Brian was sitting in a bar in Miami. It was kind of perfect for his mood, dirty and out of the way. It was the type of place where no patron was interested in another patrons business. Everyone was there because they all really needed a drink and people would let others be. Of course, it was also the place where a fight could and would erupt at the drop of a hat.
He was glad as all he wanted to do was drown in his Corona. He wasn't stupid enough to get roaring drunk as he needed to have his wits about him. He couldn't be on the run and worried about what he said when he didn't have full control over his tongue.
He liked sitting at the corner of the bar; he could watch everyone and also close to the backdoor and a quick exit. Well it was a potential quick exit when you had a Skyline parked right by it. His musings were stirred by the smart dressed man walking through the door. He was hot in the attractive, arrogant I've got more money and class than you'll ever have way. It didn't hurt that he was easy on the eye as well.
Brian's cop instincts kicked in and he could guess that he was here, in this bar up to no good. That was one of the more awkward things since leaving LA. He'd see people breaking the law or enough that they made him suspicious, but he had no mandate to act. And really, when everything boiled down to it - Did he really have the right to throw stones?
He didn't so he just sat back and watched what was probably a shady deal go down. He had no idea that Carter Verone was the undisputed No 1 crime lord of Miami. Now the person he was meeting was a walking cliché down to the white suit, massive gold chain and an open black shirt. Someone couldn't scream drug dealer more if they tried.
Brian looked away; it wasn't his business. He would drink and then go back to the houseboat he was renting. Life worked better that way and he kept his head down. However there was something that made him look again. He couldn't explain it then and years later when quizzed he would still be unable to explain why.
Brian watched as he sent away dumb and dumber which was a bold move. Too bold as he spied the hardware the walking cliché was wearing. It would be a shame for hot guy to die because he got shot in the back. He shouldn't care; it was clear that the guy wasn't purer than snow but there was something about blue eyes that made Brian want to intervene. Yet Brian sensed that he was someone who could handle himself so he went back to his Corona.
Brian kept watching the other patrons of the bar and he saw a shit storm developing. One of the pool had not looked where his pool cue was and smacked it against the dart player. Sadly the dart player was just taking his shot and he missed. Just as Brian predicted the guy went for the pool player's throat. Brian quickly sidestepped the beginning of the fight, showing a precision of balance that he should have been lacking if he was drunk. Of course, in the age old tradition of all rough pubs, the friends of the friends got involved and soon it was a free for all.
The irony was that Brain knew how to keep his looks thanks to a friend in Barstow - not his cop training. Sometime, you had to learn that fights didn't have rules apart from win, and win quickly. Don't ask his reasons but he decided to help blue eyes. It wasn't hard to get around to blue eyes, mainly because he was light on his feet. When he did get to blue eyes, the walking cliché was actually pointing a gun at his blue eyes. The semi-automatic in blue eyes own hand meant to say at least he wasn't truly disadvantaged. However in his experience on the force; he'd never seen a Mexican standoff end well.
Brian, showing why he was known to be just the wrong side of crazy broke the standoff with a cry, "Hey Medallion man."
The man in question turned around, swinging the gun with him - only Brian was bringing the pool queue down on his head as he turned. Medallion man crumpled in a heap on the floor, and was kicked by the brawlers - Brian didn't look just grabbed blue eyes hand and pulled him to the back entrance.
Brian knew that the police would be descending soon enough and neither he, nor blue eyes would want the scrutiny.
The cool air was a shock as it was rarely cool in Miami. It wasn't like that was anything new. Brian jumped into the driver's seat and gestured to his side seat - "Get in."
"I have a car." Was blue eyes dubious response and Brian was not amused.
Brian rolled his eyes; he'd be able to avoid the cops but he didn't want his car burnt. He'd have to change the paint work and he loved the silver and blue bodywork he'd designed in the last garage he'd rented. "Yeah but dumb and dumber can't drive and evade the police."
It seemed that was a winning argument as blue eyes jumped in beside him and Brian was tearing out of the parking lot. Brian was focussing on the road in front for a few moments. At hearing the police sirens in complete disbelief to his passenger he slowed down, until he was driving just above the speed limit. Blue-eyes was confused, "What the fuck are you playing at?"
Brian turned to face him, not even watching the road, "Look the worst thing you can do is be speeding away from a scene. You just look plain guilty, plus, my car is not inconspicuous."
Blue eyes nodded, "You have a point. You seem to know a fair bit about the police ..."
It wasn't a question more of a sentence that trailed off.
Brian turned his head and gave him a cocky grin, "I may have been a bad cop."
Verone tilted his head to the side. He was contemplating the mystery of his rescuer - and he sensed that ice cool was actually telling the truth. He was getting more and more intriguing the longer he was in his presence. Ice cool was an alluring mystery and Carter was always fond of challenges.
"And do I get to know bad cops name?" He asked, teasing tone evident.
Brian smirked, "Nope names have power and I'm not that type of girl."
Carter very visibly looked him up and down, obvious to Brian even though he was driving, "You're most definitely not a girl." The tone suggested that he was not disappointed by that fact.
Brian liked this development, and was starting to feel more alive than he had in months. He was not the type of boy to put out on the first date but he was more than happy to tease and seduce. He enjoyed a chase and was happy to play bait if the reward was rich enough. "You're right but you don't know me."
Carter grinned, "True but unless we talk - how can I get to know you?"
And he definitely wanted to get to know ice cool a lot better.
Brian shrugged, "You'll have to try harder." Although he wasn't upset by the idea, "Where can I drop you?"
Carter gave him directions to his mansion and Brian dropped him off in front. Brian watched him get out, "Nice to meet ya blue eyes."
"You too ice cool. Next time I'll get your name. I'm Carter." He promised.
Brian smirked, "Maybe you will. You've got to find me first."
With his piece said Brian drove off before Carter could even think of following. Brian didn't know that by making it a challenge - he'd made himself interesting in Carter's eyes. Carter would not be content with making Brian just a notch in his bedpost - he wanted all of Brian.
In fact it was the stepping stone to what would be an awesome marriage and a very deadly partnership.