Page 74 of Rescued

I slip the phone from his pocket, flipping it to the recording app with a practiced motion. My thumb taps the button, and the red icon flashes. I hold it steady, angling it just enough to catch the sheriff’s sneering face.

“A tad homophobic, Kaufman?”

Kaufman doesn’t seem to notice, or maybe he doesn’t care. His lip curls in disdain as he mutters, “Whatever, that’s just… Y’all are… It’s no wonder Todd’s father lost it. What father wouldn’t?”

The words make my blood boil. I want to step in, say something, but Mika doesn’t give me the chance.

“Any father who gives a shit about his son,” Mika says, his voice even but razor-sharp. “That’s what kind of father wouldn’t. Not that I’d expect you to understand that, as it would involve something called unconditional love. Ever heard of it?”

Kaufman puffs up like a rooster, his chest pushing forward as his fists clench at his sides. “Listen here, you fucking queer,” he spits, his voice low and venomous. “I will haul this guy off and give him tips on how to do the job right next time before I turn him loose. You do not want to fuck with me.”

I see Mika’s jaw stiffens, his fingers curling into fists.

“Gabe?” he says without turning, his voice calm but loaded.

I lift the phone, the recording still running. “Got it,” I say, loud enough for Kaufman to hear.

As if on cue, another patrol car comes tearing down the road, sirens blaring. Its lights flash, illuminating the sheriff’s pale face. His glare could peel paint, but Mika stands firm, a smug smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“What the fuck are you waving around in the air, you freak?” Kaufman’s voice is a low growl as his deputy steps out of the car and starts toward us.

I grin, holding the phone higher. “Did you know, Sheriff,” I drawl, keeping my tone casual, “that a lot of cell phones have a record option now? It’s friggin’ amazing what these things can do. Isn’t that right, Deputy Stanish?”

The deputy pauses, his gaze flicking between me and Kaufman. “Yeah,” he says slowly, his tone carefully neutral. “Those things are amazing. That one have video and sound?”

I nod, not breaking eye contact with Kaufman. “Sure does. Top of the line.”

Kaufman’s face goes beet red, his jaw clenching so hard I half expect his teeth to crack.

Mika steps closer to him, his voice dropping low as he whispers, “And we’ve got some fucking great audio of the past several minutes. How…politically incorrect of us not to warn you. And raising a ruckus won’t get you that phone—it’ll just make Stanish suspicious.” Mika straightens, his smirk back in place. “So shut the fuck up and do your job, Kaufman.”

The sheriff stares at him, his eyes full of fury, but he doesn’t say another word.

Mika steps back, turning to me with a satisfied gleam in his eye.“Damn, that felt good. Let’s see if the fool is going to play nice now.”I can’t help but grin.

Kaufman looks ready to explode, but with Stanish standing by, he can’t risk it. For the first time all night, it feels like we’ve got the upper hand.

“So, Todd told you his father assaulted him, and you came here…why?” I ask, my voice sharp with suspicion.

Kaufman hesitates for a second, his jaw working like he’s chewing on the words. For a moment, I think he’s going to ignore me altogether. Instead, he turns to Deputy Stanish. “Cuff the prisoner and gather up whatever evidence you can,” he barks, like that’s going to cover his ass.

Finally, he looks back at Mika. “I came because I went to search for Mr. Barton, but he wasn’t home. Mrs. Barton was afraid he’d come here, looking to take out… well, he blames Gabe for Todd being gay.” Kaufman’s lip curls slightly as he says it, but he continues. “So I hauled it on over.”

I don’t miss the emphasis he puts onhauled. Like we’re supposed to thank him for gracing us with his presence.

Mika, though, has other ideas. He thumps Kaufman on the back, good ol’ boy style, and I have to fight not to laugh because I know it’s going to piss him off.

“Well, it’s a good thing you got here when you did,” Mika says, with an edge sharp enough to cut glass. “Even if it was pretty much all over.” He tilts his head, arching a brow as Kaufman’s face flushes. “I’m sure you’ll do your damnedest to make sure Todd gets justice, seeing as how you would never—” Mika lets the words hang in the air just long enough to make Kaufman sweat. “—evertolerate a hate crime. Right, Sheriff Kaufman?”

The sheriff’s glower could probably set fire to a tree, but he stomps over to Mr. Barton without a word. His boots hit the ground in jerky, angry stomps, and I have to bite down a laugh.

“Mika,” I say, holding my sore hand against my chest, “you are something else, you know that?” My grin feels lopsided, but it doesn’t matter. “You made my heart—and another thing or three—go pitter-patter.”

Mika’s eyes gleam with mischief as he pulls me close, his arms firm but careful of my hand. “Well, mate,” he purrs, his voice warm in my ear, “after we get your hand checked out, maybe you can show me just what thing or three you’re talking about, hmm?”

I don’t care that Kaufman or Stanish can see us. Let them. Mika and I are a done deal, and anyone who doesn’t like it can shove it.

“How much longer y’all gonna be?” Mika asks, looking at Stanish.

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