ã€ŠBefore the end, is peaceã€‹


 Spring break is here! Lets party, no?

    Lonnie stretched his neck, peeking around the corner of the door. The sounds of hush breathing echoed behind him. He grinned upon seeing the class beauty walking into the classroom. She took one look at all the eyes staring at her, gave a polite smile, and walked to her desk. Sweeping her skirt down and taking a seat in the front row by the window on the farside.

    ¡°You guys are acting like you don¡¯t have anything else to do,¡± Brenna said, pushing up her glasses.

    ¡°You are just upset, nobody bothers to tease you like this.¡± Tanner dropped into his chair and checked his phone.

    ¡°Why would I  want a bunch of morons eye-fucking me?¡± Brenna glanced around but her eyes couldn¡¯t help falling on the two guys she crushed on.

    Like almost every girl, she followed the media trend to the T. Being nerdy and unimpressive compared to her fellow female students but she thought she held a chance because she wasn¡¯t shallow. In truth, her jealousy showed an unattractive side of her that prevented anybody wanting to do anything more than tap that.

    Lonnie shook his head and walked to the back row. Not bothering with the argument that went back and forth. He pulled out his phone and took a look at the three messages sitting on top of his notification bar.

    Sabrina: School is such a waste of time.

    Lonnie: What do you want me to do about it?

    Sabrina: I didn¡¯t say you had to do anything about it?

    Lonnie: Okay.

    Sabrina: Do you have anything planned this weekend?

    Lonnie: I have a few engagements that I have to take care of but it¡¯s spread out over the course of the week. Are you coming over?

    Sabrina: Yeah, if you want me over.

    Lonnie: Yeah, I do.

    Sabrina: Teach here.

    Funny that she said that. The sounds of heels clicking down the hall alerted him to his own teacher. He leaned back into his chair and fished out his homework from his bag. He just sat it down when a beautiful blond walked into the classroom, closing the door with a slight backhanded push.

    Mrs. O¡¯neal stares at the classroom from in front of the door. A smirk plastered on her red painted lips. Her blue eyes were almost hidden by the long black lashes but it didn¡¯t hide the few wrinkles at the corners.

    ¡°You guys know what time of the year it is. My favorite time of the year¡­¡± She took one step at a time, almost crossing her legs just to walk to the front of her desk. ¡°I won¡¯t waste too much time today because even this old lady has things planned for the spring break. So¡­¡±

    She didn¡¯t even need to finish her sentence. Many of us stood up and brought our homework over. It very much sounded like a stampede with all the chairs scraping the cheap tile floor. Paper rustling from some trying to straighten out the folded lines.

    Lonnie rubbed his chin and snatched up his bag. Going to be a great spring break for some of these people but for me¡­ He stepped into line, tapping a folder against his palm. The folder paused for a brief and he dipped his shoulder, stepping out from a friendly pat.

    ¡°Are you going to the party on 98th and Sanchez,¡± Taylor said.

    ¡°I have things going on.¡± Lonnie turned his body sideways to show this guy that he was listening even though he didn¡¯t want to.

    ¡°When are you going to set me up, fam? I¡¯m pretty good looking¡­¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not face on a screen good looking and no make up can help you with that.¡±

    ¡°Whatever,¡± Taylor said, ¡°you haven¡¯t been to a party since the beginning of freshman year. You need to at least come hang with your boy. Or just swing by the court. We aren¡¯t going to hate on your rich ass.¡±

    Throwing a polite smile at Mrs. O¡¯neal, Lonnie handed over his homework, and snuck out the class while Taylor came up with an excuse for why he didn¡¯t have his.

    ¡°Mr. Lamar,¡± Mrs. O¡¯neal exasperated voice echoed out of the classroom. ¡°Why are you wasting my time when we both know you aren¡¯t intelligent enough for this class? Just move on and allow those with some hope of graduating to turn in their work.¡±

    ¡°Can you believe her,¡± Taylor said, running up.

    Spring¡¯s breath blew through the hallway and the sound of lockers slamming almost covered Taylor''s response. Yet, Lonnie still had to dodge Taylor¡¯s hands that couldn¡¯t stop reaching out towards him. If Taylor¡¯s was gay, it would have been fine, but he wasn¡¯t. Thus it made it awkward that the kid wanted to put his hands on another man so much.

    ¡°She makes sense. Her class is a core class of the program and if you can¡¯t even pass her class, then you might not graduate. Nothing wrong with her saying what you need to hear.¡±

    ¡°I know what I¡¯m doing,¡± Taylor replied but his eyes tracked the best looking girl of our program.

    Sadly, just as pretty as she was. She wasn¡¯t into broke brothers who didn¡¯t have an obvious future. Of course, he didn¡¯t have a game either.

    The smell of vanilla body wash from a cheap store snuck its way into Lonnie¡¯s nose. He turned with a dimple smile towards a yellow-bone making her way towards him. Her hands in her hoodie, dragging it down while she talked with her best friend who dyed her hair red instead of blue.

    Damn, they say birds of a feather flock together and it¡¯s true. Sexy greets sexy. Lonnie licked his lips and grabbed his backpack strap, strutting to block Sabrina¡¯s way.

    ¡°Prince Charming here,¡± Davea said, throwing a heavy scan over his way. ¡°And his broke ass tag-a-long too.¡±

    Taylor snorted. ¡°Who said I¡¯m broke? I just ain¡¯t got the money these rich college kids have to waste on materialistic pursuits.¡±

    ¡°Nice excuse for a bum.¡± Davea rolled her black eyes and turned to Lonnie. ¡°Why are you always with this fool anyway? Thought you would be doing it big somewhere with people of like minds.¡±

    Lonnie threw a lazily smile Davea way before taking in his lady. Her hair cut short but it fell past her cheek and looked like she was fresh out of the shower. Plus the faded right side helps emphasize her good facial structure and clear skin. He lifted up her chin with the crook of his finger and grazed her pink-painted lips.

    ¡°I love this style more than the last,¡± he said in a quiet whisper.

    ¡°Yeah, I do look good. A little more mature and less edgy.¡± Sabrina didn¡¯t pull her hands from her hoodie pocket but she did throw her elbow into his chest. ¡°Let¡¯s go. It¡¯s really a lot of work keeping the guys off me. I need a break.¡±

    ¡°Narcissistic much?¡± Taylor fell in behind them as they began to walk shoulder to shoulder, leaving him as a third-wheel of a four-man team.

    ¡°It isn¡¯t narcissistic when it¡¯s true,¡± Davea said, swaying her ass in those pink-striped leggings . ¡°Look at how many couldn¡¯t help but look at our fine ass.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure they are looking at your face or all that ass you¡¯re throwing left and right?¡± Taylor¡¯s eyes register those lethal weapons with a quickness.

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    ¡°Not everybody is as thirsty as you,¡± Davea said, turning to Lonnie. ¡°Right, L?¡±

    Lonnie scratched his chin. ¡°I¡¯m sorry but I have been parched since I dropped y¡¯all off this morning.¡±

    Sabrina giggled and Davea rolled her eyes.

    ¡°Figures.¡± Davea pulled out her phone the moment they stepped out of the air condition hallway into the spring¡¯s heat that felt more like the middle of summer. ¡°You guys going to the party tonight or what? I heard the boys managed to book a rapper this time. Shit is supposed to be lit!¡±

    Taylor nodded and threw a glance at Lonnie. ¡°I¡¯m going but you know how the Prince is. All about that paper and no time for the nonsense. Probably going to be at home drinking milk tea from Sabrina.¡±

    ¡°Naw, Sabrina is coming with me tonight, right?¡± Davea tugged on Sabrina¡¯s other arm with her pink nails that barely extended past the bed.

    Sabrina shook her head and elbow Lonnie. ¡°I¡¯m going over to his house to work on my catalog and he has work stuff.¡±

    ¡°Are you really going to let me go to a party by myself?¡± Davea gave her puppy eyes.

    ¡°Yep,¡± Sabrina shot back.

    ¡°I see how it is. Get a good man and forget about little Ole me. Not like I wasn¡¯t there getting ass-whooping with you when you snuck back in after curfew. Or standing right behind you when you fought those girls on the 12th block.¡± Davea turned her attention back to her phone.

    Sabrina didn¡¯t say anything to that. Which is a wise decision in Lonnie¡¯s eyes.

    He laughed and took out his key fob, hitting the unlock button as they neared the parking lot.

    ¡°Yo, isn¡¯t that Derek and the fuck-boys who couldn¡¯t even score a touchdown during a home game.¡± Taylor pointed across an open field of green grass with people spread out on blankets.

    Not too far from one of the tall birch trees, hung out a few guys from the football team. From the looks of it, they were being lectured by a middle-aged man in a maroon polo button-up in front of a white board. The guy looked to be real agitated with how many times he slammed that white marker into his hand or onto the white board. Making extra wide flourish when drawing on the board.

    ¡°You better shut up,¡± Davea advised, ¡°you aren¡¯t even big enough to handle one of them let alone all of them.¡±

    Taylor snorted. ¡°What are you talking about? I¡¯m a national champ on the wrestling team.¡± He threw his arms back, flexing hard. The shells on the end of his braids jumped like they thought this was a rave.

    ¡°How does wrestling help you survive a four v one?¡± Davea swung her head to look at the other two who shrugged. ¡°Does that even make sense to anybody else? Or just me?¡±

    ¡°You would understand if you came to watch a training session. We do more than just wipe sweat on each other. We also take part in striking training which is first contact.¡± Taylor threw a few punches and then bob and weaved.

    ¡°Wow.¡± Davea clapped. ¡°So impressive but four of them, One loudmouth idiot.¡±

    ¡°Lon will side with me and then the odds even.¡± Taylor reached for the passenger door of a white SUV.

    ¡°Sorry, I don¡¯t get into fights started by others who couldn¡¯t keep their mouths shut.¡± Lonnie opened the front passenger''s door, smiling at Sabrina.

    ¡°Wow,¡± Taylor said with a drawl. ¡°Here I thought we were childhood friends.¡±

    Lonnie closed Sabrina¡¯s door and walked over to the driver¡¯s side. He took a glance at his phone, quickly reading a message that said ¡®Meeting 8pm.¡¯ He threw himself into the car and crank it up, turning the A/c all the way up.

    ¡°Yo, pass me a drink,¡± he said to Taylor.

    ¡°Get me one to. Fruit punch.¡± Sabrina tossed her backpack down between her feet.

    ¡°Drop me off first,¡± Davea said, ¡°the nail salon.¡±

    ¡°You still fucking up people nails?¡± Lonnie grinned in the rear-view as he drove out the parking lot.

    ¡°What do you mean I¡¯m fucking up nails?¡± She held her hands up. ¡°Look at this design. It might not be top dollar but it¡¯s definitely worth at least sixty on a good day. Besides, the shop just has me maintain the nails. Other girls are doing all the designs and stuff.¡±

    The car stopped at a red-light and Lonnie couldn¡¯t help but throw a few glances in the side mirror. He picked up on a black four-door that¡¯s been trailing a few cars behind him.

    Thinking for a second, he squeezed into the right turning lane and took the next right. Circling the block, and only then did he drive back onto the main road.

    ¡°Why are you going in circles,¡± Taylor asked, looking up from his phone.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you getting a free ride?¡± Lonnie glanced back at him.

    ¡°Yeah, but this is just a waste of gas. I know you are packing and everything but I do need to get home on time.¡±

    ¡°Bro, shut the hell up.¡± Lonnie threw a few more glances into the mirror and caught another car with two people inside.

    It trailed him through two left turns and switching from the direct route to Broadway to the road that ran slanted off the direct route. Both cars switched a couple of times but the number of people stayed the same.

    It didn¡¯t take long to drop off Davea and switch directions to drop off Taylor. Or that was the plan he had in mind.

    Sabrina glanced at her side mirror. ¡°Stop here and let¡¯s do some grocery shopping.¡±

    Taylor looked out the window at the Grocery store passing on the right. He looked back at Lonnie with raised eyebrows.

    ¡°Are you really about to go grocery shopping, right now?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, he probably hasn¡¯t gone grocery shopping since I did it last time. Besides, you don¡¯t have work and are just pretending to be an IT nerd.¡± Sabrina pulled her wallet out the small part of her bag.

    ¡°What do you mean I¡¯m pretending,¡± Taylor grabbed the back of the seat and stuck his head between the chairs.

    ¡°Exactly as I have said.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me but I already have a gig as a Dev for a new game. You will be thanking me for providing you with a source of entertainment in a few years.¡±

    ¡°I doubt you are even working on the main project. Probably doing some auxiliary thing like some event that will fade after the holiday passes.¡±

    ¡°But that¡¯s programming and you said I was pretending too.¡± Taylor sat back with a victory smile.

    Shaking his head, Lonnie pulled into the parking lot, parking at the back.

    Taylor rolled down the window and stuck his head out, looking at the big store front with the towering words ¡®Nuggets Market¡¯. He threw a gaze at Lonnie as they got out.

    ¡°You guys really, really about to shop at this place?¡± Taylor threw a hand at the nugget front which lit up with lights and a glass front window. The beige pavement in front sat a contrast to the black road marked with yellow lines.

    Lonnie shrugged, checking his pockets for his phone and wallet. Only after ensuring he had everything did he close the door.

    ¡°She¡¯s the cook and if she wants to shop here. Why will I say no?¡±

    ¡°Bro,¡± Taylor said, ¡°this is where posh white people shop. Look..¡± He pointed at a couple getting out a BMW x5.

    The man wore a white shirt, rolled up to his elbows. His bearded-neck is white and only around his nose did he have a stronger presence of grey-black strands. He walked to his blond wife, touching her back before swinging his hands at his side. She wore an open sleeve yellow shirt and leggings that didn¡¯t really emphasize her ass.

    ¡°I have yet to see any other nationality walk into the shop,¡± Taylor said, following behind Lonnie and Sabrina.

    ¡°I see a black man in black jumper and white shorts,¡± Sabrina said, curling her fingers around Lonnie¡¯s.

    ¡°Wow, one guy out of six I have seen enter and exit so far.¡± Taylor glanced around. ¡°Why are all the cars top of the line luxury? Oh, one Honda sitting in the handicap spot.¡±

    ¡°You sound mighty jealous for what? Aren¡¯t you working on a major project and expected to pick up at minimum, sixty thousand?¡± Lonnie glanced at him in order to scope out the parking lot for the tails.

    ¡°That¡¯s different.¡± He waved his hand, but his chest seemed a little bigger in that tank top. ¡°I won¡¯t get paid until after I complete segments and it¡¯s not all at once. These guys are making it all at once.¡±

    ¡°So what you are saying is that you are going to be broke after this project ends?¡± Sabrina pulled a buggy free of the line up and led the way into the depth of the store, angling for the meat section. ¡°Did you eat all the steak I bought last time?¡±

    Lonnie scratched his ear. Don¡¯t you know you cook the majority of them for me during the first week and I cook the rest. ¡°I think the only meat left is the ground turkey and not much left.¡±

    ¡°What about seasons?¡±

    ¡°All there. I only used salt and pepper,¡± Lonnie said, ¡°maybe a little lemon juice.¡±

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you go back and make a shopping list instead of this spur of the moment thing,¡± Taylor grumbled and snatched a pack of bacon, tossing it into the cart.

    Sabrina moved it to one end. ¡°I don¡¯t need a list to guess he is out of all meat and probably only used rice.¡±

    Lonnie nodded.

    ¡°Are you serious? Can¡¯t you cook anything else?¡± Taylor slapped Lonnie¡¯s arm.

    ¡°My wife can cook. Why do I need to?¡± Lonnie kissed Sabrina¡¯s forehead when she went to grab a rack of ribs.

    ¡°So you''re making fun of us single dogs, huh?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re single for a reason.¡±

    ¡°What reason is that?¡±

    Sabrina gave him a look and shook her head. ¡°Do we even need to talk about it? You know damn well why you ain¡¯t in a committed relationship.¡±

    Taylor snorted. ¡°It¡¯s not my fault they are high maintenance.¡±

    ¡°Mm, blame them and not yourself. Mister shoe collection.¡± Sabrina pointed at the section of chicken breasts. ¡°Grabbed two of them.¡±

    Lonnie laughed, and picked up two packs with four big breasts inside.

    ¡°Wait.¡± Taylor grabbed one of the packs with six inside but they were much thinner. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you pick this and save yourself two bucks?¡±

    ¡°Because I can afford the two ninety-five,¡± Lonnie said, throwing his own in the cart.

    ¡°Rich bastard.¡± Taylor put it back down.

    Sabrina laughed. ¡°I used to think the same thing.¡±

    Am I being gang-raped for putting in work and bringing home the bacon? Wow! Lonnie leaned against the handle, playing an idle game while Sabrina and Taylor glitch out over prices.

 Chapter 2 - Micheal Gaines

    Micheal rested his hand out the car¡¯s door, feeling the wind glide over his arm. He glanced at his senior partner eating a burrito from a truck vendor.

    ¡°So why are we watching a college kid again,¡± Micheal said, watching a couple pretty girls in short shorts and crop tops walk to the west side of the parking lot.

    Agent Shannon sighed and finished chewing. ¡°As I mentioned for the third time. This kid is probably tied to one of the three gangs. He went from a poor slender kid to what you saw just now.¡±

    ¡°He couldn¡¯t be on drugs or going with the muscle building trend?¡±

    ¡°Do you think you can put on sixty pounds of muscles within three months? Go from wearing baggy clothes to having a style that costs a band each outfit?¡± Agent Shannon gave a look that said ¡®Micheal did something stupid.¡¯

    I can¡¯t doesn¡¯t mean someone else couldn¡¯t.

    ¡°So that makes him one of them instead of just good genes and probably good selling habits? I mean, he officially owns two clubs, has shares in the big casino on Lyke river, and a bunch of real estate. Plus he pays an accountant and broker. So it¡¯s not surprising if he just paid for a personal trainer and nutritionist to get the best combo for what he looks like now.¡±

    Shannon turned to me with a dry smile. ¡°Do you really believe that?¡±

    Micheal shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s not hard to believe it. He has the money and celebrities have proven that wealth and the right people can help them make inhumane gains.¡±

    ¡°What about the fact that he can always pick out those watching him from those that mean no ill will?¡± Shannon put down the burrito and threw his ass at the door, elbow resting on the window sill.

    ¡°How do we know that he isn¡¯t picking them out due to the fact they are obvious? I mean, if they look at me and don¡¯t move from the location while I¡¯m there. I¡¯m thinking of some type of way. Definitely with his possible background as a member of one of the three.¡±

    ¡°What about the fact that one of the B-rated entities matches his body width and height and they both seem to have some kind of danger sense?¡±

    ¡°But haven¡¯t we only found three types of abilities and¡­¡± Micheal trailed off as his eyes widened.

    Shannon smiled smugly. ¡°Right you got it. He is either an Enhancement type or the Rare Magic type. Either way, he is on the watch list.¡±

    ¡°But isn¡¯t it a little much to assume that he is one of them based on the fact that the weakness of those two evolves around having a good diet?¡±

    Shannon opened his mouth and then sat right in his seat. ¡°He¡¯s coming out with the girls this morning.¡±

    Micheal picked up the camera off the dashboard and snapped a few pictures. During the third, the target looked directly at him and then kept walking across the campus as if nothing happened.

    ¡°I¡¯m saying if, a big if, that he¡¯s one of them, then my bet is on the rare magic type. I doubt I could sense someone taking a picture of me and I¡¯m rated as C grade on body development.¡± Micheal put the camera into the bag at his feet.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m sure the higher ups already have an inkling what kind of power he has. They just want to catch him using it to put some kind of sanction on him. Keep him honest, you know.¡± Shannon cranked up the car and leaned against the wheel; he steered the car right after the black SUV.

    They barely traveled for a few minutes when the SUV made a hasty lane switch and took the next right turn.

    ¡°Do you think he¡¯s onto us,¡± Micheal said, picking up the radio.

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    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Let¡¯s alert the second group just in case.¡±

    ¡°Tango turned right on Lamar and Evans. Need a second team to follow.¡± Micheal lowered the radio after speaking and leaned partially out the window to get a good look at the road the tango went down.

    ¡°Roger,¡± a deep voice came over the radio.

    ¡°Did he stop or something,¡± Shannon asked, squeezing into the left lane and making a u-turn.

    ¡°No, he took another right.¡± Micheal sat back down and looked at the laptop between them. ¡°Team two is behind him.¡±

    ¡°He circles back around,¡± the radio said.

    Micheal and Shannon shared a look and drove past the SUV going north while they traveled south. They watched their target look at them before taking another turn.

    ¡°He¡¯s onto us,¡± Shannon said.

    No shit! Is this guy special forces or something? He picked us out so fast! Micheal raised the radio towards his lips.

    ¡°Tango is onto us.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure? Looks like he¡¯s testing us on me.¡±

    ¡°Tell Ed that he looked us in the face while driving past,¡± Shannon said.

    ¡°He smiled at us when driving past.¡± Micheal looked back because he caught the black SUV driving up behind them. ¡°He¡¯s right behind us.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, we see that,¡± Ed said over the radio.

    Shannon glanced back and laughed. ¡°Might as well escort him to that girl¡¯s work place, huh.¡±

    ¡°I guess,¡± Micheal said.

    ¡°Now do you doubt me?¡±

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t.¡±

    The ride was peaceful and the bastard followed them all the way to Miss Davea¡¯s work. Too fucking cocky.

    ¡°He¡¯s pulling into the Nugget Market on 27th and Hampden,¡± Ed alerted them.

    Micheal turned back to see the tail end of the SUV disappearing into the shopping center. ¡°I have never seen anybody shop there before.¡±

    ¡°My mom shops there. Even have a membership but it''s much more expensive than some of the other grocery stores. I prefer Dillon¡¯s off Washington myself.¡± Shannon made a U-turn and then slid into the lane to drive into the parking lot.

    ¡°Is the groceries better or something? Or the same as what I can find at Walmart or one of these other stores.¡±

    ¡°My mom thinks there is a difference but I can¡¯t taste it. Maybe the fruits are different. Without pesticides and all that but if you wash the fruits off, won¡¯t the harmful stuff go away?¡±

    ¡°I-I¡­¡± Micheal eyes scanned the lanes as they crept through. ¡°-don¡¯t think it works like that.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure?¡±

    ¡°We can google it later but¡­¡± Micheal tapped the window. ¡°Tango parked in the back, lot 26.¡±

    ¡°Want to grab a burger,¡± Shannon turned down the next lane and pointed at the Burger shack.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you eat a burrito already,¡± Micheal asked.

    ¡°No, someone wanted to talk and it got cold.¡±

    ¡°I have seen you eat a cold burrito before.¡±

    ¡°But, I can eat a hot burger now.¡±

    ¡°Fine but you¡¯re paying.¡±

    ¡°Your wife took your credit card or something?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s pregnant and has us on a budget.¡±

    ¡°I understand. They issued me a f-type when I got a replacement partner.¡± Shannon pulled up into the line.

    ¡°Alright, dick,¡± Micheal said, ¡°get me the bacon burger with the Cajun fries and large fanta, orange type.¡±

    ¡°You are going to be pissing in that cup before our shifts.¡±

    ¡°Speaking of, don¡¯t forget to throw away your piss cups back there. I¡¯m not getting yelled at by Willow because you decided to forget your fluids.¡±

    ¡°It was one time!¡±

    ¡°One time too many. Like a grown ass child or something.¡±

    ¡°Welcome to Fat Shack. Order when you are ready.¡±

    ¡°Let me get a number two, with cajun fries and small fanta, orange type,¡± Shannon said.

    ¡°Really,¡± Micheal asked, leaning against the door and tilting his head.

    ¡°What? I have a single man budget too.¡± Shannon shrugged while smirking.

    ¡°Okay, I see how it is.¡±

    ¡°I got the important part of the meal.¡±

    ¡°Sir, is that all? A bacon burger deluxe with cajun fries and orange fanta.¡±

    ¡°Add a number four to that as well and a large lemonade.¡± Shannon turned to the machine.

    ¡°I thought you had a single man budget?¡±

    ¡°Oh, that only counts when feeding other people. For myself, I¡¯ll eat whatever I want. Ergo, single man.¡± Shannon chuckled and drove up to the next window.

    ¡°You deserve to be single.¡± Micheal turned to observe the parking lot again.

 Chapter 3 - Lonnie Winters - Popcorn never tasted so great

    ¡°Nu-uh,¡± Sabrina said, ¡°Don¡¯t think you are going to leave me to put up these groceries myself. You get the pantry.¡±

    Lonnie smiled and grabbed the cans. ¡°I wasn¡¯t leaving.¡±

    ¡°Sure.¡± She pulled a bin over to the fridge. ¡°I know you saw this lettuce expired and the milk.¡± She wrinkled her nose upon smelling the half-filled milk.

    ¡°I don¡¯t drink or eat that shit,¡± Lonnie said, placing the last can on the shelf.

    ¡°You don¡¯t know how to organize either.¡± Sabrina pushed him aside and began reorganizing the shelf. ¡°I swear you¡¯re like a grown ass child.¡±

    Lonnie smiled and wrapped his arms around her. ¡°Isn¡¯t that why I have you?¡±

    ¡°Your phone is ringing,¡± Sabrina said, tilting her head as he began to kiss her neck.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± His hands dropped down to her waist, slipping under the hoodie.

    ¡°Are you sure? It¡¯s your special line.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure.¡±

    The chime disappeared and the phone began to vibrate. Rattling in the drawer like a dog that doesn¡¯t want to be caged.

    ¡°It sounds serious.¡± Sabrina grabbed the container of eggs out the bag and moved to the fridge.

    ¡°Fine,¡± he said, opening the draw.

    Lonnie snatched the phone out the draw and took one look before growling. He moved to the study across from the kitchen and closed the door behind him.

    ¡°Hit me,¡±Lonnie said, sitting on the edge of a brown-oak desk.

    ¡°Boss is throwing a party. Do you have time to join?¡±

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    Lonnie began scratching at a thread loose in his pants. ¡°What time?¡±

    ¡°Midnight. I¡¯ll send you the coords. Don¡¯t forget the plus one.¡±

    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll be there.¡± Lonnie looked up at the ceiling spinning round and round.

    He moved behind the desk, dropping into the chair. The desktop cranked up and the three monitors turned on in a blink. A series of keystrokes and he signed in. With a gentle push of the mouse, he opened his email on an app with a skull, clicked on a plain compressed file, and downloaded it.

    While waiting for it to download then decompress, he surfed one of his  social media accounts. Hitting likes on women so beautiful that it looked entirely edited. Like this one girl who looks a little like an anime character with big breasts and all.

    The door opened and Sabrina marched in, throwing herself on the couch. Lonnie clicked out of the app and pulled up the news, checking the megabytes on the file at the same time.

    ¡°Let¡¯s watch a movie. There is this one about a woman in a dystopian world surviving all kinds of shit while searching for her sister.¡± Sabrina threw a glance at Lonnie who nodded.

    ¡°Okay, give me a second to check this email.¡± He slipped his phone into the dresser, and locked the draw behind it.

    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll grab some popcorn.¡± She left a second after dropping that line.

    Wait, they really developed a tool to track the Bioelectric field? But shouldn¡¯t this only affect one type of element? Or are they all the same? Alter on the cellular level to produce a different type of cell form that doesn¡¯t work to alter the shape of the cell but the activity of mitochondria.

    Lonnie leaned back and watched his sexy lady walts in. Her hoodie is long gone and the pink-stained tank top showing ample breasts she¡¯s born with. Added in the way her ass filled those shorts even though it more than covered it. A smile couldn¡¯t help but grace a man¡¯s face.

    ¡°How much longer?¡± Sabrina sat down with her legs pulled up.

    ¡°One second,¡± Lonnie scrolled down.

    Okay, Okay. I understand. Special operation to show off the value of their new toys. Four senators, one congressman, and a bunch of investors. Hitting some drug cartel out in Weygo county but this is the perfect time to showcase our resolve by hitting their political backers. Not that doing anything will solve the problem. The government wants this to pass and will move ahead regardless.

    The file began to go through the deletion process, and Lonnie got up, running over to his love. He dove into the couch, scooting her up, while placing the bowl of popcorn aside.

    ¡°I wanted a sip of you all day,¡± he said breathlessly, showering her with kisses.

    She pushed his face away. ¡°After the movie or you can just wait all night.¡±

    He sat up and pulled the bowl back to his lap, throwing popcorn into his mouth. ¡°What movie are we watching?¡±

 Chapter 4 - Promotions are a happy event, always.. unles-s

    Micheal pulled into his driveway and leaned back against the seat. Enjoying the cool breeze blowing from the A/C in comparison to the heat he could witness dance across the walkway like little fairies.

    I wish just once that she could park her car better. This slanted shit needs to stop. Feels like I¡¯m going to hit her car if I crack my door at this point.

    He turned off the car and eased the door open, coming super close to the grey sedan. Sighing, he snatched up his backpack off the passenger seat and eased it through the crack onto the roof. With a fair amount of wiggling and grunting, he squeezed out of the car.

    Pregnancy cannot be that bad that she can¡¯t even take the time to park within the white lines I painted. Maybe it¡¯s time for a new prescription on those star-gazers.

    The car door closing wasn¡¯t loud to him but he heard the dogs barking away. They must be sitting at the front door wagging their tails waiting for him. He snatched his backpack and trudged through the smarmy humidity towards home-front.

    ¡°Move,¡± his wife shouted and threw open the front door.

    She left nothing but the glass screen separating them and that wasn¡¯t even for a few seconds. She tossed it open letting the two small ones rush out and bombard his shin. The two yorkies climbed his legs, wagging their tail, and breathing like an office cop chasing down suspects.

    ¡°You weren¡¯t going to tell me you went from patrol cop to some special division? Didn¡¯t we talk about this?¡± Sally raised an eyebrow, hands holding up the balloon she called a stomach.

    ¡°You did talk about this and I didn¡¯t agree.¡± Micheal stepped around the dogs, carefully not to step on their paws.

    Sally stared at him, hard. Only after a brief moment did she sigh, loudly, and step out the way, walking her bloated ass back into the living room.

    ¡°Well, I¡¯m not cooking. So if you are hungry, go find something for you to eat.¡± She marched off into the bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

    Sighing, Micheal dropped his bag on the living room chair and went to fetch a beer out the fridge. He looked down at the two rats circling him like vultures. Sighing, he grabbed dog treats off the rack by the fridge and went back to the living room. Snapping off the lid on the beer and tossing it into the little bin on the side of the couch.

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    The rats jumped up on either side of him, wagging their tails while looking at his hand. He tossed a treat each in two directions and then took a sip of his beer. Both of them came rushing back, crunching on the treats. They laid down on the cushion like Sphinxes, looking at him for the second goody.

    Greedy bastards.

    Snorting, Micheal shot forward, picking up the remote. The exact moment he raised the bottle to his lip, Sally came out dressed as if she was going out. He held the bottle against his lip as he watched her walts towards her bag sitting on the hallway table. An earring struggling to escape her gasp and not be stuck into her ear.

    Why the hell is she wearing a strapless, beige dress with her belly that bloated? Better yet, why the hell does she dress as if she¡¯s going out or something? It¡¯s a work day.

    ¡°Where are you going?¡± He leaned and choked the bottle by the neck.

    ¡°Out,¡± she said.

    ¡°Out where?¡± He bounced up and took a swig of his beer.

    Sally gave him an exhausted look and finally managed to get her earring in. ¡°Me and my friends are going to have a girl night. I¡¯ll be back before ten.¡±

    ¡°Sal,¡± Micheal said, softly. ¡°You aren¡¯t single anymore. Why are you following your single non-pregnant friends out? Or is this your way of telling me you don¡¯t want to be in a relationship? Because I can sign the divorce papers now and not waste anymore of our time.¡±

    ¡°Mike, stop.¡± She grabbed her phone out of the bag. ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal for me to go to the club and sit down. I¡¯m not going to be drinking or anything. Just hanging out with the girls, while listening to music. In fact¡­¡± She put her phone back into the bag and checked to see if her keys were inside. ¡°They aren¡¯t even single anymore.¡±

    ¡°If you want to hang out, why not go to the spa? Or movies or even a coffee shop or lounge.¡± He put his hand against the wall and tried not to raise his voice. ¡°The club is for single people or married people trying to fuck single people. I don¡¯t even understand why you would even want to associate yourself with that kind of stigma unless you are saying you don¡¯t want to be married.¡±

    ¡°Mike,¡± she said with a little base. ¡°Stop. You are over thinking and it¡¯s really not like you are saying. I¡¯m going and that¡¯s that. If you want to sit at home wallowing about me spending some personal time then go ahead. But I¡¯ll be back around ten and I¡¯m not going to be in a mood to listen to your nonsense.¡±

    Micheal closed his eyes and finished off his drink. He turned around and marched across the living to the back patio. Patting his leg, he looked at the doggies.

    ¡°Come on, boys.¡±

    The rats ran around his ankles and shot out the door the moment he slid the glass door open. He dropped the bottle in the big bin and snatched another one from the outdoor fridge. The front door slammed shut and not too long after the rats brought him a saliva covered ball. The revving of a car shooting out the driveway reached his ears.

    ¡°Just the three of us,¡± Micheal said, tossing the ball into the mossy grass.

 Chapter 5 - LW - Stealing wives doesnt make me a bad person, what happens next does

    ¡°I¡¯m heading out,¡± Lonnie said, checking his hair in the hallway mirror.

    ¡°You said you are going to be back after dinner, right?¡± Sabrina looks over from the couch.

    ¡°Yeah, it shouldn''t be later than twelve but it depends on how the meeting goes. Want me to bring you anything back?¡± Lonnie grabbed his keys off the key ring.

    ¡°Naw, just bring your ass back home.¡±

    ¡°Never met a man who wanted to go to work when he has two fine 10¡¯s at home,¡± Davea said, not even looking up from her phone.

    ¡°I see two 8¡¯s and one of them doesn''t even look like a full 8.¡± Lonnie laughed and rushed out the door as he heard heavy footsteps.

    ¡°Better run,¡± Davea shouted.

    Two sedans set in houses that were up for sale. The sign is still set out by the sidewalk on both houses. The two-person team sitting inside didn¡¯t even bother to hide the fact that they were watching him. Tax money wasted on these four. Lacking any skill that anybody with a half decent sense of common sense would have.

    Lonnie waved at them and then left in his car. He didn¡¯t bother shaking them as he was only going out to meet a potential employee. Someone to vent the increasing high demand his body is requesting.

    At a stop light, he checked his phone for the location she said she would be at. A quick GPS scan and he made a right turn. A row of townhouses appeared in his view and he glanced back down at the number before checking the street''s signs.

    Looking for 1204 but this is 3000.

    He drove to the next street sign.

    4000? I need to turn around.

    A quick look both ways to make sure no car incoming; he made a u-turn. Upon pulling up to the street, a lady standing on the curb talking to an older woman walking a huge brown coat dog. The young lady fit the pic she sent but she kept touching her stomach during the conversation. Not that she looks bloated but he remembers his mum doing the same hand movement. Touching slightly below the belly button and rubbing it. Or hand resting on her back as if it hurt. Given her impressive breasts on her small stature, maybe her back did hurt.

    In that v-cut, flora dress that stops a little beyond her upper thigh. Those legs were almost as thick as his without the definition he got from training. He watches her pull out a phone from a small hand purse and then his own ding.

    Sally: Is that you in a white SUV?

    Lonnie replied and pulled up beside them, throwing open the door when the car rolled to a stop.

    ¡°Hello, madame,¡± Lonnie said, holding out his hand to the older woman.

    The blond grabbed his hand in a firm grip, smiling all the while.

    ¡°What a handsome young man.¡± She looked between him and Sally and then pulled on her dog¡¯s leash. ¡°I¡¯ll let you get going.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t forget what I said about the yeast. It¡¯ll really turn your bread around if you do it as I said.¡± Sally winked.

    ¡°I won¡¯t and you take care. Don¡¯t let him run around, ya hear.¡± The lady slowly disappeared down the street with a happy gait, looking back every now and then.

    Lonnie chuckled and shook his head. He held out his hand. ¡°Are you sure you want to accept this job in your condition?¡±

    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I? The benefits are amazing.¡± Sally took his hand and allowed him to lead her to the passenger side, helping her in.

    Did she take off her ring recently or before? The skin is lighter in that ring than the rest of the area.

    A sedan slowly drove by but all they got for their pictures was the tinted window of the passenger door after it closed. He hustled to the driver side, ignoring the terrible cops.

    ¡°How many months are you?¡± He gestured at her stomach with his eyes even though her dress didn¡¯t show any signs.

    ¡°Oh, four months,¡± Sally said.

    ¡°The husband doesn¡¯t have any problems with this?¡±

    ¡°We are separated and there is nothing holding me back unless you don¡¯t like pregnant women?¡± Sally put a hand on his leg and smiled.

    Lonnie''s nose twitched and he laughed. ¡°I don¡¯t have a problem with it and I''m curious about whether a pregnant pussy is as good as people say.¡±

    ¡°You won¡¯t be disappointed then.¡± She tossed her hair aside and leaned across the center console. ¡°How about I give a demonstration?¡±

    Oh, a little too straight forward for a couple thousand bucks. She definitely isn¡¯t desperate for money. That handbag is at least three hundred. The pedi and Mani are brand new, probably earlier today.

    A car honk and Lonnie stop watching her get his dick out. He continued driving but after she started to put in work. Those little pink lips spread out over his dick and he felt her tongue along the hood of his mushroom cap.

    Damn! Not bad, not bad at all.

    He shifted his ass a little and leaned the seat back a little. Then he pulled into a fast food joint where the line moved an increment at a time. Her head bobbed up and down, that bundle of brown hair that looked slightly reddish when the sunlight hit it just right, whipped lash his legs.

    Damn, I¡¯m not a slurpee!

    She didn¡¯t even come up for a breath.

    ¡°Damn,¡± he grunt, slapping his foot back down on the brake.

    Sally lifts her head, wiping away the strand of saliva connecting her to the coated dick.

    ¡°You Okay,¡± she said, smiling.

    I¡¯m Okay? You almost ripped my spine through my dick.

    Lonnie rubbed his thighs, and eased up to the window. ¡°Do you want anything?¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± She looked out the window and bit her lip, her fingers tapping his arm that he had to rest on the console. ¡°I don¡¯t really like this place, but-t¡­ Let me get a milkshake, vanilla.¡±

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    ¡°Gotcha,¡± Lonnie said.

    ¡°So what do you think? I¡¯m worth the baggage?¡±

    ¡°Eh, we¡¯ll see in the coming days.¡±

    ¡°Big standards if that couldn¡¯t impress you.¡±

    ¡°Oh, it was impressive but not enough for me to impulsively make a decision without getting an understanding of what you are like. After all, you will be seeing a side of me that my family hasn¡¯t. I have to know if you can endure the stress I¡¯m inclined to put your body through.¡± Lonnie eased up to the window.

    ¡°Welcome to Frosty Queens! What can I get for you?¡± A blond smiled and winked.

    Lonnie chuckled and leaned out the window. ¡°Two milkshakes. One vanilla and the other chocolate. Mediums.¡±

    ¡°Okay, Two medium milkshakes, vanilla and chocolate. Total is eleven ninety-five. Will that be cash or card?¡±

    ¡°Card.¡± He handed it over a black card.

    ¡°So the application didn¡¯t explain all what you wanted me to do. Well, other than the sex on demand, and possibilities for showing up at banquets.¡± She leaned against the door

    It didn¡¯t take her but a second to rest a hand on her stomach. Lonnie took back the card and moved to the next window.

    ¡°Like you said, I¡¯m need sex on demand, when I messaged you. I will already be on my way to you. If you can¡¯t meet the demand for that time. Notified me ahead of time. This way I can move to the back-up.¡± Lonnie grabbed the two milkshakes and passed hers over. ¡°The banquets are just a cover for me to sneak out under the nose of the police that are stalking me.¡±

    Sally¡¯s brow rose. ¡°You¡¯re not into anything illegal?¡±

    Instead of responding, he pulled the car into a parking spot and threw it into park. Started eating his milkshake while looking at her grow increasingly nervous.

    ¡°I¡¯m not saying you can¡¯t do it if you are.¡± She used her spoon to make defensive gestures. ¡°I just wanted to know if I needed to prepare an alibi or something.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it,¡± he said after a bit. ¡°I¡¯m not under investigation and they are probably just suspicious of my financial growth. Looking for something to tie me down and stake me. However, I¡¯m clean and everything I do is legal.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± she mumbled, ¡°well, is there anything else I need to do or just going to these banquets with you ?¡±

    ¡°There will be times I take you out to act as my girlfriend. At that time, I¡¯ll let you know ahead of time what the dress code is. Other times, it is just a sexual relationship.¡± Lonnie put the half-eaten milkshake into the cup holder. ¡°Also if you need a house or medical coverage. Let me know, I¡¯ll get that stuff.¡±

    ¡°How many other women are there or is that classified information?¡±

    ¡°Two right now. I¡¯ll expand as needed if you two can¡¯t handle the current rotation.¡± He put the car into drive and got back onto the highway.

    ¡°Honestly, I think we are enough.¡± Sally put her empty milkshake into the holder and tilted his, snatching it up upon seeing it held something for her to eat.

    Greedy isn¡¯t she or is she pushing hard because she has an agenda that aligns with the government. Background check needed.

    ¡°Let¡¯s wait and see.¡±

    ¡°Do you mind if I ask if you have a wife or primary girlfriend?¡± Sally licked the spoon.

    ¡°I do.¡±

    ¡°Is she accepting of this?¡± Sally waves a milkshake between them.

    ¡°Her idea,¡± he said, ¡°she noticed my predicament before I did. That after a session, I would sometimes still be hard. Which at first, didn¡¯t bother her because she was Okay with going seven rounds. Now she¡¯s not fine with the way my mind snapping to sex and just resting in that zone.¡±

    ¡°Oh, so it¡¯s not a normal level of lust that rich guys are into.¡±

    ¡°Nope, I¡¯m a genetically altered human. I can do magical stuff and you might see it occasionally.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± She shows a skeptical face. ¡°Like Harry Potter magic or Marvel''s magic?¡±

    ¡°More like marvel.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s neat.¡±

    ¡°Why do you sound like you are doubting me and did you eat anything?¡±

    ¡°Why are you giving me that look? It¡¯s just a milkshake.¡±

    ¡°Two milkshakes.¡±

    ¡°One and a half.¡±

    ¡°Three if put in a small cup.¡±

    ¡°Wow, you are unbelievable!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not judging but if you are hungry. We can order in. Almost there.¡±

    She looked around but all around them were tall buildings. The cars were moving at a snail pace, 25 mph.

    ¡°Downtown? You have a condo or something?¡±

    ¡°I do, right above a club.¡±

    ¡°Impressive that you own a club downtown.¡±

    Lonnie laughed and pulled into an underground garage. He drove to the garage door and it opened after a second.

    ¡°They scanned my tags and opened it from the front desk,¡± he replied to her stunned face.¡±

    ¡°What if there is nobody at the desk when you need to park?¡± Sally grabbed her purse and the two cups, only then did she get out.

    ¡°I¡¯ll leave it parked outside.¡±

    ¡°The life of rich people.¡±

    Lonnie got out and led her towards the elevator. Waiting on the elevator to come down, he turned Sally. ¡°You can come here from now on. Instead of waiting at the curb. The guards can send someone to pick you up if you don¡¯t have a car.¡±

    The elevator opened and they stepped in. He took out his vibrating phone and started replying to some messages from Ethan asking about him.

    ¡°Wow, I see why people want to be sugar babies.¡± Sally looked at the large living room with a chandelier in the middle of the floor. Off to the sides were spiral staircases that curve to a second floor.

    ¡°You can stay here if you and your husband get into a situation. He won¡¯t be able to step foot in the elevator if he isn¡¯t a tenant. Also all banquets or meetings will be held in this building.¡± Lonnie spoke while looking at his phone.

    His steps took him up the staircase and down one of the marble hallways.

    ¡°Restaurant in the building,¡± Sally asked, running her hands over the railing.

    ¡°Well, we have personal chefs and the other mistress is here. She is at the pool which is on the rooftop. A lot of other employees at my job stay here. The high level ones and their mistresses also hang around. So you won¡¯t not have someone to talk to if you feel stressed or anything.¡± Lonnie stopped at an open doorway without a matching door.

    ¡°Fancy, fancy.¡± Sally poked her head into the room.

    ¡°This is my room and on the left side is an open bedroom. You can take it if you want.¡± He leaned against the doorway, slipping his phone into his back pocket.

    ¡°So is this where you leave me to wander around this mansion inside of an average building? Searching for your little secrets that will tell me something about you?¡± She smiled brightly, running a finger in between two buttons, and scraping the skin of his chest with her fingernail. ¡°Like what kind of rich man sleeps on a Victorian four poster bed that could fit a harem? Is this the thoughts of someone seeing himself as a king? Standing over millions? Every word and action dictate the life from when they are born to when and where they die?¡±

    Lonnie smiled and tilted his head against the door; his expression said ¡®continue.¡¯

    ¡°How about the open closet where I can see rows and rows of suits, trench coats in every shade of dark colors. This conflicts with the way the room is set up. Which makes me fall back on some of my favorite romance stories of the Rich, powerful man with a hidden past full of trauma but a heart of good.¡± Sally unbuttoned the button her thumb played with and she went to the next.

    ¡°What really gets me is that as we walked up the stairs. Past the portraits of yourself, the marble bust of your big head, the jewelry showcase in glass cages. You never once look at them. So this isn¡¯t your idea, right?¡± Sally stared up into his brown eyes with a smug grin.

    ¡°True. The designers thought it would allow me to intimidate business partners if I brought them here.¡± Lonnie grabbed her hands and pushed them aside. ¡°But I don¡¯t have a past trauma or anything.¡±

    ¡°Oh, then the color scheme?¡± Sally tilted her head towards the closet,  lips spread wider when he pressed her against the wall with his body.

    ¡°Fashion designers think I will make a bigger statement by not being obvious with my style of clothes. The other side has jumpers and the like.¡±

    ¡°How about we stop talking and do what we both want to do right now?¡± Sally grabbed his flapping shirt wings and gave a soft pull.

    Not wanting to be the one to disappoint, he met her lips, crushing them at first. Being rough and forceful but the taste of peach lip gloss made him pull back. He ignored her confused expression, the heat walking the tightrope between their faces, and turned her around. Her face against the cold, egg-white wall.

    He grabbed her dress but she¡¯s a step ahead of him, pulling it up over her ass, and thrusting it out for him.

    Does she really want it? Is she really playing a fantasy in her head or is this just how good the new agents are? Willing to give up the happiness of their marriage for the job? Interesting.

    Clacking of the belt hitting the floor reverberated throughout the hall but the series of grunts and curses soon replaced what could have been an excellent classical.

 Chapter 6? - LW cont... - It hurts to carry you shmucks! Be a little more useful!

    Lonnie rubbed his eyes and dropped into a chair behind his squad leader.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on,¡± Lonnie whispered, leaning forward.

    Lee leaned back, ¡°Possible assignment. You saw the briefing packet right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°Well, we might be targeting someone shortly. Just one of the higher-ups wants to give a speech.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± Lonnie said, leaning back as someone walked on stage.

    The man wore a casual black suit, a little cute blue tie, and he didn¡¯t seem like one of the investors that often work with Lonnie on money-making projects. A little more bulky, the light brown beard trim to show off his strong jaw. Thick neck that someone would find hard to put into a headlock. This guy gave the feel of being a heavy gym user.

    ¡°Some of you know of me or heard of my name, Clayton Hughes.¡± The fellow cracked a smile when a few people mumbled about him.

    Narcissistic!

    ¡°The reason I called you here is so that you guys can see the face of the man behind the scenes. To give you the security that if you go down for bad intel, you can name the big guy pulling the strings.¡± Clayton started pacing while people hushed up. ¡°You see, this project is huge and the amount of financial backers behind it is enough to worry a lot of folks from homeland security to top bureaucrats. None of them want organizations privatizing an unknown entity such as ourselves.¡±

    Who would be accepting of private militarized organizations? Contractors are already giving them a headache with some of them taking deals under the table to operate within their domicile. A superhuman one would be harder to monitor and even harder to prevent.

    ¡°That is why I¡¯m here now. I¡¯m the fall guy in case shit goes wrong and the Government places us in the type of wrench grip we can¡¯t get out. However, because I don¡¯t want to spend my life in a comfortable cell, eating good ass food, fucking some beautiful as women when the Warden feels happy. I need you guys to be on your P¡¯s and Q¡¯s.¡±

    Clayton gestured at the group standing awkwardly to the side of the stage.

    ¡°These fuckers will be going over every mission to ensure you done your job to the most optimal level that the situation allows. If you fuck up, they will know, and then you will be left facing me.¡± He patted his chest and smiled. ¡°Now, I¡¯ll talk a little about our operations and how to get rid of the tails following you. Well some of you have already taken care of that like Lonnie Winters.¡±

    Oh, shit? Why is he calling my name? I didn¡¯t leave any evidence behind. Nor have I done anything to get the cops to investigate me.

    ¡°No matter how careful you are or you think you are. Someone will find a pattern in your movements and come up with a counter plan.¡± Clayton pointed at the big screen. ¡°As you can see from this slideshow, it is a little fast. Each and every picture tracks Mr. Winters from his home, to the local college he goes to, to his job, and then back. It also has the history of his girlfriend, his childhood friend he probably wants to ditch, and his girlfriend¡¯s friend who often stays over at his house.¡±

    I knew that already but is it my fault they came up with a way to track something I didn¡¯t even know I exerted?

    ¡°In fact, they know about his newest Mistress which he picked up right before coming here.¡± Clayton looked at Lonnie. ¡°Shit! This guy doesn¡¯t even leave married pregnant women alone. Respect but fuck, bro. She¡¯s an FBI agent on Paternity leave and her husband is in the new division run by Arthur Sanders. I¡¯m not knocking you for being good looking enough to break up a happy home but how was that pussy? Had to be worth bringing an FBI here, right?¡±

    Several heads turned to Lonnie, who stood up and smiled.

    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    ¡°It¡¯s pretty good and I have my tech team monitoring her in-going and out-going messages. They have also begun monitoring her husbands but it also gives me liability in case they start making waves.¡± Lonnie spread his hands and shrugged.

    Clayton clapped his hands. ¡°I¡¯m not mad. You have been careful. I just need to remind you that even though you are. There are smart people who have caught onto your parents. They also have you named as a suspect in a senator murder even though that wasn¡¯t you. It''s just that your power signature is too big. Makes me wonder what the hell you eat to get so tough.¡±

    ¡°My girlfriend does all the cooking. She¡¯s in the nutritionist program and crazy about fitness. Just opened a gym and got ready to run all sorts of programs to enable health,¡± Lonnie said, a touch of pride in his voice.

    ¡°Does she know about your mistress?¡± Clayton crossed his arms and rubbed his beard.

    ¡°Of course, she suggested it. I¡¯m sure some of you noticed your increase in hormones. Definitely so for the few of you who are Enhancer types.¡± Lonnie looks around the room then back at Clayton. ¡°Dick doesn¡¯t go down or stay down. It just remains fully erected as if we over ingested a stimulus.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t notice that but that does explain why a few of my guards have been looking a little weird around F-types.¡± Clayton shot a glance at a burly dude standing not far behind him. ¡°Anyway, we have a new location for the base. There we will run some tests. Determine optimal training plan and health assessment. From there, you will be able to take assignments that pay or offer what is being called Contribution Points or CP. Cp will allow you to buy certain gear that would normally cost a shit ton. Also allow you to buy plans for emergency use if you go down.¡±

    ¡°We have to pay for a fall-back,¡± someone in the crowd asked.

    ¡°Fuck yeah, you do,¡± Clayton said, ¡°that money for those plans aren¡¯t coming out of your pocket but people like this home-wrecker. Do you think he has an obligation to save you for no reward?¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t he earning from the task we complete?¡±

    ¡°Who the fuck told you that?¡± Clayton laughed. ¡°I have 2% shares and he has a little more than me. I get exactly 2 million in dividends each quarter because we have other things making us money. The assignments you take don''t even register on my earnings from this organization. In fact, they don¡¯t even beat the set of training facilities I have set up which earn me in the thousands per month.¡±

    ¡°So what do you get out of it?¡±

    ¡°The training facilities in the new base are mine. You pay in contribution points for non-work hours. That money goes to me. He owns a few restaurants inside the base and a few others. A lot of the entertainment stuff is what we contribute to. The reason for hiring you, giving you assignments, that help out the big board members with 10 to 15% stake in the company. They gave doggy crumbles to people like me and him. What you do has no effect on us at all and we could survive without the organization.¡±

    I wouldn¡¯t say survive. More likely, we would probably end up under the thumb of the government, working on the books of some officials with a working brain.

    Lonnie pulled out his phone and saw two messages. One from Sally, which set do you like? along with three pictures of lingerie. One from Sabrina, I¡¯m at a hiring agency going over some of their free agents. I might not be back for lunch. So don¡¯t plan on me cooking. Get something before coming home.

    He replied to Sabrina first. No problem. I¡¯ll get some take out and stop by the Empire. Do you need help searching for people?

    ¡°Are you going to come yourself or just utilize your resources?¡± Sabrina responded.

    ¡°Myself?¡±

    ¡°You can bring yourself but not your team of nerds.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with them?¡±

    ¡°Take the fun out of it to listen to them analyze everything. Like everything is just data to be broken down and human errors aren¡¯t allowed.¡±

    ¡°So?¡±

    ¡°You can come alone or not at all. Bye, I¡¯m busy.¡±

    You  know damn well you aren¡¯t busy if you have time to reply back to me.

    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll be there in twenty. Want anything from a store?¡±

    ¡°Fries and milkshake.¡±

    Lee patted his shoulder. ¡°We are going to get some food before checking out the base. You down?¡±

    Lonnie shook his head. ¡°Sorry, got something going on but if you guys are planning training. Let me know.¡±

    ¡°Not today but tomorrow, early. We are going to do some urban training. The new recruits need it but you don¡¯t. So you can just sit tight and act like the rich bastard you are.¡± Lee laughed and motioned to his guys to fall out.

    ¡°Come on. It¡¯s the only fun I have.¡± Lonnie chuckled and began walking the opposite directions towards the elevator leading up.

    ¡°I won¡¯t be visiting you today and I like the black and blue one with the floral patterns.¡± Lonnie sent the reply to Sally then went up to the penthouse to grab his duffel bag.

 Chapter 7 - MG - Title went here but it cheated on me, so I blocked it

    ¡°Looks like you had one hell of a night,¡± Shannon said, shaking his protein shake.

    ¡°Sally doing Sally things.¡± Micheal dropped onto his desk¡¯s chair, lowering his bag down beside him.

    ¡°Sounds terrible. Do you want to talk about it? I know how you F-types can¡¯t function without venting.¡±

    Micheal just stared at him not knowing what to do about his partner who didn¡¯t make a lick of sense at any time.

    ¡°I¡¯m joking,¡± Shannon said, sitting on the edge of Micheal¡¯s desk. ¡°So what¡¯s Sally doing that she shouldn¡¯t be doing?¡±

    Micheal looked into Shannon¡¯s eyes and sighed, sitting back into his chair. ¡°For one, when I came home. She got mad about me making more money. Definitely with our financial situation now that she isn¡¯t working. Then she went out to the clubs with her girls. Didn¡¯t come back until much later after promising to be back at ten.¡±

    Shannon took a long drink of the shake and stared at the roof. He fiddled with the lid and only moments later turned to Micheal.

    ¡°I think that maybe you should consider wearing pants in the relationship. You sound like a F-type.¡±

    Micheal rolled his eyes and turned on his PC. ¡°What do you think the higher-ups want?¡±

    Shrugging, Shannon looked around the office. Most of the office workers were head down into their computers, pouring over the paperwork.

    ¡°I think they probably have a major case that one of the divisions couldn¡¯t solve and is throwing it at us. Which is both good and bad.¡±

    ¡°I figure the same,¡± Micheal said.

    ¡°The others are here. Let¡¯s see what they expect of us.¡± Shannon shot up, drinking his shake as he walked towards the conference.

    ¡°Yo, Mike!¡± Carter waved him over.

    Shannon pushed away a hesitant Micheal. ¡°Go see what he wants.¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± Micheal said, ¡°keep a seat warm for me.¡±

    Micheal marched straight towards Carter who stood in front of his desk holding a deck of pictures.

    ¡°Tell me if you know this woman,¡± Carter asked, holding out the pictures.

    Feeling confused, Micheal flipped through them. His hands started to quiver and his face felt like he was in an oven. That everybody was staring at him. Slapping the pictures face down against his palm, he looked into Carter¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°My wife. Do you know why she¡¯s with him?¡±

    Carter raised an eyebrow. ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m hoping you can tell me.¡±

    Micheal gritted his teeth and glanced at the roof. ¡°She told me she was going out with her friends. That¡¯s all I know.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s unfortunate that you have to hear this from me but¡­¡± Carter turned his monitor towards Micheal. ¡°Given the location they went to and the fact he owns the entire building. We believe that they could possibly be in a physical relationship. Because of the security, we couldn¡¯t get our men inside, and this is just an opinion based on how tenants act with female company.¡±

    Micheal looked at the slideshow of pictures showing the entire building and most importantly, the top of the building which looked like a fraternity pitching a party. Girls in all kinds of clothes hung around pools, outdoor restaurants, and there were quite a few shelter areas where someone was fucking.

    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    He rubbed his beard and looked at Carter. ¡°She¡¯s an FBI agent on paternity leave. Could she have gone under cover? Is that something you can dig up?¡±

    Carter rubbed his elbow where a scabbed started to peel. ¡°I can contact my man at the FBI and ask if they are running an operation. This can more or less inform us if there is an inside man but we won¡¯t be able to know for sure if it''s her or not.¡±

    ¡°I understand when I get home. I¡¯ll try to get some information out of her about it.¡± Micheal handed the pictures back over and went straight for the conference room.

    I can¡¯t fucking believe her. She doesn¡¯t have to tell me her assignments but getting close to men like that? He definitely isn¡¯t the type to be strung along.

    Shannon waved him towards a seat in the back the moment he entered the room. The chairs around the table were already filled and some of the others were standing against the wall. Micheal made his way beside Shannon and sat down.

    He took out his phone and sent her a text message, having this sudden meeting. What are you doing, right now?

    ¡°What was that about?¡±

    ¡°Sally was caught with Mr. Winters by Captain Carter¡¯s team.¡± Micheal crossed his arms and kicked his legs underneath a chair.

    ¡°Working or Working?¡± Shannon raised his eyebrows.

    ¡°No idea. She lied about going out with her friends last night.¡±

    ¡°I mean, your marriage has been going downhill though. Kind of seen this coming.¡± Shannon shrugged and leaned back. ¡°What I¡¯m curious about is that everybody here is from the CI division.¡±

    ¡°How do I have this coming to me?¡± Micheal glanced at the stage where Gary Melton, the Assistant Chief of the Criminal Investigation division stood with the Chief of Police, Arthur Sanders.

    ¡°You have been ignoring her whenever I am over. You are really sloppy, my guy. On top of that, you are one rude son of a bitch. If I was her, I would have left you a long time ago.¡±

    ¡°Seriously?¡±

    Shannon turned to him and nodded, then burst out laughing. ¡°No, I was joking. Honestly, I don¡¯t know why she doesn¡¯t want to be with you.¡±

    Micheal rolled his eyes and turned to the front as the Chief walked to the front of the stage tapping a hand microphone.

    ¡°Okay, quiet down.¡± Arthur looked out over the crowd. ¡°I don¡¯t have a lot of free time. So I¡¯m getting straight to the point. You lot complained like my daughters and thus we are releasing you back to your divisions. No extra pay. Any questions?¡±

    Someone raised their hands. ¡°This means we can return to regular duty without the check-ups?¡±

    ¡°No!¡± Arthur pointed his knife-hand at another person with a raised hand. ¡°You.¡±

    ¡°What if we would like to continue working on the case?¡±

    ¡°Too fucking bad, next.¡±

    Who would dare raise their hands when someone like this was being an ass-hat? Everybody sat quiet as a mouse before a row of traps. Which left the Chief grinning like the cat on the other side.

    ¡°Good, no questions. You are dismissed.¡± Arthur turned around and walked off stage with a pep in his step.

    Shannon shook his head and patted Micheal''s shoulder to distract him from looking at his phone. Or more precisely, the text message that just showed his last message.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you just prepare for the worse? I have a good divorce attorney that can set you up to not lose half your belongings. Especially with the evidence you have against her.¡±

    Micheal shook his head. ¡°What if it¡¯s just something I¡¯m imagining and she is indeed working a case? If I jump the gun that would mean I don¡¯t trust her and would definitely push her into doing something petty.¡±

    Shannon gave him a look that said it already happened but he nodded at Cpt. David who looked as if he wanted to be anywhere but here.

    ¡°Are you ready to return back to Homicide,¡± Shannon asked.

    ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s go see what case we can get on. I feel like doing something useful after spending all that time chasing around that dick bag.¡± Micheal followed right after Shannon, snaking through the many checkpoints to the cube farm of the Homicide division.

    Cubicles sat around an open center that only had a task board set up in the center. Shannon made his way over and took a look at the short descriptions of the crime and file location.

    ¡°This one is two days old. Woman found drowned in Lyon river in district 4. No witness noted anything of import.¡± Shannon tapped a note.

    Micheal nodded; his thumbs tapping away at his phone. ¡°Sounds Okay.¡±

    ¡°Bro, are you really spamming her phone, right now?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Micheal said, slowly. ¡°I¡¯m asking her friends if they know if she is working again.¡±

    ¡°Wow,¡± Shannon mouthed, ¡°F-type.¡± He took down the note and stuck the thumb tack back in. ¡°Let¡¯s go see if they can issue me a better F-type.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± Micheal mumbled.

    Shaking his head, Shannon led the way.

 Chapter 5.2 - LW - Is it really my fault she thinks Im beautiful on the inside?

    The night sky sat high above like an Emperor on a throne, staring down with a mono-gazed as if it was god, and everything else merely ants. Nights like these with parse clouds as a billowing cloak, it often made Lonnie feel like someone dying.

    He rubbed his gloved hands together and smiled behind his fox mask. Ahead of him sat a motorcade of black SUVs with tinted windows. The government tags pointing them out like a bat signal in the sky. Unfortunately for them, they were stuck four cars deep in a red-light traffic. On a normal day, this wouldn¡¯t have been an issue, but today is far from normal.

    ¡°Open up a path,¡± Captain Kent''s voice rushed out of the tiny ear-piece in Lonnie¡¯s ear.

    With the standing order, the sound of the air displacing. On each side of the government cars, the civilian¡¯s cars exploded in a shower of sharp metal fragments stained with bright red. Even with the protective metal exterior, the government cars became dented and the windows showed signs of falling apart at the slightest breeze. The tires wheezed and struggled for that last breath of air.

    ¡°Armor pene.¡± That same baritone voice echoed.

    Like thunder suddenly sounding on a peaceful day, sharp rounds stabbed into the dented cars. The poor cars rocked on their rims, holes opening up as machine gun fire showed very little mercy.

    Underneath the sound of the guns spitting came the distant sound of helicopter blades cutting through the night¡¯s breath. Their black exterior almost blended in if not for that single-eyed gaze illuminating everything in a sense of mockery.

    Lonnie picked up his rifle and carefully took aim at the lead black hawk. His finger squeezed on the trigger and almost surprising jerk into his shoulder tilted the front end a little to the left. He didn¡¯t fight hard to keep the rifle steady, nor did he focus on seeing his results. His second target in sights and he fired once more, allowing the natural recoil to adjust his next shot. Last round in the air and he caught the sudden nose-dive of the first target.

    ¡°Air support is down,¡± he whispered into the microphone sitting at the lips of his mask.

    The sound of machine guns unloading became backdrop music as Lonnie dismantled his rifle and stuck it within a case.

    ¡°Confirmed sighting of the senator. He¡¯s dead. Verification picture taken,¡± a female voice said.

    ¡°Retreat,¡± Captain Kent ordered.

    Lonnie lifted up the suitcase and ran across the roof of the building he was on. Two steps from the ledge, he bent his knees, and pushed off. Flying high over the ledge where a black metallic board walked under his feet. He landed in a squat and straightened up, the air around him distorted as the black board carried him across the horizon towards an above ground parking lot several blocks away.

    Laughing, he removed his mask and stepped off the board. He pulled out his car keys for the LZ series of Tynuon Sports cars, an orange, overlapping arrow-shaped car. The trunk flipped open and he placed the case and mask inside. Removing the black trench coat, along with many tools of the trade, only then did he drop down onto the driver seat. Sinking back to enjoy the tingles flushing through his exposed fingertips at the heat working to warm his body up.

    In the dark zone of his car, his phone lit up on the passenger seat. Smiling, he reached over, grabbed the glass rectangle, and pulled up the latest text message.

    He began leaving the garage when he heard the sounds of sirens floating past his location. The honking of ambulances and fire trucks seem to have liven up the unusually quiet streets of downtown.

    Shaking his head, he planned his route towards the gas station just before the entrance to Sun Valley Park. He pulled up behind a patrol car and leaned back as the street light turned from yellow to red.

    The cars ahead began moving and he joined the traffic. Surprisingly, against the weather report, it began to rain. He pulled into the gas station with a roof connecting to the front entrance. Even more unexpected, he saw one of his assistants stand outside holding a stick between her fingers. Raising his eyebrow, he walked over to Sally and who suddenly began to give him that dimple smile that always lit up the office.

    ¡°Evening, Mr. Winters,¡± she said.

    ¡°Why are you out this late?¡± He put his foot up on the curb and glanced at the rain pouring down.

    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    ¡°I needed to get some fresh air. Didn¡¯t expect it would just rain like this.¡± She waved the stick at the heavy downpour.

    ¡°Yeah, I didn¡¯t either. Do you want a ride home?¡±

    ¡°Yes, please.¡± She brushed her light brown hair back, giving more exposure to her oval face and the black stud in her left ear.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you sit inside and warm up?¡± He unlocked the car and turned the engine on. ¡°That..¡± He waved at her strapless, navy blue dress. ¡°Definitely can¡¯t be comfortable with this chill but you do look damn beautiful.¡±

    Sally pulled her handbag from under her armpit and trotted to the car. ¡°It¡¯s definitely cold but I can¡¯t smoke inside.¡± She disappeared into the car.

    Lonnie laughed, and went to buy the things Sabrina wanted.

    Upon returning to his car, he couldn¡¯t help but notice how clear her grey eyes were. She smiled with that check mark in her cheek and put her back to the door.

    ¡°Are you shopping this late,¡± she asked.

    ¡°My¡­¡± he paused as his phone lit up on the console. ¡°Girlfriend wanted me to pick it up on the way home but she went out to pick up her friend. Now she won¡¯t be home until the morning.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m surprised that you are actually serious with her. Most men like yourself have multiple women.¡±

    Lonnie''s eyebrows rose and he stopped sending a reply to Sabrina that he would drive around for a bit. ¡°You think I can¡¯t be faithful? Or is it that you are thinking it would be better if I wasn¡¯t at this time of night.¡± He glanced out the window and back at her.

    She held up her hands. ¡°Not saying it like that but I just assumed rich men who are also good looking like yourself. Wouldn¡¯t settle for one woman or may have two or more.¡±

    ¡°So you aren¡¯t hitting on me on a rainy night in my car with just the two of us.¡± He used the phone in his hand to point at both of them one after another, a couple of times.

    ¡°No, no, no.¡± She waved her hands but those kissable lips stayed sprayed out in a happy smile. ¡°I was just curious if you were that type of guy. You know office gossip.¡±

    Lonnie threw the car in reverse and rushed out into the street. ¡°So you gossip about my good looks and sexual life all the time? Like maybe my dick size?¡±

    She rolled her eyes. ¡°No, we haven¡¯t talked about your dick size. Just that you happen to be around a lot of pretty women and your girlfriend is red-bone who is nine.¡±

    ¡°Well, I am faithful but my girlfriend is Okay with me sleeping with women she designates as safe. So in a way, I have slept with other women but in threesomes.¡±

    ¡°Wow, I guess Lorraine was right.¡± Sally laughed after saying that, touching his arm. ¡°I couldn¡¯t possibly understand how she would allow that. I would be too selfish and keep you all to myself.¡±

    Stopping at a stop sign in H block, he threw her a wide grin. ¡°So you fantasize about me?¡±

    ¡°Is that where your mind went?¡±

    ¡°Where do you want my mind to go when you are looking that delectable?¡± He pulled into the F block and creeped down the street. ¡°Where is your house?¡±

    ¡°You think I look good?¡± She puffed up her cheeks, pouted her lips, and stuck out her chest. Only after catching him staring did she laugh and deflated, pointing two houses ahead. ¡°The one with the black prius.¡±

    ¡°Fishing for compliments. So low.¡± He chuckled and pulled in beside the prius, throwing the car into park.

    Rolling her eyes, she grabbed her purse off the dashboard. ¡°Didn¡¯t you do it first?¡±

    ¡°But I¡¯m narcissistic. It¡¯s normal for me to talk about myself. Not normal for you, little miss sunshine.¡±

    ¡°Wow,¡± She said, laughing. ¡°So I am curious. What made you¡­¡± She waved her hand at his body. ¡°Get big like this because I¡¯m not saying your previous look was better but everybody knows when you change and we can¡¯t quite agree on the why.¡±

    ¡°Sabrina started working out and she made me join. I took it a step further.¡± Lonnie shrugged.

    ¡°Definitely, took it far in a good way.¡± Her fingers clenched his arm.

    Headlights cut through the rain, highlighting the garage in front of them.  Sally glanced back and grabbed her handbag that slipped into her lap. She turned back to Lonnie who started smiling.

    ¡°Do you think he will come to the conclusion that we are sleeping together?¡± Lonnie winked and unlocked the door.

    ¡°You would want to see something like that happen, huh?¡±

    Instead of replying, he backed out of the driveway, allowing the grey sedan to pull in. He leaned into the backseat and pulled a hoodie out of his workout duffel bag.

    ¡°Here,¡± he said, handing it to her.

    ¡°Oh, a true gentleman with a penchant for causing trouble.¡± She giggled and pulled on the hoodie.

    ¡°Well, considering he¡¯s reaching for his gun and walking over. Of course, I will be asking for trouble.¡± Lonnie nodded out the window but the smile never left his eyes. ¡°See you tomorrow and don¡¯t forget to wash my hoodie. Don¡¯t want your cooties on it.¡±

    ¡°Right, cooties.¡± She rolled her eyes but still managed to hit him with heart damage with that smile. ¡°See you tomorrow, boss.¡±

    With those parting words, she disappeared into the rain. She ran straight past the brown-haired, pretty boy, right to the front porch. Leaving her husband to consider whether or not he should continue to the car.

    Not that Lonnie was going to give the poor schmuck a chance. He peeled out and stopped worrying about how the guy failed his relationship.

 7.2 - MG - I outta...

    Micheal kicked back from his computer and looked at the phone going wild on the mini-fridge. He picked it up and noticed it was Shannon calling at four in the morning.

    ¡°Bro, do you know what..¡± He trailed off.

    ¡°Get to the station right away.¡±

    The call hung up and Micheal scooted to his desktop. He quickly pulled up the news and couldn¡¯t help but fall back into his gaming chair.

    ¡°We don¡¯t know when it started but a little before three thirty. Reports of gunfire started coming in hot on the emergency line for the Police. Different major residential zones where only those with a certain wealth and social status can even think of buying a home.¡± The reporter''s eyes were wide open and they seemed to be hanging out the side of a van. ¡°This is Capitol Hill Manors. Home to our leading politicians with over two hundred and forty-eight security guards. As you can see from the bodies, they were hit hard and heavy. The dead stretch all the way back to the burning homes. As of yet, no confirmed survivors.¡±

    Micheal¡¯s brow tried to greet each other and he leaned forward, freezing the video. The bodies were riddle with holes but the most important factor is that the brick wall look like it was imported from a war zone. The front end look like a runny pile of sand with gaping eye holes. Burnt silhouette attached to some parts where the wall form a small cove.

    What the hell is going on? Why would anyone attack a bunch of officials and make the Government have to put a foot down?

    The wooden floors felt especially cold as he walked barefoot over them. However, he ignored the discomfort and rushed into his room. Forgoing the usual work clothes for jeans, a t-shirt, and dark blue jacket to go over it. Hopping a bit, he worked on his socks, and then boots. Throwing a glance at Sally who only took one look at him while in bed with a bag of chips.

    ¡°I have to head to work. Apparently, terrorists are making a point and attacking all the state officials.¡± He tried to engage her in a discussion on a point that both of them might be interested in.

    When he bent down to grab his badge that dropped, she didn¡¯t spare him a glance but focused on that phone. When he dropped a knee into bed and leaned over to peck her lips, she provided him with her cheeks and shooed him away.

    Instead of directly leaving like he probably would have. He stood there, twisting his badge between his fingers. ¡°Okay, I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on. What did I do that made you give me this kind of treatment?¡±

    Sally lowered her phone and the dimpled smile faded quicker than a buzz. ¡°What makes you think you did something? Could it not be that I¡¯m just not feeling well?¡±

    Not feeling well? What the fuck kind of bullshit is this? You go out in the rain when you are not feeling well? Even if you got caught out, why didn¡¯t you call me to pick you up? How about you come up with a better lie?

    Taking a deep breath, Micheal stepped back to the bed and leaned against it. ¡°Sally, I¡¯m trying to be a respectable person but if you are going to lie to my face. Then I think our relationship needs to be put into a proper category.¡±

    Sally raised an eyebrow, and put the chip she was just about to eat back into the bag. ¡°What kind of place do you think is proper then? Because I¡¯m kind of tired of this jealous bullshit you have going on.¡± She tossed the covers off her legs, and threw herself off the bed. ¡°When I want to go hang out with my girls you give me a thousands fucking questions like I¡¯m so suspect in an interrogation room. But when it''s you going out with your co-workers, you don¡¯t even hear me bitching, huh? So you can go fuck right off with your proper category!¡±

    She stormed off without another word and he stood there feeling baffled. How is asking where you are going in a dress that doesn¡¯t even go down to her knees a bad thing? Matter of fact, why does she need to show off her body when she has me at home? What man would allow his woman or even want his woman to act single?

    ¡°Fuck,¡± Micheal said, running a hand through his hair.

    Without any idea on what to say, he could only go downstairs, and grabbed his keys. Leaving without fixing probably wasn¡¯t the best idea but everything he wanted to say might make it worse.

    The sky didn¡¯t even have a chance to stop and stretch but the streets were oddly silent. He passed through five checkpoints to his station. The underground parking lot sat packed to the point he had to go to the fourth underground floor just to find a parking spot. Many of his pals were sipping on coffee from steaming mugs.

    As he waited in line, he texted Shannon who shouldn¡¯t have gone home last night. The guy hated being home during dark when his kids were all but ready to sleep, thus taking graveyard shifts. The good thing is he never missed picking them up from school, taking them out to play in the park, and recitals.

    Shannon: Bro, shit is about to get hard for you guys. Nineteen dead officials plus their families. Half that number are big time judges, businessmen, and the last half are officials who are pushing a new bill for an increase in street surveillance to cut down on crimes. Which include drones, more street cameras per zone, reducing privatized Internet, and mobile version.

    Micheal: Then that means they must know who is exactly doing this. Which group is most affected by this plan?

    Shannon: The list of privatized military companies to major IT companies. Not to mention various organized crime groups, and who knows how many other groups that don¡¯t rightly prefer the government having that much control.

    Micheal: It should be only this state, right? Giving our resources, we should be able to cut that all down.

    Micheal stepped into the pack elevator with someone that smelled like they sprayed cologne on with a hose.

    Shannon: And that is the problem. It happens in over several states and even the President suffers a fatal attack, losing nearly 80 plus national guardsmen before the tanks repel the invaders. Apparently, superhumans are the cause. Someone caught the attackers repulsing a live tank round.

    ¡°Wow,¡± he mumbled, and stepped off the elevator.

    He quickly made his way to the armorer where the guys had the vault wide open and handed out the weapons. While another line signed for it. This shit is bad when they breach protocol just to expedite getting people out there.

    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

    It didn¡¯t take long to grab his weapon, sign, and move with the traffic towards the main room. The moment he walked into the Homicide department, everybody was standing around the center board. Captain Page stood with a coffee in an extra large mug, in hand. He looked like he didn¡¯t want to be here at all.

    ¡°Now that majority of us are here. I¡¯ll get to the point.¡± Captain Page pointed at the big screens. ¡°We have a mission passed down by the higher-ups. Our division will be working on identifying any leads that the Winter-war Security firm is involved in this matter. Any and all former cases you have will be transferred to Lt. Shannon Briggs and his team.¡±

    Someone raised their hand. ¡°Sir, I don¡¯t mean to say something stupid but the firm doesn¡¯t issue it members out to outsiders. They have a strict vetting system to bring in people to whatever club the upper echelon have. And each and every member is spread out between the various Companies under D. Winter Industries.¡±

    ¡°Your point,¡± Captain Page asked, crossing his arms again.

    ¡°My point is that even if we investigate their financial status, we will not be able to pinpoint who could have participated in this kind of thing. Underneath the Winter corp is a series of privatized companies such as Someone''s Energy, Kilburn Acoustics, Winter-war Security, Snow-cloud Casino, Coldfire Biotech, and new gaming company.¡± The black-haired guy pushed up his glasses.

    ¡°How do you know this? I don¡¯t remember any of their files hitting my desk.¡± Captain Page glanced at a lady beside him in a pencil skirt who shook her head.

    ¡°My husband works inside of HQ for the entire thing. He is one of the accountants and he, often, bitch about the various bonuses for performance that the various companies get. Definitely the security guards who stop minor issues from affecting business.¡±

    Shannon raised his hand. ¡°How much does your husband make?¡±

    The black-haired man turned to Shannon. ¡°376 thousand a year without counting the various bonuses he gets for finding money-making opportunities for various employees. They have recently made an investment that increased the retirement funds of all the employees and received a hundred and fifty thousand bonus directly. This is why I say it is impossible to find out if they were involved or not.¡±

    Captain Page rubbed his bald chin. ¡°So what you are telling me is that all folks in the Finance division are paid well during this period? That majority of the security guards are hit with bonuses that could add up to the bonus that those Finance fucks have?¡±

    ¡°Shit, I¡¯m in the wrong job,¡± someone muttered, near Micheal.

    ¡°Exactly, and I don¡¯t need to mention how much potential harm comes to Actors, right?¡±

    Shannon snorted. ¡°Fuck, you guys will have it hard. I just researched the company net-worth, 11 billion dollars, and that is before their latest product is scheduled to be released in six months. Also they put out a contract to turn Glover bluff into a compound. Eight different reports on what it could mean for that wasteland.¡±

    Micheal shook his head. You really have to tease them when we don¡¯t have it good.

    ¡°Shut up, LT,¡± Cpt. Page barked. ¡°Go handle those old cases. I want to see ten being completed per week!¡±

    Shannon chuckled and motioned towards his guys to move back to a side office that was set up much like the main floor. Cubicles surrounding a white board.

    ¡°Boss, I think you are going to hate this case,¡± Edward pointed at the three curved screens above the white-boards. ¡°The husband came home, he put his keys on the table in the hallway, and some kind of animal ripped him apart. There is no DNA evidence anywhere in the house from the broken patio door to the mess found in front of the door. Not a single evidence that is common of someone who should have been attacked by a vicious animal.¡±

    Shannon walked over and snatched a file off his desk, dropping his ass on the edge. ¡°What the fuck? Is all of them in some way similar to this?¡±

    ¡°No, but that is what is odd. The others have some kind of missing items like kitchen knife, fabric on the stairs, footprints, but just three are so clean but messy.¡± Edward pulled up three scenes which were too graphic to speak on.

    Micheal rubbed his chin and opened a file resting on the edge of his desk. ¡°This doesn¡¯t make sense. Animals are messy eaters and they wouldn¡¯t clean up their lost fur or paw prints. With that much blood, it should be impossible not to step into it.¡±

    ¡°This is why I said he will hate this case. It¡¯s not something a human could do.¡± Edward pushed up his glasses and sat down, spinning left and right.

    ¡°Could this be one of those genetic mutations,¡± Philip asked, biting on a jerky.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Shannon tossed the file down and crossed his arms but he didn¡¯t have the Captain mass.

    Philip scratched his forearm. ¡°Well, a few years ago, there were a bunch of reports and videos on wildlife becoming stronger and fiercer than they were before. Not allowing anything within their much larger territories. However, six months later, all this disappeared. A few fearless reporters discovered the government testing some kind of drug on convicts with life and no families.¡±

    Micheal rolled his eyes. ¡°Are you saying our government is responsible?¡±

    Phillip shook his head. ¡°No, there are private organizations that have been doing similar tests but the amount of secrecy increases after those reporters ousts a small research group. Which led me to think about the number of reports in the sandbox recently. Very violent assaults with minimum casualties on the attackers side. Unusually given they went against a bunker enemy that wasn¡¯t trash.¡±

    Shannon rubbed his chin and paced in front of his desk. ¡°We possibly have a mutated entity killing people. It could possibly escape from some research center. Find out which ones are close¡­¡±

    ¡°Ironic but Coldfire Biotech research lab is within twenty miles of this scene. The only other is a government operated research approved by the Senator that got murked in the middle of the street,¡± Nancy said.

    ¡°How the hell do you know that?¡± Shannon turned to her.

    ¡°They released some plants and fruits that are amazing. Not only that but they developed a certain degree of hair and facial products that have won awards. However, I don¡¯t believe they are working with mutated humans due to the fact that the health part of the government does inspections. Not to mention you can go online and watch drones follow some of their lead scientists who are involved in various projects.¡± Nancy looked a little excited.

    Micheal leaned forward a little, squinting his eyes. Her slightly chubby cheeks did look a little like she applied a pink hue. Her lips were definitely not that red and her eyes couldn¡¯t have been that dark. Her hair was ultra light brown that almost fell into the category of blond.

    ¡°Are you wearing some of their make-up now,¡± he asked.

    Nancy rolled her eyes. ¡°Also, they don¡¯t need to fumble with genetic testing when they supply their flora products to various other labs. Not to mention they are working on a biofuel that is beyond safe for the environment. Their upper echelons use it on a day to day basis.¡±

    Shannon took a deep breath and turned to the map that Edward pulled up of the animal killings. ¡°So if Philip is right and testing is being done on humans, transforming them into raging monsters. I think it is more likely that the government is up to the task. Let¡¯s do a walk-through of their facilities. Get a feel for how the scientists are being worked. Pay attention to the securities staff. I want to know if any of them are behaving similar to movie werewolves or animals.¡± He grabbed his coat off the back of the chair and headed towards the door.

    Oh, boy. Micheal followed him out the door. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we get a warrant before we begin?¡±

    Shannon put a finger to his lips. ¡°Yes, I am on my way now. We need a warrant to just walk-through and take a peek at their research data. Just to confirm they are not running tests that could possibly make super soldiers that are killing on our streets like this morning.¡±

    Shannon jabbed the elevator door like an impatient toddler.

    The rest of the crew huddle behind us looking a little too excited.

    ¡°I promise we are just taking a look around. Won¡¯t go where they say we can¡¯t and only want the overall data.¡± Shannon rushed onto the elevator and began a repeat performance. ¡°Roger, sir. Thanks you for your time.¡±

    ¡°Got the warrant,¡± Micheal asked.

    ¡°Of course,¡± Shannon said, smirking.