embrace. “I’m fine. You’re here and I’m wonderful. I can’t believe you came for me.”

Parker got close to Lonnie’s ear so that he would be the only one to hear. “Always, honey. I’ll always be there for you. I love you.”

Lonnie tensed and for once Parker didn’t worry what it might mean. No matter what Lonnie’s reaction was, he’d wanted him to know the truth—that someone cared. Lonnie squeezed him harder.

“Really? You really mean it?”

Parker kissed the side of his neck. “Of course I do.”

Lonnie relaxed in his hold. “Oh thank God, ’cause I love you too and I was afraid you didn’t feel the same way.”

Parker cradled Lonnie’s face in his hands, desperate to gaze into his eyes. “Lonnie.”

His lover stared up at him as if waiting for Parker to make a grand announcement.

“I want to take you home. Back to
our
home.”

Lonnie smiled and it was the most beautiful thing Parker had ever seen.

“Our home.” Lonnie had whispered it as if he were testing out the concept. “Thank you, Parker. I’m so sorry I ran out last night. I was being stupid again.”

Parker’s heart ached for the man he loved. He wished that Lonnie would seek help someday. He kissed him lightly on the lips.

“You weren’t being stupid. I know you saw the message from Brett and probably took it the wrong way. If you’re ever unsure of me, of us, talk to me first. Give me a chance. I’m not your enemy, honey.”

Lonnie’s bottom lip began to quiver and Parker realized that he’d unintentionally struck on something.

“Oh, honey. Don’t cry.”

Parker angled his mouth over Lonnie’s, hoping to soothe him, take the sadness away. He deepened the kiss, pushing gently in, reconnecting them. The sound of a throat loudly clearing made him stop. He clutched Lonnie to his chest then turned to see who it was.

Beau.

“I need to speak with him then the medics need to check him out. You can take him home after that. I’ll have to stay for a while, but one of my men will give you a ride back.”