Page 16 of The Book of Wrath

You’re good, you did nothing wrong. I’m not going to say sorry for kissing you though. I don’t regret it. The only thing I regret is not kissing you goodbye this morning and moving you off of the couch. I just had to rush to get my clothes for work from my place. We might have to remedy that issue if I plan on coming over late again. Can’t be leaving you like that again.

I set my phone on the dashboard and plucked a few fries from the bag. I sat back with a smirk of smug satisfaction. I need to stop acting differently with her. I’ve watched this woman sunbathe topless in her backyard multiple times over the few years I’ve lived here. I watched her run in those tight fucking shorts that made her ass so perky that the shorts were getting eaten by her ass with each stride. Hell, I’ve jerked off to her sunbathing completely naked last fucking month. I knew one day she would be mine. Even if I had to eliminate Paxley myself. She will be mine. My phone buzzed on the dash, another message.

Oh, umm. You plan on coming around more?

She seems so nervous, she really thought I wasn’t going to come back. Oh fuck no. She’s stuck with me. Even if she doesn’t know it yet.

Unless you don’t want me to come around more. I was thinking maybe we could go to dinner tonight after I get off. We don’t have to go anywhere fancy if you don’t want to. But I think you need to get out of the house and to let loose for a bit.

The text was read almost immediately. At least I know she was waiting for the reply. Maybe eagerly waiting to see what I would say.

I would love that. There’s a nice Korean BBQ place that just opened up in Newark. Maybe we can go there?

I smiled at her response, so she does want to spend time with me. Good. That means I haven’t scared her off. She might try to run from me later, but I’ll deal with that when the time comes.

Sounds like a plan. I get off at seven, I’ll pick you up at eight. Your dress attire determines where we go afterwards.

I sent the text with a winky face emoji, part of me hopes her mind is driving straight into the gutter with my implication of what could happen afterwards. The thought of seeing her in a tight little dress and heels is more enticing than I could’ve imagined.

Okay, see you then.

The little heart emoji made my lip tip up in a half smile. I was going to enjoy torturing her. A grunt from my side had me looking over to see Tony straining in his seat to look at my phone. I shook my head and noticed the clock. Six hours left until I can begin playing my game.

“Okay, what the fuck? You are now grinning like a fucking kid in a candy store. Who the hell are you talking to?” Tony griped from behind the wheel. He gathered the trash while I was distracted. I tossed my trash into the bag as he drove up to the trash can and tossed it in.

“Who do you think I’m talking to?” I smirked and let the warning in my tone be known.

“I’m going to go out on a limb and say it’s Megan,” he replied as he began driving. I looked at him and grinned widely. He shook his head, focusing back on the road in front of him. Silence filled the car as we fell into our easy quiet comfort.

Our area today was most of Kirkwood highway. Nothing too crazy, move the homeless people standing on the street corners begging for money, speeding violations, other vehicle violations, all normal day to day shit. It’s when the call for a robbery in progress comes through that the adrenaline starts pumping. We aren’t allowed to use our weapons unless it’s in extreme circumstances. I’ve had to use mine in the line of duty a total of three times. Today being one of them.

We pulled up to the pawn shop and sure enough, robbery in progress. The shop owner, Jimmy, was sadly a frequent caller. He installed a call button last year after being held at gun point. There were two suspects in full masks and fully covered in long pants and hoodies. These two were pros, they had gloves on, the even had shoe covers. One had their gun aimed right at us.

“Dispatch 10-24A this is officer Demarco and officer Carter, we are at Jimmy’s pawn shop on the north bound side of Kirkwood highway, requesting back up for a robbery in progress. Two armed suspects, gender and race unknown, please advise caution to those in route,” Tony made the official call over the radio to request back up. My hand was already on my gun. I wasn’t afraid to pull the trigger, I had the better shot of the two of us.

“10-4, Officer Demarco. Units are in route to your location, about five minutes out,” I tried to place who was on dispatch for this call, but I didn’t recognize the woman’s voice. She sounded slightly older, with a southern drawl to her that clearly meant she wasn’t from around here. I looked at Tony as I opened my door. Time to get this show on the road.

Chapter 15

Max

It has been fifteen damn minutes, and the backup unit still hasn’t arrived. I wonder who took the damn call for backup. Tony and I have been behind our doors, weapons drawn aimed and waiting. We’ve called the demand for them to put down their weapons and to get on the ground, but they didn’t listen. The one with the gun was shouting something in a foreign language to the one looting the damn store. Jimmy must be unconscious or tied up. If not, he would’ve shot them already.

“Backup is taking too long, I’m going in,” I said, slowly moving around the car door. I heard Tony mutter a sting of curses through the car. He would follow me through hellfire and back if it meant we both went home at night. But, right now, I want to go in alone. I’ll take these two out and be done with it faster than he could keep up anyway.

“Get back!” The first suspect yelled; a deep, gravelly male voice rang through the air. Alright, at least one of them is male, the closer I got the better I could see him. Slightly thicker build, still no real defining features, but it was something. I knew better than to assume his age through his voice because people in their twenties are starting to have deeper voices.

“Let’s put the guns down and have a little chat. It’s the safest way that everyone can go home alive tonight,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. The second suspect paused behind the male suspect before heading back into the store to grab more stuff. They were filling a white panel van, which means they plan on wiping out as much inventory as this place has.

“How about you get fucked?” He called back. Well, I tried. I took a few more steps forward and he called out, “Don’t take another step or you’ll be bleeding out on the ground pig!”

Alright, so that’s how this is going to go. I have a feeling this is not a normal robbery, but one that is fueled by withdrawal and need. I crack my neck from side to side and take aim. We’re not supposed to engage but, fuck this dude. He takes a staggering step back towards the glass windows in the front of the store and I smile as he starts to shake. This asshole is all talk, probably will shoot out of fear of my advancements. I hear Tony curse again and my smile widens. I served my times in special forces, my work classified to outsiders. All he knows is I am fucking dangerous and have zero issues killing someone.

“Put the fucking gun down!” He yells over to the guy, trying to spare him any needless bloodshed. Idiot still doesn’t listen, shakingly aiming the gun for what he thinks is my head. Dumbass must not know that you can’t kill the fucking devil. I holster my gun; I’m not going to need it for this.

I charge at the man in a full sprint, he curses, “Fuck!” before I tackle him to the ground, putting him on his stomach. He tries to buck me off, nearly managing before I put a swift punch into his ribs and slam his face into the pavement.

“You’re fucking dumb for doing that. Hasn’t anyone ever told you to do as you’re told?” I spit at the ground mere inches from his face. He’s in custody, now time for the other one. I hear a squeak, like that of a mouse, turning to find the other suspect. Way to small to be an adult.

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