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"So, back to Kevin." Jeremy leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. "Having a cop know about us isn't really how we like to do business. It makes me nervous, especially when we don't know him. We have no choice but to trust you when you say he won't do anything, but you have to understand, we're going to be cautious. How did he react to you being part of the team?"
Jessica laughed. "He was furious at first, telling me I was crazy and asking me if I knew what the fuck I was doing, but then, after he realized I wasn't going to leave the team unless you guys made me, he calmed down a bit and wanted to know how you guys did it. I figured telling him about the actual act wouldn't hurt the team. The doctors all know what they find when they see the pedofucks at the hospital. So, I walked him through the basics of how it's done, and why it doesn't kill them. He was fascinated, but a bit cringy at times. Of course, I think any guy would be."
Jeremy grinned. "Yeah, I think I sat with my legs crossed for a week straight after hearing about it the first time."
"Kevin supports what the team does. He knows that you can go in and get more evidence and do more good than the police can. Even if they had time to dig through the dark web like you do, the manpower isn't there, and like D has said, they'd slap these pedofucks on the hand and they'd serve a few years before getting out and doing it again. He may ask more questions, he may worry about me, but I know he won't be a problem. I swear to you guys, I will never give him names, I won't give him the location of the team house or any of your homes. I will protect you guys with my life." Jessica looked back and forth between them. "I'm so sorry this even happened."
"I need to make the rest of the team aware of what happened. The team works so well because we are open and honest about everything. When we meet, they might not take things as well as we have. We will listen to their worries and go from there. You need to be ready that they might not take this well," D told her. "You also need to know, besides Marshall, who you met, we also added another member last night. I knew the guy in California. He'll be working with you and me on the stings. I would like you to meet him soon and we can vote to officially add him to the team or send him back home." D hoped that they wouldn't be sending Patrick anywhere. "I want you to stay home for a few days, get yourself feeling better, then we can plan something. The sting we had planned tomorrow, I'll do alone. I want you stronger before you go out again. The cast will be a dead giveaway to identify you, so it's best you wait until that comes off. I know that's a long time, but it's for all our safety."
"Can I still come over? Maybe cook for the team or help on the computers?" Jessica asked.
"Sure, I can always use someone to help on the computers if you're comfortable with that. As for cooking, the guys would love it. Rani's been doing most of the cooking. I'm sure he'd love a break," Jeremy told her. "Hell, sit downstairs and play video games if you want a way to pass the time."
"I'm going back to my day job tomorrow, but I'll be over after work if I have the energy. I want to meet the new guy and apologize to everyone for what I caused." Jessica sighed. "Thank you for understanding."
D smiled. "Thanks for getting your brother to put down that gun. I owe you one."
"It was my fault. You two should have never met."
"Well, I'm glad we worked it all out. We're going to head out. I want to finalize evidence for tomorrow's sting, but keep in touch. Let us know how you're feeling or if you need anything. Don't push yourself too hard." D stood.
Jeremy followed. "And tell your brother thank you. I wasn't ready to see D go to prison."
Jessica smiled. "I will."
"We'll see ourselves out. Don't get up." D touched her shoulder before leading Jeremy out of the house. Once they were seated in the car, he blew out a long breath. "Well, what do you think?"
Jeremy stared at the house. "I think we can trust them. They've been through a lot. We don't let our guard down, but I'm not as worried about this as I was before. I think we managed to escape a major issue with this one, but it also is a good lesson for us. We can't get comfortable."
"You're right. We have to stay aware at all times." D started the car and pulled away. "I'm exhausted."
"We'll cut out early tonight and get some good sleep, but first, we have a bit more training to catch up on. Maybe if we're lucky, one of the guys made lunch." Jeremy patted his stomach.
"If not, I'll send Rani out for takeout. I'm starving." D turned onto the freeway. No matter how relieved he should be, he was still on edge, constantly looking behind them for someone following. It would take time for the worry to ease.
No matter what happened from here, he needed to do better at protecting his team, and not just his team, but as he looked at Jeremy and thought about all he'd helped him get through, he realized he needed to protect the man he was starting to love.
