“No, but they’ve kept their distance because they don’t want to be too obvious. Apparently Cummings’ lawyer has seen them before and approached them once.”
“That guy is bold.”
“Yeah, I don’t know what his problem is, but scum clings together.”
“You’ve got that right.”
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to head home and see my beautiful wife before check on my hands.”
Alex stood and walked around his desk to escort his friend out. “Good man.” He clapped Gage’s back with a chuckle. “Take it easy.”
“Always.” They shook hands, and Gage left the station. The second he stepped into the fresh spring breeze a violent frenzy came over him. Standing not three feet in front of him was Baxter Cummings.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” he roared, closing the distance within seconds.
“Whoa, stay back there, cowboy, or I’ll have you arrested,” Cummings’s lawyer, Dallas Sparks, said, dashing between the two men and shoving at Gage’s chest.
Cummings leaned around his lawyer to goad Gage. “What’s the matter, Gibson? By law, I’m not allowed to leave the state. It just so happens Texas is a big fucking state.”
He winked at Gage, nearly sending him over the edge. Alex Savage rushed out just in time and grabbed his friend’s shoulders. “Calm your ass down. He’s not worth it.”
“He’s not worth the air he breathes.” Gage’s voice dripped with venom. He’d gladly choke the life out of Cummings in broad daylight if he could get away with it.
Other officers came running out of the building to keep it safe. “We all know that, but it’s not good to be arrested and give this fucker a reason to have the case dismissed. I’m sure that’s what he’s looking for.”
Brushing past Alex, Cummings turned toward Gage; smiling, he continued his antagonizing. “On your way back to the ranch? While you’re at it, say hello to my daughter and grandson. I’d love to meet the boy.” Gage lurched forward only to be stopped by Alex and two other officers, and they could barely hold him back.
Cummings laughed, clearly loving the fact that he could get to Gage so easily. He stood at the top of the stairs just outside the door and added, “You better control your temper. I see a domestic violence charge in your future. Poor Hope. Mixing herself up with a violent man.” He winked at Gage and then walked inside the sheriff’s office.
“Damn it, Gage. You need to cool it,” Alex ground out through his teeth as he held his buddy back. Their little spat caught the attention of a reporter who lurked outside of the office, hoping for a scoop. Alex whispered, “There’s a reporter in a car just across the street. Get your ass together.”
Through clenched teeth, he grunted, “You heard that fucker. He’s going to come after them.” Gage had never been so full of rage that he actually considered murder in public, even if it was broadcast around the world.
“I heard, but he didn’t actually make a threat, so there’s nothing we can do.” He knew Alex had a point, no matter how much he wanted to smash Baxter Cummings’s head in. As soon as he left, Gage would hit the gun range.
“Forget about tomorrow unless we have it at my place,” he told Alex. There was no way in hell he felt it was safe to leave Hope unprotected so he could go out and gamble.
“That could work.”
“Let go of me. I’m all good. I need to go home to my family.” Despite having Cummings feet from him, he wouldn’t risk being arrested just to get only a punch in because he was certain they’d stop him before he got in more than one.
“Are you sure?” the other officer asked. He felt the seething hatred running through Gage.
“Yes. I promise to behave.” When they released their grip on him, Gage straightened his clothes and took a deep breath. Alex and the other officers stepped back to give him a little room, but they kept their eyes on him. The two uniformed officers moved to the door, guarding it just in case Gage wanted to run back up the stairs toward Cummings.
“Let me know if you want to have it at your place. We’ll need room to bunk up, but I’m sure the guys will be up for it.”
“Nah, keep the game at your place. I’m not going to disrupt the gathering with my foul mood. I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on the game anyway.”
“Yeah, you’d make an easy mark. You should host,” Alex teased.
“Nah. Besides, I need some time to seduce my wife.” He wagged his brows, trying to calm himself down before he took off, but it didn’t work. Driving when pissed was never a good idea, and he was most definitely pissed.
“Seduce? Isn’t baby number two still in the oven?”
“Yep, and I want another ten more.” He winked at Alex. The thought of filling Hope up with more babies turned him on more than most would understand. Gage felt a primal, feral need to procreate.
“I’m thinking she won’t go for that.”