Full Disclosure (Nice Guys 2)

“Director Skinner, sir, he’s hit me personally,” Mitch said, staring out the window, completely unaware of the world outside the glass.

“What’s happened?” Skinner asked.

“Sir, he got to my boyfriend this morning. But he’s made a mistake. He’ll be back once he realizes that,” Mitch relayed the information, steeling his heart.

“Do we know who this is?”

“Yes, sir. He’s being tracked down, but if we let him slip through the cracks, he’ll be back to finish this job. Once he finds out Cody’s not dead, he’ll have to return to cover his tracks,” Mitch reaffirmed.

“What do you need from me?”

“I need backup. I want our guys on this. I want him arrested the minute we find him,” Mitch answered.

“Of course, I’ll arrange it now. What else?” Director Skinner asked.

“I want my dad to oversee Cody’s care. We need security to transport him here. And I need security detail on my family. Once Cody’s stable, I want him up there with my dad. I don’t care about the investigation. He’s safer away from here.” Mitch ran his palm along his jaw. All he could think was that he needed Cody away from this place as soon as possible.

“I’ll arrange that. Tell your father to contact me. Does Connors have your whereabouts?” the director inquired.

“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir,” Mitch let out a sigh of relief.

“Keep me updated, Knox. Watch yourself. I can’t say I didn’t see this coming. It worried me, son. Because of who you are, I should have put someone else on the case. You and Kreed watch yourself.” The director ended the call. Mitch was wound up so tightly, the moments of relief hit him hard. Mitch stood there, shaking off all this unwanted emotion keeping him from thinking reasonably. Instead, he searched his contacts until he found his father’s phone number.

“Hello, Son, your mom told me you called her.” His dad sounded happy, and with all the background noise, he thought he might be in the middle of something.

“I need you, Pop,” Mitch spoke quietly. All that emotion he’d been fighting came out in those four words. It was always hard talking to his parents. Just their voices brought out the inner love and compassion that no one else on the planet had seemed to ever have.

“Where are you, Son?” his dad asked, and Mitch heard the immediate change in his tone from Dad to Dr. Knox. There was movement on his dad’s end of the line. The background noise slowly fading away as he sought out somewhere he could hear the conversation more clearly.

“I’m in Austin, Texas. They got him, Dad. Just like with Colt; they got him.” Mitch lowered his head to the big windows. He bumped his forehead against the cool glass, having to remind himself Cody was alive. God, what would have happened if the killer had succeeded?

There was silence on his father’s end of the line for several long seconds until he finally said, “Your guy?”

“Yes, sir,” Mitch responded immediately, his voice broke on the words.

“What’s his condition?” his father asked, the professional tone masking the concern. He knew his father did that for him, to help him stay strong.

“All I know is that the cell phone saved his life. It took the bullet to his chest. He’s got another in his shoulder, and he hit his head somehow. He’s in surgery.”

“All right, I’m on my way.” There was never any question his father would do this very thing. The weights were slowly lifting off his shoulders. Getting Cody the care he needed while protecting him from another attack were his two main focuses. The people in Mitch’s life were taking over, taking care of him and Cody.

God, the fucking tears were starting again.

Mitch dug his thumb and forefinger into his eyes, pushing them away. He’d cry for hours, just not right now. Later. Much, much later, when he was all alone and no one could see.

“Dad, I need you to call Director Skinner. He’s arranging your flight and security for you and the family until this bastard’s caught. If we don’t get our hands on this guy soon, Cody’s gonna be a big target. I want him to go back home with you and mom when he’s stable. I want him far away from here until we get this resolved,” Mitch said firmly.

“All right, Son, whatever you want. Can you text me the director’s number now? I’m at a game and need to get your mom home before I leave,” Dr. Knox replied.

“Thanks for doing this, Dad. I’ll send the text now.” Mitch ended the call and immediately sent his father a text with Skinner’s phone number. He waited until he got the return text from his father confirming receipt. As he turned away from the window, a tall, blond-haired man entered the secured area. There was an older woman flanking him. Mitch looked at the two. They had tears in their eyes, a panicked look that Mitch totally got, and they eyed him as closely as he watched them.

They had to be Cody’s mom and dad. Damn.

Chapter 47

Mitch steeled his spine and walked straight to the distraught couple. He absolutely didn’t want to meet them this way. Certainly, he’d never wanted to apologize for allowing their son to be put in harm’s way, but he manned up and stuck out his hand.

“Mr. and Mrs. Turner?” They both nodded. “I’m so sorry,” Mitch started, clasping Mr. Turner’s hand first.

“You’re Mitch.” A woman entered the room, catching Mitch off guard. There was no denying the family connection. She was tall, blonde, and pretty, dressed in a business suit and high heels. She was no-nonsense and there in front of him, sticking her hand out to him.

“I’m Sheila, Cody’s sister. He’s Cody’s new boyfriend,” she said to her parents. “Have you seen him yet?” she asked him. Mitch looked from her to her parents. She was most definitely taking the lead, something it looked like his mom and dad were accustomed to.

“Sheila, let’s meet him,” Mr. Turner started, but she stared at Mitch, ignoring her parents, waiting for him to answer her question.