My teammate swore. “Cops are coming. That’s Roger Mitchell. He could sue you.”
I dug into my wallet, and pulled out a card, handing it up. “Call my lawyer.”
He cursed again, but took it, and swore a third time. “Logan Kade?”
I grinned. “Something tells me he’ll be happy to represent me. Make sure to tell him the reason.”
He shook his head but took the card. He was pulling his phone out as a squad car was turning into the softball fields. I knew the officers who were getting out of the car, and as one headed my way, the other one cut across to check on Mitchell.
“What the fuck, Zeke?”
I grinned. “Still think it’s funny you decided to go law enforcement after college, Ryerson.”
Race Ryerson shook his head at me, his mouth all tight-lipped as he liked to get when he was worked up. I knew him from when we were in high school, but the better connection was because he’d married Blaise’s sister.
He sighed. “It was this or doing custom race cars.”
“No. I think it’s funny considering your family lineage.”
His partner was coming over, shaking his head. I also knew him from high school. Branston Strandling. Before Blaise, he and his brother were considered my closest friends. He cursed at me. “Why’d the fuck you do that? They’re saying you just all-out swung on him? He wasn’t even looking at you.”
“He was being disrespectful toward Ava.” I gave him a warning look because his brother had been close to doing the same not that long ago as well.
He stilled but swore under his breath. He got the look. “Brian’s an asshole.”
“You’re considered an asshole as well.”
Race cursed. “Zeke. My God.”
Branston shot back. “Fuck you, Zeke. You were the king of assholes back then.”
“Hence, why I swung. I’m also loyal and in love with Ava—” I stopped because holy fuck. I blinked a few times, letting the surprise filter through me. I was in love with Ava. I—I’d never loved a chick before.
Both guys had quieted, watching me.
Race asked, quietly, “First time realizing?”
“Yeah.” I blinked some more and held out a hand. “Holy fuck. I think I have to sit down.”
Branston snorted, but the ambulance was turned in, lights all flashing. We watched as the paramedics rolled up, went over and checked on Mitchell, and it wasn’t long before he was put on their stretcher and they loaded him up into the wagon. One of the paramedics came over, grimacing. “He’s going to have a concussion. You got his teeth, so there’ll be dental work.” He gave me a pitying look. “He’s talking lawyers already. Sorry, man.” He gave a small wave to us. Race lifted his chin in a salute, but Branston was looking my way.
“We’ll need to arrest you.”
I gave him a look, still dazed from my realization. “The world is brighter. Is that normal? Maybe I’m in shock too.”
Race wheezed out a laugh before coughing, covering it up. A couple of Mitchell’s teammates came over. One was scowling. “That was a very stupid—”
I growled. “Get lost, Ditterson. He was talking dirty about my woman. And if you think I’m not going to fight him because of that, you’re a moron.”
He stopped talking. The guy next to him drew up as tall as he could. He tugged at his shirt. “What—uh—what do you mean by that?”
I wasn’t caring that I was in the presence of two cops as I swung my gaze now his way. I fixed both with looks of frustration. “If you think I grew up in Fallen Crest, in the belly of the white-collar crime part of it, that I didn’t take note of every dirty thing you all have done over the years? And that I didn’t keep it put away in a nice folder somewhere, then you deserve what I’m going to let loose on Mitchell. My father was on the board of Kade Enterprises. He used to golf with you dirtbags. He ain’t stupid. Neither am I.”
“How would you know—” He shut up, remembering who else was standing beside me, wearing badges.
“Because I’m good with numbers, stocks, and computers. And no one knows that about me, except Blaise.”
Race looked my way.
Branston pulled out his cuffs and held them up in the air. “Do us a favor and walk away?”
They snapped their attention to him. One snipped, “You just remember to do your job. You work for us, you know.”
Branston’s tone was tight. “We’ll do our jobs.” They walked off, and he swung to stand in front of me, blocking their view.
“You’re going to put cuffs on me?”
His eyes were flat. “Fuck no, but those pieces of shits have to think I am.”
“Hey.” My teammate hurried over, holding out the card that I gave him. “I got a hold of your lawyer.”
“Yeah?”
“I told him what you said, and he said it’s no problem. Anything for Ava or Nate’s adopted son.”
I laughed.
My teammate frowned, confused.
“Is he flying in?”
“He’s in the area. He can meet you at the station.” He scanned Race and Branston. “I’m assuming that’s where you’re going, right?”
Branston sighed. “Yes. We’re here to do our jobs. An assault happened, so we’ll be taking him in.”
My teammate gave a nod before joining the rest of the team.
Race asked, “What about your car?”
I shrugged. “I can get it later.” But I was seeing how he was studying it and remembered his other vocation he’d considered once upon a time. “You mentioned custom race cars?”
“My dad had a shop, worked on bikes, but I don’t know. I always liked the car part of it.”
“If you ever think of doing that, I’ll invest.”
His attention jerked back to me. “Yeah?”
I nodded, knowing what my gut was telling me. “Yeah.”
“Thanks, Zeke. I might take you up on that offer.”
“Okay, chicas, not to break up your future business deal, but we need to go.” Branston held his hand out to me. “Give me your keys. I’ll drive it to the station for you.”
I handed them over. “Thanks, man.”
Branston jerked his head toward their squad car. “Pretend you’re handcuffed and get inside.”
I opened my mouth.
He shook his head. “And don’t be a smartass. We both know it’s not the first time you’ve been in the back of a cop car.”
I couldn’t help myself. “First time where you’re supposed to be in the driver’s seat.”
He snorted, before shaking his head and heading off to my vehicle.
Race drove instead, and once we were on the way, he glanced back in the rearview mirror. “You’re really in love, Zeke?”
I could let myself think about it, about what I did, what I had no problem doing, and what I’d do again, all because he was talking dirty about my woman. It wasn’t my first time in a fight. Hell. Blaise used to start fights all the time and I’d wade in, but how it happened, how I just swung without batting an eye, that was out of the ordinary for me. Or it was now.
“Yeah, man.” Ava. Just the thought of her was making me smile. “I’m in love.”