The Desert Lion's True Colours by Ikechi Hayden Read Free Book Online Page A

father. Come on, you know about the Detroit massacre; all the families he killed from New York all the way down to Miami. No wonder your mother did what she did and went into hiding.’
    ‘Fuck You D!’ Leon retorted.
    Friend or no friend, - that statement went a little too far.
    ‘Fuck Me… ?’ Jay said with a chuckle. ‘Dude I’m not sure what your problem is, but if you’re worried your something like him then don’t be, because you’re not. You spent the last twenty-seven years being the best person you could be. That’s the whole reason we got into this gig. So we could put killers and mother-fuckers like him and Black behind bars.’
    Leon hands formed into fists on the table and his right leg started to bob up and down. Hearing Black’s name caused Leon’s blood to boil and there was no way of hiding it. Wanting to get to the bottom of what was really bothering his friend Jay asked ‘What else is going on Nate?’
    Leon let out another deep sigh and then said, ‘Last night, when I was in Black’s office, I let things get the better of me…’
    Jay’s eyes narrowed in anticipation of what Leon was about to say.
    ‘The long and short of it is - dude had me cold.’
    ‘What? Are you serious… ?’ Jay shouted
    ‘Yo, keep it down.’ Leon said quietly.
    Jay’s immediate concern vanished and was now substituted with anger. Just like a mother who finally finds her child after a full 2 hour gut wrenching search in a shopping mall, only to turn around and beat the child for walking off in the first place.
    ‘See what I’m saying dawg…’ Jay exclaimed. ‘. . . Why didn’t you have me come with you?’
    Leon did not answer as he knew the question was rhetorical. His friend was just trying to make a point.
    Jay looked away from Leon and focused his gaze onto a painting on the opposite wall and as if talking to himself said, ‘So you’re telling me that right now you should be floating around somewhere in the Keys?’
    Again, realising Jay was not actually asking him a question Leon just nodded his head slowly.
    Turning his attention back to Leon Jay said ‘we’re gonna get him.’ in a reassuring tone.
    Leon did not reply, just stared into blank space. Jay was not impressed at Leon’s unwillingness to at least try to talk about it and with that he threw up his hands in exasperation.
    ‘Aight man, I give up. You win,’ He said. ‘I’ve tried but I can see it doesn’t matter. So let’s just call this quits.’
    Jay started to rise from his seat.
    ‘I’ll let you call the Chief to let him know you’re done ok.’
    Leon finally caved in. ‘I Love her.’ He exclaimed.
    Jay paused for a moment, looked at Leon to see if he was being serious then returned to his seated position.
    ‘Ok. And?’ he replied.
    Leon started to shake his head.
    ‘Hold up, what?!’ Jay exclaimed. Realising he may have answered a little too quickly.
    ‘I love her Dean and all this secrecy is making me sick.’
    Jay could see how serious this was to Leon but at the same time felt he would not be a true friend if he did not voice how he felt. So without hesitation he said ‘Are you kidding me? What you gonna tell her. “Oh Kerry, guess what. Remember three years ago when we first met? Well it was my boss who decided I get with you - because of who you’re related too and oh yeah, I’m an FBI agent working undercover…” Yeah right. Wake up nigger! Even if she believed you, do you really think she would stay with your ass – knowing your whole relationship was a lie? I know you care for her dawg…’
    Leon started to frown.
    ‘. . . Ok, ok, love her. But are you ready to trade that in for your career? You forgot the years we spent up in Glenmuir, Quantico, - the missions? You forgot what we had to go through to get here? And now you’re saying you want to forget all that and give up everything for some chick?’
    The two friends sat on either side of the table in a four person booth looking at each