“Would you have still grounded the team if I hadn’t been with them?” Free asked.
“Yes,” Hart replied without hesitation.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve seen the guys make mistakes worse than that and you didn’t shut them down. Especially Ruxs and Green. They’re known for the trouble they cause and the destruction they make. It’s all a part of their charm. What about last month when Green accidentally blew up the back of that funeral home?”
“The people in there were already dead,” Hart said dryly.
“What about when Ruxs chased that guy into the movie theater last week and damaged the screen?”
Hart rolled his eyes. “Any theater still playing Gotti deserved it.”
Free laughed. “Okay, funny man. What about the guys’ last surveillance? It was supposed to be a simple recon job on a meth lab, but they had the wrong address. It was a mistake that ended up with SWAT, two choppers and the game warden being called.”
“Now that wasn’t reckless. That was fun as shit.” Hart laughed loudly. “You remember how many freakin’ chickens were in that place?”
Free laughed with him. He was glad they’d gotten to a lighter place and Hart was smiling.
“Their jobs are unpredictable. Don’t be too hard on them, please. I messed up too, whether anyone wants to say it or not. I’ve been these guys’ tech for months now, I should’ve known better than to try to get a picture like that.”
“True,” Hart said simply.
Free scoffed.
“What? I’m just agreeing with you.”
Free shoved him. “Whatever.”
“God and I will take a look at your photos tomorrow after we get out of the chief’s hot seat. Your picture might be our only saving grace. If you got a clear shot, we’ll try to meet with a couple lieutenants in the organized crime unit to see about starting surveillance on the judge. Hopefully, have some good intel to report might to make all of that headache worth it.” Hart turned into his driveway, raising the garage door with his remote. He slowly pulled to a stop next to Free’s scooter and turned off the engine.
“Then we’ll all be working together nicely again, yes?” Free rubbed his hand up Hart’s thigh, stopping just before his groin.
“Maybe,” Hart rumbled. “Like I said. Not until I’m fully satisfied.”
He liked how that came out. Free’s eyes burned with desire. “I want you to be very satisfied, Ivan.”
Hart felt his dick rising in his slacks. Free’s voice sounded full of dirty promises in the darkness of his garage. “Let’s go inside.”
Free hurried out of the truck, grabbing his laptop bag and backpack from last night. He stood behind Hart as he unlocked the side door.
“When did Steele say he was bringing your camper?”
“After he finished his report,” Free answered.
“That could be late,” Hart said, nonchalantly.
“It was really nice of him to offer to do that, was it not?”
“It’s actually the least he could do,” Hart grumbled, heading toward his office. He heard Free on his heels, his loud sigh of exasperation ringing in his ears.
“Why are you being so stubborn?” Free stood in his doorway while Hart sat in his Scarface-style desk chair and locked away his badge and service weapon.
“I’m not.” Hart spun his chair around. “I wonder how Steele would feel if I grabbed his boyfriend and ran off with him into the middle of a gunfight. I’m sure the Marine would have my neck dislocated in seconds.”
Free stood there staring at him for a long moment before a shy grin formed on his lips. “Boyfriend?”
Hart reared back, chuckling awkwardly. “Hadn’t realized I said that.”
Free set his bags at his feet and came into the room. “Is that something you want?”
“A boyfriend?” Hart’s voice was low. “Yeah. I would.”
“Can’t say I’ve ever really had one myself,” Free murmured. He fidgeted in front of him, picking at his fingernails and eyeing Hart’s lap.
“C’mere, baby,” Hart said, pulling Free’s wrist until he was standing between his legs. He sat him on his right thigh and looked up into soulful brown eyes. “Sounds like we both missed out on a lot.”
“Yeah,” Free whispered.
Their lips met slowly. Softly. He wrapped his arms around Free and settled more comfortably into his chair, taking Free with him. He loved the way those long fingers automatically found his beard. He gripped the back of Free’s neck and angled his head in a different direction, deepening the kiss. There was so much moaning, slurping and ‘unnhs’, that Hart couldn’t distinguish whose they were.
“I’m so glad you’re okay, Len,” Hart whispered against Free’s throat. “You scared me half to death. You sure your body feels okay?”
“I’m perfect.” Free smoothed his hand over his scalp then down the back of his neck. Hart leaned into the magnificent touch. The sensations felt amplified. He held Free tighter than he had last night.
Because last night, thugs hadn’t tried to run him off the road.