CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
The energy in the house was thick as they all prepared for the sting they were doing in about an hour. They'd spent nearly two weeks training, and everyone in the house, including Jeremy and Rani, had learned how to do everything from make sure a site was secure, prepare a countermeasure kit for their car and use it, and also how to secure and punish both male and female pedophiles. They'd spent hours on the gun range practicing, which D loved. Colorado was much more gun friendly than California and the resources and range options were great in the area. He'd also sat down alone with each team member and talked to them about what they were feeling. Until he could find a therapist to work with the team, he would have to take the job. He wanted to make sure everyone was handling things okay.
He was confident they were ready. He would go with Jessica on the first few stings, letting her learn what to do, then once they were both sure she was ready, he'd rotate nights with her according to her availability.
Rani was as ready as he could be. D had thought that Beau's medical room was impressive, but Rani had gone beyond that. It had everything in it. Some of the stuff D couldn't pronounce, had never heard of, and honestly wondered what they could need it for, but if Rani wanted it, he could have it. Whatever kept them safe and alive. As prepared as he was, Rani was the one person D hoped wouldn't be working all night.
It was impossible not to be excited. Where the new team members were nervous, and he dared say somewhat scared, he was ecstatic to get back out there. He missed the rush of taking these assholes down. Cautious, but not nervous, he focused on making sure they had everything they would need.
"Jessica, did you get everything?" He glanced over at her as she pulled her hair back in a ponytail.
"Yeah, I think so." She glanced at him, unsure.
"Name it off." D glanced down, making sure the burner phone he was about to put in his pocket had a full charge.
"String, knife, flashlight, syringe, zip ties, torch, baggie, lockpick, and tubing." She felt around in her pockets. "My phone is there by you."
D nodded. "Gloves?"
"Shit." Jessica turned and rushed out of the room to grab them.
D smiled. This was why they did things together the first few times. He needed everything to be habit for them, each step natural.
"Here ya go." Jeremy walked in, handing him a thumb drive. "You be careful out there."
"I will be. I'll be home before you know it." D stuffed the drive into his pocket before reaching out and pulling Jeremy close. "I have more reason than ever to come back safe." He kissed him softly, then groaned as Jeremy deepened the kiss.
"You're going to get DNA all over the place," Jessica teased as she walked back in.
D ignored her, taking his time to kiss Jeremy goodbye. When he pulled away, he took a deep breath. "You know what I need when I get back, right?"
Jeremy smiled. "I'll be ready for you."
D loved that Jeremy was okay with the fact that he wanted to fuck after every sting. He wasn't sure Jeremy understood his need, but he seemed more than willing to go along with it. Since their talk, things had been good. They'd spent most nights together at one or the other's house, only staying at the STK house twice when Jeremy had been up late working on the computer.
D worried that he wasn't going to be good in a relationship. He had no clue what to do. He'd watched his friends date, but this was him. He wasn't anything special. He was just some fucked up kid who'd gotten lucky he hadn't killed himself growing up. The thought had been there, and he'd even tried a couple times. His past was a disaster until Bryon had stopped him and Xander from trying to murder Xander's father. That was the day everything had changed. The day he'd joined STK and found a purpose for his life, a vent for his anger and pain.
"You guys be safe. I'd rather not dirty the med room any time soon." Rani walked into the kitchen.
"Yeah, I'd rather you keep it clean as well." D glanced over at Jessica. "Got your mask?"
"In my pocket." Jessica nodded.
"Okay, guys, we'll message you before we go in and as soon as we get out. You guys know what to do if anything goes wrong, but it won't. You guys have been amazing helping us get all this ready. Without a team, none of this would happen." He looked around the room. "Let's go save some kids."
"And take down some pedofucks!" Jessica grinned.
D gave Jeremy a quick kiss, then triple checked he had everything he needed. With a nod from Jessica, the two of them headed out the door.
D let Jessica drive. She knew the area better than he did. When she'd offered, he was more than okay letting her take the wheel. "You holding up okay?"
"You mean other that wanting to vomit all over myself? Yeah, I'm good." She glanced over at him. "I'll be fine. It's just the fear of getting caught that has my nerves on edge."
"That's easy to solve. We don't get caught."
"Says the man who just busted out of jail after being caught."
D shrugged. "But how many times before that didn't I get caught? I'm the one who should be nervous. They'll bust you out if you get locked up. I've used my one get out of jail free card. Seriously, this is an easy location. The nearest neighbor is over half a block away, and the man is careless about his security. We'll be in and out in no time."
