Page 59 of Doubling Down

Fucking idiot.

Eric would have had a harder time getting Collins out of the vehicle. Instead, he waited for his prey to come to him. Joey was obviously trying to remain quiet, but he didn’t have Eric or Dane’s training.

Dane was sneaking up behind Collins.

Taking a deep breath, Eric raised his weapon. Collins stopped instantly when Eric stepped into his path with his gun raised.

Collins stilled just as Dane’s gun met with the back of his head.

“We’ve been looking for you,” Eric said. “Thanks for coming to me.”

“Fuck you!” Collins spat even though the white of his eyes showed his fear.

Dane chuckled as he removed the cuffs from his belt. It was a good thing that Dane had come prepared because Eric hadn’t even thought about cuffs. “I believe Eric’s dance card is full. Better luck where you’re going.”

It was a shame when Collins put his hands up in the air and didn’t offer any resistance. Eric was really hoping that Collins would do something stupid and have to be put down to the ground hard.

The first black and white cruiser pulled up in front of Eric’s house with a uniformed cop rushing out.

“The cavalry has arrived,” Dane said. “And we got our man.”

“I better start a pot of coffee.” Eric turned back to his house. “And wake the boys.”

Chapter Eleven

Ezra

Wrapped up in a blanket while sitting close to Brandon on the couch, they both watched as Eric walked cops and his lieutenant to the door.

It had been a long fucking morning and Ezra hoped he never had one like it again. Ezra’s hand had pretty much gone numb from how hard Brandon had been squeezing it.

Annabelle clapped her hands and Ezra jerked his head around to check on her. The big tattooed cop that Ezra had seen in his apartment the night that Eric had brought him home was on the floor, coloring with Ezra’s baby girl. The gorgeous dog that had come in with him was on the floor under Brandon and Ezra. The big cop, Dane—Ezra remembered he’d been introduced as Dane. He’d said very little but he’d also positioned himself between Brandon, him, and the others in the room. He’d also appointed himself as Annabelle’s babysitter.

How was this his life?

All of these people coming out of nowhere to protect and watch over him and his little angel.

Of course, Ezra wouldn’t need protection if Joey Collins hadn’t targeted Ezra for some unknown reason.

Being woken up in the dark by Eric should have been sexy and led to more touches and kisses like Eric had promised. Instead, Eric had been all business, helping Ezra dress, telling him that everything would be okay. Ezra hadn’t felt like everything was going to be okay. And when he walked out intothe living room to meet a bunch of cops. Yeah. Ezra had nearly fainted.

Shifting on the cushion, Ezra laid his head on Brandon’s shoulder. “How are you holding up?” he whispered. Dane didn’t look up, but Ezra thought the cop might be able to hear them. Still, the illusion of privacy was something.

“I…I’m okay…” Brandon’s voice shook.

Dane’s hand stopped coloring.

Damn! He could hear them.

“Do you need anything? Are you hungry?” Ezra asked. He wanted to do something. Anything. This was all his fault.

Brandon placed the hand that he wasn’t clinging to Ezra’s on his stomach. “I couldn’t eat right now.”

“Okay. I understand.” And he did. Ezra just felt so useless.

The front door closed then Eric was striding back into the room. Even with wrinkled clothes, dark circles, and stress lines, he was still the most attractive man that Ezra had ever seen.

Spotting them, Eric’s face fell before he hurried across the room. Maverick’s head popped up.

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