Page 30 of Fire and Smoke (Nothing Special #9)

Wesley (Wes) Drake

The debriefing room was cold, and not the kind he could fix by zipping up his leather jacket.

It was pregnant, heavy breaths rotating around the room like a tornado waiting for the perfect moment to touch down and destroy.

Wes sat in one of the chairs along the wall next to Law. Neither of them said a word while the “grown-ups” conversed.

God stood in the center of the room, arms behind his back. His expression was stoic as Day paced beside him like a caged Rottweiler.

Syn was stiff in the corner, hands in his pockets, while Ro leaned against the far wall with his arms crossed and his face set.

Hart was still as a fucking statue near the window, his back to them, staring outside as if the city had the answers to the questions the captain continued to holler.

He was an imposing man with lean muscles, graying temples, and deep lines in his forehead that were probably a result of frowning ninety percent of his day.

There was searing heat in his voice—already in full bark.

“What the hell happened at Briarcliff?” he snapped. “You assured me it would be a tactical sneak and peek. Silent and fast. Instead, I’ve got footage of a goddamn war zone, Godfrey!”

“We were in control the entire time,” God said, low and unbothered.

Ro nodded once. “Everything went as planned…for the most part.”

Day scoffed loud enough to draw everyone’s attention.

“You got something to add, Lieutenant?” His capitain asked.

Day stopped pacing but kept rubbing the back of his neck as though it ached. “Wes and Law could’ve been killed. That’s what I’ve got to add.”

Law sat up straighter in his chair, but Wes gripped his shoulder, shaking his head for him to stay quiet.

“They were in way over their heads, Cap,” Day continued, voice rising. “They’re not enforcers. They’re civilian consultants for fuck’s sake. Their job is inventions. Smoke and mirrors, not—”

“Flames,” Law muttered.

All heads turned in their direction at Law’s interruption.

“ Excuse me,” the captain said, narrowing his eyes.

“Smoke and flames …he’s flames…y’know, fire, not mirr—”

“Will you shut up!” God snapped.

“ Fine ,” Day snarled. “They’re smoke and flame illusions. They don’t know shit about dodging bullets and diving through glass!”

“They panicked and bolted,” Syn added.

“That’s not what happened.” Law cut in.

Wes knew that tone. Law could accept being called a lot of things, but a coward wasn’t one of them.

“We weren’t running —we were getting out of the way so the team could focus.”

Day let out a hysterical laugh that lacked genuine amusement. “You ran so goddamn fast, Law, you almost teleported.”

“Fuck that, I didn’t run.” Law stood.

Wes yanked his soon-to-be-ex-best friend back down in the chair.

His chest was so tight he felt like he was suffocating. He stared at Law as if he’d grown another idiot head.

Didn’t run? Allowing the team to focus? Yeah-fuckin’-right.

They’d run faster than the last guy left in Texas Chainsaw Massacre .

And when it was all said and done, Law had cried into his shoulder half the night, shaking and broken. Now he wanted to play it off as if they’d been thinking strategically the entire time?

God’s incredulous glare was leveled on Day. “Are you saying we failed?”

“I’m saying they’re not soldiers,” Day bit back. “They didn’t sign up for this . We dropped them into the deep end with cinderblocks tied to their ankles.”

“They handled themselves,” God countered. “And the warrant was a success, Cap. We recovered intel, supplies, and new trafficking routes. I have enough for an arrest warrant.”

Day pointed at them. “Is serving that warrant worth their lives to you?”

God didn’t answer, his jaw locked tight enough Wes could see the muscle twitching from across the room.

The tension crackled like electricity.

Wes bounced his leg, unable to remain still as he listened to people argue about him as if he wasn’t in the room.

Law stood again, this time moving away so he couldn’t be forced back in his chair.

“I’m good. I even came up with a new cloaking mod for the optics. It’ll be even better next time. I can guarantee it.”

I? Next time? Da fuck?

“But Wes is, um…he’s gonna sit it out. He’ll be providing support from the command site with Free—mostly handling the tech and supplies while I execute in the field. That way we won’t distract each other.”

Wes wanted to speak up but the words he wanted to say burned. It felt as though someone had shoved glass down his throat.

God narrowed his eyes, but Day glowered as if he wanted to tear Law a new one.

Well, the lieutenant was going to have to stand in line behind him.

“They’ll never be that kind of combat-ready and they’re not expendable to your cause, God,” Day gritted.

“They’re not leaving,” God growled, his voice all gravel and iron.

“One more shot, Cap. That’s all I need, and Cade Mercer will be off my streets.”

“ Your streets.” Day was two inches from his husband, glaring directly into his eyes. “Wow, your name has really gone to your fuckin’ head.”

“Leo, all I’m asking is for you to back me up. I just need one more chance, and I’ll nail this bastard.”

“One more chances are for people who’ve failed and can’t accept defeat,” Day said gravely.

Wes never thought he’d see a man as imposing and powerful as God, look devestated.

Syn stepped between them, diffusing their standoff.

“There’s another issue.” Syn said.

The captain sighed, rubbing his temples. “What?”

“We believe the warrant was compromised. We were made before we even entered the building. That’s what went wrong.”

The confession silenced the room. Five seconds later, the door was pulled open.

A man walked in, all clean, polished, and sexy as hell. Smooth black hair, skin the color of sun-warmed sand, and eyes that looked as if they could see through a man as easily as they did glass.

“I’m Inspector Kiran Joshi,” he said, flashing a brilliant gold badge. “Internal Affairs, commissioner’s office. Did I just hear someone mention leaked information?”

And the tornado touched down.

Hart turned from the window, shaking his head as if disappointed.

God cleared his throat. “That’s not confirmed. It could’ve been anyone who alerted Mercer’s men. Neighborhood eyes. Street kids on the payroll.”

Day stepped forward. “No. Someone leaked the warrant from inside. And if we don’t pull Wes and Law out now , we’re gambling with their lives. They’re done.”

“No,” God snapped. Short. Final.

Day spun on God. “Excuse the fuck outta me. I thought there were two lieutenants running this task force.”

“Look, I said I can handle this,” Law interrupted again. “God is right. Give us one more chance. Atlanta is my home. We want to help.”

Wes gritted his teeth. He was so fucking tired of being the sidekick in Law’s redemption story.

If Law had waited two goddamn seconds, he’d have known he was just weighing the risks of all this. He’d have known that his silence wasn’t cowardice, it was caution.

Never once did he tell Law he was too afraid to go back in the field, or that he wouldn’t be by his side if they did.

But like always, Law had steamrolled over him, convincing himself that he needed saving.

Law added, “I’ve got new tech. New gear. I’ll be better prepared.”

“Were you sent to shut us down?” the captain asked Inspector Joshi, ignoring Law.

Joshi gave a small smile. “I’m here to observe. That’s all…for now.”

The captain faced Hart. “It’s up to you. You’re the one who polices God. What do you say?”

The room was quiet and still as everyone stared at Hart.

The big SWAT captain locked eyes with God from across the room before he gave a single nod.

Law grinned as if he’d won.

Wes sat back in his chair, arms crossed, lips tight, and stomach twisting.

He wasn’t sure when he was going to get off this merry-go-round with Law once and for all.