Ty

 

“Well, I’m not sure if your plans will work or not, you two aren’t giving us much to go on.” Duke stood, looking around at the other hunters to see if they agreed. They did. “Retrievals usually require surveillance and a detailed strategy to execute. You guys have none of that. The first one, Craig Morrison, you said we don’t even have to suit up for him; you’re gonna tell him to come to us. Do I got that right?”

“Yep.” Ty shrugged, feeling so much more relaxed then he did yesterday. “It’s the best I could come up with.”

“And Alexander?”

“Ah yes. The boy who cried gay bashing.” Kell shook his head.

“You just want us to meet you at the club at midnight tomorrow. That’s it?” Duke threw his arms up. “And you’re gonna give some barely distinguishable signal to Brian when to move.”

“Yep,” Ty said again. “All in one day.”

“Both retrievals on Thursday?” Duke kept questioning.

Ty had thought his boss gave him command over these files. They hadn’t even messed up and he was bitching. Why would he think a plan is too easy? There’s no such thing. The less manpower used, the better.

“Why do both of them tomorrow? You might have brass ones, man, but it’s not as easy as one, two, three,” Duke grumbled.

“Actually, it is.” Ty leaned back in his chair. “If it makes you feel any better, we can knock Craig Morrison out right now. He’ll come whenever I call.”

“You are one self-assured motherfucker, Ty. Jesus.” Duke laughed, the other hunters joining in. “So we can all just sit here and shoot the shit while Craig Morrison walks through my office door all on his own.”

Ty was beginning to take all the doubt personally. His boss thought he was all talk and no show.

“You know what. If you can get Craig Morrison in here today, then lunch is on me. Wherever you choose, Ty. Anywhere in the city. Hell, even the Aria.”

The Aria was one of the most expensive restaurants in Atlanta. He knew, because he was always searching for nice places to take his sweetheart. The blue in Kell’s eyes glittered as he watched Ty for his reaction. The men were staring at him, calling his bluff. He turned to his partner. “You wanna bring this clown in now? Then we’ll have the whole day free tomorrow,” he asked Kell like it won’t nothing but a thang.

“I’m following you,” Kell answered easily.

Ty saw Quick nod at Kell’s response. They were on the right track. Ty just had to make sure no one else got in his head, except for his partner. They were on one accord and as long as they stayed that way, then yes, Ty was sure they’d be victorious.

“Now, this I gotta see.” Dana chuckled, rearing back as far as his chair would allow and throwing his boots up on his desk. “If the jumpers are coming to us now, then I’m all for that shit.”

Kell stood from Ty’s desk and went to grab his cell phone to pull up the app he’d told him to download yesterday. He pointed at Ford’s many monitors. “Can you alter caller ID?”

“Meaning?” Ford asked.

“Craig Morrison doesn’t pick up any numbers he doesn’t know. We tried all morning on Tuesday using the number scrambler you gave us. Still no answer. When I looked through the phone records of his cell he had an infinite number of calls to radio stations and hotlines for talent showcases,” Ty explained.

“Yeah… and…” Duke pressed.

“And nothing,” Ty said right back. “Ford. When I call him, can you make the caller ID reflect WRDG 96.7?”

Ford spun around to his computer, his large hands flying across one of his keyboards. After a few minutes of screens blinking and key tapping, Ford picked up his desk phone and dialed his number. When his cell phone rang he handed it to Ty. The caller ID displayed exactly what he’d requested.

“Nice. That’s all I need.” Ty gave Ford a pound and waved Kell over to him. “Ready, shorty?”

“Ready.” Kell made himself comfortable beside him on the corner of Ford’s desk.

Ty waited for Ford to give him the go. When he did he picked up the phone and dialed Craig Morrison’s number, putting it on speaker. As soon as a deep, excited voice yelled “Yo, this is MC CraigMack,” Ty turned on his act.

“CraigMack! You’re on with The Beat, 96.7, A-Town’s, baddest hip-hop station! What’s going on, money?” Ty spoke as if he’d been a radio personality all his life.

“No way, man. No fuckin’ way. Don’t tell me I won!” Craig yelled.

“Whoa, whoa, easy with the language on the air, my man.” Ty laughed like he and Craig were best friends. “Save it for the studio session going down right now! One of the ’dopest, ’illest, MCs to ever come out of ATL is right here in the studio with us ready to pay it back.”

“Oh snap. Who, man?!”

“MC CraigMack are you ready to come spit your dope lyrics for none other than, Lil Jeezy!”

Right on cue, Kell turned on the music app and began playing the artist’s most popular track in the background.

“Shit yeah! I’m ready! I been ready, dog!” Craig yelled excitedly.

“Then get your ass down here pronto. Jeezy heard your demo and he was all over it, man.”

“Word!? No bullshit.”

Kell smoothly started playing one of Craig’s amateur raps they’d pulled off his iTunes account.

“You’ve won the chance to show your skills, CraigMack. We got the studio for another hour, yo!”

“Man, I’m on my way. I’m on my way right now! Where’s the studio? Let me get the address.”

Ty winked at Duke’s stunned face as he rattled off the office’s address. “Jeezy said come ready to flow.”

“I can be there in twenty. I got some fire ready for you!” Craig sounded like he was already running. “Am I gonna be on the radio, too? Maybe get a deal.”

“Mack, I promise you; you’re about to get everything you deserve, homie. Now stop ’frontin and come on. Time is paper.”

Ty hung up. The bounty hunters were all sitting around with their bottom lips lying on their desks. A damn prank call. That was Ty’s plan. And let that stupid motherfucker come to them.

Kell had an ear-splitting smile on his face. Ty ignored the other men’s looks of disbelief. Didn’t they know his generation was all about doing things the easy way? Working smart and not hard. Ty stood in front of his partner. He nudged Kell’s legs apart, stood boldly between his spread thighs and kissed him on his forehead in front of everyone.

“While Brian and I move the transports trucks around the back.” Ty ran his thumb down Kell’s soft cheek and nodded toward their boss. “Tell Duke where you want to eat lunch today. It’s on him.”

Kell

 

He took it easy on his boss and had him order pizzas. He got a lot of ribbing from Dana, since he’d wanted to go to a steakhouse, but he laughed it off. They were really becoming a great team. Friends. Kell was proud to be learning from such an amazing group of men and finally be able to put his skills to good use. He didn’t think the guys would ever stop going on about Ty’s impression of a DJ and how the hell he’d come up with that idea. None of them would ever forget the look on Craig Morrison’s face when he burst through the door, already rapping, and saw Duke standing there with wire cuffs.

None of them could wait to see what Ty had cooked up for their ‘riot starter’—Alexander—tomorrow night.

After he finished his slice of veggie supreme, he went in the break room in search of his partner. When he opened the door Ty was talking on his cell phone. As soon as he saw Kell he started speaking in hushed tones, before quickly ending the call.

“Glad I’m not a suspicious man,” Kell teased.

“Kellam,” Ty almost growled.

He body reacted from the tone and intensity of Ty’s voice speaking his name like that.

“You know you don’t have to be suspicious with me.” Ty let Kell lean against his chest. “That was a little something I’m working on for you on Friday.”

Oh my God. More gifts? He got onto the balls of his feet, aiming for a kiss. Ty sucked Kell’s bottom lip into his mouth first. Sucking and biting on it before plunging his tongue inside for a thorough taste. He moaned shamelessly, pressing tighter against Ty’s hard body.

“Damn. Look at you. Got my joint pipe-hard at work.” Ty lightly nipped Kell’s smooth cheek.

“Work is over for the day,” Kell argued weakly. He kept his mouth parted and let Ty play with his lips as much as he wanted. He needed to stop before he had a wet spot to explain. He reluctantly pulled away, but kept their bodies close together.

“Since we scored some time off, I need to handle some business. Get some things set for Friday,” Ty told him.

“Okay. I’m gonna pack like you said. Are you going back to the hotel tonight?”

“Yeah. You got everything you need for the club tomorrow?” Ty asked him again, but Kell had already told him yes twice.

“I do. I just want to be sure you’re good with this kind of plan. If we blow it… Duke’s gonna—”

Ty tipped Kell’s head up. “I said I won’t lead you astray. I mean that. I know how much this job means to you too. We’ll be great.”

“I know,” Kell whispered.

“I’ll be by at eleven-thirty to pick you up.”

Kell nodded.

Brian stuck his head in the door. “Ty, you ready?”

“Be out in a minute,” he told Brian, then turned back to him. He kissed Kell’s forehead, “Alright, I’m ’outta here, shorty. Text me later.”

With one last kiss, he watched his love walk out of the door. Kell stood smiling stupidly for a moment before he pulled out his cheap flip phone and called for help. He needed help! He was getting married in two days! He pushed the speaker button and set his phone on the counter so he could pace.

The line connected. Thank God.

“Vaughan. Help!” Kell said before the man could even say hello.

“Kelly?”

“Yes. And ’dangit. You know I freakin hate it when you call me that. But, I’m so glad that you answered I’m gonna let it go. Do you have court tomorrow?”

“My trial doesn’t start until Friday. Why are… Oh no. You don’t need me to represent you again do you?” Vaughan groaned miserably, “Ugh, Kelly, Dad’s gonna strangle you for real this time.”

“No Vaughan. I don’t need criminal representation. And thanks for the vote of confidence. Sensei happens to be very pleased with me right now.” Kell smirked.

Vaughan was Quick’s biological son, but he’d always treated Kell like a real baby brother. Even annoyingly calling him ‘Kelly’. Their relationship had gotten closer after Kell’s father did what he did to him. Then, he was always invited for movie nights, family dinners, vacations, anniversaries.

“I just got my first paycheck ever that had a comma in it.” Kell said proudly. The folded check in his back pocket felt like a winning lottery ticket. He’d never made so much money at one time. And he wanted to do something special for Ty by looking his absolute best tomorrow night, so he could execute his partner’s plan. And then. He had to make Ty’s jaw drop on Friday.

“And… what? Do you need me to help you make a budget or something?” Vaughan said drily.

“Not quite. I need you to make me look good. I’m going to a club tomorrow.” Kell smirked.

“Oh.” Vaughan sounded as if he’d wanted something more dramatic. “Um, sure. I can help you pick out something in your closet.”

“And I’m also getting married Friday. So, I need something to wear for that too if you got the time.”

Silence.

Kell squinted and counted backwards from, three, two—”

“KELLY, YOU LITTLE SHIT, ARE YOU MESSING WITH ME?! Vaughan yelled loud enough to be heard in the front of the office.

“Shh, shh, shh. Dang, Vaughan tell the world,” Kell whispered sternly, taking the phone off speaker. He cracked open his bottle of water and took a nervous gulp.

“Stop shushing me. Why’s your wedding a secret?” Vaughan gasped. “You’re not pregnant are you?”

Kell spit his water all over counter and down his chin. He shook his head, “I really hate you sometimes.”

“What are big brothers for?” Kell heard Vaughan say something to his paralegal, Sandra, then put his mouth back to the phone. “You’re really doing it, Kelly? Dad said you and your new partner had gotten close but, holy shit. Ya’ll have only been together a minute.”

“That’s all the time I needed.” There wasn’t a hint of doubt or playfulness in Kell’s voice. He needed Vaughan to know that he was certain and Tyrell Jenkins was not a joke.

“Well damn. Kellam I’m happy for you. Duke said your partner is a fascinating guy to work with.”

“He really is.” Kell sighed.

“Oh god.” Vaughan laughed.

Kell could practically see Vaughan’s eye roll.

“I’m on my way to get you. You still at my lover’s office?” Vaughan purred in that silky voice Duke loved… not him.

“Yeah I’m still at work but I’m ready to go. And can you just honk the horn or something because if you come in only God knows when Duke will let you out of his office.”

“So true, little brother, so true.” Vaughan chuckled. “See you in an hour.”