They all sat in the family room of the hospital, waiting on the funeral director to come and pick up Curtis’ mom. Curtis sat in one of the chairs with his head buried in Green’s shoulder. Green had both his arms around him tightly, while he talked with Day. His lieutenants had met them there shortly after Green had brought Curtis back upstairs from viewing the body. It was only an hour until Ro, Syn, Furi, and Vicki had showed up. Everyone loved Curtis, they’d make sure he got through this. Although his mom had been fighting her kidney disease for many years, and Curtis had said his goodbyes, a child was never really prepared for their parent to die.

Vicki knelt down in front of Curtis and tried to offer him some juice and graham crackers, but he only nestled further into Green, sobbing quietly.

“It’s gonna be okay, buddy. We’re all right here for you,” Green whispered to him. Curtis didn’t move, he didn’t speak, and it was tearing Green apart. How could his wonderful night have ended like this? He silently chastised himself for being selfish. This wasn’t about him, this was about Curtis.

A stocky woman came into the room, accompanied by two of the nurses that Curtis had become very familiar with over the months his mom had been a patient on the nephrology wing. They looked uncomfortable.

Green eyed them carefully.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but Curtis, Ms. Masters from the Department of Social Services is here to speak to you,” the timid nurse said quietly.

Ruxs stood up, crossing his arms over his large chest. God and Day did the same. They stood in front of Curtis like bodyguards.

“What about?” Ruxs demanded, his voice taking on a hard edge.

The nurses looked around nervously but Ms. Masters didn’t flinch. “Curtis,” she called a little louder, peering around all of them, seeking out Curtis’ face. Green still held him as Curtis raised his head, slowly wiping eyes.

“Yes. I’m Curtis.”

“Curtis, I’m Ms. Masters. But you’re welcome to call me Rose. I’m from the Atlanta Department of Human Services, Children and Families Division. I want to extend my deepest condolences to you. I’m so sorry for —”

“We accept. Now if you’ll excuse us, Curtis would like to go home. He has a lot to process right now. Here’s my card, if you have any questions you can call me.” Ruxs cut off anything else Ms. Masters was going to say and handed her his card. She quickly took it, and stuffed it in her brief case while keeping her attention on Curtis.

“Where is home, Curtis?” she asked, still not threatened by Ruxs’ bravado.

“Home with us,” Ruxs answered for Curtis again. “We’re his family.”

Ms. Masters huffed and finally looked in Ruxs’ direction. “Are you biological family, sir? Are any of you biological family?” She looked around, making eye contact with every one of them; none of them able to give the answer that would help Curtis.

Green had a sinking feeling he knew what was going on. He closed his eyes and said a silent prayer. How could this night go from best ever, to worse, and finally to fucking disastrous?

“Curtis how old are you?” she asked in a tone Green assumed was her “polite but don’t you dare tell me a lie” voice.

“Why are you asking questions you already know the answer to?” God snapped. “Get on with it.”

“Curtis you’re seventeen years old and according to the state of Georgia, you are still a minor. Your only living guardian has passed away. I’m going to have to take you with me.” Right then two very large men dressed in suits came in wearing human services badges just like Ms. Masters.

Curtis’ head snapped back to Green’s sorrowful gaze. He shook his head back and forth rapidly. “What? No. No. I have my own house. I pay the bills, I have for years. I’ll be eighteen in four months,” Curtis said hurriedly, cowering into Green’s body.

“Lady, you try to take this kid away and I’m going to rip your fuckin’ arms off and beat the shit out of you with them,” Ruxs barked. Syn, Furi and Ro were at Ruxs side in minutes, ready to hold him back. Because even though Ms. Masters was a woman and Ruxs was a cop, they all believed at that moment Ruxs just might be capable of throwing all the rules out the window to protect Curtis.

“Shh. It’s okay Curtis. I’ll handle this.” Green stood with Curtis plastered to his body. He still stood behind God and Day as he spoke to her. “Ma’am, I’m Detective Christopher Green with the Atlanta Police Department, the men in front of me are my direct supervisors, and also Curtis’ employers; currently overseeing his internship. We’ve been a make-shift family for Curtis for three years. He really needs our support to help him get through this very trying time. I’m sure you understand.” Green paused hoping she’d agree but her face was stoic and her enforcers were poised to act. “Curtis can stay with me at my home, like he does most nights. You are more than welcome to come by and check things out. I’ll be sure he continues with school and work.”

“I’m sorry Detective Green, but it doesn’t work like that. If you want to assume temporary placement of the minor, you’ll have to fill out the paperwork, go through the state-required protocol and complete the required assessment.”

“How long will that take?” Green’s eyes pleaded.

“Six to eight weeks,” she said emotionlessly.

“No.” Curtis sobbed, breaking down in his arms.

The room exploded in an uproar. Masters’ men didn’t know which way to turn. Ruxs had to be practically carried out by Ro, Syn and Furi. God and Day were still in front of them throwing out every suggestion they could think of.

Green fully turned and enfolded Curtis in his arms. He let all the noise and chaos fade into the background. His eyes flooded with tears as Curtis begged him repeatedly not to let them take him. Green rested his chin on top of Curtis soft blonde hair, stroking his back tenderly.

“Listen to me. Listen to me, Curtis,” Green said just loud enough for him to hear. “You are gonna have to go with them.”

“No.” Curtis bawled. “Let’s just go! Let’s just run!”

He pulled Curtis back to arm’s length so he could look him in his eyes, showing him his sincerity. “No. I’m not going to kidnap you. But believe me; I’m going to come get you out of there. And it’s not going to take weeks. You know us.” He tilted Curtis’ sad face up. “You know me. You know God and Day. We don’t fail. I’m not gonna fail you. I’m not going to lie to you. I will get you out of there. Fast. But for right now I want you to go with them. Quietly and respectfully. Be the man that I know you are. It fuckin’ kills me that I can’t be there for you tonight, but I want you to be strong. Be strong for your mom, be strong for me. Give us a little while to make some calls. Okay? I’ll be over to see you later this morning. I promise.”

Curtis slowly nodded his head. Green pulled him back into him again, squeezing him tightly, his own tears falling down. He felt so damn useless. The time that Curtis needed him the most, he wasn’t going to be able to be there. He’d been there when he needed help with his driving test. He’d been there when bullies bothered him at school. He’d been there for him with his first crush and his first heartbreak. He’d been there all through his mom’s ups and downs. But when his mother died, he had to let him go?

FUCK!

“Ms. Masters. Curtis is ready.” Green released Curtis, keeping one reassuring hand on his shoulder. He parted God and Day, ignoring their hurt and angry expressions. Whether they wanted to admit it or not, they had no power to fight the DHS… right now.

Ms. Masters’ goons stepped up, like they were going to pull Curtis along.

God stepped in their path. He stood tall, his full 6’4” height topping the men’s measly six-feet. “He’s old enough to fuckin’ walk. Don’t put one goddamn hand on him. If he tells me anyone touched him, I’ll make sure you see me again.”

It was more than obvious the guys didn’t like God’s threats or his intimidation, but they stepped back nonetheless. Ms. Masters moved to the side and let Curtis walk out the door in front of her. He gave Green one final look before the door closed behind them.

Green wanted to lose his shit. His chest tightened from the immense pain as he struggled to breathe. But breaking down wasn’t going to help his best buddy. He dropped down in the chair, letting his head fall into his hands. He just needed to take a couple deep breaths, then he’d be able to move. He felt a soft hand rub small circles on his back. He lifted his head and saw Vicki’s sad, watery eyes focused on him. “Oh, Chris. I’m so sorry. I know how special Curtis is to you.”

Green took her hand from his back and gently kissed her palm before placing it in her lap. His throat was too sore to thank her. He stood and faced his lieutenants.

“Day,” he croaked. “Tell me we can fix this.”

“You’re fuckin’ right we can fix it,” Day growled back, clamping a heavy palm on his shoulder, steadying him.

Just that quick Green felt a small ember of relief start to warm him. God was a badass in every right. But Day was a doer and he was smart as fuck. Everyone loved him. Loved his charm, loved his sense of humor. Loved his commitment and dedication to Atlanta. Day had judges, clerks, city officials, all of them willing to do him favors at the drop of a hat. And immediately Day went into doer mode.

“Vicki. Get everyone to the office. Tell IT to pull up every contact we have at DHS, the city Department of Child Advocacy, and I need a Guardian Ad Litem appointed to Curtis ASAP. Tell Syn to get someone over to Curtis’ house to get his important papers. His mom’s will, her life insurance policy, whatever they can get. And find me a goddamn judge that can sign a temporary guardianship order, yesterday!” Day snapped out, his mind no-doubt working a thousand miles a minute.

Vicki acknowledged his order by bolting out the door with her cell phone in her hand.

Day was looking through his cell phone, quietly telling them what his plan was when Ruxs walked back into the room, looking devastated and embarrassed. Green was upset about Ruxs bailing on him, but he understood. Green wanted to go ape-shit himself, but one of them had to be there for Curtis.

Ruxs stood in front of him. His red-rimmed eyes, puffy and irritated. “I’m so fuckin’ sorry. I don’t even —”

“Shut up. I know.” Green let Ruxs pull him in to a tight hug. He sank into Ruxs’ warmth, finally releasing a much need breath. This was his rock. He’d been strong for Curtis, which took every ounce of strength he had, now he needed someone to lean on. Ruxs kissed his neck, whispering quiet words of encouragement to him.

God’s strong Southern drawl broke up their contact. “Alright, let’s move it! Standing here hugging ain’t gonna get shit done. Let’s get back to the office. It’s gonna be a long morning.”