Page 9 of Iced Out

For a split second, Clint was sure the Egyptian would choke the man to death, but he wasn’t surprised when he released his grip. These men would not get the easy “out” after what they’d done. They would be given the chance to contemplate their transgressions… and feel remorse.

Cochise clutched the front of the man’s shirt, jerked him forward, and head-butted him with the force of a battering ram. The man dropped to the asphalt, limp and unconscious.

The other officer shrank away from the large man. “It wasn’t me… it was all him—”

Cochise dropped him with a fist to the skull. “Let’s get them loaded up,” he muttered. “And get out of here.”

Cruz waved his men into action, and the two officers were restrained, gagged, and loaded into the trunks of their cars.

“I’ll drive the Durango,” Sanchez said. “We’ll make sure it disappears.”

Clint nodded as the Spaniard walked to the officers’ vehicle and slid into the driver’s seat. Clint returned to the SUV with Cochise, who made a quick call to Kane to let him know Tae was safe and on his way home.

“We got to him in time,” Clint said when they were on their way, noting the tension on the Egyptian’s face and understanding it too well.

“Barely,” Cochise mumbled.

“Saved at the last minute is still saved,” Clint said, his tone morose. “Trust me, it beats being a split second too late.”

Cochise glanced at him; he understood the cowboy as well—fully aware of the guilt Clint carried for the times he had been too late.

“You okay?” The Mustang sped along the highway as if the car were as eager to get Tae home as the driver himself.

“I guess,” Tae whispered.

“It’s okay if you’re not,” Rodriguez said. “No one expects you to be. What happened would’ve frightened anyone.”

Tae stared at his lap, relieved to be going home, yet feeling… hollow, too.

“You can talk to me,” Rodriguez murmured. “You don’t have to pretend with me.” He cleared his throat. “I know what it’s like to try to convince people you’re okay when…” He swallowed. “When you’re… not.”

Wiping his eyes, Tae sniffed and lifted his head. “I wanted to be brave like my dad,” he whispered. “But I wasn’t.” Tears welled. “I was… I was so scared.” He absently rubbed the abrasions on his wrists. “My dad is so strong… nothing scares him.”

“You’re wrong,” Rodriguez said quietly. “Some things scare him.” He glanced at the boy. “You being in danger scared him. When anyone he loves is in danger, it scares him. Clint, too. All of us.”

“But he doesn’t let it weaken him.” Tae’s chin trembled. “Why does he want me for his son? I’m so… weak… and afraid.” Tae pressed his lips tight and ducked his head, tears rolling down his face.

“You’re sixteen,” Rodriguez said. “At sixteen, any of us would’ve been scared by what happened to you. Even your dad.” He reached over and affectionately cupped the back of Tae’s head. “He wants you as his son because you’re an awesome kid. Anyone would be lucky to have you as their son.”

Tae lowered his eyes. “My real dad didn’t want me,” he whispered. “He left me at an orphanage in Korea. It was a bad place. They did bad things to the kids. They sold me to a bad man who brought me here.”

“I’m sorry,” Rodriguez murmured. “Those things shouldn’t have happened to you. They shouldn’t happen to any kid.”

Tae sniffed. “I’m glad they brought me here. I-I hated the Blue Grotto… and what those men did to me… but my dad found me there.” His throat worked as he looked at Rodriguez, tears in his eyes. “I wouldn’t have my family now if I hadn’t been there.” He looked away. “But I don’t know why he saved me. No one saw me. I was just… a faceless body to be used.”

“You weren’t faceless to Cochise,” Rodriguez said softly. “He saw you, and you mattered to him. Leaving you in that horrible place wasn’t an option for him. Your biological dad may not have wanted you, but your real dad does.”

“My real dad?” Tae trembled.

“He loves you as his own flesh and blood, and would do anything to protect you.” Rodriguez smiled small. “That’s a real dad.”

His words helped fill the hollow space inside Tae. “I… I told them my dad would kill them,” he whispered.

“The men who took you today?”

Tae nodded.

“What did they say?”