“Thanks. We couldn’t’ve done this without you.”
She knew that wasn’t true, but she liked that Brantley said it. More specifically, she liked that he believed it.
***
Decker Bromwell sat in his rental car, which was still parked on Eddie’s street. He was trying to determine whether he needed to go back and warn Eddie that his team had been too damn close for comfort. He knew if he did, Eddie would panic, and rightfully so.
Brantley and Reese showing up hadn’t been in the plan. Nor had Z’s betrayal. He had no idea why his boss/friend would’ve betrayed him like that but sending the Off the Books team to New York could’ve cost him everything. Hell, it could’ve cost Eddie everything.
He felt his face flame from his anger, and he grabbed his phone and dialed. He didn’t give a fuck what time it was.
“Tavoularis.”
“What is your fuckin’ problem? How could you do that?”
“Good to hear from you, too, Deck,” Z said softly.
There was a rustling sound, then a squeak. Possibly from a door being closed. If he had to guess, Z was getting out of his warm, comfortable bed so he didn’t wake his husband.
“Fuck you, Z. I told you, I’ve got this handled.”
Z’s voice was louder than before. “Yeah? It looks to me like you’ve got no fuckin’ clue what you’re doin’.”
“Why? Because I don’t jump when you snap your fingers? Jesus, Z. I told you I needed some time to figure it out.”
“Did you?”
“Yeah. I told—”
“No. Did you figure it out?” Z barked.
“No. Not yet. But I will.”
“No.”
“No? What do you mean, no?”
“I want you on that plane tomorrow and back here.”
“Here as in headquarters? Or here, as in Coyote Ridge?”
“Honestly, I don’t give a shit.”
Decker figured Z didn’t care, but he knew the same couldn’t be said for Brantley. No way was the man letting him back on the task force after this. Sad thing was, he understood.
“It’s bad enough I can’t keep Brantley and his team in line. I’m not lettin’ you go rogue, too. You’re off this for the time being, Deck.”
“You can’t do that.”
“I just did.”
“Goddammit, Z!”
Decker didn’t get a chance to tell Z to shove his commands up his ass because the man hung up on him.
“Fuck,” he snarled, gripping the steering wheel until his knuckles were white.
Chapter Twenty
