Page 58 of Special Agent Joseph

Chen emboldened… again pulled at Joe, his attention strictly on escaping and not behind him. That’s when Lucia rose, holding her grandfather’s gun in her own hand, waving it around like a crazy person, and screaming at Chen. “Let him go or I’ll shoot you. You killed my grampa, you bastard.”

Panic exploded and the room erupted. Jack, seeing his chance, roared his attack at Chen’s gun hand, making sure he didn’t get a chance to use the weapon. Joe, now free, turned to face Chen’sbodyguard who appeared intent on breaking every bone in his body.

Instinctively, he spun away from the first punch, and pulled back just in time for the second attempt aimed his way. Taking the now open opportunity, he drove his own fist into the big man’s belly. And, as if it were a punching bag, he did it again and again. Liking the sounds of the air being forced from the other’s body, he stepped back, thinking the match was over. Unfortunately, it didn’t slow the monster down.

Grunting angrily, wanting to hurt Joe even more, the idiot reached out again. This time, Joe maneuvered their bodies in such a way that he got a choke hold on the big man and down they went, just in time for the bullet shot from Lucia’s gun to thankfully miss whatever target she had in mind. Seemingly shocked by her own actions, the panicky girl froze, which gave Megan the chance to knock the weapon clear.

In no time, the other agents gathered up the rest of the criminals and calm settled. Releasing his own hostage, Joe stepped over to where Jack stood, forcing Chen to cower. It took Joe to convince him to back off so the authorities could move in to take the prisoner into custody. No sooner did the agitated dog leave his Chinese victim, still provoked, he obviously heard noises behind him and turned back to where Joseph thought to leave the safety of the table.

Jack’s savage charge changed his mind, and again it took Joe controlling the animal’s leash to allow Tom to get close enough to convince Joseph he’d be safe. “You got two seconds buddy, or I’ll shove the table back and get Joe to release your old pal.” Joseph’s tear-filled face slowly peered up at the agent, and shaking uncontrollably, he inched his way out.

Just as Tom went to force him to turn in order to put on the handcuffs, Joesph pulled a fast one. He yanked Tom’s gun from his holster and held it against Tom’s chest. With his voicehardening on each word, he yelled, “Don’t move. Don’t let that fucking, crazy son of a bitch near me, or he’s a dead dog.” Joseph’s warning was his mistake. He should have taken the shot rather than making promises.

Joe looked into Tom’s eyes and saw the hard stare of a man under tremendous pressure but unwilling to let it take control. Joe winked and began laughing, making Joseph look his way. “Hey pussy, you scared of a little old puppy? What… you beat him so many times you figure he’s got a hate-on for you? It’s true. Look at him.”

While Joe talked, Jack growled in the background, paced back and forth, and his huge, muscled body shook in anticipation of sinking his teeth into his old foe. The snarling dog’s muzzle lifted to show the dripping teeth of a monster that could rip a man apart and only Joe’s control kept him from following his instincts.

Once Joe saw that Joseph’s terrified gaze was drawn to Jack, his hand streaked out like a piston, and the gun in the other man’s hand flew to the ground. In seconds, Tom recovered the weapon and once again grabbed Joseph’s arms to haul them behind his back while he handcuffed the now sniveling idiot. “Thanks, partner.” Tom’s low words were spoken with the thankfulness of a man who’s death had been too close for comfort. Joe didn’t reply. Instead, he nodded before turning away.

Free now, Joe began his search for Megan. But Jack had other ideas. The canine roughly pushed against him and then headed for the dolls on the table, barking and making so much noise that the agents took notice. Without hesitation, Joe lifted one of the porcelain souvenirs and dropped it to the floor, seeing exactly what they expected. The bag of pills that flew out from inside made all the officers in the room step a little higher, feeling good for having done their jobs.

Standing back while others moved in, Joe again searched for Megan and watched her take off her jacket to place it over Vinnie’s face. Lucia, having fallen back after losing the gun, still held onto her grampa’s hand.

Megan crawled toward her and gathered the hysterical girl in her arms. Guiding her to her feet, she walked with her to the exit, obviously wanting to get her as far away from the seeping blood as possible. Seeing her gentle consideration made his heart lighten with pride. That one humane action meant the world to him, and he couldn’t wait to be with her again.

Until reality smacked him in the face.

Jesus… what the hell am I thinking? I have no fucking idea who I am… no home, no name, no nothing. And I want to approach Megan like I have the right? Christ man, give your head a shake.

Chapter Forty-three

Later that night, both men were sitting in a bar when Tom spoke angrily. “Give me a break, man. What the hell are you talking about? We’ve just been through a drug bust that will be written up as one of the biggest here in Nevada. And you were instrumental in that happening. Now you want to disappear?”

Joe couldn’t believe that Tom had found him. Once the dust had settled back at the warehouse, Joe had taken Jack and hoofed it back to the main road where he’d found this bar. Needing to get his head straight, he’d brought Jack inside with him, glad that the bartender ignored the breach of rules. Sitting alone at a window table, with Jack at his feet, he kept his face down and nursed his beer

Not ten minutes later, Tom appeared, taking the seat across from him. “Thought you’d lose me, aye? Not happening.”

“How’d you find me?”

Tom shrugged. “Saw you in the window. Pure luck. Look, I’m heading into the office. You coming?”

“No. I’ll pass.”

“Seriously? We just pulled off one of the biggest busts in the state. They’ll be celebrating. Come with me.”

Joe shook his head before speaking. “Hell if I know whether it was a big deal or not. Considering I’ve never been a special agent, I have no idea. And if we’re going to be honest, I still don’t know who the fuck I am.”

“It doesn’t matter. You’re one of the good guys.”

“It matters to me.” Shockingly, Joe leaned over and punched Tom’s arm.

“Ow. What was that for?”

“For not telling me there were two people in the car during the accident.”

“How could I? We never knew until earlier when Joseph confessed to being with you. After the accident, he crawled away before the truck burst into flames.”

“That’s another item no one thought to mention. I never knew the vehicle caught fire.”

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