by Rebel Hart
“See, that’s the thing. We’re trying to call her, but she’s not picking up. I’m sure she’s swamped with better things to do than hover around your ass. So just tell me what really happened.”
You aren’t pinning anything on me, you piece of shit. “My lawyer has all those answers.”
His eyes flared. “What the hell happened at your father’s estate?”
I lifted my chin as the cop came barreling toward me.
“Talk, or I’ll find someone to make you talk.”
I felt my anger rising up the back of my throat, and I knew this man was trying to get me to lash out. Which meant I couldn't give in. I couldn't let him get the best of me.
God, please keep Dani safe for as long as possible.
The cop growled. “Answer me now, you piece of shit. Or I’ll keep you in that holding cell until you rot.”
God, I know you don’t give a shit about me. But please, make sure Dani gets out of this alive.
“Answer me!”
I bit down onto the inside of my cheek to keep myself from lashing out.
Dani, just do ask I’m asking you to do. Stay as far away from this as possible. I’ll come for you. I swear it.
The cop stood up slowly. “Fine. You don’t want to talk to me? I think I’ve got someone who can get you to talk.”
And as the man left the room, my mind fell to Dani. To her peaceful presence and her wondrous laugh and her serene smile. I fell into my happy place as the threats and the yelling and the problems continued. I easily lost myself in the memory of her, just to keep an even temper.
Praying that, one day soon, we’d be reunited.
For good.
16
Dani
I stood there as Hannah squeezed me tightly. I looked over at John and took in his confused stare. I felt Hannah sniffling. Her voice was filled with tears. And as I felt their wetness soaking through my shirt, I wiggled my hands in between us before slowly pushing her away.
“What--what are you doing?” she asked breathlessly.
I pointed. “John, our room is down at the end. Last door on the right.”
Hannah paused. “What are you doing? Are you not back?”
I stepped around her. “I have to go.”
She grabbed my hand. “Dani, please.”
I ripped away from her. “Don’t you even start.”
John and I moved down the hallway as quickly as we could with Hannah hot on our heels. I barged into the room and started looking around, and I found that John was right. I had left a great deal behind. I didn’t have my books, or my laptop. I had none of my chargers, and I’d left a few toiletries behind as well. I reached for my swim bag and poured everything out. I shoved all of my wet clothes into a plastic bag to take with me, then wiped down the inside. And as John stood at the window, peering down at our car, Hannah piped up beside me.
“Where are you going again? Who is this guy with you?”
I shoved my things into the bag as John turned around with a kind smile on his face.
“I’m John. Max’s brother.”
Hannah’s voice fell flat. “Oh.”
I sighed. “I have to--”
Hannah gripped my arm. “Dani. Seriously. What in the world is this all about? Did you talk to your parents? They were--”
I slid out of her grasp. “I talked to them. They came to see me in the hospital this morning.”
Her eyes bulged. “Hospital? Why were you in the hospital?”
“I was in the hospital because Max saved my life and took me there. Then, this morning, when it looked like things were going to be okay, my father decided to call the police and have him arrested because all he knows about Max is what you told him. So. Thanks for that.”
Hannah blinked. “Dani. I didn’t know where you were.”
“And you won’t ever again.”
She sighed. “Talk to me. That’s all I’m asking you to do. What happened? What do you mean he saved your life? How much trouble are you in?”
I zipped my bag shut. “I don’t have time to talk about this right now. I have shit to do. John, you ready?”
I looked over at him and watched him nod. “Ready when you are.”
I sighed. “Good. Hannah? I’d say it’s been nice, but it hasn’t.”
I held tightly to my bag as John and I moved out into the hallway. He lumbered ahead of me as Hannah stood in our dorm room, frozen in her place. Good. Because I sure as hell didn’t want her following us around. But I should have known it wouldn't last. Not with Hannah.
She had always been a persistent human being.
“Please don’t go.”
She wrapped her hand softly around my wrist. I looked down at our connection and her hand quickly fell away. But it gave me pause. Her voice sounded defeated. Her touch had been kind at that moment. And as John summoned the elevator with the push of a button, I turned to face Hannah.
“What do you want from me?” I asked.
Hannah shook her head. “I just want you to talk to me. Like we always used to do. We need to talk about this. I don’t want to lose you, Dani. I’m so fucking confused about everything. I don’t even know who you are anymore.”
I snickered. “Really? Because I finally do know who I am. And I like this girl. I trust her. She’s stronger than I used to be and she’s not going to sit around and cower in a dorm room. She’s intelligent and bright. She stands up for herself and makes her own decisions. She knows what she wants, Hannah. And for the first time in my life, I feel like I really understand things.”
“Well, I don’t understand them at all.”
“Good thing this isn’t about you, then.”
John piped up. “Elevator’s here.”
I sighed. “Max needs me, Hannah. Maybe when everything blows over we can figure this out. But…”
Her voice lowered to a whisper. “But what?”
I looked over my shoulder and John nodded his head. He held the elevator doors for me, and I knew it was time to go. I decided to give Hannah a hug. Just one arm, wrapped around her neck. And she clung to me. I mean, she dug her nails right into my back. As if she didn’t want to let me go.
“But what, Dani?”
I cleared my throat. “We’ll talk soon. Once this is all over.”
“Dani, wait!”
I yanked myself out of her tight hold and made my way to the elevator. And not once did I look back. I didn’t want to open up this conversation with Hannah. Mostly because I didn’t have time. I knew the only place where I was safe was at Max and John’s place. The only way I’d find resolution to all of this was if I worked in tandem with them. Which meant my classes and my life here on campus had to take a back seat.
I didn’t even get out of the building before my phone started ringing. It rang and it rang until I finally put it on vibrate. Even as I drove John and myself back to the house, it kept buzzing. And clattering. And thrumming. And vibrating. I knew it was Hannah. I knew she was trying to wear me down and get me to pick up the phone. It wouldn't work, though. I wasn’t going to speak with her until this was all said and done.
If anything, for her own safety.
“You know, you don’t need to cut everyone else out of your life to make room for men like us.”
John’s voice fell heavily against my ears as I pulled us into the driveway.
“And with how this is all going, you might need to keep people like your roommate close. We all need someone to catch us when we fall.”
I shook my head. “The only person I need to catch me is Max. And I’m not going to let him down when he needs me. Not this time.”
“When have you ever let him down in the first place?”
When I didn’t listen to Rupert. When I jumped too quickly and got myself kidnapped. When I didn’t go to him about Benji sooner. When I kept dragging my feet instead of giving in to Max sooner rather than later.
I sighed. “That’s not the point. The point is, I can’t focus on any of tha
t right now. You might be right. But that doesn’t overshadow the fact that the crew is falling apart and that Max is in jail. And right now, I can’t afford to entertain some conversation I’ve had with Hannah four times already simply because she doesn’t get it.”
He nodded. “One of those people that ‘doesn’t get it’ until you start obeying their every word?”
“Yep.”
He snickered. “I’m very familiar with those kinds of people.”
I cut the engine. “I want you to know that I hear what you’re saying. It’s just that, right now, I’m in prioritization mode. And the priority right now is Max and this crew. Everything is in upheaval. It needs to settle first.”
“What about your classes?”
I shrugged. “What about them?”
“Oh, come on. Don’t tell me school isn’t important to you any longer. I mean, you packed your books, for crying out loud. What are you going to do?”
I sighed. “Email my professors. Tell them I’ve had a family emergency. See what I can work out with them. But even if I have to repeat my semester, it’ll be worth it if Max and the guys come out of this okay.”
He nodded. “So long as you know what you’re doing and that what you’re doing comes with consequences.”
I snickered. “Yeah, thanks. But I’m well-versed in how this works by now.”
He chuckled. “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”
The two of us shared a small moment of laughter before he opened the door.
“Now, come on, Bambi. Let’s get you inside. That’s what they call you, right?”
I giggled. “You can call me whatever you want, John.”
He reached for my bag. “Sounds like a plan, Stan.”
I paused. “You’re not really going to call me Stan, are you?”
He grinned. “Guess you’ll just have to wait to find out.”
17
Max
The slamming of the bar doors jostled me awake. My wrists throbbed with pain and my head felt like it had been leaning against a brick wall this entire time.
Because it has been, idiot.
I groaned as I sat upright. I tried to blink away the sleep as I heard bootsteps coming for me. I cracked my neck and stood up. I felt the officer’s hand come down against my arm before he twisted it around my back. Fucking hell, I wasn’t sure my wrists could take anymore handcuffs.
Definitely got more respect for women who bust those out for their men.
Without a word spoken, the officer led me out of the holding tank. I walked in a mindless haze as he shoved me into yet another private room. I looked up at the cameras as I flopped down into the chair. I went along with the motions as he uncuffed me, only to re-cuff me to the table. I placed my forearms against the cold metal and leaned my head against my tired muscles. I missed my bed. I missed John’s coffee. I missed my house and my men and my bike.
And my woman.
“Mr. Ryddle.”
Miss Hall’s voice made me raise my head. “I was wondering who summoned me in here.”
She furrowed her brow. “Who did you think it would be?”
“For starters? The cop who had me in here yesterday before he yelled at me and threatened me with a good time.”
She paused. “Who did that to you?”
I shook my head. “Don’t worry about--”
She dropped her briefcase from her hand. “Who did that to you, Max? You’re my client, and that’s illegal.”
I sighed. “Just sit down and talk to me. It’s been a hell of a time in here, and I’m exhausted.”
She glared at me before she composed herself. She nodded at someone at the door, who then closed it loudly behind me. I forced myself not to jump, even though the clang of the door startled me. I was much too tired to be in control of my faculties, and the last thing I wanted to do was show that this place was wearing me down.
Because that’s what these damn cops wanted to do.
“I’ve done some more research into your predicament,” she said.
I nodded slowly. “Great. What did you find?”
She sat down in front of me. “Well, your father’s lawyers are working overtime. So I’ve been doing the same thing. But I first want to ask how you’re holding up in here. Especially with the information you just gave me.”
I shrugged. “My wrists are pretty sore.”
“Anything else?”
“My head hurts.”
“I can see about some Tylenol for you. Have you gotten a phone call yet?”
I shook my head. “No.”
“I’ll be talking to them about that, too. They should at least be offering it to you.”
I shrugged. “I’ll take my men being safe at this point.”
She reached for her briefcase. “Which brings me to some of the things I’ve dug up.”
I sighed. “I know, I know. I have a feeling my guys are taking some heat for this, too.”
She placed her briefcase on the table. “Yes. They are. There have been multiple arrests, both at your house and at a bar. Over a dozen at this point.”
“My brother--”
She pulled out files. “--is safe and sound at home, as far as I’m aware. Though I can’t say the same thing about your friend Rupert. Things aren’t looking good for him at all, Max.”
“Fucking hell.”
“I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news. But his fingerprints are all over the gun that matched ballistics from your father that the police found at the estate.”
I blinked. “That gun wasn’t left at the estate. We took it with us.”
She paused. “Oh?”
“Rupert had it with him when we drove away.”
She grabbed a pen. “Interesting.”
“So someone is fucking with us? On my father’s end.”
She nodded slowly. “Seems like it. But please. Keep your voice down. I know when I’m part of a conspiracy. And believe you me, you’re wrapped up in one. Someone is making sure you go down for this, Max. They’re rushing. They’re working within the time constraints of the law. Which is why they’re holding you here for twenty-four hours. That’s within their right, but if the police don’t charge you, they’re supposed to release you.”
“Time kind of blurs in here. You got any idea when that twenty-four hour point is?”
She looked at her watch. “Four hours from now. But I know they sent out a request to hold you for a maximum of ninety-six hours since you’re accused of aiding and abetting, as well as attempted murder.”
I groaned. “Okay. So what happens after the ninety-six hours?”
She folded her hands together. “Either they charge you or they release you.”
“Great.”
“In cases like this, Max, it’s best not to let charges be laid. Okay?”
“Trust me, I got that much.”
She leaned in close. “And between you and me? I’m not a very expensive lawyer. I haven’t worked any big cases. I think that’s why I got the call to represent you. You know how I said this passed through many, many hands before it got to me?”
I furrowed my brow. “You think someone orchestrated that.”
She nodded. “I think they think I’m going to be easily bulldozed or manipulated. But, let me assure you, I have no intention of letting your father ruin your life over something you didn’t do. Okay?”
Relief washed over me. “I appreciate that. Thank you.”
“Now. Let’s go over everything from the beginning. And don’t you dare leave a shred out from your point of view.”
“Again?”
She nodded. “Again.”
I leaned up as far as I could and rolled my shoulders back. I had a crick in my spine that felt like an air bubble pressing against my existence. I wanted to pop it so badly. I wanted to rid myself of it. And as I sat there, struggling, I felt my frustration mounting. I couldn't even pop my fucking back right in this position. I wanted nothing more than to simply stretch my hands over my
head.
Prison is going to eat me alive.
“Max.”
My eyes whipped back to Miss Hall’s. “Sorry. Yeah.”
She poised her pen over an empty notebook. “I’m ready when you are.”
I drew in a deep breath and started from the beginning. Recounting everything to her that happened to me that night. From being kidnapped to being tied up in one of my father’s warehouses to being beaten by Benji and some goons. How I escaped, the car I used, the phone call I placed to Rupert. I left no detail out. And when I was done, half of Miss Hall’s notebook was filled with scribblings.
“All right. Ready for me to read it back to you?” she asked.
I quirked an eyebrow. “Do you really need to do that?”
She nodded. “This is your official record. I want to make sure it’s right. I’ll read it back, we’ll fix what we need to, and then you’ll sign it. And once it’s signed, there’s no going back on your word. Understood?”
“Understood.”
“Good. Now, sit back and relax.”
I blinked. “You serious right now?”
She snickered. “Sorry about that. Force of habit.”
“Uh huh.”
She crossed her legs. “Ready to begin?”
I nodded. “Ready when you are.”
And as she started reading my words back to me, I stopped her to fill in the blanks. Give her more information as it came to me. Even if we had to sit here for the rest of the twenty-four hours, I didn’t give a shit. If this was what it took to get me out of here and back into the world, I’d do it. If this was what it took for me to get back to Dani, I’d do it. Time, and time, and time again.
Until we got it right.
18
Dani
I wrung my hands together as I paced the living room of Max’s house. I kept drawing in deep breaths trying to calm myself. Every inch of my body was hyper-focused. I felt like I could see musical notes and smell colors. The world blended and ebbed and flowed before bursting into its smallest pieces and making me even more anxious. I heard John typing away on his phone while he sat on the couch, his cane propped between his knees. And as I turned to face him, he looked up at me.