Page 44 of Jackson

Michael palmed the keys.

He hated any kind of violence and his mind had been coming up with the worst possibilities. How bad was the break-in? What had been done to the office? Michael wanted to know. At least, he didn’t want to be left out.

“Let’s go.” Jackson opened his door.

Michael waited until Finn and Jackson had exited the truck before he took a deep breath then pushed his own door open. He slipped out of the truck and both his men were there to catch him.

“It’s going to be okay,” Finn said. He kissed Michael’s forehead before repeating the gesture with Jackson. “Everything in the office is replaceable. You two are not.”

“Neither are you,” Michael responded.

“What he said,” Jackson agreed.

“We should get this over with.” Finn strode forward. Head held high, shoulders back, and attitude in every step.

“Fuck,” Jackson muttered. “That man is hot.”

“Totally.” Michael grabbed Jackson’s hand as they hurried to follow.

Most of the overhead lights were off in the club but the bar was lit up and that was where a familiar detective stood drinking what looked like a cup of coffee. Michael would kill for some coffee. Opps, probably not the best phrase to use.

Grant smiled at them as they approached.

“Finn.” Grant held out his hand.

After Finn and Grant shook, Grant turned toward him and Jackson. “Michael. Jackson. Sorry to drag you all out of bed.”

“It’s fine,” Jackson said. “What do you know.”

“It’s my fault.” The manager, Joe, said. “I’m sorry, boss. This is all my fault.”

“Just tell me what happened,” Finn said, not unkindly.

Joe nodded. “I was doing the rounds after we closed the doors. Mike and Fred were cleaning up the bar. I walked Alan and Brady out once they’d cashed out. That’s when I saw one of the customers that I’d noticed earlier standing by his car. With his hood up.”

Whoever was managing the night always walked the servers out when they left. It was a safety protocol. Michael was pretty sure that Finn had put the procedure in place because of him.

“It had been his first time in the club. He was here on a guest pass. He was crying and upset…and I offered him a ride home.”

Finn nodded. “Nothing wrong with that.”

“I texted Mike and Fred and let them know I’d be gone for about twenty minutes. The kid said he lived close to campus. I’d told them that I would come back and finish locking up. When they left, they didn’t set the alarm since I was coming right back.”

“How long were you gone?” Finn questioned.

“Maybe thirty minutes. I talked to the guy. Said his name was Conner and he was new to town. I tried calming him down since he was so upset about his car. I dropped him off at an apartment complex off Eighteen and Mercy.”

“Then what?” Finn pushed.

“I came back here.” Joe shrugged. “I felt like something was wrong right away. Conner’s car was missing from the parking lot. After I came inside and saw that nothing seemed to be disturbed, I figured the kid had called someone before I went out there and didn’t tell me. I did a quick walk through the rooms just to make sure no one was hanging around. Place was empty.”

“Until you went upstairs?” Finn said.

“I finished my closing routine and went up to put the cash and receipts in the office. The door was already open, and I know it had been locked earlier in the night. It stays locked unless you’re here.”

Finn nodded.

Michael’s stomach ached. He loved his Daddy Finn’s office. He was so comfortable there and it had become a place that Michael could relax.

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