Kell

 

“He’s ready, Duke. You know he’s got the chops, the speed, the smarts, the—”

“But does he have the self-control, Quick? Can he work with a team?” Duke’s deep voice cut over his sensei. Kell sat quietly while they discussed his future.

Kell couldn’t blame Duke. He knew the man ran a tight ship. Duke’s street credibility and his name were extremely important to him. But, he and Quick were fifty-fifty partners, so Duke let Quick put up his argument to recruit Kell into their new program. To train the next generation of bounty hunters.

“I’m telling you he’s ready,” Quick said sternly.

“Does he always dress like Kung Fu Panda?” Duke grinned.

Quick flicked him off and they both shared a laugh, “You know he just came from work. He’d rather show up in his uniform than show up late.”

“I suppose. I like the black, the hood, all that, but he’s gonna need stronger outside wear and more durable shoes. I see he’s completed the testing and requirements. How is he with a weapon?” Duke asked Quick, not him.

“On point, but he can use some brushing up on the range. He’s not really a firearm kind of guy.” Quick smirked.

“Oh yeah?” Duke reared back in his chair, kicking his heavy boots up on the corner of his desk.

Kell had always had a thing for older men. He figured he was attracted to maturity, not a particular age group. But, hot damn Duke is sexy. All that manliness, the boldness, even all that salt and pepper gray hair sitting messily on top of his head, combined with immeasurable self-assurance, all fit perfectly into a handsome package. Kell knew Duke was in a very committed relationship with Quick’s only son, Vaughan. Besides the stylish man, there was nothing more important to Duke than his business.

Duke rolled his dark eyes, “Then what weapon is his specialty?”

“Him.”

“Come again?” Duke asked, confused, but Kell knew what his sensei meant.

Before Quick could elaborate further, another one of his co-workers knocked on Duke’s door while walking in at the same time. He was exceptionally tall, almost the exact height of his master. He was broad and muscular everywhere, like he could more than handle himself. Then Kell noticed his eyes. Eyes that were dark and haunted. Another man Kell had never seen, entered right after him, a man who looked just like the one standing in front of him, except he wasn’t as stocky. He was sure they were related, not to mention they both were built like freaking linebackers for the Falcons.

“Ford, Brian, I hope you got good news,” Duke said.

The older one shook his head then rumbled something about his brother wasting his damn time.

Why are they all so big? What the hell were they feeding boys back then? His sensei was going on fifty-three, Duke was forty-eight—they’d been raised in a different era. An era where men were held responsible for their actions, a time when men raised their kids and loved their wives for better or for worse. An era when men handled their own duties and not shucked them onto someone else. Kell released the feeling of bitterness that tried to settle in his gut.

“What’s going on with your guy, Brian? Is he ready, yet?” Duke asked, picking up a slim file on his desk. “Um. Jenkins, right?”

The one Duke called Brian didn’t speak but the man—his brother—beside him did. “Hell no, he’s not ready.”

Brian glared but didn’t respond.

“We’ve been researching this guy for months and he’s good at staying off the grid. But when we’ve tried to make contact, he’s given us the slip every time.”

“He’s too smart to let us approach him when he doesn’t know shit about us,” Brian finally spoke, then leveled serious eyes at his boss. “Would you let two men that look like us, stalk you and then just roll up on you?”

“I reckon not,” Duke murmured.

Kell had begun to wonder if Brian spoke at all. His voice was so gravelly and deep that it sounded scary. Maybe he was another man who understood the importance of silence and observing. Kell did.

“Then get him in here fast, Brian. You’re out of surveillance hours. I got tons of cases that are prime for rookies. It’s time to start and his partner is waiting.” Duke pointed at Kell.

Well damn.

Kell assumed he’d be working with his sensei, with his mentor, who’d been the one to guide him this far, not a complete stranger. He didn’t do well with new people, and Quick had been concerned if Kell would be able to thrive in such a team-oriented environment when he was such a loner. When he was used to operating solo. He didn’t prefer it that way, it just was that way.

“It’s after three, Brian. You got until nine tonight to get him in here and ready to get going. He hasn’t even done any testing, nothing.” Duke groaned. “I’m done waiting, B. If your guy don’t want this, then I have to recruit the marksman Dana recommended. I’m training two at a time. You don’t even know if Jenkins wants in.”

“He’ll be in, Duke and he’ll be one of the best decisions you’ve made. You’re gonna need another mastermind in here when Ford and I call it a wrap. Quick’s training his replacement…  I need a chance with mine too.”

Whoa! Replacement? Kell didn’t outwardly react, but he was sure his sensei knew he’d zeroed in on that statement. Kell tuned back into Brian’s rebuttal.

“I’m not sure if he remembers me. When I got out the car the other day he still bolted on us. I haven’t seen him since he was thirteen years old, Duke, except that once when I returned stateside, but he didn’t know it was me. My own brother barely recognized me. Then consider that I’m the only person that truly knows what happened to his father, our reunion needs to be finessed.”

“Well your finesse is getting ready to become all-out frankness. Reintroduce yourself… tonight.” Duke stood and braced both hands on his desk. His dress shirt looked trendy, not snooty and he had the cuffs unbuttoned and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

 “He’s no doubt wondering how I was able to contact him on his cell. If we charge in and corner him. He’s gonna react,” Brian warned.

I hope they’re not trying to pair me with a whacko who also sounds like a bit of a coward. Why would he be running? Most importantly why the hell is the most intense man I’ve ever seen, chasing him? There must be a million other guys who want this job. Kell settled into the chair more comfortably, carefully observing their dynamic. He’d be a part of all this soon, he prayed. My new partner must really be the stuff if they’re going after him and not the other way around.

“What the hell you mean, ‘react’?”

Ford—Kell now realized was Brian’s brother—didn’t appear to like the sound of that.

“Should we all be wearing bulletproof vest when you bring him back? He’s not gonna storm in and open fire is he?” Duke chuckled darkly when Brian gave him a ‘fuck off’ gesture. “For shit’s sake, Brian. Then take Ford and Dana with you. Quick you stay here and get your protégé into the system. He’s already set to go on qualifiers,” Duke spoke and all of them listened, then followed his orders. He turned and pointed at Kell. “You, go out and get some firewood from the shed around back and get the fire going in the lobby. Make yourself useful. It’s gonna be a long night.”

It was still chilly outside, the temperature dropping with each hour. Kell put his dark beanie over his head and pulled his hood up and lowered it below his brow. Then he pulled his scarf up around his mouth and followed the orders he’d been given. He may not excel in every aspect of his new position, but one thing he will succeed in was obeying and following commands. He’d make his sensei proud.