Page 94 of Ride the Lightning

“I thought he was practicing heavy breathing to get a job at one of those nine hundred numbers since he tendered his resignation,” Rocky said.

“Do those still exist?” Royce asked.

“I think everything is web-based these days,” Sawyer countered. “Jonah could still rock that though.”

“Thanks,” Jonah said.

“Can we focus, people?” Ellie asked.

“Oh, fuck. I forgot the commish was listening,” Royce said.

“Who happens to be Jonah’s aunt,” she reminded them.

“Sorry,” several male voices said at once, making Ellie and Jonah chuckle.

“I got eyes on Jonah,” Felix said. “So far, everything is working perfectly. No sign of Malcolm or any civilians.”

Rocky and Felix were staked out on opposite corners of the building. Felix saw the front of the building as well as the right side. Rocky’s position allowed him to see the rear and left side, while Ellen, Royce, and Sawyer were hidden inside the warehouse. Each of them was wired for sound. Rocky or Felix would let them know as soon as Malcolm arrived.

“Stay alert,” Jonah said as he parked the car. “I’ve learned from experience that the more perfect a mission seems, the likelier it is to blow up in your face. Literally. Expect the unexpected.”

“We got you covered out here, big guy,” Felix said.

“My team has you covered inside,” Ellen said.

“Let’s do this,” Jonah said, pushing open his door and climbing from the car. He had an urge to text Avery once more, but that wasn’t the deal. Avery made Jonah promise he’d go to his parents’ house and stay there until he sent the all clear text. Besides, what would be an appropriate thing to text him before a mission?Going in. See you on the other side.

How lame.

I love you.

Jonah’s steps faltered as his heart tripped over itself before plummeting to his stomach. He had the insane urge to laugh because holy fuck. He’d been out of the relationship game for a seriously long time, but even he knew that confessing your feelings via text was all wrong.

“It’s showtime,” Jonah said as he entered the warehouse.

He looked around the space. He couldn’t detect any of Ellie’s team hiding among the massive shelves holding air conditioners, household appliances, coiled black pipe, lumber, and just about everything else you’d expect to find in a home improvement store.

“There’s an ancient Cadillac pulling in. The driver is an older man who looks to be in his mid-sixties.”

“Is that your decoy?” Rocky asked.

“Yeah, that’s him,” Jonah said. “I’d think a person who drives a Woody Wagon would appreciate a classic car like the Cadillac, Felix.”

“To each their own, I guess,” the reporter replied. “Here comes your guy. He’s wearing a light blue polo shirt, khaki pants, and an Atlanta Braves ball cap. Who is this guy? Something about him is familiar.”

“I’ll introduce you when this is over,” Jonah replied, glancing up when their decoy walked in. It had been so long since Jonah had seen Ricky, he probably wouldn’t have recognized him if he passed the man on the street until he looked into those dark eyes sparkling with mischief. “What’s up, Ricky?”

“What’s up?” Ricky, not Richard, Rick, and especially never Dick, repeated drolly as he looked around. “This isn’t what I expected.”

“That’s because you’ve watched too many police dramas. The team is in place and ready for when Malcolm shows up. Did you study the photo I sent you?”

Ricky nodded. “There were so many boys who came through the clubs back then, so I can’t be sure I’ve met him. If Earl brought him around, it didn’t leave a lasting impression.”

Jonah stepped closer to Ricky, hoping his proximity would settle any nerves his friend was experiencing. “Scared?”

“Of many things, but not this. Is he going to kill me? He’ll have to get in line behind cancer.” Jonah must’ve slipped and let his sorrow show because Ricky reached for him. “I’m sorry, baby,” Ricky said, slipping into Marla’s persona right before Jonah’s eyes. “I don’t mean to hurt you.”

“I’m not ready,” Jonah said, not caring his friends could hear him.