Page 34 of Mimosa

“He didn’t though. The reason he’s gone after old men was because of his father. He’s not over that heartbreak and this one could be just as bad. I’ve never seen him so into a guy.”

“And so fast. Way too fast.”

“Exactly. If…if that mother fucker hurts him, I’m going to prison forever for killing a cop,” he said low enough that no oneelse heard, but he still felt like all the eyes in the diner were on him.

“Listen, we need to talk to him, let him know about all this. Maybe he doesn’t know the extent of it.”

Haze glared at him. “He knows. What if he just doesn’t give a fuck? We’ve all become obsessed with our jobs before. What if he wants to bust this ring so badly that he doesn’t care who’s hurt in the process?”

Goldie relented. “Yeah. I get that. Man, I don’t want to go inside for something like that!”

They laughed a little, knowing they’d never hurt another person unless their lives were in danger, but still, the thought eased them some.

When Taran showed up alone, Haze had been picking at his food, but he pushed the plate away completely as he growled, “You are not supposed to be here alone, Taran!”

Goldie stood, and he towered over Taran. “Where is he?”

“He came separately,” Taran said, moving his eyes slowly up Goldie’s immense frame. “He’s coming!”

Goldie sat back down and Taran moved to sit in Haze’s side of the booth.

“He’s undercover,” Taran whispered. “He can’t be seen driving around with a federal agent.”

“Fine, as long as he shows,” Haze said, then stared out the window more.

“Listen, I didn’t think he’d start something real with Mims either. I like Mims, I do. I don’t want to see him hurt.”

Haze had to give Taran a break. Hippy was hard enough on the guy for whatever reason. “Sorry. I get it. We’re just on edge.”

“The best thing is, though, is knowing they don’t see you all as a threat to them or their dealings. We can be much more stealth this way. I know you all worried about Cosmo and me, too. Even if you didn’t know him real well yet.”

“That was too fast, too,” Goldie accused.

“I thought so, too, but…” Taran smiled dreamily and Haze wanted to wretch.

“Okay, we’re not here to talk about you. Cosmo isn’t Mims. Cosmo is a lot stronger. At least, I think so.”

“He is. Mims is still hurting about his family. Who wouldn’t? The point is, this is probably the right move.”

Haze was happy he agreed. When Sonny Aguilar finally came in, Taran waved him over and he tentatively took a seat by Goldie, watching him suspiciously. “Is this an interrogation or an ambush?”

“Both, if your answers don’t satisfy us after the interrogation, then we’ll ambush you,” Haze said plainly.

The waitress came and took their orders, Sonny choosing an egg white omelet and dry toast. Haze wanted badly to roll his eyes, but Goldie seemed to appreciate his choice.

Once she was gone, Haze got to business. “What the hell are you thinking, making Mims fall for you?”

Sonny’s eyes widened a second before he ducked his head. “I guess I should have expected that.” When his head rose again, he stared Haze in the eye. “If you’re asking as a friend, as a kind of brother, fine, but is that why you’re asking?”

Goldie chuckled darkly as Haze felt every bit of fury he’d ever had build inside him.

Taran seemed to see the screaming that was about to happen and said, “Sonny, I’ve known these men for a bit now, and there is not one iota of romantic attraction with Haze and Mims. They’re like brothers, which Mims is in dire need of. What he doesn’t need, however, is his heart broken.”

Sonny deflated and whispered, “Yeah. I know.”

“Then why would you make this…pretend scenario real?” Haze demanded. “He’s obviously falling for you, if he isn’t already in love with you.”

“Yeah, I know. I see it. I feel it. The thing is, I feel the same way about him, and it makes no fucking sense at all. I didn’t plan this. I don’t want him to be in love with me. I’m no good for anyone until I bust these bastards.”

---