Page 54 of Justice

“Waiting,” Drake barked, the severity of his voice causing Justice to jump, the spell he placed her under broken. Wrapping her in his arms, “Sorry, babe.” He places a kiss on the top of her head. Justice allowed herself to melt into his chest, breathing in the unique scent she found there.

“Not long after you handed him the money, he held a big party, coked it up for days. It’s my suspicion; he used the money you gave him to fund this party, forcing him to look for ways of making fast cash to get you off his ass. Red was a sick motherfucker, and I think he sold Tymeless. Which is why he wanted the Hawk guy to join up with him, make his numbers bigger so he could steal her back, keeping the money and becoming the man he used to be.”

The urgency to find her sister returned, and as she pulled back, Drake tucked her under his arm, moving them both to sit on the sofa.

“Molly, where is the last place you knew Duck to be?”

Her best friend sat on the edge of the table, their knees touching, taking Justice’s hand in hers, and gripping her fingers tightly as she gave her a warm smile.

“Detroit. His mother had cancer a few years back and needed him to help with her treatment.”

Drake shifted his position, turning his body to face hers from her left. “Justice, I know you don’t really know me and don’t understand how iron-clad my word is.” Placing his hand in the center of his chest, directly over his heart. “This feeling between us, this electric current pulling us together, is telling your heart you can trust me. Not only with finding Tymeless but allowing me to love you.”

Justice swallows, not because she is nervous or afraid, but because what he says is true. Her heart isn’t hers anymore, it belongs to the handsome man who is making all the bad shit in her world seem not so evil anymore.

“I will get your sister back, but I need you to let Tobias do what he does best. I’m going to make a few phone calls, and make sure she stays put until he can get to Detroit. But with the weather outside, they may close the airport.”

Stetson and Laura move from their places against the far wall, cell phones to their ears as Tobias finishes putting his coat on.

“I’ll hitchhike if I have to.” Tobias announces as he gathers a few stacks of the money on the table, sliding them into the pockets of his wool coat. Standing, Tobias looks to Drake, his features serious. “You had better take good fucking care of her, or friendship or not, I’ll slit your throat.”

Drake stands to his full height, walking around the table, he holds his hand out to Tobias. “Promise?’

Tobias takes his offered hand, the pair locking fingers as they embrace in a one-armed hug. “I fucking swear it.”

“Carter says if you can get in the air in the next twenty-two minutes, he can guarantee you get to Detroit,” Laura announces, her cell phone against her chest as if waiting for further instructions.

The two men break apart. “Tell him I’ll be there in ten, and to have the fucking wheels rolling.” Tobias calls back as he turns, running across the room to the elevator door.

“Tobias!” Stetson calls, pulling his coat over his shoulders holding his phone in one hand as he struggles slightly. “I’m coming with you. There’s a temporary bond hold waiting for a cosigner, apparently, the man trying to bond her out has shit credit.”

Molly moves to sit beside Justice, wrapping an arm around her as everyone springs into action. “Looks like Drake isn’t the only one who’s lost his heart today.” She says as the pair watches Tobias pound on the down button of the elevator.

“You think he likes my sister?”

Molly turns her face to Justice, “Girl, that boy is about to rip the door off the wall. What do you think?”

After Tobias and Stetson disappear behind the elevator door, Laura excuses herself, telling Drake if he has nothing further for her she would like to head to her apartment. Justice hugs her good night, “I promise, as soon as I get sorted out, I’ll return your clothes to you.”

“Drake, do I need to have another unit furnished?” Laura questions as she takes her phone out of her purse while waiting for the elevator.

“Yes, that’s a good idea. Wouldn’t want Father Simon over here banging on my door with an eviction notice from the church.”

Laura assures him she will call the service when she gets in the office, waving a final goodbye as the doors close.

“Are you tired, Justice? I can show the both of you to the apartment I have ready for Molly.”

The look on Drake’s face is hopeful she will decline. “No, I won't be able to sleep until I know Tymeless is safe.”

“Understandable.” He agrees, pulling her into his arms once more. “How about while we wait for word, the three of us order some food and see if we can come to an agreement on the two of you working for me?”

Justice pulls back, craning her head back and looking into his eyes. “Make it Chinese, and we can talk about anything you want.”

Drake leans down, placing a quick kiss on her nose, “The lady wants Chinese, the lady shall get Chinese.”

Less than an hour later, the three of them sat at Drake’s bar, eating their fill from various white boxes. Justice moaned around her chopsticks, unable to remember the last time she ate one of her all-time favorite dishes.

“Molly, you mentioned something about the paper earlier. Now, I know the paper the government uses to print money isn’t paper at all, more of a blend specially designed for them. Which is why I sent the money down to Red to have him wash it and reprint new bills.”

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