Hetch (Men OF S.W.A.T #1)(48)

“Two subjects secure and in custody,” I call through the coms, waiting to hear back from the rest of the team.

“Room two, clear. Two suspects secure,” Fox calls back.

“Room four clear,” Sterling informs.

The rest of Kaighn’s team calls through a clear on each room until the whole house has been cleared and secured.

“Where's Dominic?” I ask the punk at my feet when I realize he’s not here.

“Fuck you. I’m not telling you anything.” He spits on my right boot, and it takes everything in me not to bring it back and kick him in ribs.

“House secure, suspect not here.” I finally give the all clear to officers outside. “We’re moving out.”

“You’re all f*cking dead. Mark my words.” The f*cker starts running his mouth as soon as we pull him to his feet and start pushing him out of the house to awaiting officers.

“Yeah, yeah. Like I haven’t heard that before.” I hand him over to Detective Tomlinson, less than impressed with his threat.

“Don’t know what happened, Hetch,” Tommy offers what he thinks I need to hear.

“Bad intel.” I shrug, not ready to give up. “We’ll get him.” I know it’s a long shot, the f*cker seems to be a ghost, but I’m not giving up.

The longer he keeps evading us, the longer Liberty stays in danger.

I’m going to get him.

And when we do, I’ll enjoy every f*cking second of it.

I can guarantee it.



“You heading to The Elephant tonight?” Sterling asks an hour later when I’m filling out my reports from the earlier raid. While it was a clean bust, and the narcotics unit were able to seize a f*ckload of drugs and guns after we left, I’m still pissed we didn’t get a lock on Dominic.

So much for Victor’s intel.

“Nah, I have plans.” I don’t reveal more than that. Sterling is the last person who needs to know I have a date. The f*cker will read too much into it.

“Things must be getting serious with Liberty, hardly see you around.”

“Don’t know what you’re talking about.” I place my signature on the last document. I’m not in the mood for his shit tonight, not when I’m still pissed about Dominic.

“Sure you don’t. Will you be bringing her tomorrow?” he asks, still not giving up on it.

“What’s tomorrow?” I file my paperwork and stand from my desk. My shift is over and I have a date to get ready for.

Fuck, a date. The thought should freak me out, but it doesn’t.

“Your mom has the brunch thing going on. Don’t tell me you forgot.”

Fuck.

“No, I remember. I just didn't know you were coming.” I cover my lie with a statement.

“Your mom invited me.” I nod. Of course she did. “That a problem?” His tone has me looking up.

“Has it ever been?” I give it back. I don’t know if he’s pissed at my evasiveness regarding Liberty or he’s got his own shit going on, but I’m not in the f*cking mood.

“What the hell’s your problem, bro? You’re dating the neighbor, just admit it.”

“What the f*ck does it matter to you?” I ask, still unsure why I’m keeping it on the down low. It’s not like it’s a big deal. Yeah, I’ve dated before. Maybe not in a long time, but I have dated exclusively. I’m just not ready to share it with the world yet.

“It doesn’t, Hetch. I just don’t get the secrecy to it.”

“You mean like the way you are with my sister?” I'm an ass. I know it. Giving him shit about Kota isn't cool, but if he’s looking for a reaction, then he has it.

“What the f*ck are you talking about?” His body goes rigid, his stance defensive.

“You wanted to play it this way.” I shrug like it’s no big deal, but I know I crossed a line.

“No, I want to know what the f*ck you mean?” His hands fist at his sides and I almost laugh at his discomfort, but I don’t.

“Sterling, you and I both know you're in love with Kota.” I lay it out for him, no judgment, no accusations. Just pure truth.

“The f*ck I am.” He recoils, and I almost believe him. Almost second-guess how I've read the situation all these years.

If only he didn't get so defensive.

“Whatever you say, Sterling.”

“I'm not in love with your sister,” he repeats, his brow dipping in a deep scowl.

“Whatever, you keep telling yourself that.” I offer a quick wave and make my way out to my truck.

I'm done. It’s not my business. If they want to dance around the huge elephant in the room, they can have at it.

The drive home seems longer than normal. Running over my conversation with Sterling, I soon start to feel like an ass. I know some brothers may not be okay with their best friends going after their sister, but it's not like that with Sterling. When I say he's the best guy I know, I mean it. Kota couldn't do any better.

By the time I pull up to my apartment, my guilt has me reaching for my phone and calling Sterling. He doesn’t answer, so I leave a message.

“I’m a f*cking ass. Can’t go out ‘cause I’ve got a date with Liberty. Fuck me. I can’t believe I just admitted that to you. Don’t be an ass about it. See you tomorrow.” My guilt doesn’t subside right off the bat, but when I notice Liberty’s car home earlier than expected, it soon fades.