Page 104 of Free
They sat in silence, waiting for Jessica to get home. That was one thing that Jeremy loved about D. Even when they were doing nothing more than staring out the window, watching for headlights, they were comfortable and content. They didn't need the conversation or the sex to have things work for them. It sure added to the relationship, but it was just a small part of a larger whole. He'd never spent so much time together and not gotten tired of someone. That said a lot. Even with his ex, he would need to plan days apart, unable to handle the tension between them. So far, that wasn't happening with D.
Headlights turning into the driveway distracted him from his thoughts. He was excited but nervous to hear how Jessica did on her first solo sting. After her accident, she'd bitched constantly about not being able to go out, and as soon as the cast came off her arm, she was going on every single one she could, so she could solo as soon as possible.
"She made it home in one piece. I count that a success." D smiled as the door opened.
"Well?" Jeremy asked as soon as Jessica walked in.
"That was such a rush. The look of fear in his eyes when he saw what I was going to do was amazing. I kept talking about the kids he hurt, how much pain he caused them, and told him to suck it up. The asshole actually had photos of naked kids framed beside his bed. It was disgusting."
"No problems?" D asked.
"None. It went just like we planned. I was nervous as hell, but just did like you said and focused." She pulled a bottle of water out of the fridge and sat down. "Does this mean I don't have to have you shadow me anymore?"
"I still need to train you on how to handle women, but that's simple. Other than that, you're good to solo. Great job tonight, Jess."
"Thanks." She sighed contently. "I was so afraid you'd kick me off the team after that shit with my brother, then the accident."
"Family doesn't turn family away." D reached over and gripped her shoulder. "This team is family. We stick together."
Jeremy nodded. "I agree. Once we were sure your brother wasn't going to be an issue, there was no looking back."
"I'm sure I'll have a phone call in the morning once he hears about what happened tonight, but like always, I'll tell him to mind his own business. I know he just wants to know if it was me, but the less I tell him, the better. Hopefully, he'll just let it go and won't push for details. That's the problem with a protective big brother. He's always worried about me."
"Just let him know we're looking out for you too. He has nothing to worry about." D set his beer down.
"I'm just sorry we haven't found anything on your attackers. I promise we won't give up." Jeremy had dug as deep as he could, trying to find anything. There was a ton of shit the two assholes were up to, but nothing that the team could get involved with. His hope was that one day they'd mess up bad enough that Kevin could arrest them. For now, that was the best they could do.
"It's okay. I want my revenge, but you're right, this isn't a matter for the team. I understand why you won't bend the rules for anyone. I respect that about you guys." Jessica finished off her water. "Do you guys need anything from me? I'm beat. I want a hot shower to wash the stench of that pedofuck off me, and a good night's sleep."
"Nope, you're good to go. Remember, gun range, Saturday at nine," D said.
"I'll be there," Jessica called over her shoulder as she left the room.
Jeremy laughed. "Quite the family we have, isn't it?"
D nodded. "Like a bunch of teenagers just waiting to cause trouble."
Jeremy tossed his empty beer bottle in the trash. "You want to stay here tonight?"
"Yeah, I'm too tired to go home." D stood, tossing his own bottle in the garbage.
"You lock up. I'll let the other kids know we're off to bed." Jeremy headed down the hallway. As he did, he thought about how perfect his life had become. With everything that happened, one would think his life would be a mess, but despite being wanted by the police, and being part of a highly sought-after vigilante team, he was happier than he'd ever been. Life was far from perfect, but he didn't want perfect. He wanted it just how it was. Because with D by his side, there was nothing he couldn't face. Good times or bad, he had everything he never knew he wanted, and he wasn't going to let anything take it away.
