Page 18 of Give Me Redemption

He lifts his brow but decides not to press the matter and goes back to looking at the papers in his hand.

I chuckle as I take a seat at my own desk with a pile of paperwork on it. “Not so fast,” Davy says. “Come to my office.”

I look over at Monroe who gives me a sideways glance. I sigh, slide my chair out, and yank my blazer down in the front as I follow Davy into his office.

“Shut the door,” he says as he tosses the rest of his nut bar into the trash. “I’m sick to death of eating this shit. Can’t a man have a burger for lunch every once in a while?” He grabs the liquor decanter and pours himself some.

He looks at me as he rounds his desk, sitting in his squeaky chair and taking a sip of his drink. Photos of his kids and wife, along with his own pile of paperwork, cover the sturdy wooden top, and awards and certificates sit on the shelves to the left of him.

Davy’s office is all windows, covered with open blinds, so any one in the office can see in. “Talk,” he says, leaning back. His sleeves are rolled up, his blazer off, resting on the back of the chair.

“I think I’ve done enough of that for today,” I tell him as I cross my arms over my chest. My elbow hits my gun and I adjust it.

“I’m sure you’re not doing enough of that.”

I drop my arms and move to sit on the arm of the chair across from him. “Davy, you know I don’t want to go to this shit. It’s a waste of time and money.”

“You may not want to, but you are and that’s final.”

I roll my eyes. “Fine.”

“Fine,” he says. I’ve worked with this man for ten years. He’s become more like a father figure to me than a boss. He sits up, making sure his tie doesn’t get stuck between his belt and belly.

“We’ve got a new case,” he says, clearing his throat.

“Another kid?” I ask.

“No. I want you off of those for a while.”

“What?”

“You heard me. I want you on something else.”

“Why? I’m always on these cases and I’m good at them.”

“Yeah, but it’s unhealthy.”

“How is saving kids’ lives unhealthy?” I ask.

“You know why. We have other agents who can handle those for a bit.”

I narrow my eyes before looking down at his desk. I don’t like this one bit, and he knows that. This is what I’m good at. I find the nasty fuckers who take children from their homes and I prosecute them.

“This isn’t permanent, but I think it’ll be good for you.”

I look up at him. “Fine. What is it?”

He nods and links his fingers in front of him. “Man named Bryce Grant. Owns a club called Red here in Atlanta. We have word that he’s running an illegal gambling operation underneath it.”

I roll my eyes and throw my head back. “Are you kidding me? You’re putting me on some small crime case?”

“It’s not small crime, kid. This guy is the real deal. This man has some serious criminals coming in and out of that place, which makes it dangerous for the rest of Atlanta’s citizens. We’ve got to put a stop to it.” He unlinks his fingers, spreading them out. “Plus, he’s dealing with some crazy amounts of money.” He lifts a folder and tosses it to me. “Here’s everything we have. It’s not much. We need you to find out more. You’re going to have to get in on the inside and see for yourself.”

“You want me undercover?” I ask.

“Yes.”

I lift a brow. “I want it to go on record that I’m not happy about this.”

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