Page 90 of Breathe
“You look good,” Real said, gently clasping Stone’s hand.
The man’s face was pale against the white hospital sheet, but his eyes were alert.
“Thanks, man,” Stone said.
Azrael handed Stone a box of Godiva chocolates they’d purchased at an all-night liquor store.
“My favorite.” Stone’s mouth quirked up and he placed the box on the bedside table.
“Mine too,” Azrael said, and Real made a mental note.
“Where’s Dave?” Real asked Stone.
“Probably chewing out the hospital staff or something. He wants me transferred closer to the ranch, but by that time, I’ll be out of the hospital.” Stone waved his arm and the hand on the side that hadn’t been shot.
Real chuckled. “Sounds about right. When are you going to tie that man down?”
Stone’s look turned pensive, and Real got it. He imagined that loving the former Secretary of Defense wasn’t an easy thing, and Real really didn’t see how in the hell it was going to work.
“I don’t know…I thought after he retired, we would…” Stone’s voice trailed off.
“When’s he retiring?” Azrael asked softly.
“He was supposed to have already done it. The place in Colorado is finished and thriving.” Stone shrugged, but then grimaced.
“The other assassin training facility?” Azrael asked.
“Yeah, we now have two places full up and running. Gage and Mason hold down Colorado while Real and Viper handle Nevada.”
“Can we go to Colorado?” Azrael asked hopefully.
“It’s cold, baby,” Real said.
“I don’t mind the cold as long as I have someone to snuggle with,” Azrael said. “Besides…I’ve been there during Christmas, remember?”
“I remember.”
“Too much sugar for this late at night,” Stone grumbled.
“News flash, it’s almost morning,” Azrael giggled.
Back at the Nevada ranch, they found out a few things.
It turned out that Micky was Michael William Batista, former Air Force wannabe. The guy had never even made it past bootcamp when he’d been dishonorably discharged after charges were filed against him for raping a woman in the bathroom of a night club. It had all been caught on surveillance video. The stupid fucker.
Micky had spent six years in jail. Not enough time as far as Real was concerned, and when the guy got out, he had met Titus. The rest, as they say, was history.
What Micky was, was a sicko, but what he wasn’t, was loyal.
Micky turned on Titus the moment Viper offered him a deal—a reduced sentence if he gave up Titus.
It was a lie.
There was no way in hell Viper was letting Micky walk off the ranch.
After all, the sick son of a bitch had shot Apollo, killed his roommate Jess, and tried to take Azrael. And it was for those reasons that Genesis would eliminate the threat.
Three days after the raid, Micky Batista was questioned and permanently dispatched by Genesis.
