Promises: The Next Generation (Bounty Hunters 5)

“How do you know?” Ty’s question was full of hopeful curiosity.

Kell pushed his scarf below his chin and licked his suddenly dry lips. Ty’s eyes warmed to golden-brown as they locked on that movement.

“I know, because I’m getting to know his son. And so far, I’m liking what I’m learning.” Kell smiled and shook his head slightly, looking at Ty’s stylish boots, then slowly dragging his eyes up to the shiny, platinum dog tag resting in the center of his nice chest. He stood over six feet, with his hands tucked into the pockets of his heavy wool coat. He’s so ’freakin sexy. “And so far, I think you’re amazing. A man that’s a purer cut and a finer quality than any man I’ve ever met. A great man. A son I can only assume your father groomed in his image.”

When he chanced a glance upwards, he saw Ty’s smile. The warm, relaxed one that only seemed to show up for him. Ty’s mood appeared to transform right there in front of him. The corners of his full lips curved upward, and his eyes glistened in the coming of dusk.

“Thank you,” Ty rasped.

He took Kell’s hand, in that fingerless glove, and tucked it tighter in the bend of his elbow and locked it there. Turning, he led them back up the sidewalk, Kell falling in step a few inches behind Ty’s tall frame. Which also did a pretty good job of blocking most of the biting wind.

“It’s not late. You still up for going to the dojo?” Kell asked, wanting to turn the evening in another direction.

“I don’t have my gym bag with me or a change of clothes.”

With Kell’s hand hooked in Ty’s arm they moved easily beside each other. “I can still show you some basic tosses with the blades. Then we… I can show you around the place. It’s my home away from home, I guess. I practically grew up there.”

“That’ll be dope, shorty. Yeah, let’s check it out.” Ty stopped by one of the benches at the bus stop and led Kell to sit down before settling close beside him. “I’ll send for a Lyft. I don’t wanna wait on the bus.”

After Kell gave him the address to the dojo, Ty arranged the ride. He tucked his phone into his coat pocket and leaned back, getting more comfortable on the cold steel bench. Kell shivered, inching closer to Ty’s masculine heat.

“You too cold? We can wait inside the store over there, if you want?” Ty asked, draping his heavy arm around Kell and nestling him deeper into his side.

I’m so damn perfect right now. “I’m good. We can wait here.” Just like this all night long. He was so close he could smell Ty’s deodorant. His cock twitched valiantly in the freezing temperature.

While they waited in the silence Kell’s thoughts drifted to their bust this afternoon. “I was just thinking about the jumper this morning. Smith, the golfer. I hope his wife, girlfriend or whatever didn’t leave him. He looked so dejected.”

“She probably did,” Ty said, with little feeling.

Kell sighed. “Darn, I hope not.”

Ty turned toward him, “And why shouldn’t she?”

“Well.” Kell frowned as if it was obvious. “Loyalty. And if she’s his wife, then she should be there no matter what. For better or for worse.”

“Smith messed up. Sometimes a man’s penance for his wrongdoings is his greatest treasure.”

Kell understood that. “I know, but…”

“There’s no buts,” Ty said. “He fucked up. At some point Smith lost sight of what it meant to be a man. What it meant to be a husband, a provider, a protector and a lover.”

“How do you know this?” Kell challenged.

“He’s in jail, ain’t he?” Ty said seriously. “And not for protecting his own, or mistaken identity, but for marijuana. I can’t get down with that kind of ignorance to justify it.”

Kell scoffed, “I hate drugs. God, Smith is a successful businessman. What was he thinking about?”

“’Gettin blazed,” Ty jibed.

Kell laughed then elbowed his partner in his side. “It’s all so black and white for you, isn’t it? He made a mistake… he pays the piper. No ifs, ands, or buts. No second chances.”

“There’s a woman home alone right now because her husband thought he couldn’t handle life without an illegal, mind-altering substance. She’s maybe eating dinner alone, right now. Will go to bed tonight unprotected and cold without her husband’s warmth. She’ll suffer, her mind will suffer, her body will suffer, because of his stupidity.” Ty stared deeply into Kell’s eyes. “Unacceptable. So, yes. It’s that clear to me.”

Kell didn’t chastise Ty for being a bit harsh and a tad judgmental. He didn’t want to. He was trying to understand Ty’s unique ways and interesting view of life. His intensity about relationships. When their Lyft pulled up to the curb, Ty got up and held the back door open for him. Kell slid into the seat, feeling like he may have hit the jackpot.