Page 89 of Caged
Marshall glanced up, ready to tease Danny that he was too young to drink but decided tonight wasn't the night. Danny seldom took more than a taste of beer when Marshall would have one, but if he wanted one tonight, Marshall wasn't going to tell him he couldn't.
"How long do you think the news will sit outside?"
"Not long, once they know we aren't answering the door, but I'm guessing they'll pop up from time to time until the trial is over."
"Great." Danny sighed.
"You don't have to talk to them. We'll go on with our lives and act as if they aren't even there. I'll make sure you're safe. If it gets bad, we'll move for a few weeks until this all blows over. I promise I won't leave your side as long as they're sniffing around."
"Thanks."
"We'll get through this. The team will protect you. You have nothing to worry about."
"Except facing him in court," Danny whispered.
"Even for that, I'll be with you through it all. You won't face him alone. By the time this goes to court, I'm guessing the effects of the castration will start taking effect. Larry won't be the same man he used to be. The hormonal changes from castration make him weak and sickly. Life will never be the same for him."
"Good."
"I agree." Marshall waited for the microwave to ding, then set the food on the table. They ate in silence, both lost in thought. He hated seeing Danny nervous, but this was going to be over soon and they could get on with their lives and hopefully, leave the darkness in the past.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Danny sat at the kitchen table at the STK house, reading through the police reports that Marshall had printed off for him. The report of what the police found when they arrived was graphic and made his stomach turn. How the STK team members handled cutting off another man's cock and balls was beyond him. Even though he wanted Larry to suffer and would have probably killed the man if he could have to escape eventually, he couldn't do what they did. Not that he wasn't glad they did it.
He smiled as he read that Larry's cock had been placed on the man's chest when the police found him. Larry had still been under the effect of the drugs that the team administered, and hadn't been able to move or speak. Danny liked to imagine the fear that Larry had faced when everything was happening.
"I smell cookies." Rani walked into the kitchen.
"Faith and I made them, but they need a few more minutes in the oven." Danny smiled.
"I've never been a patient man when it comes to cookies." Rani sat down. "Where is Faith?"
"She's with Xander playing video games. Matt's in with Marshall and Jeremy making sure everything runs smooth tonight for Patrick and Jessica." He'd decided to come to work with Marshall tonight instead of staying home alone. He was curious about what went on during a sting but had been surprised at how calm everything and everyone was.
Like any other day, Marshall and the others spent the whole time at the computers, and other than watching Jessica and Patrick gear up, they seemed as if they were on their way to the store to pick up milk. He'd expected everyone to be tense, but he guessed they did this often enough it was just a job to them. Still, he couldn't stop thinking about how dangerous it could be and what would happen if they got caught.
D was in with the guys in the computer room, but he'd been out with him and Faith as they'd made cookies, joking with them like nothing important was going on. Danny didn't think for a minute that this wasn't all taken seriously, but the ease of it all surprised him.
"Marshall mentioned you found a cooking course you're going to take?" Rani played with a pen that was on the table.
"Just an online one for now, but I'm excited. Once the media stops trying to stalk me, I'll maybe sign up for something more. Do you cook?"
"When I have time, but since I've moved here, I haven't had any of that. By the time I get home from work all I want to do is sleep." He glanced up. "It's rare for me to be awake for the stings like tonight. Most of the time I figure they'll wake me if they need me."
"Do you like it here in America?" Danny couldn't imagine being anywhere but Colorado. He'd never left the state.
"I do. There's a lot more opportunity here and less political and religious issues to deal with. The stress is less for me. I miss my family, but I wouldn't go back even if I had the chance." Rani smiled. "The weather is nicer here. I don't miss the heat from back home."
"Does it snow there?"
"Sometimes, but not very much and only in certain areas."
"Rani, we're going to need you. Patrick took a knife to the leg. Jessica got him out and cleaned up the mess, but the knife is still embedded. ETA is about ten minutes." D walked into the kitchen, still calm, but worry lines etched his eyes. "Danny, can you grab Faith to assist Rani?"
Danny's pulse raced at the thought of Patrick injured, but he shook the shock of the news away, doing exactly what D ordered. "Sure." He stood and headed to the game room. He tried to remain calm when all he wanted to do was run and scream for help. If D wasn't panicking, he wouldn't either. He took a deep breath as he came down the steps to the room. "Um, Faith?"
"Yeah?" She didn't glance up from the game. "Cookies done?"
