must be a burner though. You guys have any cases going on?”
“We all do, which is why we’re in your office. There are six new cases coming in. I know you’re not fully back yet. That being said, I’m thinking we need to hire a few guys. Do you have any candidates?” Slade asks.
“Your mom,” Bridger jokes, causing us all to laugh and break up the seriousness.
“There are a couple of guys that are ready to come home who we served with overseas. They need to be vetted thoroughly. Fuck, that’s one thing I can actually do,” I offer.
“Good, that’s your job,” Slade states. I nod in agreement.
“Not that we don’t like you hitting the pavement with us, but this is a job I don’t mind handing over,” Bridger interjects.
“It’s a good thing no one was asking for your opinion, asshole,” I grumble. Another few months, and I’ll be back to normal. My first order of business is to kick that jack wagon’s ass.
“You love me. You just don’t want to admit it.”
“Nah, you remind me of a hemorrhoid. Always fucking there, being a pain in the ass,” Slade retorts.
“Well, since we’re getting nowhere, I’ll work on those few guys. Do a couple of things around the office, but I have a date with my woman tonight.”
“You can thank me for that.” Bridger is full of himself today, that’s for sure.
“Whatever. You two scoundrels get to work or bother Kellie and Taylor. If Giana weren’t working, I wouldn’t be here right now. Thank God she works four days on and three days off.”
“Is that your new schedule?” Slade asks.
“I probably won’t take three days off, but I’d like to work around her schedule. Otherwise, we’d never see one another,” I tell him.
“Not a problem. I figure she’s pretty much moved in with you by now.” Slade isn’t wrong. Her clothes are hanging beside mine in the closet, her girly products are slowly over taking the shower, and I love every moment of it. Hell, even her parents come over for dinner once a week or we go over there.
“Basically. Settles something deep in my soul.”
“Happy for you, the both of you.” Slade slaps me on the shoulder as he stands up.
“I’d say the same thing, but I’m not growing a vagina anytime soon.” Bridger laughs at his own joke. I shake my head. These are the days I feel for Kellie the most.
“Alright, let me get shit taken care of, then I’m out of here too.” I watch as both leave before returning to my work. I pull up the three candidates I’m thinking of approaching. First and foremost, though, I’ll be doing a full background search on Maddox, Chase, and Jaxson. I’ll be damned if we have another situation like we did with Taylor. Eric going after her in plain sight. It still pisses us off to this day. My phone buzzes in my pocket. I sent a text to Giana as soon as the doctor gave me the all clear. I knew she was on the floor and wouldn’t be able to answer right away. A permanent smile is glued to my face anytime Giana comes into play.
Angel: OH MY GOSH! I’m so happy for you. I knew nursing you back to health would make it happen. Along with something else tonight too ;)
Me: That fire inside you, I’m going to watch it light up.
Angel: It’s a good thing I’m clocking out and heading home then.
Me: I’m leaving in the next thirty minutes. See you there.
Angel: I’ll be waiting.
That puts a pep in my step. I don’t want her at home waiting on me, not if I can help it. I close everything out, lock my office, and leave early for the first time in fucking ever.
Twelve
Giana
I pull into the garage, parking my car next to Drake’s SUV, and shake my head. The way he texted, I assumed I’d be home before him, not that I should be surprised. That crazy person who keeps calling still to this day is really cutting into both of our time. Drake being on high alert non-stop and in his whole ‘I’m not coming until we have sex’ thing has been hard, no pun intended. That’s why today I don’t care what he says. I’ll jump him if he doesn’t give in. I get out of my car, make my way inside, and Drake is sitting on the barstool at the kitchen island.
“Hey, you’re home earlier than you thought,” I say to