Tech kept his back to Steele while he answered his questions. This was good, he guessed. Getting to know each other. “No. I’m behind this desk twelve to fifteen hours a day. And everyone is partnered. God and Day. Syn and Michaels are usually with Ro. And of course Ruxs and Green. So that leaves me. But since God and Day got engaged, Ro’s been with them more. I was hoping—”
“Wait… wait just a minute. God and Day are lovers?” Steele said, a little louder.
“How can you not know that?” Tech looked back. “Every law enforcement agency in the state of Georgia knows that.”
“Well, I’m not from here. And I wasn’t told that they were gay. It’s a little hard to picture.”
“Is that a problem?” Tech turned fully; ready to defend any member of his team.
“Not at all,” Steele answered, a look of complete openness on his face.
“Good, then. Because everyone in this damn department is. Councilman Steele probably should’ve disclosed that before he placed you.”
“He’s a man who only discloses what’s absolutely relevant.” Steele shrugged his strong shoulders. “Most agencies don’t permit coupling in the same precinct, so it’s unheard of for couples to be in the same department.”
“You’re right about that. But they’re not your average task force. The mayor and chief approved this department, God and Day being the first ones appointed to head it up. Wherever they go, they’re going together… even into retirement. If the chief had been against their pairing, any one of the other states that know about them and their records would’ve snatched them up.”
“I see.”
Tech’s fingers went back to flying over the keyboard.
“So, the sergeant, too.”
“Yep. Well… Syn’s only gay for one man. Before him, he was straight. It’s okay to tell you this because it’s no secret.”
Steele laughed. Damn, these guys were really a bunch of characters. “And Ro. I haven’t met him. He’s gay?”
“Partnered with the chief’s son.”
“Damn,” Steele whispered. “Y’all don’t do any half-stepping here. Go big or go home. A gay task force.”
Tech was wondering what all the questions were leading up to. Was Steele okay with all of them being homosexual, or not? Having a straight detective would be a change for them but they could handle it. He might get his ass slapped every now and then just to piss him off, but that’d be all in good fun. No one would make him uncomfortable. The guy was really going to have to lighten up, but it wasn’t Tech’s job to get him to do so. He’d do what he was required and leave the deadly Marine for the lieutenants to handle. “So, what’s your weapon of choice?”
“Glocks, two of them, black on black, no chrome. I’ll need a suppressor, too. I’d also take that .380 Smith and Wesson for my boot.” Steele pointed to the glass enclosure of firearms.
Tech punched in a numeric code on a keypad next to the case and after the glass slid open, he retrieved each weapon he’d been asked for. Steele watched him pull out three extra magazines and turn back to his monitor to input the serial numbers.
“If you have your own blades, you’ll have to do the paperwork for approval, or you can choose from those,” Tech said, pointing to the adjacent wall. “I can also order one of your choice.”
“Nice selection. I usually like a fighting knife in the other boot. So the F-S right there will work. But I’ll need the paperwork for this.” Steele dipped underneath his long john and yanked out a five-inch slender blade, the handle of it fitting around four of his knuckles. He did it so fast; Tech wondered if he’d pulled it out of thin air. He stared at it like it was foreign, inching forward, wanting to stroke his fingers down the sharp edge of the blade, which was attached to a Bakelite grip that snuggly surrounded Steele’s four knuckles. An extremely rare fighting knife.
Tech feared what this man could do, but he was also turned on by him. Had he used that weapon on an enemy? A terrorist? Tech could almost see him in his mind. Moving masterfully around a man, punching and stabbing at vital organs with one hand. Jesus. Tech blinked out of his fascinated state. His cock was rising in his slim jeans, which could go very wrong if Steele looked down. He cleared his throat, but his voice was still husky. “I’ll get that put in.” He watched Steele slowly lift the hem of his shirt, a sneak peak of dark brown hair leading to his navel briefly came into view while he placed that dangerous blade somewhere near his armpit.
“It’s in a sheath that wraps around my bicep.” Steele smirked, answering Tech’s unspoken question.
“That’s very unique. What’s it called?” Tech coughed again and turned to get his audio kit.