Page 14 of Fire and Smoke (Nothing Special #9)

Lawson (Law) Sheppard

Law leaned against the wall, arms folded, expression indifferent. But he was listening to every word.

Across the conference table, Godfrey stood in a wide-legged stance, shoulders squared. Beside him, his husband lounged in a chair with his boots resting on the polished wood surface, holding an oversized steel mug.

The man seated across from them—Captain Murphy, the precinct’s division chief—looked less than impressed.

“So let me get this straight.” The captain dragged his hand over the tired expression on his face.

“You want me to approve you bringing on two unlicensed-to-carry, Hollywood blocklisted rejects, with zero police training into an already unstable, morally challenged task force, and just—what? Start blowing shit up?”

God didn’t blink, as if he knew he’d get his way.

Syn took over.

“They wouldn’t be blowing anything up, Capt. Wesley and Lawson would be creating diversions, chemical pressure and psychological illusions. And in turn, we’d have to use less lethal tactics. I’d be overseeing their training myself.”

“Lord help me.” Captain Murphy sighed, glancing at Day. “You already have enforcers running over pedestrians in crosswalks and costing the city thousands a month in damages. Hell, three-quarters of the complaints I get have your team members’ names overflowing in the margins.”

God shrugged. “Yet crime rates drop every time we close a case.”

“Just ’cause it’s a crosswalk doesn’t mean you can just step out into traffic,” Day murmured.

“I’m sorry. What was that?” the captain snarled.

Day didn’t repeat himself.

Wes was sitting to his left, no doubt vibrating with the urge to bolt.

Captain Hart stood beside God and spoke up for the first time. “I back God as well on this, cap.”

Their captain waved Hart off. “Oh, please, you always back God.”

“Only when he’s right,” he answered. “If we’d had these two on that Decatur raid last month, half of my men wouldn’t’ve needed burn care. With experts, we can eliminate chemical retaliation.”

“Exactly,” Syn said. “Meth ops are evolving. These aren’t your basic criminals.

Some of these fuckers have chemistry degrees and their enforcers are smart.

We’ve encountered wired entryways, generators rigged with trip explosions.

We’re engaged in chemical warfare that requires more than just guns, Cap.

Wes and Law are our best chances to learn how to fight back. We need them.”

Law’s chest warmed at that. He wouldn’t admit it to Wes, but it felt good to hear he was needed again.

“All right,” Captain Murphy warned. “You’re on a short leash on this ask, God. They better not get hurt. You have enough liabilities with your own crew.”

“Their training will be extensive.” Syn’s voice grated on his skin like barbed wire. “They’ll report to me, and Hart and I will be overseeing the ops. I’ll keep the enforcers in check and ensure Wes and Law don’t blow up the city.”

Wes tensed again. Law wanted to rub his thigh and tell him they were going to be okay, but he refrained.

Later.

“You can guarantee that?” the captain asked, standing as though the meeting was over.

“No.” Syn chuckled. “But I can guarantee I’ll make them useful.”

Law already liked Syn.

The captain pointed right at him. “You really think you can handle this? You’ve got more fuckups on your record than my rookies.”

Law didn’t miss a beat. “We got this.”

The captain nodded toward Wes. “Your partner sure is quiet.”

“Silent but fearless.”

“Stop fuckin’ lying,” Wes snapped, turning back to the captain. “I’ll be the biggest liability you’ve ever had to deal with. I start fires just to see who’ll run the fastest.”

Captain Murphy jerked his head back. “Wow.”

Law narrowed his eyes, laughing nervously. “He’s joking. He’s very responsible. He always puts’em out before anyone gets burned.”

Wes flipped him.

The captain headed for the door. “Like I said, gentlemen, very short leash. If one civilian goes up in flames, you’re on your own with IA.”

Once he was gone, God turned to Syn with a simple instruction. “Get ’em ready.”

Law clapped his hands together once. “When can I get a gun?”

“Fuck off. That’ll be never,” God walked out of the door with his husband on his heels.

Hell yeah, Law was going to like it here.

This was a kickass place to strut his stuff until he made amends and Hollywood came crawling back.

Law turned toward Wes—furious, brilliant, sex-starved, Wes—the only man he’d ever trust to do this with.

There was nothing he couldn’t accomplish and excel at with Wes by his side.