Page 41 of Justice For Me

“Fuck.” Justice shook his head. “I guess he’s pretty pissed at me, yea?”

“Nah…just thankful you were able to get away from the mess. He just wants this fiasco over and everything to go away. It’s been pretty hectic. The media is all over it and I’m sure you know how he feels about the media.”

“Best buddies, he and the media,” Justice joked weakly. Fuck, he was almost abducted? Sold into sexual slavery? “So, what’s next? I guess we need to head back now if the trial starts in three days.” He tried to hide the sadness that swamped him with that thought, but figured he was doing a piss-poor job of it. “Hey…how about the other witness? Did that other guy make it?”

His father had told him that there was one survivor, but that his chances of recovery were slim. When he had left to join Malachi in Tennessee, the guy had still been in a coma. It was the young man that had been tied to the bed and shot in the head. Justice would never forget how he had looked…

“Witness number two? Yea, he’s alive and recovering nicely, much better than any of the doctors ever expected but he doesn’t remember anything about the shooting. Hell, from what Christopher says, he doesn’t even know who he is, where he came from, or why he was there, absolutely no memories whatsoever.” Dante shook his head. “He won’t be much help in prosecuting Marcus O’Hara but I’m pretty sure they won’t need him. Between your testimony, the little bit they were able to salvage from the recordings that weren’t destroyed, and he fact that his father is pulling his financial support…a plea deal that leaves Marcus in jail for a very long time is pretty certain. Right now, the bastard is just trying to save his own skin. They were considering the death penalty, but will take it off the table if O’Hara deals.”

Malachi was frowning. It was an ugly, intimidating frown…one he wore when he was truly worried. “Aren’t we concerned this is some kind of set-up? A trick to try and get Justice out in the open where they can try to eliminate the threat?”

“Of course everybody is concerned about that, Malachi, but we don’t have a lot of options. Justice has to be there to testify, whether it is before a jury or just a judge and lawyers. It will be our job, and Christopher’s job to make certain he’s safe. Nobody is going to lie a hand on what is yours.” Dante assured him.

“I don’t like it,” Malachi grumbled. Who would have thought that only three weeks ago he was furious about having to come to Tennessee with Justice? Now he was upset about having to leave.

“None of us like it, but it’s necessary. Dustin is more than ready with extra security and Christopher has another team of handlers just for Justice’s protection.” He turned and smirked in Justice’s direction. “Maybe you won’t make a fool of these guys just so you can visit a brothel. They are still pretty pissed at you, I think.”

“Why would you have handlers following youbeforethe brothel incident?” Having spent time with the kid, Malachi could guess a million reasons, he was just interested in hearing it from his pet.

“Dad’s overprotective. I’ve had my own tiny security detail since graduating high school. He’s a worry wart…and I may be a magnet for trouble.” Pale blue eyes blinked innocently as he spoke.

“Magnet, eh? I don’t have a hard time believing that. Did you intentionally lose them or were they just inadequate at their jobs?”

Justice snorted. “Inadequate? Nope, I’m just really good at losing a tail. I’d done it to them about a million times already…this one just caught up to all of us. In their defense, they were pretty close or they would have never gotten to me on time. Assholes had hidden a GPS tracker on my motorcycle.”

Malachi growled when he imagined how close the boy’s irresponsible behavior had come to getting him killed…or abducted into sexual slavery, a world he knew too much about. “I’m going to punish you for that, pet. That type of childish behavior can’t go without discipline.”

“Okay,” Justice answered with a shrug. When Travis gasped at his impertinent attitude, he added, “If it wasn’t that, it would just be something else. Dude loves to spank an ass.”

“You have got your hands full with that one. I think he’s going to make my Travis look like a saint in the playroom,” Dante remarked drily.

“No way,” Malachi said with a proud smile. “When he’s in the playroom…he knows how to play.”

Travis pouted. “Maybe we could have a competition sometime? Me against your perfect little plaything?”

“Maybe.” Malachi answered.

“Maybe not,” Justice countered.

“I need to discuss some things with Dante before we leave this evening. Don’t pick up any of his bad habits that I will have to beat out of you,” he nodded in Travis’ direction. “Understand?”

Justice saluted him, but used his middle finger to do it. “Whatever makes sir happy, Sir.”

“Oh, my God, this is hilarious,” Travis muttered. “Looks like Dante should be worried aboutmepicking uphisbad habits.” He waved them away. “Go away and talk all you like. Your boy toy and I will find something to do to amuse ourselves.”

Justice watched Malachi walk away, a look in his pretty eyes that promised retribution. He couldn’t wait. When they had disappeared down the hall, he turned to Travis. The guy clearly had issues with Malachi but he was pretty sure it was a love/hate thing between them. They loved to hate each other?

“Hey, I’ve got something I need to do. It shouldn’t take me too long. Think you can cover for me?” He asked the new boy. Travis was pretty…and totally gay. There wasn’t a bisexual bone in his body.

“Is it going to put your life in danger?”

“Eh…no?”Weird question.

“Will it, by any chance, piss Malachi off?” Travis had a devilish pleased look on his face.

“Uh…well…yea…maybe. Probably,” Justice answered. “It still needs to be done though. I’ll be the only one to get in trouble. Don’t worry.”

Travis snorted. “I’m not worried about your lion-master hurting me. Dante wouldn’t let him lay a finger on me. Listen, I’m all about pissing Malachi off but I can’t let you do something that might get you hurt. I’ve never seen Malachi like this before, I kind of like it.” He smiled sweetly. “So promise me you aren’t going after O’Hara yourself or taking a run out in public with a ‘take me’ sign around your neck.”

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