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“Me? What about you? You’re the one shooting off like a loose cannon every time I turn around.”
“Let’s get one thing straight,” Sebastian warned through clenched teeth. His fists tightened on Josh’s collar until his partner’s face turned purple. “You are not me. I do and say things that Marx would never let you get away with. There’s a little saying in life that I suggest you get yourself on board with. Do as I say, not as I do. Do you got that?”
Josh jerked away and straightened the rumpled front of his uniform with a dry snort. “Yeah, Dad. I got it.”
His eyes narrowed as his temper rose. Leveling a forefinger, he jabbed it at the end of his partner’s nose. “Keep running your lips and you won’t have to worry about salvaging your pride. You’ll be fucking dead.”
The words hung between them. Bit by bit, the tension ebbed from Josh’s solid frame. His shoulders dropped and he released a heavy sigh as the truth behind the warning hit home.
“You’re right, Baas. I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. The heat and tension was just becoming a little too much out there, you know? You get pissed when you get nervous. I crack jokes. Lightening the mood is just my way of trying to cope.”
“I know,” he said, wiping a stream of blood-tinged sweat from his eyes. “And I try to let most of it slide, but Marx is at the end of his rope with you. Straighten up or spend the next few weeks locked down. I can’t afford your bullshit right now.”
Josh glared, but said nothing. Silence cloaked them both as Sebastian led the way through the dimly lit labyrinth of hallways toward the cool, quiet confines of his office. His partner kept a steady pace beside him. Once inside, Sebastian shut the doors and glanced over as Josh jostled past him with a forceful nudge.
“That squint was the sign, right?” he asked.
Dropping into his chair, Sebastian pulled a bottle of water out of his desk drawer and tossed another his partner’s way. “Not exactly, but it worked.”
Josh downed the contents in a few frantic gulps and swiped his mouth with the back of his hand before tossing the empty bottle through the air in a fluid arch. It hit its mark and landed with a ping in the bottom of the empty trashcan.
“It always does. You’d think he would have caught onto that ploy by now,” Josh said. “This is only what? The third time now?” Propping his feet up on the edge of the desk, he gestured for another water.
“You would think so,” Sebastian agreed, pitching a second bottle his way. “Slow it down or you are going to get sick.”
Josh twisted off the cap and tapped it several times against the bottle, his expression turning pensive. “I know we were going for realism and all, but what you said back there was a little harsh, don’t you think?”
Polishing off the remainder of his drink, Sebastian fixed him with a pointed stare. “No. That wasn’t just for show. There was a large measure of truth in what I said. You might want to think about that.”
“Aw. Come on, Baas. Some small part of you enjoys my wisecracks. Just admit it.”
Much to his chagrin, the corners of his mouth twitched in silent agreement. Catching himself, he forced a more somber expression into play and leveled his partner with a soft look of reproach. “I’ve already admitted to crossing the line and regarding you with some measure of friendship. Don’t make me regret that.”
Snorting, Josh waved him off. “Either way, you have to admit we make a hell of a team. You don’t see anyone else escaping into the air-conditioning and enjoying a refreshing drink now, do ya?”
He couldn’t help the quiet laugh that slipped past his throat. “No, Josh. No, I don’t. Unfortunately, I am going to have to rough you up when you finish hydrating.”
His partner’s broad shoulders dropped in a forgiving shrug. “It’s a small price to pay for comfort. To us,” he said lifting his bottle in mock salute.
Sebastian tipped the empty plastic in acknowledgement before tossing it through the air to join Josh’s in the trash. “It isn’t often you can get a man to toast to seven long years of living breathing hell. It’s amazing what the heat can do.”
Josh’s forehead wrinkled in a brief show of confusion. “Wait. Was that…a joke?”
“No.”
Josh sat up straight. His boots hit the floor with a solid thump. “No, really, Baas. Granted, it sucked, but I really think that was your piss poor attempt at humor,” he said, covering his heart. “I’m so damn proud right now,” he said feigning a small sniff.
“Shut up.”
“Too much?” Josh asked. “It’s okay. We can take baby steps here. I’m good with that.”
“Reevers…”
“I know, I know. I’m gonna get more than a busted lip if I don’t shut up. See? I know the routine. No need to get your testicles in an uproar.”
“Why do you insist on making me enjoy the thought of hitting you?”
“I don’t know.” Josh spread his hands in mock innocence. “Probably because we both know deep down you’ll eventually feel guilty about hurting me. I mean, it’s not like I did anything.”
Sebastian stared at him for a long moment before responding. “You give my conscience far too much credit.”
“Yeah, okay. It’s your story, pal. Spin it however you want.”
“Shut your mouth and get the hell out of my office before I change my mind.”
Grinning, Josh stood. He hesitated for a moment, the amusement in his blue eyes changing to a look of more thoughtful reflection as he cocked his head. “You okay, Baas?”
He’d already started thumbing through the stack of files regarding the new recruits in order to pitch the ones that were no longer relevant. “Yes. Why?” he asked without looking up.
“You just seem…I don’t know…different somehow.”
Nodding, he tossed one of the thick manila files into the trash. “I see. And is that a bad thing, Joshua?” he asked, lifting his gaze.
His partner laughed as he shook his head and backed toward the door. “No, Baas. Not really. See ya.”
He waved Josh off, dismissing both man and comments. Troubled, he leaned back in his seat and tented his fingers beneath his chin. As much as he enjoyed exploring the lighter aspects in life, he was going to have to be more cautious in the future. If Josh noticed the subtle changes he was starting to feel, Marx wouldn’t be far behind.
~*~*~*~
Taylor peeled back the curtains and scanned the vast sprawl of greenery, rocks, and landscaping spanning the lavish grounds. The first traces of summer had kissed away the pale hues of spring and vibrant colors were bursting into life in the flowerbeds. It was a beautiful morning. The kind that made people glad to be alive. A contented smile plied her lips as she watched two baby rabbits frolic near the wide stone basin of the birdbath. Trees rustled, dancing in the gentle wind and she could feel her heart soar with the blissful promise the onset of summer always seemed to bring.
Unlike much of the western wilderness that spanned their beautiful state, Flagstaff was not prone to the brutal desert heat. The higher altitudes and snow-capped mountains offered a cooling breeze and she relished the crisp scent as it billowed through the open windows in the morning room.
Grabbing her cup of decaf off the tiled table, she eased the sliding doors open and stepped onto the wooden deck spanning the back of the house in search of Rupert. It didn’t take her long to spot his tall, muscled form patrolling the side perimeter. Spotting her, Rupert glanced up and tipped his colorful Oakley shades in a cheerful acknowledgement.
She couldn’t contain her smile. She hadn’t seen her designated bodyguard since the accident and it was good to see him doing so well. Setting her cup down, she made her way across the deck to the wooden railing and gripped the edge.
“Hey you. How’re you feeling, big guy?”
Grinning, he adjusted his rifle strap and gave the bulk of his shoulder a solid thwack. “Good as new, Ma’am. Agent Baas only gave me a few days off as a safety precaution.”
“It?
??s really good to see you back. I didn’t get a chance to say anything the other day, but I’m sorry I almost killed us,” she said with an embarrassed wince.
His deep chortle wafted between them as he dismissed the apology with a wave. “No need for that now. It wasn’t your fault, and even if it was, it’s just a part of the job. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t forewarned.”
She choked on a noise that was half snicker and half indignant huff. “Warned about what exactly?” she asked, quirking a dark brow. “The job perils or my driving skills?”
The jagged scar contouring the left side of his face whitened with his grin. “Both, Ma’am. By all accounts, they happen to be one and the same.”
“Just out of curiosity, is this assessment based on your personal time here or is this the voice of your wise employer talking?”
