Promises Part 2 (Bounty Hunters 2)

He wanted to put on a pot of coffee, but noticed Cayson had one of those one-cup machines just like Duke and Vaughan. “No one appreciates a good ole fashioned coffee pot anymore. Maybe I want more than one cup. Ever thought of that, Keurig people?” Popping a k-cup in the top, Quick’s head jerked up in surprise when Cayson’s doorbell rang, disturbing his rant on modern kitchen appliances.

“Who the fuck? At this time of morning?” Quick left his coffee and went toward the front door. Chancing a look up at Cayson’s room, he could hear the water running in the bathroom. He took a peek through the side window and saw Dr. Joe standing on Cayson’s porch with two cups of coffee in a drink carrier and a bag of donuts from a bakery Quick recognized. A place that he’d deemed too expensive and bougie for him.

Quick flung the door open, wanting to give the prick a good look at his appearance. No shirt, no underwear, sleep-rumpled hair. He knew the anesthesiologist was smart enough to put two and two together.

“What are you doing here?” they said in unison.

“I was invited,” Quick said fast, his anger rising slowly, but steadily. Couldn’t this guy take a hint?

“Where is Dr. Chauncey?”

Quick smiled a devious smile that would rival Lucifer’s. “He’s in the shower.”

Dr. Joe turned his lip up in disgust as he eyed Quick up and down. “You know you’re really starting to get on my nerves.”

“Good,” Quick countered. “Because you’re already on mine.”

Joe squinted and stared at Quick. “I know who you are, Roman Webb. I know your business. Your business partners. Your son.”

“Are you trying to die?” Quick asked Joe, moving his head from side to side, the sound of the joints cracking in his neck were loud enough to be heard next door, but remarkably, it didn’t intimidate Joe.

“You going to kill me, bounty hunter?”

“I will if you mention my boy again.” Quick stepped outside until he and Joe were only inches apart. He had to say he was pretty surprised that the considerably smaller man didn’t back down or advert his dark brown eyes. “I’ve been giving you the benefit of the doubt, Ana, because of my respect for Cays. But make no mistake—”

“Why do they call you Quick?” Joe cut in smugly. “That’s not a reference to your stamina in the bedroom, is it?”

“Nope. And if you don’t believe me I’m sure Cayson could answer that question better.”

“So, why Quick?” Joe almost raised his voice, his composure dwindling right along with Quick’s willpower.

“Because I’m quick to whip a motherfucker’s ass if he fucks with me or anyone I love.”

“Love?” Joe scoffed. “What would a thug like you know about love?”

“What would a scared-ass-too-fuckin-old-to-be-a-daddy’s-boy like you know about it?”

Joe huffed an agitated breath. “Cayson and I make sense. You and Cayson don’t. Leave him alone so he can think clearly, if you really like him. You’re nothing more than a huge distraction for him and a threat to his prestigious career. Do you think he could show up with you on his arm at the Physician’s Annual Gala?”

“Can he show up with you?”

Quick liked Joe’s reaction to his last jab, because the closeted man knew his answer was no.

“Enough bologna,” Joe said through clenched teeth, his nostrils flaring wider than an enraged bull. “How much?”

“Excuse me?” Quick asked, surprised at those words. There was no way this guy was going to do what Quick thought he was.

“You heard me, you over-sized brute. How much? How much to make you disappear? My family is very rich. I could make you rich, too.”

Quick wondered if Cayson knew what type of jerk he’d been calling a friend all this time. Shaking his head in complete dismissal, he answered Joe the only way he knew how to keep a lid on his anger. He used humor. “It’s too hard being rich in America… taxes, ya know what I mean? Am I right, Ana?”

“Stop calling me that, and I’m not joking!”

“I’m not, either,” Quick growled.

“Cayson is mine, he belongs to me. It’s my name that has helped his career.”

“I beg to differ, because last night.” Quick crudely adjusted his dick and nuts. “He was all mine. It’s funny how your name never came up.”

Quick could see that Joe was on the edge and it was too early for a showdown. “Leave, now. Me and Cays still have all morning to enjoy each other.”

“If you touch him!” The doctor pushed Quick as hard as he could – it would be almost comical if it weren’t so pitiful – but Quick didn’t even lose his balance. The man was weak in more ways than one.

“If you wanted to touch my chest, all you had to do was ask.” Quick laughed in Joe’s face. “Is that what’s going on? You want me for yourself? Sorry, I’m already taken by a real doctor, Ana.”