Reign (Sin City Outlaws #1)(16)

“Why?” My mouth hangs open. He can’t be serious.

“Chewie just finished his hours as well, and I’m a little nervous for him to be out on his own. Just for a few days.”

He’s lying; he wants me to have a partner because he’s scared of me being out there on my own. He doesn’t think I’m ready. Exhaling slowly, I clasp my hands in front of me. I really didn’t want a damn partner, but if it gets me out on the road then whatever.

“Anything else, sir?”

“That’ll be all.”

Cursing under my breath, I head out the back of the building. I mean, if I had to have a partner I’m glad it was Chewie, but just the idea of having one is what makes me angry.

“Wait up!” Looking over my shoulder, I spot Chewie, also known as Deputy Silver. He’s of medium build, and his hair looks to be buzzed off.

“You wanna ride with me, you better keep up,” I advise, rounding my cruiser.

“You’re driving?” he questions. His tone is unbelieving, his green eyes squinting.

“Yes, I’m driving,” I respond, jerking the car door open.

Sliding into the car, I look at the MDT, the Mobile Data Terminal. It’s a computer in our car that relays messages from dispatch, and I can look into a person’s background history with law enforcement. I can also have real-time messages with other deputies on duty. It does everything, a lifesaver.

“Looks like there’s an alarm going off. Going to be a bit of a drive if we go around the strip. We should go right through it, we’ll get there quicker.”

“Let’s do it,” Chewie rasps, buckling his seat belt.

“5paul69, we’ll take the alarm on Prairie Drive.”

“5paul69, copy.”

Putting the car in reverse, we back out of the station and head toward the main strip.

“So, you always wanted to be a sheriff?” Chewie asks me.

I give a small laugh. “Yes. You?”

“No, I never really knew what I wanted to do. Bounced from job to job, looking for the right one.”

“You think this is the one?”

He tilts his head to the side and looks out the window. “I dunno, but I get a gun and that is definitely better than anything I’ve done before.” He laughs.

Heading down the strip, the traffic comes to a stop, letting pedestrians walk.

“You sure this way is quicker?”

“Oh, yeah. Going around would have added an hour.”

“Damn,” he whispers.

Tapping my fingers on the steering wheel, I skim the nearby businesses. I spot Sin Casino, and none other than Zeek himself is standing out front with some of his men. He laughs at one of his guys, his face giving off a youthful look that I doubt many would see under his tattoos and leather. His eyes catch mine before doing a double-take, his smile turning into a tight-lipped smirk as he squints. My stomach falls, and my hands grip the steering wheel. He lowers his head, his stare dropping from mine, but not for long. As if he can’t help but look back, his eyes find mine again and I feel like my heart stops beating.

“Go!” Shaking my head, I hit the accelerator a little too hard, making the tires screech as we’re thrust forward.

“Jesus!” Chewie curses, his hands clutching the dash.

“Sorry,” I whisper, my cheeks feeling warm.

“The Sin City Outlaws,” Chewie whispers.

“What? What are you talking about? Who are you talking to?” I ramble. After he doesn’t answer me, I look over at him, finding him smiling big.

“What?”

“Please, I saw you. Hell, everyone saw you.” He chuckles, shaking his head.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I inhale sharply, trying to get ahold of my racing heart.

“Yeah, okay, let’s play dumb,” he mutters. “You do know they’re criminals, right? Blood-spilling animals?”

I ignore him, looking at the GPS. “Looks like we’re about fifteen minutes away.”

He sits back in his seat and drops it, and my fingers finally let up on the steering wheel.

Pulling up to the location, I spot a big three-story house with white pillars out front.

“5paul69, please move me to Prairie Drive.”

“Affirmative.”

Stepping out of the car, I draw my weapon. Walking up to the front of the house, I look at the door and windows and see nothing.

“Let’s head to the back,” I whisper. Chewie gives a nod and we start in that direction. A loud crash sounds from inside the house and I grip my weapon tightly.

“Oh, f*ck, someone’s in there!” Chewie whispers loudly.

“Shh!”

Getting in stance, I slowly make my way around the corner and find the back door busted in, as if someone kicked it.

Taking a quick breath, I turn the corner and find someone dressed in black, complete with black ski mask, and bat in hand.

“Sheriff’s department, get on the ground!” I shout, my weapon aimed. The person slowly raises their arms, their back turned toward Chewie and me. Stepping forward, he gets his cuffs out but the person quickly turns, ramming the bat right into Chewie’s gut. He grunts loudly and falls to the ground as the person takes off up the stairs.

“5paul69, send backup. Deputy down!” I call in from the portable radio setting on my shoulder.