“What was that for?” I asked.
“I’m just relieved that when you told me you knew what you were doin’, you actual y knew what you were doin’.” It wasn’t a wel -lit al ey but I was pretty sure he was looking at me with new respect. I felt a rush of warmth, starting at my bel y and going outwards. I didn’t know what to say, so I didn’t say anything.
The big blond guy and Mace were pushing Clarence and Jermaine toward the Explorer.
“Where are they taking them?” I asked.
“Don’t know. We stil got Shard in the holding room.
You’re chal enging our capacity,” Vance replied.
“You… you… what do you mean you stil have Shard?
What’s a holding room?”
Vance was watching them load up Clarence and Jermaine. His eyes came down to me and his arm loosened, sliding from around my shoulders. I pul ed back but he kept me close with his fingers curled around my neck.
“I didn’t like the way Shard was lookin’ at you last night.
We took him to the holding room in the offices to talk to him, convince him he didn’t want retribution. He’s being difficult.”
“Oh my God,” I breathed. That did not sound good.
“Oh my God,” I breathed. That did not sound good.
“Don’t worry, he won’t touch you,” Vance said and I figured either they would talk him out of it or Vance would stop him. One way or the other, he wouldn’t touch me.
Something about the thought of that made that rush of warmth intensify.
“So what about Clarence and Jermaine?” I asked.
“They aren’t low level. We’l need to talk to their people.
Lee’s already taken his side in this, whatever happens, you won’t feel it.”
My head jerked in surprise and I stared at him in the shadows. “What do you mean, Lee’s taken a side?”
“I mean he’s made it known where he stands,” Vance replied.
“And where does he stand?” I asked.
“By you.”
My breath caught and it was my turn for my mouth to drop open. “You’re joking.”
“Nope. Not a popular opinion. Hank and Chavez both want you shut down. They think you’re gonna get hurt and vigilantism isn’t a big hit with them. You aren’t real popular with Darius either. Stil , Lee decides somethin’ that’s it,” Crowe said.
“Where do you stand?” I asked.
“Got your back when you’re on the street. The rest of the time I’l be tryin’ to talk you out of it.” I put my hands to my hips. “I thought you just said I knew what I was doing?” I asked.
“He gave you a classic opening and you took advantage of it. He thought you were a joke. You kept your cool and did wel but word’l get around. Somehow, with your shit, it gets around faster than most. People wil begin to take you more seriously. Maybe take you as a chal enge and look for you. You won’t get the same opening again.”
“I’l be ready for it,” I said. “That’s not my only move.” Vance’s shit-eating grin made an appearance. “So, what you’re sayin’ is, you wanted to lose this morning when we were wrestling in bed?” Vance asked.
I opened my mouth to speak (or probably yel ) when Luke materialized at our side.
He was smiling huge, no half-mouthed grin this time and I knew he heard what Vance said. Vance dropped his hand from my neck.
“Hate to break up this lover’s chat but we gotta take these boys in. You gonna speak for Law or you want me to do it?” he asked.
“Speak for me?” I asked.
“I’l do it,” Vance said, ignoring me.
“Speak for me?” I repeated.
“You givin’ her your protection?” Luke asked, ignoring me too.
“Speak for me?” I said again then I hesitated, my eyes narrowed and I went on. “Protection?”
“Yeah,” Vance answered Luke’s protection question.
“Um… protection?” I asked.
Mace arrived at us. “Tel them she’s got mine too,” he said.
“Excuse me… boys?” I cut in.
Vance looked at Luke. “What about you?” he asked.
Vance looked at Luke. “What about you?” he asked.
“I’m in,” Luke replied.
“Hel oooooo?” I cal ed.
“You want to cal Lee, make it official?” Mace asked.
I gave up, crossed my arms on my chest and tapped my toe.
“Yeah,” Luke answered on a short laugh. “He’s at dinner with Indy, Roxie, Hank, Al y, Tex and his parents. Welcome to Denver for Roxie. He’s probably ready to murder someone about now. He’d kil to get a high priority cal .” The guys looked at each other with amused faces.
“Um, pardon me but it is after midnight. I doubt they’re stil at dinner,” I informed them.
They al looked at me.
“Shit,” Mace muttered.
“Probably shouldn’t cal him then,” Luke half-grinned.
These guys.
“Does someone want to tel me what you’re talking about?” I asked.
“We’l leave that to Crowe. Later,” Luke said then he de-materialized, poof, gone.
Same with Mace.