Page 9 of Exhale
“Yeah,” the man’s voice shook.
“Jesus…” Jordan couldn’t keep the shock from his voice and yanked the man into his arms. They had been a few years apart growing up, with Lucas three years older than him.
Owen stood silently nearby.
“I haven’t seen you since we rescued Seth.”
“That guy from the warehouse?” Lucas asked.
“Yeah.”
“I know, I got taken in by CPS two days later,” Lucas admitted.
“How did you find me?” Jordan asked.
“I spotted you at that all-you-can-eat buffet in Ventura. I couldn’t believe it. I call your name, but you didn’t hear me. I staked out the place, and you came back about a month later.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
Lucas grimaced and looked down at himself. “I’m…I don’t know.”
The younger man shifted on his feet.
“How did you know I was here at this building?”
“After the second time I saw you, I followed you here. I waited across the street, but never found an opportunity to talk to you. And you’ve been gone over the past few months.”
Jordan nodded. With his assigned cases and the trip to the Nevada ranch, he had been hella busy the past few months. Plus, he wouldn’t have noticed Lucas following him if he were being honest. Growing up as a street rat himself, he felt the safest around them.
“I can’t let you stay here, but give me your contact info and I’ll come find you when I get back,” Jordan said, walking Lucas to the gate.
“Yeah, I get it. Um… Have you seen any of the other boys?” Lucas rubbed at his mouth.
“No, have you?” Jordan frowned.
“A few.”
“Who?”
“Let’s catch up later, I know you’re working. You know that shelter near the community center? You can find me there,” Lucas said with a sad smile.
Without another word, Lucas walked out the gate and headed down the block without looking back.
Jordan felt like shit.
Lucas had helped him rescue Seth from that fucking building that day. He owed it to the guy to help him out.
“Hey, you okay?” Owen asked.
“Yeah…just regrets that I couldn’t help him.”
“You can’t help them all,” Owen said and then added, “but I bet you can help Lucas now.”
“Yeah?” Jordan knew his smile was hopeful, and Owen nodded, smiling back.
“Yeah, I’m certain of it.”
“I want you both on the Leroy Ruiz case,” Ace said, and Owen stared at his brother.
