Page 55 of Damaged

“If you were already tracking Boston, then why did Jagger call me?” he asked, not able to keep the annoyance out of his harsh whisper

Rogue checked the clip on his silencer. He’d fired two rounds but had an extra clip in his coat if he needed more.

Crow’s soft sigh was filled with resignation and the man gave a slight grunt. “Because Jagger got his wires crossed. Quick told Jagger to avoid contacting Real.”

“Sounds like Genesis doesn’t communicate very well,” Rogue murmured.

“Maybe, but Real was in New York and Quick in Nevada, so it’s been tough on Jagger.”

Rogue nodded. To his knowledge, Genesis did not have near the members that Erebus had.

Tugging out his phone, Rogue started to text a message to Wrath, but there was suddenly no signal. He checked the gang member’s phone, and the tracking app wasn’t working either.

“They’ve jammed the cell signal,” he whispered. Crow grunted in agreement.

Smalls reached down and yanked Boston upright and shoved the boy toward the barn.

Smalls, Boston, and several of the gang disappeared inside the old brown structure.

“Let’s get this done,” Rogue whispered and tucked his phone away.

Bright flashing lights filled the parking lot when Wrath made it to the diner. He wanted to slam out of his SUV and run, but he made himself slow down and take a breath.

After he parked, he made Rebel put the weapon back in the glove compartment. Once that was locked away, Wrath checked his own weapon, tucked it into the shoulder holster beneath his jacket, and got out of the SUV.

Rebel jumped out when he did and rounded the vehicle to walk beside him toward the diner.

One of the cops broke away from where they were gathered around a waitress and a cook wearing a white apron.

The officer stopped them halfway across the parking lot.

“Diner closed?” Wrath murmured.

“Maybe not,” the cop said. The guy’s badge read “Garcia.”

“What happened?” Wrath asked curiously.

“Where are you coming from?” Garcia said instead of answering.

“Keeler,” Wrath said. It was best to keep to the truth as much as possible.

“That’s a long ways away.” Garcia squinted at him and that was when the guy ran his gaze over him and noticed the bulge of his weapon.

It couldn’t be helped. There was no way he was leaving his fucking weapon in his SUV. But maybe he should have because he could see they were going to be delayed.

“I have a license to carry,” Wrath told the cop whose hand was now resting on the holstered gun at his hip.

Garcia nodded slowly. “I’ll need to see that card and your license.”

Wrath slowly pulled his wallet out of his pocket and took out both cards to hold out to Garcia.

“Smith,” Garcia called, and another cop broke away and approached. “I need you to watch these two while I check his license to carry.”

Smith wasn’t as easygoing as Garcia and immediately pulled his weapon to point it at them.

Wrath held Smith’s eyes across the short distance and after a tense moment, the cop’s eyes flickered down and away. The gun was lowered, but still held with stiff arms, pointed at the ground, ready to come up and fire if need be.

Garcia came back and held out both cards to Wrath. “All right, Mr. King, you’re good to go.”

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