broad ambition

It saddened him to know a majority of the cases he was assigned to work on were mob related; the Delphine family leaving their mark in Las Vegas. Ethan loved his city and wanted nothing more then to chase out the criminal enterprise to keep his city safe for both residents and tourists. With his crimes being mob related, Ethan knew he had to contact the FBI with his findings and if there was one person Ethan trusted the most, it was Nathaniel Hollander. Hearing his familiar voice inching closer, Ethan’s face lit up as his gaze pulled away from the report he was typing up and to his old friend. “Hollander, how the hell are you?” Ethan greeted as he rose to his feet, embracing his friend in a hug. “When the crimes popping up are mob related, it is my duty as an officer of the law to involve the lovely FBI, isn’t it?” Pulling away from the hug, Ethan pulled up a chair for Nate to accompany him at his desk. “Tell me you got some experience with this sort of shit.”

Over the years he had worked for the Delphine family, he had been able to create an elaborate smoke screen between his connections to them, and the investigations he worked on relating to their handiwork. Nate could lie to himself about the fact that he had a twinge of anxiety when his friend reached out to him about a mob related crime. Sure, there was more the just the family in town, but it would be naive of him to hope that it was not related. Investigating the crimes, working with the local police, was only beneficiary to keeping his smoke screen intact. And it was Ethan Parker after all, someone Nate could actually say he genuinely liked and respected. “Been busy, as I’m you’ve been,” he replied, returning the embrace before pulling back to look him over. Letting out a low chuckle, he sat down in the offered chair. “Only so you can use our resources, right? But yeah, we’ve dealt with these things before. What’s it this time, more specifically?”

“Strongest coffee you’ve got, black,” Nate said tiredly to the barista, handing over his card without a second thought. As thrilling as being an FBI agent leading a double life sounded thrilling, it was also exhausting. He would have thought that by now, the things he saw would no longer keep him up at night. However, he still had that gnawing feeling in the back of his mind that he needed to get out, and save himself while he still could. If it were even possible to do that. Stifling a yawn, he stepped over to the pick up area to wait for his coffee, mustering enough energy for a polite smile to the other person waiting. “Morning.”

“Kim, we’ve been through this before, just drop it.” He was used to the local police not being too happy to see him and his colleagues show up. From his time as a cop, he understood their animosity, to a point. However, regulations were regulations, and was not in a position to argue. He went where he was told, and did his job. Subduing the exasperated sigh that wanted to come out, he stood his ground firmly, knowing he was going to win out. It was nothing person, he actually even liked Liam, but he still had his job to do. “Let me do my job, or I’ll have to have you removed from the crime scene.” 

There was something refreshing about being in a club and not working, allowing him to feel at ease and let himself have a little fun. Besides, someone from the Hollander family had to be seen around town, having a good time. No one wanted their reputation to turn from fun to boring, especially in a town like Vegas. Spotting a familiar face, Nate knew he was in for a good night. “Having a good night, are we?” he teased as a greeting. A grin spreading across his lips, he raised his glass jokingly, “Don’t worry, I’m off the clock.”

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the Golden Boy himself!” Was Nate’s greeting of choice as he walked into the precinct, straightening his tie in a playful manner as he approached the other man’s desk. He loved the opportunities he had to get out of headquarters and assist with local investigations, especially when they were headed by a friend. He knew plenty of the cops in Vegas, but none better than Ethan Parker, the man he now parked himself in front of. “So, my bosses tell me you need a little help. But that can’t be true, because you’re Detective Parker. You never need my help.”