Bliss Series Boxed Set: The Whole Damn Harem

by B. J. Harvey

  Chapter 20

  “The Man”

  Sean

  I slide my black Maserati into a parking spot opposite the bar where Ryan said he was. From the outside, it looks like a standard upmarket Chicago cocktail bar. I shake my head and check the address again, looking for some dodgy warehouse or something more fitting for underground gambling. Surely this can’t be right. Illegal gambling should be held in rundown, hole-in-the-wall bars that look like the health department should be knocking on their door any day now, nothing like this scene in front of me.

  Knowing that Ryan’s phone will be on silent, I have no option, but to find him myself. Getting out of the car, I set the alarm and stroll across the street, noticing with interest that the bar is closed, and a few staff are the only ones left inside as they pack away for the night. I check the neighboring premises and see that there is an alleyway around the side of the building. Knowing that Ryan is inside somewhere and in trouble, I waste no time in crossing the street and walking down the alley, checking constantly for anyone following me or coming out in front of me. I’m not worried about having to defend myself, it’s more the surprise factor. I’d rather be on guard than be caught unprepared, and since I came unarmed, I may be at a disadvantage.

  I see an old wooden door at the end of the alleyway with a rather large black man guarding the door.

  “You Sean?”

  “Yep.”

  “Got ID? Can never be too careful.”

  “Right. I pull my wallet out of my back pocket, showing him my license. He hands it back to me and steps forward, pulling the door open. “You better be here to bail your bro out. He’s in trouble. So far in the hole he’s losing sight of the light, if you know what I mean.”

  I swallow hard. Fuck! I lift my chin to the guy before stepping inside, the hazy, smoke-filled room stifling as I walk toward a large round table. Checking the table and not seeing Ryan, my eyes go to the guy leaning back in his chair at the head of the table.

  “Where’s Ryan Miller?”

  “You his banker?”

  “What the fuck do you think?”

  “You got his money? He said his brother was coming and would sort it all out for him. We put him somewhere safe until it was all taken care of.” The smarmy man smiles, his mouth full of big, overly white teeth. It’s almost creepy, and I’m a hard man to rattle.

  “You think I could pull that kind of money out of my ass at 2.30 in the morning? You know as well as I do that most law abiding citizens don’t have that kind of dough lying around. So I give you my word that the money is paid into your account as soon as the bank opens.”

  I just hope Ryan isn’t in so much trouble that I can’t save him. I may be pissed, but he’s my only family. Ryan and Sam are the only ones who matter to me. Why do you think I didn’t bring her along? It wasn’t because I didn’t think she could handle herself, but I refused to put her in a position where she would have to defend herself or put her job on the line. She loves her career too much for that.

  The Cheshire cat starts laughing, slamming his palm on the table, seemingly finding the situation hilarious. “See, mister lawyer man, here’s the thing. I know you think you’ve got a leg to stand on, and I don’t doubt that you’re packing some big kahones down below, but I don’t give a fuck.” The smile on his face fades and he glares at me, his eyes almost venomous. “I’m trying to run a business here. I don’t operate credit without collateral or without knowing that I can get the money back from somewhere. Your brother has a big mouth when he’s desperate. He says you own that hot place in the club district and that you’ve got a hot piece of cop ass for a girlfriend. That was all the collateral I needed because I knew you wouldn’t put her in hot water, unless she’s just a piece of ass—”

  “You shut your fucking mouth. Leave her out of this,” I spit out, clenching my fists at my side as I try to rein in my anger, knowing I just fucked up and gave him what he was gunning for.

  He smirks at me, knowing he has my back to the wall. “So we have an understanding. Fifteen grand tomorrow morning 10 a.m. or else I start causing trouble for you and your little girlfriend. I bet she’s hot too. What do you think, boys? You think a hot shot like this guy would have a tight piece?”

  The three guys flanking him start murmuring to each other, agreeing with him if their nods are any indication.

  “Ryan said ten grand.”

  “It’s now fifteen.” For fuck’s sake! “Deal. Now bring Ryan out here and we’ll go.”

  “Maybe I should keep him as insurance—”

  His threats are cut off by a thud against the door and the splintering of wood behind me as suddenly the words “Chicago PD!” ring out and I’m pushed against the wall, face first, my hands held forcefully behind my back.

  “Don’t say a word,” a stern male voice mutters in my ear. Not being stupid, I shut my mouth. I feel the cold metal of handcuffs wrap around first one wrist, then the other, as my hands are shackled behind my back.

  I hear a scuffle behind me as more officers pour in. “There’s another room back here,” an officer calls out to the others. “Shit, there’s more of them.”

  “My brother, he’s back there!” I shout, my voice muffled.

  “We know what we’re doing, Mr. Miller, so I suggest you stay silent. I’m taking you back to the station where you’ll stay until we can ascertain your part in all of this.”

  “You know I’m a lawyer right?”

  “Don’t care. Right now you are a suspect in an illegal gambling racket that we’ve been investigating for a long time. Lawyer or not, I recommend you keep your mouth shut.”

  I clamp my mouth shut as I’m pulled back by my arms and pushed out of the door and up the alley, like an everyday common criminal. Just as one of the cops undoes my handcuffs and stuffs me into the back of a waiting patrol car, I turn my head and see a worse for wear Ryan being led by another officer to the car behind me. His eyes meet mine and I can see the guilt residing there. His shoulders are drawn up and there’s none of his normal cocky swagger that Ryan’s known for. Just as he is about to disappear from sight, he looks back up at me and mouths ‘I’m sorry’ before the officer puts a hand on top of his head and ushers him into the back seat of the car.

  When the patrol car I’m in pulls away from the curb, I shake my head and stare out the window. After a few minutes, the detective in the passenger seat turns around and faces me.

  “I’m Jeremy, lead detective on this case. Samantha Richards called me an hour ago and informed me that there was a poker game going on that I would be interested in and that she was concerned for the welfare of you and your brother—”

  I shoot him an incredulous look. “Sam called it in?”

  He nods his response and I clench my fists. My Sammy, the woman I left in my bed to come save my brother’s ass, ignored my request and called it in anyway. I shake my head in disbelief.

  “She was worried that you would get hurt, especially if it’s the same bookie that assaulted your brother last time. She did the right thing, Mr. Miller.”

  I trusted her to listen to me. I told her not to call, that I’d let her know if I needed help. She didn’t trust me to deal with this myself. She didn’t believe that I could do it without her help.

  My anger simmers under the surface as we pull up outside the precinct. It continues to fester and eat away at me as I’m lead inside to an interrogation room. I don’t see Ryan arrive; in fact, I don’t see him again.

  After being read my Miranda rights, I explain everything that went down from the moment I received Ryan’s call, to recounting everything the asshole bookie said to me, including his threats against me, the club, and Samantha. The detective grew antsy when he heard that Sam had been mentioned.

  When I was released clear and free a few hours later, the sun was just starting to rise. A patrol car dropped me back at my car which thankfully was still parked outside the bar.

  But instead of driving straight home to Sammy, I d
rove to the club, parking at the back and going straight to my office where I became acquainted with a nice bottle of 1800 tequila that I swiped from the bar.

  ∞~~~∞

  Around noon, I’m woken up by my ringing phone. When I saw Sam’s name on the screen I rejected the call, knowing I owed it to both of us to sort my head out before talking to her or else I’d likely say something I’d later regret.

  Who said history never repeats?

  They lied.

  Sam

  I wake up with a stiff neck, the sun shining straight in my face as I unravel myself from my curled up ball on the living room couch. Checking my watch, I realize I fell asleep and I don’t know what happened. I jump up and run upstairs to the bedroom, expecting to find Sean and coming up short when I can’t find him anywhere. Running back down to the kitchen, I pick up my phone and ring him, getting his voice mail all five times.

  Fuck! What if he’s lying in a ditch somewhere? Or sitting in the cage with real criminals?

  I bring up Jeremy’s name and bring the phone up to my ear.

  “Yo.”

  “Jeremy. Where’s Sean? What happened?”

  “Slow down, cupcake. He’s fine. I released him a few hours ago. He was dropped back at his car and I assumed he was headed home. He didn’t show?”

  My breath hitches. Sean didn’t come straight home. My hand starts to tremble as I realize that Sean must be livid. He’s never been one to shy away from confrontation, and he’s not the type of man who lets problems fester. If he is angry, annoyed, frustrated or simply just pissed off, he deals with it. He’s direct and to the point, and he never avoids dealing with an issue. He just does it. It’s his way. This enduring strength is one of the things that has always attracted me to him.

  Now I feel like an imposter in his home. If he didn’t want to come home that means he didn’t want to see me. Then like a Mack truck it hits me, I need to leave.

  “Jeremy, what about Ryan?”

  “His case wasn’t as straightforward as Sean. He was participating in the game and he knows a lot about the bookie we’re trying to build a case against. He’s clammed up at the moment though, which isn’t helping him or us.”

  “You need me to talk some sense into him?”

  “It’s out of your jurisdiction, Sam, and if the Captain got wind of it, you could be accused of interfering in the course of justice. What I will say is that right now, Ryan is in a holding cell but could be moved to an interrogation room with the cameras off if someone wanted to come visit him, check on his welfare shall we say.”

  I breathe out a sigh of relief. “Text me what room and when. I’m heading down there now. Give me twenty minutes and I’ll be there.”

  “Sounds great, cupcake. And don’t worry about Sean. I know a thing or two about these big, proud, dominant types. He’ll come around and see that what you did was for the best. Just give him time.”

  A lone tear trails down my cheek as his words sink in. I can only hope that what he says is true.

  Chapter 21

  “Am I Wrong?”

  Sam

  I walk into the station, nodding to the desk sergeant as I walk up the stairs toward the interrogation room where Jeremy told me Ryan would be waiting.

  Jeremy’s waiting for me in the corridor, his lips pressed together in a grimace as I walk up to him. He looks at me for a moment, his eyes full of concern as he tries to gauge my mood. “You good, Richards?” he asks.

  “I will be once I knock some sense into that dickhead’s skull. I need to scare him straight, Jer, and the only time to do that is going to be right now without his domineering, overzealous older brother breathing down his neck. Right now I’m neutral between the Miller boys, although I am a cop so I can make sure he understands just how bad this might get.” He nods and I continue. “Did you talk to the DA?”

  “Amazingly, he took my call and was surprisingly receptive. You get Ryan to agree to testify against the bookie, about the whole damn racket, and he’ll be granted immunity and will escape the third strike. I’m sure he doesn’t need to be told what will happen if he fucks up again?”

  I shake my head and smile at Jeremy before wrapping my arms around his back and squeezing tight. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough for this,” I whisper in his ear. I step back and look at him, uncharacteristic tears gathering in my eyes.

  “You keep up this human behavior, Richards...” I gasp in shock and glare at him, “...and I’ll tell all the guys you’re really a girl.” He winks at me and I whack him hard on the arm.

  “I’m different at work, you know that,” I explain.

  “Yep, and you wouldn’t be half the cop you are without that hard exterior. What I’m trying to say is that it’s nice to see what’s underneath coming out. Your friends know it’s there, and I’m sure that your man and his brother definitely know it’s there, and it just might pay to let it shine more often. You won’t be seen as weak, you know. Just the opposite.”

  “Quit it before I cry. It’ll ruin the tough cop wake-up call I’m about to deliver in there.” I jerk my head toward the closed interrogation room door and he chuckles.

  “Right. Be quick though. The Captain doesn’t know about it yet. Ryan will still need to give me a statement after you’ve gone, but anything he says to you is off the record and off camera. Comprende?”

  “Got it. Thanks, Jer. I owe you one.”

  “Hell yeah, you do. Just bring in some donuts or something. You know I struggle to maintain this figure.” He rubs his slightly rounded stomach and grins.

  “Deal.”

  He turns and walks away from me as I face the door and slowly take a deep breath. I reach out and turn the knob. Stepping inside, I swear I can see the wide eyed, messed up twenty year old from ten years ago. The one living in his big brother’s successful shadow. The one who lost his parents young, then lost his beloved grandparents just as he was getting his life back on track.

  But now isn’t the time for excuses. Ryan needs help, and I’m going to be the one to give it to him.

  “Sam,” he breathes out, his voice relieved. I barely have a minute to sit down before he speaks. “Have you see Sean? Is he okay? Please tell me he hasn’t been arrested?”

  I close my eyes and struggle to compose myself. Ryan doesn’t care about himself right now; his only concern is Sean.

  “Ryan, Sean was released without charge this morning. He didn’t come home, but he has his car, so I guess he’s gone somewhere to calm down.”

  “Calm down? Is he that mad with me?”

  “Probably,” I reply with a shrug. “But it’s more likely that he didn’t expect me to go against his wishes and call it in, which is probably more unforgivable in his eyes because he didn’t see it coming.”

  “You … you called the cops?”

  “I am a cop, Ryan. Something you might’ve forgotten but I never can. It’s my job, it’s my career, and if I know a crime is being committed and that two people I care about are in danger, I will do everything in my power to avoid that. You don’t think I would let you get hurt do you, Ryan?”

  “Well … no, but I told you I was going to try and get help. I told both of you. And I have been, I’ve been going to Gamblers Anonymous and meeting with my therapist twice a week. It’s just that when I got wind of this table, I thought I could make the money back and start to pay Sean back. Do you know he paid off the bookie and paid my rent up to date last time? I didn’t even ask. He wrote me off, told me that he was cutting ties, but then he went and did that.”

  My eyes soften as I listen to him. “He loves you, Ry, but right now he’s pissed the fuck off. But it’s more than that. You can’t worry about Sean because you’re in a hole that you can’t get yourself out of unless you make the right decision, and you need to make it quick because there’s an offer on the table that will give you a chance at a life. A legal, free life.”

  His body stills as my words sink in. The room is quiet except for a lone clock on
the stone wall ticking away the seconds. Ryan wrings his hands together. “You need me to testify, don’t you?”

  “Immunity from prosecution in return for your testimony on the gambling, the assault at the club, the game last night, and anything you have seen or heard that would strengthen the DA’s case.”

  “I’ll do it.” No hesitation, no wavering. He shocks the shit out of me when he looks me dead in the eye and answers immediately. “Where do I sign? What do I have to do? I can’t go to jail, Sam. I can’t do this again. I need help, major help, but I want to stay straight. I want to make you and Sean proud. I want to do it for Granddad and Grandma, for Mom and Dad. I need to do this to make everything right.”

  I see the wet sheen of tears in his eyes and I know that he’s been scared straight. Something has sunk in this time and I release the breath I’ve inadvertently been holding in.

  “Please help me, Sam. I need to do this. No more fucking up, I thought I was invincible and my stupidity almost got Sean arrested. Now I need to make it right. If doing this, if testifying will help me do that, then bring in the detective, bring me the papers, I’ll sign whatever they want me to.”

  I reach over the table and place my hand over the top of his hands. “Ry, Sean loves you. He wouldn’t have left his bed in the middle of the night and told me not to do anything if he didn’t love you. You’re doing the right thing. For you especially.”

  I stand up and look at him one last time before opening the door and walking out. When I reach Jeremy’s desk, his eyes lift to meet mine and one chin lift is all it takes to answer him.

  “I’ll take care of it, cupcake. You let me know when you find that man of yours.”

  “Will do, Jer. Thank you. For everything.”