Promises Part 1 (Bounty Hunters 1)

“Duke, baby. I can hear it in your voice. I won’t hurt you. That, I can promise easily. I’ll show you when I get back, okay. That if you’ll have me. I’m in this for the long haul.”

Duke smiled, relieved and reassured. It would do for the moment. But after they hung up, he thought some more about the differences between them. Those thoughts always came back to taunt him. How much younger Vaughan was. How smart and talented he was. How culturally diverse he was.

All Duke knew was how to run a bail bonds and private investigations business. He hadn’t traveled the world or studied at the best schools in the country like Vaughan. He didn’t dress like a supermodel, hell; he could barely shop for one decent outfit. He wasn’t as suave and debonair as Vaughan either, but for some reason the man wanted him, so he had to have some faith. He was just an ordinary working man, but Vaughan saw something that obviously no other man had seen. Duke certainly couldn’t see whatever it was that Vaughan did in him. He hoped he could hold on to a man as wonderful and beautiful as Vaughan. He fell asleep wishing there was something to guarantee him Vaughan was serious and his heart was safe with him.

It had only been a week and two days. Vaughan was still down in Miami for work. Duke missed him so much, but at least he was healing and would be able to see Vaughan when he came back. He’d had his checkup the day before and Dr. Chauncey was happy with his progress. His incisions were healing, still red and puckered, but no sign of infection or rejection to be found. It was such a relief to move around more freely. He did fifteen minutes of light exercise twice a day, eager to get stronger, but careful not to overdo it. Vaughan had made him swear he wasn’t doing too much. He wouldn’t be dishonest. He kept his physical therapy to only what the doctors recommended.

He wanted to call Vaughan and tell him that he was in his office today for the first time in weeks, but he knew Vaughan would be busy in the middle of the day. He’d have to tell him that night when he called. He sat at his desk, looking out over the street as people moved about, their schedules busy. Quick had been in that morning but wasn’t there when Duke made it in. He was hoping to speak with Quick; get the details on the few bounties he’d had to give away. Luckily, they still did bonds, so the business was fine for the time being.

When Duke thought about taking another bounty his heart clenched and his stomach rolled. The nightmares didn’t help him feel ready for it, either. Charlie kept asking him to see a psychiatrist, telling him that it was possible Duke might have some PTSD from his experience in that crack house. Duke would wait a while, but if they got worse, he fully intended to take the old man’s advice. He’d never steer Duke wrong.

He’d been sitting there for a couple hours when his side started to ache too much to ignore. Ribs took forfreakingever to heal. That’s where ninety percent of Duke’s pain came from. He had some in his back, but mostly it was those damn ribs. He knew his entire midsection been beaten mercilessly and there was still some internal bruising… All very painful… But he’d heal. He just had to be patient.

Duke shut down his computer and was about to stand when his phone rang on his hip. He picked up and saw Judge’s name up on the display. He hadn’t seen the big guy since he’d been discharged, but he knew how busy he was and Duke appreciated that Judge had ensured that his businesses stayed operational in his absence. Judge was a good friend to him. “Hey, man. What’s up?” Duke answered.

“Hey. You home?” Judge asked in that gruff voice that used to make Duke squirm. But weirdly… Not anymore.

“No. I’m at the office. Just stopped by to one: get out of the damn house, two: check in with Quick, but he wasn’t here.”

“No. I guess not.”

“What do you mean?” Duke said, flicking off the light in his office and locking the door behind him.

“Austin was at the hospital interviewing a witness that’s a patient on the fifth floor. Anyway, he called and told me Quick was there with his son in the Nephrology unit.”

Duke was shaking his head in disbelief as Judge spoke. That wasn’t possible because Quick had a bond he was working on at the courthouse and Vaughan was in Miami. Judge’s boyfriend must be mistaken. Duke finally broke into Judge’s side of the conversation. “He must’ve mistaken them.” Even the words sounded stupid to Duke’s own ears. How could he mistake Quick? And he damn sure couldn’t mistake Vaughan.