Promises: The Next Generation (Bounty Hunters 5)

That probably happens to him all the time.

Kell didn’t care about the dingy Walmart specials that he had on. It was what he could afford, and appearances had never meant a hill of beans to him. Ty’s boots and jeans probably cost more than Kell’s grocery and heating bill combined. He reached the driveway first, deciding to wait for his new partner. Maybe they could talk a little before starting time. He still couldn’t get a read on this guy. Kell’s hood was so low he had to pull it back some in order to look into Ty’s eyes. Damn, how tall is he?

In the natural light, Ty’s eyes were a brighter shade of brown, like the color of whisky. In the dark of night, they’d been the color of roasted chestnuts. Ty stopped a few feet away from him, one hand in his black bomber jacket, while the other clutched one of the straps of his book bag.

“Good morning, Kell. I see you like to get an early start too,” Ty said, glancing at his smart watch.

“It’s important to be on time. Shows character,” Kell replied easily. Was he expecting me to be late? There was a beat of silence as Ty leaned against the wall beside him.

“Today’s our first official day of training. Are you eager… nervous… afraid?” Ty asked.

Kell smirked behind his scarf. Afraid? He hadn’t been afraid of anything or anyone since he was eighteen. “I feel none of those weak emotions.”

Ty laughed a deep, rich sound, turning to face him. “Then what do you feel?”

Kell pulled the scarf from over his mouth. Ty was staring but not gawking, simply waiting. “I feel ready.” It wasn’t the only thing he felt. He also wanted Ty to feel Kell was his equal. Just because he was shorter, smaller and a bit younger, didn’t mean a damn thing. He could take down several men three times his size with two quick moves. What he also felt was confidence.

“I better get inside. I wanted to do some more reading on the Georgia fugitive recovery manual before starting time. I have to take the exam tomorrow,” Ty mentioned.

“It’s easy.”

“You already took it?”

Kell nodded. “It’s such a small manual. I read it in one day and took the exam two days later. It’s really common sense stuff.”

“Thanks for the heads up. Brian said I can take it here on their computer when I’m ready.” Ty held the door open for him and waited for him to enter first… like a gentleman.

Kell walked into the building with Ty on his heels. All the hunters were already at their desks looking hard at work. Darn, do they sleep here? Since they were all dressed almost the same as yesterday, Kell couldn’t be sure. Duke came out of his office and headed toward the back room which Kell learned was the kitchen.

“Guys, there’s pastries and coffee in the break room. I suggest you eat and hydrate now because we leave for our gym session in thirty minutes,” Duke yelled from the kitchen. When he came out with a large mug of steaming liquid and a cheese Danish, he nodded at Kell. “Need some more firewood brought in.”

Kell spun on his heels and headed toward the back door.

“I’ll help him.” his new partner told Duke.

Ty caught up to him on the way to the shed.

“I didn’t need help. I got this. You said you wanted to study before we had to leave.”

“I know what I said,” Ty countered, then left it at that.

Kell pushed the heavy door open and started stacking the wood on one arm, Ty followed him, stacking more on his thick arms as well. It only took them ten minutes to make two trips, hauling enough to last for the day. It felt as if Ty was being overly watchful of him. Kell was going to pull his own weight on the job, just like all the other men were expected to do. He was far more capable of assisting them, besides keeping their fire going.

Oh yeah. I’m ready to go to the gym.

Ty

He hated hotels. Brian had tried to insist that Ty come home with him last night, not wanting him to go back to his apartment until the heat died down. But, he’d politely refused. Ty could feel Brian’s strong urge to watch over him and guide him like his father had requested, but he’d probably meant when Ty was still a teen. Brian was years late. Soon, he was going to ask him why he’d waited so long. In the meanwhile, he’d read up and learn his new profession, his new lifestyle. On the ride over to Duke’s last night, Brian had sat in the back with him and explained exactly what it was he did. What it meant to be a bail recovery agent. Ty didn’t argue when Brian had suggested he enroll in Duke’s program immediately, because the job duties sounded important, official, like the services they performed helped keep the hood a little safer. Ty was all for that.