“I’m going to need to take an extended leave.”
“Why? What’s up?”
He hadn’t taken time off since he started at ALFA. Sure, he’d taken a few days here or there, but extended time meant a long-term absence and one that would leave a hole in our company.
“Fiona’s expecting.”
I jumped up from my chair and rounded the desk to shake his hand. “Congrats, buddy.”
“Thanks, but she’s been put on bed rest. So, until her mother can come down and take care of her, I’m going to be taking a leave.”
“What’s wrong?”
“The doctor said some mumbo jumbo about an incompetent cervix. Whatever the fuck that means.”
“We’re all here to help with anything you two need.”
“Thanks, James.” He gave me a small smile, but I couldn’t imagine what he was going through. “I’m excited about finally being a dad and don’t want anything to happen to Fiona or our baby.”
The last thing I wanted was for Flash to worry about his place here at ALFA while focusing on the birth of his child. We needed him. I needed him. We didn’t run without him, and he’d become an invaluable member of the team.
“I’ll talk to Thomas, and maybe you can work from home. We still need your skills and contacts. Would that work for you?”
His face brightened. “That would be great. It would make everything easier. I can’t sit there all day and do nothing.”
“I get it. I do,” I told him because I wasn’t a sitter either.
Even when it was my day off, I was always doing something. I didn’t like to sit idle with my hand tucked in my pants, watching television. I was a doer. Always had been a workaholic, and it was something I didn’t see changing anytime soon.
“Thanks, man,” Flash said as he climbed to his feet, looking a lot happier than he had when he walked in.
“Anytime.” I waved him off. Although I was doing it for him, it was in the best interest of ALFA to keep him active and working, especially with a case like Matías’s still open.
But then again, there was always an important case we were working on. As soon as a top priority was closed, another one popped up. Our little company Thomas and I started when we finally hit burn-out level after working at the DEA had grown into one of the most well-respected and in-demand investigative companies in Tampa Bay. I never would’ve believed it possible with the ragtag group of guys we had working with us.
Leaving the DEA was one of the hardest decisions of my life. After years of training and climbing the ladder, getting more and more important assignments, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I had been a little hesitant walking away. But having Thomas with me and with the clear goal in mind of opening ALFA Private Investigations, I figured, what the fuck, how could it go wrong?
Every agent had a burn-out point, and I hit it just as Thomas did. Working on the case with the Sun Devils MC was a nightmare. Not only was Thomas’s life at risk every single day, but then Izzy’s life was in danger too after Flash, being the sometimes dumbass that he was, brought her to Daytona for Bike Week. Naturally, she’d caught the eye of the SD vice president. Thank God Thomas was there to work shit out and keep her safe.
After what was almost a clusterfuck of epic proportions, I was ready to tap out when we did. I’d never regretted the decision either. Being my own boss, surrounding myself with the best and most trustworthy people in the business, and living life on my terms gave me a freedom I never knew when I was with the DEA.
“Am I interrupting?” Ret asked, standing in the doorway as Flash stood near my desk.
I waved him in as his eyes moved from Flash to me. “We’re done.”
“Thanks again, James,” Flash said as he walked toward the door. “Hey, Ret. Nice to see you back.”
Ret gave him a chin lift as Flash passed. “Wanted to talk to you about Matías.”
“Whatcha got?”
Ret sat in the same chair Flash had just occupied, looking way more relaxed and comfortable in front of me. “I want to help with catching the fucker.”
Ret was our newest addition, although he’d been here longer than a hot minute. He was also Bear’s kid, which added some moments that were funnier than shit. But Ret, just like his father, was a man of honor. In his previous life, he was a bounty hunter. He chased down the bad guys using any means necessary and often put his life in danger while doing it. ALFA gave him more security and less chance of his ass getting popped while on the job, although the pay was significantly less, but he didn’t seem to mind.
“Well, you know I’m like you and have spent more than a few nights inside a BDSM club.”
I nodded. Ret and I had talked more times than I could count about handling our women. “I do.”
