Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“Are you stereotyping me because I’m Asian?”
“Yep.”
This time Jae smiled. “I like your honesty.”
“You’re pretty direct, aren’t you?”
A shadow passed over Jae’s face and he looked away. “With most things, yes.”
Z eyed him. “So why aren’t you onstage with the boys tonight? I saw how fast you picked up the routine after the first run-through, but you let Hop take the spot.”
Jae looked back at him. “He seemed desperate for the chance.”
“Bleeding heart, are you?”
“Do you consider kindness a weakness?”
“Isn’t it?”
Jae shook his head. “You must have lived a very difficult life.”
“You haven’t?” He didn’t know why he was still standing here talking, but there was something about this guy. He seemed so confident onstage. He had a swagger to his walk and a lift to his delicate chin that screamed tenacity. Offstage his eyes held so much self-possession you might think he was thirty years older than he actually was.
Z had heard the term old soul before, but he’d never really understood it until now.
Jae made a humming sound. “Yes, I suppose in certain ways my life has been difficult, but it has also been simple.”
“Seriously, you sound like a fortune cookie, yin and yang, wax fucking on and wax fucking off.” Z rolled his eyes.
“Keep trying and you’ll eventually land on a stereotype from my country.”
“You mean you’re not a flying ninja?”
Jae laughed. “Not all Asians practice martial arts.”
“Oh, I thought you were going to say not all Asians can fly.”
“Of course we can fly, that should go without saying.”
Z smiled. “So where are you from then?”
“Seoul, Korea.”
“Well damn, all I know about Korea is bulgogi and kimchi.”
Jae tipped his head. “If you can know nothing else, those are two wonderful things.”
“There’s a really amazing restaurant not far from my place. They make the best kimchi.”
“I haven’t had good Korean barbecue since I left Seoul.” His tone grew wistful.
“That sucks. Maybe we can go together once my ankle is better.” Even as the words left his mouth Z was surprised at himself. He’d started this conversation in an effort to intimidate the new guy and make sure his place in the Sassy Boyz was made clear. He hadn’t intended to make a new friend. But Jae had a dry sense of humor that called to Z’s sarcasm like they were long-lost cousins and he wanted to get to know the guy better.
Even if he was taking Z’s place temporarily.
Jae’s smile was small. “I’d like that,” he said.
“For tonight, drink with me?” Z asked.
Jae glanced at Z’s ankle. “You sure that’s a good idea?”
Just then the DJ’s voice announced the Sassy Boyz and they turned to watch the others take their places onstage.
“I’ve got enough people telling me what’s good for me. I don’t need another one,” Z said.
Jae was still watching the stage but he nodded. “Same.”
“So, let’s make a deal. I’ll keep my nose out of your business if you’ll keep your nose out of mine.”
Jae’s shoulders visibly relaxed right before he turned and held out his hand.
* * *
“Why are you still here, Boy Scout?”
Connelly looked up from the pile of paperwork on his desk.
“Could ask you the same question, Jensen. Avoiding your wife again?”
The older detective laughed and rubbed his potbelly. “Mother-in-law is visiting from Florida for the week. Can’t stand the bitch.”
Connelly nodded. “In-laws, right?” Like he had a fucking clue.
“What are you gonna do though?” Jensen asked. “Wife’s a keeper so...” He trailed off for a second.
“Sure. Sure.” Connelly fiddled with the folder he’d been working to give the guy a hint. He hated making small talk with the other guys on the force. He never knew what to say, always afraid that every word out of his mouth would paint him as The Queer and get him into the same shit he and Raoul had escaped three months ago.
Unfortunately, Jensen didn’t get a clue and settled down on the corner of Connelly’s desk like he was going to stay for a while.
“What are you and Barnes working on now?”
“A string of B&Es, a couple thefts, and a shooting over near Poor Richard’s Playground.”
“Shit, that’s smack dab in East Army territory, isn’t it?”
Connelly sighed. “Yeah, we’re pretty sure it’s gang related. Fingerprints on a 9mm gave us an ID so we’re trying to track the kid down. Fucking 15 years old, man. We don’t know if he’s the one who’s been shot or did the shooting but either way, it’s not good for him.”
“It’s always tough when they are so young.”
Connelly nodded. “So what’s on your plate?”
“Palmer and me just closed an assault and battery.”
“Yeah, I heard about that. Nice work.”
Jensen picked up a manila file and opened it. Connelly just barely stopped himself from snatching it back with a snarl like a fucking rabid dog protecting his only food source.
“Can I help you with something?” he asked, not hiding his irritation.