Page 15 of A Past Too Broken

“Then let me help you.”

“Zay…”

He places the fingers of his free hand against my lips. “Please.”

“Okay.”

He removes both of his hands and I mourn the loss as I watch him stand and pull his phone out. Reggie and I both stare as he makes a call and begins pacing the length of the room.

“Hey, Hollis, I have a job for you…” Zay begins outlining what he needs and… all I can do is hope I’m not making a mistake.

One Week After Rescue

Elijah and I wait outside the bastard’s house, the winter chill seeping through our clothes, but neither of us moves. Min was pissed he wasn’t allowed to be part of this plan, but he’s still healing from what that asshole did to him, and I don’t want to see him get hurt again. Instead, he’s waiting at the safehouse that hasn’t been used in a year—the same one I held him captive in for those few short hours.

“Not how I wanted to be spending my Christmas,” Elijah says.

“You got somewhere better to be, Hamilton?” I ask.

He doesn’t respond because we both know the answer. Do any of us have a better way to spend the holiday? Maybe other people in our profession are able to live as normal lives as possible, but everyone I’m associated with does the bare minimum to keep up appearances. We’re all fucked-up in our own ways, and anything “normal” is wistful thinking on our parts. Besides, what’s a better Christmas present than getting to kidnap an abusive ex-cop?

Headlights on the street have us sinking deeper into the shadows at the back of the house, and we watch as Gary Walsh, Min’s so-called father, stumbles out of the car.

We wait until he climbs the sagging porch steps before rushing out of hiding. We’re not quiet or stealthy, as neither of us wants to give him the chance to figure out what’s going on. The last thing we need is for him to get the drop on us like he did Min.

He fights because even drunk he’s still a retired cop—but we’re better trained, sober, and have him outnumbered. Elijah slips a needle into his neck and administers the sedative.

Together, and with a great deal of maneuvering, we get the bastard into the trunk of Elijah’s car, and then make our way across the city to where Molly and Min are waiting for us.

* * *

It’s a tense,silent ride. Elijah isn’t one for small talk, which I can appreciate. Close to our destination, though, he speaks up. “You sure about this guy?”

I know he’s not talking about Gary. “Yeah… and no. I wish I could explain it, but it’s almost like when you took in Molly. Min might not be a helpless teenager, but he needs a guiding hand. Someone to be in his corner for everything life throws at him. He never had that after his mother died. This past year… He’s shown he’s not a bad guy, just lost.”

“The difference is, I never have, and will never, want to fuck Molly.”

I sputter. “I don’t want to fuck him! I mean, he’s cute and all, but not my type.”

“Sure, keep telling yourself that.”

I glare at him, but he keeps his attention on the road, even though there’s no one else out here since it’s Christmas.

The last few minutes to the safehouse are filled with anticipation, and I almost vibrate with the need to put eyes on Min. This past week, he’s stayed with me so we could plan tonight—and for me to keep an eye on him.

I can’t lie, I enjoyed having him in my space. His brand of sass fits in with my own, and after a few days, even Reggie warmed up to him.

I don’t want to admit that Elijah may be right. The sexual tension between Min and I might be combustible, but that doesn’t mean either of us is ready for that.

Thankfully, we get to the safehouse before my thoughts can get any further off track. It’s easy getting Gary out of the trunk and into the one-room safehouse. The chair I tied Min to is in place, as are the ropes.

Molly sits on top of the tall cabinet, while Min is perched on the cot where I left him. I eye Molly as I tie Gary to the chair. “How’d you get up there?”

The little shit smiles and shrugs. “Trade secret,” he says cheerfully.

I look to Min, who also shrugs. “He was there when I came back from the bathroom, so don’t ask.”

“Come on, spider monkey,” Elijah tells his charge. “Let’s leave the lovebirds alone.”

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