“Crazy motherfuckers,” Syn yelled over the firing.
Day hadn’t been that scared in a long time. He watched Ruxs cease-fire, jump down from the back of the truck, and quickly turn his head up to say something to his partner. Green nodded and in a few swift, expert motions, dropped his magazine and popped another in. He fit the long butt of his rifle tight in his shoulder, his sharp eyes looking down the sight, and began firing again. Ruxs took off across the short field towards them while his partner stood on top of that truck like Scarface and provided cover fire.
Blue and red lights turned the corner and Day sucked in a huge sigh of relief. He could still hear gunfire, but there were no more bullets coming at them at the moment – the Enforcers probably scaring them – but he couldn’t let his guard down because they were on a dead end street and there was nowhere for Artist’s men to run. He laid Ro flat on the ground while Syn kept his gun up and aimed at the back. Day tore a piece of the destroyed curtain and pressed it hard to Ro’s arm. “Gotta put more pressure here.”
“Hurts!” Ro hollered.
“I know. Hang in there—”
Bullets sounded again from the back and Day ducked down, draping his upper half over his first officer… over his best friend. Syn was inching towards the back but hit the deck hard when bangs as loud as grenades pierced the night. He and Ro both flinched and gripped each other firmly. Day knew who it was. His fiancé’s presence was almost frightening – even to him. Knew the sound of that overwhelming, chest-rattling firepower. The sound of Desert Eagle handguns. “You hear that, Ro? Hang in there. He’s here.”
Day kept his head down as more bullets were fired, his team taking out all of Artist’s stooges. These men were murderers, drug smugglers, and cop killers. They’d forfeited their day in court and God and his team sent their souls to the depths of hell.
God
God sat at the table with his captain, the DA, ADA, and chief of police, along with a couple dickheads from Internal Affairs. Anytime the Enforcers were let loose those guys popped up, ready to investigate them and open a case. God wasn’t in the mood for this; he wanted to be wherever his partner was. He needed to see Day, know he wasn’t hurt. He needed to touch him and hold him, reassure himself he was still here with him. It’d been a long time since he’d had this close a call with his team’s lives. They’d had shootouts and busts go south, but they were all together and knew how to keep each other alive.
“You said you had concrete intelligence, lieutenant. You informed your captain that you intended to only do surveillance. Now we have twenty-six dead men lying on the street, destruction of a city vehicle, and an injured officer because of your negligence,” one of the IA officers stated. This wasn’t the first time God had seen him. He’d actually made a point to be assigned to all of God’s cases like he had a hard-on for him.
God’s captain frowned at the IA officer. “Nothing is ever concrete in the field, or have you been behind a desk too long and forgotten that. A notorious drug lord found out that God’s team was on to his current deal, and not only did he kill the informant in cold blood, but he double-crossed his contact for the shipment and tried to take out part of God’s team. Are you actually trying to make a case on Lieutenant Godfrey because criminals who opened fire on three decorated police officers were gunned down in self-defense?”
“Of course, he’s not,” the mayor said, coming through the door with two of the city’s councilmen on his heels. It was two in the morning and the man still looked sharp as a tack, as if it were noon on a Wednesday. His ebony skin was smooth, not a lick of stubble anywhere on his stern jaw like he’d actually shaved in the middle of the night. The dark suit he wore was crisp, and his blue and white striped tie was pushed snug against his Adam’s apple. God knew the men with him were on the council, but he hadn’t had much contact with them. He hated politics, but sometimes it butted heads with his own position… like now.
Everyone stood when they came in, including God. The kind man ignored everyone else in the room and came straight up to God, holding his hand out. God extended his and gripped the older man’s firmly. This was a mayor that truly loved Atlanta as much as God’s team did. The mayor grew up in the inner city, in the middle of gang territory, struggling to survive every day. From the time he was in high school, he’d only wanted to get in a position to help this city. After serving six years as city manager, he ran for and was elected mayor. And he’d implemented whatever programs and task forces were needed to help keep the residents safe. That’s why he sincerely appreciated God and his detectives risking their lives every day for his city. “How are you holding up, lieutenant?”