Thursday found them doing pretty much the same thing they’d been doing all week. Not looking into cases the way Brantley had hoped. No, they were knee deep in remodeling. An attempt to get organized so they could take on the world. Or so JJ said.
“Only a crazy person would take on a task of this magnitude a week before Thanksgiving,” Reese grumbled as he hoisted up the header board so Brantley could fix it in place.
“What better time than the present? At least it’s not a week before Christmas.”
“By the time you’re done adjustin’ this, it might be.”
Feeling ornery, Brantley stepped back, stared at the sexy man who was currently in a fine predicament, his hands raised above his head, his T-shirt rising high enough to reveal a sliver of smooth, bronzed skin.
“Don’t even think about it,” Reese warned. “Get this thing nailed in, would ya?”
Brantley smiled. “Fine.”
A few well-placed nails got the board in place, the newly relocated door for Brantley’s new office creating an opening in the wall the room shared with the game room. Thanks to Travis’s interference with the design—the man couldn’t simply do, he had to take over—their upstairs project had turned into a complete overhaul. They’d already completed the French doors in Reese’s future office, and he was hoping to get these finished up by the end of the day so they could move on to getting the conference room in the barn underway.
Although Travis’s crew was tackling the majority of the work, Brantley wasn’t one to sit idly by when he could help. Having two more sets of hands only meant they’d be done that much faster.
“Why did you decide to tackle this now?” Reese asked, shaking out his arms and taking a step back.
“When Travis Walker offers to foot the bill, you don’t delay.” Brantley set the nail gun down after flipping on the safety. “Speakin’ of… Any news from JJ on Juliet?”
Reese grabbed his bottle of water from the sawhorse. “No, but if I know JJ, she’ll have it figured out before everyone sits down to turkey in a week.”
Brantley honestly hoped so, but he had serious doubts. Wherever Juliet Prince was, she did not want to be found. Since she hadn’t surfaced in the past two months, forgoing even her supervised visitations with her daughter, he knew she was intent on not getting caught. He remembered the look on JJ’s face when he told her they were going to continue chasing down that woman until they found her and got her into police custody. It had been as though she’d been waiting for that moment, to get the go-ahead. He wasn’t sure she’d worked on anything else since.
“I doubt it’ll be that easy,” he told Reese. “Unfortunately, it looks like she’s gone to ground. Maybe even left the country. Otherwise, Travis would’ve found somethin’ by now.”
“Travis doesn’t have the skills JJ does.”
True. He didn’t. And since Travis hadn’t been cluing Gage in, there’d only been one set of eyes focused on the investigation. Now there were several.
“Why don’t we take a break,” Brantley suggested. “Go check on them, see if they need anything.”
“Pizza,” Reese said, turning toward the stairs. “They need pizza.”
“Do they now?”
“Yes.”
Before Reese took the first step down, Brantley grabbed his arm and pulled him back, slamming him up against the wall.
“You know what I need?” he whispered roughly, his hands already snaking beneath Reese’s T-shirt.
A soft moan echoed back at him. “I’ve got a good guess.”
In a shocking twist, Reese took over, spinning them around so that Brantley was the one pinned to the wall. That hard body he’d come to love so fucking much pressed into him, holding him in place while Reese’s tongue forced its way into his mouth. The kiss was a blinding mix of heat and need, coalescing into a firestorm that had Brantley’s blood pumping faster, his heart kicking in his chest.
“Anyone could come in,” he warned when Reese’s mouth trailed down his jaw, his teeth nipping his neck.
“They could.”
Since Reese didn’t seem at all worried, Brantley wasn’t, either.
Then again, they were upstairs in the privacy of their house. Even Tesha was hanging out in the barn today. Chances of someone coming over to check on them were slim.
Brantley’s stomach muscles tightened when Reese yanked free the button on his jeans, parted the denim, and slipped a hand inside.
“What’re you doin’?” he grunted as Reese wrapped a firm hand around his cock.
“I’m gonna make you come,” Reese said, nipping Brantley’s chin. “With my mouth.”
Oh, fuck. “What’re you waitin’ for then?”
With a wicked smirk and a glint in his eyes, Reese went to his knees, maintaining eye contact as he did.
Brantley steeled himself for the onslaught of pleasure but it didn’t matter. He was never fully prepared for how good it felt to have Reese’s mouth wrapped firmly around him. Keeping his palms pressed flat to the wall, Brantley watched his sexy man, enthralled by the sight, the sensations.
“Fuck, yes,” he moaned softly. “Suck me, baby. Goddamn…”
Seeing Reese like that, so open to this thing between them, it still affected him in a way nothing else ever had. It was the greatest high to know this man had never been with another man before him, would never be with another if he had anything to say about it.
“Slow down,” he pleaded. “Oh, hell … don’t make me come yet.”
Reese did as he asked, slowing his pace, but increasing the suction as he drew Brantley deep into his throat, cupping his balls, his fingertip lightly grazing his taint. Their eyes met and held while Reese sucked and licked, driving him right back up again.
“I’m gonna pay you back for this,” he promised. “I’m gonna… Oh, fuck…” He punched his hips forward as he reached for Reese’s head, holding him in place. “I’m gonna come. Down your throat, baby.”
His hips rolled and gyrated as he fucked Reese’s face, pushing in deep, hissing when teeth scraped sensitive skin, but never losing his pace. It went on for what felt like days but was likely only minutes, and the vibration from Reese’s encouraging moan was the detonator. With one final thrust of his hips, he held himself still, muscles spasming as his cock jerked and spurted. He managed to keep his heavy lids open so he could watch Reese drink him down. When he was spent, Brantley slumped against the wall with a winded exhale, wondering if his legs would work long enough to carry him down the stairs.
Back on his feet, Reese kissed him slowly, leisurely, giving Brantley time to come back to himself.
“What brought that on?” he asked as he tucked himself away, righted his jeans.
“It was payback.”
“For?”
“Last night.”
Brantley grinned. “Oh, when I rimmed your asshole with my tongue?”
Reese exhaled sharply, his eyes glazing with heat and hunger. With Reese, it was the words as much as the actions, Brantley realized.
“You like when I do that?”
“Oh, yeah.”
“Or you like when I tell you all the dirty, filthy things I want to do to you?”
“Both.”
“Mmm.” Brantley kissed him gently. “I’ll have to remember that.”
***
“When did those get here?” Reese asked when he joined Trey, JJ, and Baz in the barn a short time later.
“While you and your boy toy were playin’ kissy face,” JJ said without looking back as she surveyed the wall.
“Installin’ doors,” he corrected, moving over to the new whiteboards that now covered the length of one entire wall. There were five in total, the one in the center bigger than the others.
As he studied them, Tesha came over, nudged his hand with her head in an obvious request for attention. Reese squatted down beside her, scratched behind her ears and beneath her chin, continuing to stare at the whiteboards.
Reese had no idea what JJ’s plan was with them, but he figured she had one. She and Brantley, anyway.
He noticed that above the glass whiteboards, a television screen had been mounted, probably seventy inches or so. The screensaver was on, the letters O T B bouncing like pinballs off the four edges.
“Any news on Charlie? Is she comin’ on board?” Baz asked, joining them.
“She is,” he confirmed. “She’ll start mid-December. Brantley’s workin’ with the governor to ensure she keeps her tenure with the department and her pension.”
“That’s great news,” JJ said with a clap.
“Plans for her?” Trey inquired, coming over.
“I think that’s what Brantley wants to discuss.”
JJ did turn now, peering over at the door. “Where is he?”
“He got a call. Said he’d be over in a minute.”
“I’ve got another delivery comin’ this afternoon. Desks,” JJ announced, her attention shifting to Baz and Trey. “If you two would make sure you’re around to help.”
“Please tell me we’re not puttin’ them together,” Trey said, a hint of true concern in his voice.
“Nope. I negotiated delivery and setup for free,” she answered with pride. “But I will need you to help rearrange.”
Reese glanced around, noticed how things had already been shifted.
It looked as though they were finally settling in. Now if they could get some of these cases underway and hopefully solved, he’d feel a hell of a lot better. As it was, it felt like they were wasting time, although he knew that wasn’t so. Baz was continuing to give updates on the social media group he was trying to uncover while JJ was spending her time digging into Juliet Prince, although she’d had no luck up to this point.
The door opened, all eyes turning that way.
“What’re y’all sittin’ around for?” Brantley asked, his gaze scanning the room.
He had a box tucked under one arm, a neutral expression on his face.
“Waitin’ on you,” JJ said, but then held up a hand. “Before you turn into Mr. Bossy Pants, we’ve done our daily reports, shot them over to your email.”
“A little early in the day, is it not?”
“It’s so you can review the layout, see what else you might need so you can do your own report for the governor.”
Brantley nodded as he perched on top of Trey’s desk, set the box beside him. “I don’t expect daily reports. But I do want weekly. On Friday, before you call it a day.”
Reese took a seat on the couch, JJ stealing the other end, while Baz hopped up on his own desk, and Trey wheeled over his chair.
“Weekly reports,” JJ noted, snagging her Apple Pencil and jotting notes on her iPad. “Got it. I was just tellin’ them we’ve got desks comin’ this afternoon.”
“Laptops and computers’ll be here tomorrow,” Brantley added.
“What about the other iPads?” JJ asked.
“What about the people to fill ’em?” Trey asked.
“What about…” Baz grinned. “Sorry, I got nothin’.”
Reese couldn’t help but smile. He had to admit, he did like that this group meshed so well.
Brantley nodded toward JJ. “Ordered.” He glanced over at Trey. “They’ll be here soon enough. Hirin’ takes time.”
“What’s in the box?” Baz asked.
Brantley reached over, picked it up, and held it out to JJ.
She jumped up as though it was Christmas. “What is it?”
Rather than answer, Brantley waited while she looked inside.
Her eyes widened as did her grin. “Phones. Fancy ones.”
“Your phone plan’s now covered by the state. If you want to keep your current number, let JJ know. She can get them all set up.”
“Does this mean Big Brother can now track me?” Trey asked.
“Oh, don’t be naive,” JJ countered, her tone relaying that she thought Trey was being ridiculous. “Big Brother’s always been able to track you.”
Reese didn’t doubt that one bit.
“Also, I’ve been told that if an Amber Alert or a Silver Alert are issued in the state, we will immediately receive as much detailed information as was submitted. Those will be our priorities, of course. Doesn’t mean we can up and go, but we do have a responsibility to help if it looks as though we’re needed.”
“What about comms?” JJ inquired, referring to the wireless communication devices they hoped to have for when they were out in the field. It wasn’t always feasible to use a phone, Reese knew. Especially not with a weapon in hand.
Reese answered that one. “My brother’s hookin’ us up on that front. Sniper 1 Security’s got a patent on some they’d like us to try out.”
“Rockin’ those contacts.” JJ smirked. “Smart.”
“Reese mentioned Charlie took the job,” Baz said, speaking to Brantley.
“She did. And she’s the reason I wanted to talk.”
“Problem?”
“Opposite, actually,” he continued. “Based on my conversations with her, and the info I received when callin’ her references and past and current superiors, I think she’d do well as a team leader. However, I didn’t want to make that decision without discussin’ with y’all first. Anyone have an objection?”
No one spoke up.
“Does that mean you’ve found your three team leaders?” JJ questioned.
“Actually, Baz offered to be responsible for assignin’ cases, rather than leadin’ a team in the field. Since he’s got the most experience, I think it’s worth tryin’. He will also be responsible for followin’ up if we don’t get the responses we need, so use him for escalations and whatever else that might help.” Brantley looked at Baz. “I want your plate full, so figure out what else you can take on to make that happen.”
Baz nodded. “Of course.”
“That leaves us with a team leader position open, as well as the rest of the teams. I reached out to local PDs and we’ve got a handful of people who’ve been referred to us. I’ll email you their info. If you’re interested in anyone, call them in for an interview. At least three people need to talk to them before a decision can be made. One of those must be me or Reese.”
“Do we have a time frame on gettin’ them hired?” Trey asked.
“Yes.” Brantley hopped off the desk. “Yesterday.”
“How did I know you were gonna say that?” JJ started toward the stairs leading up to her office. “Oh, and I’ve got three people scheduled for interviews. Two tomorrow, one on Monday. These are my peeps, but I’d appreciate someone helpin’ me with interviews.”
“Just holler,” Reese told her. “One of us’ll be there.”
She gave him a curt nod, then bounded up the stairs, the box of cell phones in her hand.
“Until we’re at full capacity, I want you to start goin’ through the case files with Trey,” Brantley told Baz. “Let’s separate them out in a manner that makes sense. That way we can start lookin’ into them as soon as we’ve got the teams in place.”
“Got it.”
“Oh, and last thing,” Brantley called out. “Travis is sendin’ in a crew this weekend to get the conference room completed. So make yourself scarce.”
“A construction crew that works weekends? Impressive,” Baz said with a grin.
“Travis is owed some favors,” Brantley told him.
“Tell me y’all don’t hang around on the weekends,” Trey said, his gaze darting between the three of them.
“Only when it’s necessary.” A smirk slowly formed on Baz’s face. “For some reason, I get the feelin’ it’s about to become necessary.”
Yeah, Reese had to agree with him on that. The time for settling in was over. It looked as though they were gearing up to get to work.