Kosyak begins to point his gun, and Tyrone shoots. I then pull the trigger on the two at either side of him. The first one takes a bullet straight through the center of the chest. The second begins to aim toward me, and I target his skull.
Just as the bullet pierces through the man’s forehead, the fourth guy charges into me. His bald head rams into my stomach. All the air is expelled from my ribcage. A searing pain shoots through my back as I’m forced against the center stage. The man’s hands tighten around my neck.
I dig my fingers into his eyes and his grip loosens. I give a right knee to his mid-section and throw a right hook at the side of his head. His eyes are black, shiny dots as if I just made him angrier than he already was, and I continue to punch at his face. Trying to break his jaw. My already battered knuckles focus on a crooked nose that has been previously broken. And then take one swift knee to his nuts. BANG! Tyrone has taken the shot.
Those soulless eyes widen. His hands loosen from around my neck, and he slumps down dead.
Tyrone puts his gun down and takes a deep breath.
“Feels like I've been run over by a semi-truck. No thanks to my partner,” I say, giving a long stretch to ease the aching in my back.
Tyrone huffs as we walk through the parking lot toward the precinct. “Shit, the two of you were doing the damn tango. I took the shot as soon as I could. I say we’re almost even.”
“Nah, I won’t count this as you saving my life, Ty, we’ve got a ways to go to be even.”
“I know those are just emotions talking, Evan. You love me. But you should’ve had that sexy EMT take a look.”
“Yeah right,” I grumble, pressing against the door jamb. The double doors open wide.
There's a round of clapping. “Look Dumb and Dumber have finally done something right!” The captain says.
“Oh besides tag teaming your old lady,” Tyrone chuckles. There are only a select few things off limits for the old fart. His job. The bottle of whiskey he keeps in his bottom drawer. Sadly, the wife didn't make the cut. Captain Raynor’s laughter is the loudest.
Raynor cocks his head to his office.
We pass by the celebration, complete with a full sheet cake from our local grocery store. Every officer we pass, pats our backs and promises a round at the bar across the street, on him or her. The celebration is semi-bittersweet. The goons, who murdered two of our own before they even got a chance to make something of their name, are either dead or being booked. All of the Russians’ from the La Brea shootout have been accounted for. Ty glances toward the conference room where our drawing board is. “Riker? Tomorrow?”
“Bright and fucking early.” I frown. Though it’s best that I’m not the one to apprehend Riker, he’s still at large. SWAT was setting a perimeter about the Black Daliah and waiting for the order when Kosyak’s men surrounded them. The fucking Russians had AR riffles, AK47s and other Army issued guns, and their own tactical defense system. While over forty of Kosyak’s men assaulted our unit, Kosyak and his right-arm pushed their way inside for Riker.
That motherfucker, Kosyak’s vendetta against Riker was parallel with mine. After assessing the scene, the biker rat was nowhere to be found.
Tomorrow is another day, I tell myself as we follow the captain into his room and close the door.
“Think fast, dummy,” Raynor tosses a tiny bottle of Wild Turkey to Tyrone and then me.
“Aw, what do I owe the pleasure?” I say, unscrewing mine for a taste.
“Did I ever tell ya, you two are my favorite fucktards?”
“That's real love right there,” Tyrone points. “But why couldn't you say so in front of the squad?”
“You all know I'm not one for schmoozing. And the both of ya disappear soon as it's time to celebrate these days.”
My eyebrow cocks. So Tyrone hasn’t headed across the street to the cop bar in a while either?
Tyrone shrugs. “You’re settling down. I am too.” He mentions the woman that he argues about the most, they break up, and then they’re always back together.
“Figures,” I mumble.
“Yeah, the dummy is in love but what can I say. We're the kinda guys that don't mention the good shit. Now, who’s the lady sniffing after Evan. I want to meet her soon.” The captain smiles. Contrary to his detached demeanor, he is a family man. “Do a background check?”
“Yeah,” I chuckle.
“What's her name?”
“Reese. Reese Dunham.”
“Reese you say?” Raynor scratches at the scruff along his puffy jaw.
I nod as his gaze takes on a faraway look. Then the captain chuckles, “Reese. How cutesy is that!”
On my long drive home, I dial Reese. A backrub is just what the doctor prescribes, but selfishness won’t allow Reese to see me all bruised up. She has no problem running away from our love, and the scraped-up man before her is just another reason to flee.
When the call connects, I hear Jamie in the background.
“Hey, you,” Reese’s voice is playful.
“Hi, babe. Just got off work.”
“Sheesh, I was asleep when you went to work, had fun designing a wedding cake and then I took an afternoon nap. Now,” she yawns, “I’m probably going to fall asleep as I watch TV with Jamie. Unless you wanna come over. I’ll sneak you in.”
I chuckle. “You having a sleepover?”
“Sort of. But I’m in the tub right now,” her delicious tone is rather persuasive. But seeing me now is a good enough reason for her not to carry on with a cop.
“Okay, Reese. Do me a favor.”
“Anything,” her tone is light with laughter.
“Stay in the house with your doors locked. Riker is still out there. I just spoke with dispatch about having a cruiser keep an eye on your street. I’m
