High Stakes Gamble Read Online Free

man.
    “As much as I’d like to believe that you’ve come to see me personally, I know better. What’s on your mind?”
    “You do know me too well, Bob. I’ve come to enquire about Kai Lawson. He left my precinct in Vegas after the Rhondo shooting over eleven months ago saying he needed time and that he’d check back. I’ve called, sent e-mails and since I was in town, I went to his address and he’s not there anymore.”
    “Why do you want to see him?” The older man’s thick eyebrows met above a frown that made rookies shake in their boots. It had had that effect on Cory back in the day when he’d called this tough guy Sarge.
    “It’s personal.”
    “Nothing’s personal with my men. Lawson’s gone through a tough time lately. The man will be receiving a special commendation for his outstanding bravery. He went above and beyond. Therefore, I’d stand in the way of anyone messing with him right now, even you.”
    Cory’s ears perked up and he relaxed the tightness in his shoulders and inched back from the righteous indignation that swept him every time he thought of the prick. He’d come prepared to play whatever hand necessary to get to the guy and beat the crap out of him. A punishment well deserved in Cory’s estimation.
    Playing fast and loose with a cop like Aurora Morelli, not to mention that Aurora was one of Cory’s best friends, then leaving her pregnant and heartsick was as low as a man could go.
    It would satisfy the revengeful devil in him to punch the guy’s lights out. Not that he’d mention any of this to the keen-eyed man across from him. Especially after the Captain’s last statement.
    “I need to understand, Bob. Trust me. It’s really important.” He suffered the other’s gimlet-eyed gaze and didn’t back down one iota. This had to be settled… now!
    “Fine. I’ll tell you what I know but only because you look like a man itching for a fight. What I have to share might change your mind.”
    He passed a steaming, strong scented mug of coffee to Cory and set his own down on the table across. Hitching up his pant legs, he sat in the chair opposite.
    “When Lawson first came back to L.A. all fucked up, his words not mine, his dilemma took him to one of the seedier nightclubs in town to drown his sorrows. While there, the stepson of a kingpin, an Italian gang we’ve had our sights on for a long time, happened to drop in to the same place. Cutting to the chase, Lawson saved the guy’s life. Stepped into a fight, took down four men to rescue the jerk and won daddy’s deepest appreciation.”
    “Must have pissed you off to have one of yours behaving so irresponsibly.” Cory stopped the chuckle after seeing the straight expression on the hard face of the man across from him. “And…?”
    “Our boys were new and they didn’t recognize him as one of ours, so along with the other drunks; they pulled him in for disturbing the peace, assault and a few other misdemeanours.” Captain Powers stopped to take a sip of coffee.
    Hmmm. This was getting more and more interesting. Cory also sipped the hot brew and watched the captain organize his thoughts before continuing.
    “I happened to be in late that night and became aware of the unusual circumstances surrounding his arrest. You must understand, we’d been trying to infiltrate that bunch for quite some time and Lawson’s behaviour that night had given us the most opportune break we’ve had to date.”
    Cory slammed down his mug. “You set him up!”
    “I gave him a chance to do his job.” Hard and biting, the man revealed his authority in his piercing tone.
    Cory looked away and took a deep breath, releasing the burning indignation that had blown up on behalf of the man he’d once loved and called friend. Forced to admit that as mad as he was at Kai, dammit, he still cared about the stupid bastard, he stroked the rage to keep in under control.
    “What happened?”
    “The mob lawyered him up and bailed him out, along with