“No.” A second passed. Cooper’s anger broke and he cracked a brief smile. “Remember that bully when we were—”
“In third grade,” Stryker said.
“Yeah. Wasn’t that kid in fifth grade?”
Stryker nodded.
“He was picking on the special needs boy at recess.”
“Larry was a good kid,” Stryker said. “We used to play with him sometimes so he wasn’t alone.”
“You beat that bully pretty good.”
Stryker smiled at the memory. “It worked, didn’t it? He stopped picking on Larry.”
Cooper nodded. “I have no idea how we’ve stayed friends this long. You drive me insane, man.”
Stryker held up his phone so Cooper could see Spinetti’s text again. “What would you do?”
“I’d want to respond, but I’d let it go,” Cooper replied.
“That’s where we differ. I won’t.”
“You built this company from nothing. Don’t lose everything because you can’t control your anger.”
“If your mom was murdered and died in your arms, but her killer was never found, you’d be pretty fucking angry, too.”
Cooper sighed. “I’m sorry, bro. I get that—”
“I love you, Coop, but youdon’tget it. You don’t get the rage I carry around because someone got away with murder. She didn’t deserve to die. She was doing her damn job. That’s not a reason to kill someone.”
“All right,” Cooper said. “For the record, let us do our job. But I know warning you is pointless.”
Stryker pulled him in for a bro-hug. “Get outta here and go save the world from bad guys.”
“I’d love to, but I sit in meetings all day.”
“About that… expect a call,” Stryker said.
“What does that mean?”
“Your life is about to change, for the better.”
“Will I be thanking you?”
“Damn straight, brother.”
Cooper left, closing the door behind him.
Alone in his office, Stryker re-read the text from Spinetti. “You won’t beat me.”
“Watch me,” he texted back.
* * *
That evening, Stryker stood near The Dungeon entrance talking to Tank. As Emerson made her way over to him, their eyes met across the parking lot. His gaze stayed locked on her and a rush of excitement sent butterflies fluttering in her stomach. His energy drew her to him like a magnet. She hadn’t seen him in days and she’d missed him…a lot.
He was wearing black leather pants that hugged his massive thighs, a tight black T-shirt that stretched against his sinewy muscles, and black boots. He wasn’t just a handsome man with a killer body. He was determined and fearless, loyal and so damn smart.
