Free Framed by CP Smith Page B

years since he’d had a chance to bust D’s balls over something, and kissing Harley was as good a reason as any to keep the big man off-balance.
    “You tell her father to keep Harley out of this.”
    “I don’t think you need to worry about that. Papa bear was all over the kiss .” Prez nodded towards D. “And now that we’re in town, he’s happy to let us take lead.”
    Kade sat back, looked at his friends, and took in a slow, deep breath. A breath, he hadn’t been able to pull into his lungs for two years. A grin began to pull across his face as the weight he’d been carrying since the day he was arrested started to ease.
    “Damn, but it’s good to see you both.”
    “Been too long, my brother. But know this, King. We’ve got your back; we aren’t leaving until you’re free. You have my word on that.”
    Kade reached out his hand, then Prez did the same and they clapped their hands together. It was a show of unity, of camaraderie, of respect.
    “Jesus, all this touchy feely shit is making me itchy to kill something . . . or maim at the very least,” D blurted out.
    “Then get to work, boys,” Kade ordered, looking at both men. “Somewhere out there are three unknowns who need to be found, detained, and preferably brought to me for a little attitude adjustment. However, seeing as I’m in here for the duration, I’ll settle for a room with bars.”
    “Speaking of a room with bars, Harley said she thought you were in danger,” Prez questioned.
    “Nothin’ I can’t handle.”
    “You got any clue who’s marked you?”
    “Nope. But like I said, I can handle it.”
    “See that you do,” D jumped in. “I may be sterile after the nut hold you just gave me. I’d hate to think I’ve deprived the world of little D’s for nothing if you turn up dead by some gangbanger.”
    “I did the world a favor,” Kade grinned, letting D off the hook for now. Of course, when he walked out of this stink hole a free man—all bets were off. He wouldn’t soon forget D had done the one thing he’d dreamed about doing most of his adult life.
    Taking a deep breath, he stood from the table and put out his hand to D.
    “Does this mean I’m forgiven?”
    “Do I seem like the forgiving sort?”
    “Fuck, man. At least give me fair warning, will ya?”
    “Where’s the fun in that?” Prez chuckled, knowing D would sweat bullets wondering when Kade’s retaliation would come for kissing Harley.
    “Time to get to work and get me out of this hellhole,” Kade said as he clapped one then the other on the back. “To the fuckin’ pain,” Kade hissed low. “Find these bastards and teach them a lesson. No one messes with a SEAL and gets away with it.”
    “Amen, my brother. To the fuckin’ pain,” Prez growled.
     
    ***
    I never paid much attention to Renault Correctional Facility until I knew Kade was inside for a crime he didn’t commit. Sitting in my car, taking in the gray walls and high fences with razor wire, it seemed more ominous than it had in the years since I’d started working here. Against my father’s advice, I’d decided to drive up on my day off and speak with John Hinkle about moving Kade from his current cellblock. I had no doubt Kade had said nothing to the guards about the attack and intended to handle it on his own. However, that seemed risky to me and since I had the ear of the prison councilor, I intended to use any pull I had to get him moved until Prez and Mickey could set him free.
    Making my way from the parking lot, I caught sight of Prez and Mickey leaving. Both men smiled when they saw me and we stopped to greet each other on the sidewalk.
    “Why are you walking funny?” I asked Mickey as he made his way towards me. He was lumbering awkwardly like a cowboy fresh off a horse.
    “Nothing I want to talk about,” he answered with a grin.
    “Did you have a wild night?” I teased.
    “Attitude adjustment,” Prez threw in chuckling.
    “Drop it, princess,” Mickey sighed. “What