Chapter Ten
B raelynn
The sound of Ryder's breathing through the baby monitor is like music to my ears as I sort through the mountain of paperwork on Legend's desk.
It's been three days since we moved into the house on the compound, and I'm determined to get Legend's office organized. Between the move and the constant worry about Turner, Legend's been too stressed to deal with it himself.
I'm halfway through a stack of old case files when a familiar name catches my eye.
Turner .
My heart rate picks up as I pull the file from the stack and flip it open. The date on the notes inside is from two years ago, well before Legend went to prison.
Scanning the contents, my eyes widen.
It's an open case, one that Legend had worked on. But what shocks me is Turner's name is listed as a person of interest in connection with the fugitive Legend had been tracking.
“What the hell?” I mutter, digging deeper into the contents inside.
If this is right, Legend had been tracking a drug dealer named Carlos Ramirez. During his investigation, he'd uncovered evidence suggesting that Turner, who was a beat cop at the time, had been on Ramirez's payroll and was helping him evade capture.
“Holy shit.” My mind races as the dots start connecting.
This case... this could be why Turner has such a hard-on for Legend.
If Legend exposed Turner's corruption, even inadvertently, it would explain his obsession.
I'm so engrossed in what I’m reading that I don't hear Legend come in until his arms wrap around me from behind.
“What've you got there, babe?” he asks, his breath warm against my ear.
I lean back into him, holding up the file. “I think I found something about Turner.”
Legend tenses behind me, his arms tightening slightly. “What about him?”
I turn in his arms, meeting his gaze. “There's a connection between him and one of your old cases. A drug dealer named Carlos Ramirez. According to this, Turner might have been on his payroll.”
Legend's eyes widen, a mix of surprise and understanding crossing his face. “Fuck,” he mutters, taking the file from me. “I remember this case. It was right before I went inside. I never got to finish it because...” he trails off, but I know what he's not saying. Because he'd been arrested.
“Nico,” I say softly, placing a hand on his arm. “This could be why Turner's been so hard on you. If you exposed him in some way or he thinks you’re a threat…”
He nods, his jaw clenching. “It would explain a lot. Fuck, Brae. This is... this changes things.”
I bite my lip, worry gnawing at me. “What do we do now?”
Legend runs a hand through his hair, his brow furrowed in thought. “I need to do some digging, find more evidence. If we're going to take on Turner, we need to be damn sure we have enough to bring him down.”
I nod, determined to do what I can to help him figure this out. “Then let's get to work.”
For the next few hours, we pore over every file, every scrap of information related to the Ramirez case. We create a timeline, connecting dots we hadn't seen before. With each piece that falls into place, the picture becomes clearer. Turner isn't just a hard-ass parole officer with a chip on his shoulder.
He's corrupt, and Legend had unknowingly started to unravel his web of deceit.
When night falls, we finally take a break.
Legend orders pizza while I feed Ryder, both of us lost in thought about what we've uncovered.
“We need to be careful,” Legend says as we sit down to eat. “Turner's dangerous, and if he realizes we're onto him...” He leaves the rest unsaid.
I reach across the table, taking his hand. “We’re safe here.”
He squeezes my hand, his eyes softening as they meet mine. “I know, baby. I just fucking worry about this guy. Even before we found all this shit, something was off about him.”
After we finish dinner, we settle on the couch, Ryder asleep in his bassinet nearby. The weight of what we’ve learned tonight hangs between us, but there's also a sense of unity from figuring this out together.
“Tell me about the case,” I say softly, curling into Legend's side. “What do you remember?”
Legend's arm tightens around me as he blows out a heavy breath. “Ramirez was a mid-level dealer, nothing too big. But he was slippery as hell. Every time the cops got close, he'd vanish. It didn't make sense, you know? Guy like that, he should've been easy to catch.”
I nod, waiting for him to continue.
“I started digging, following the money. That's when I noticed some weird patterns. Payments that didn't add up. And Turner's name kept popping up in places it shouldn't have been.”
“Did you confront him?” I ask.
Legend shakes his head. “Never got the chance. I ended up inside before I got a chance to get any further. And since I’ve been out, there’s been so much other shit to worry about.”
I sit up, meeting his gaze. “Like your parole officer making your life hell.”
“Exactly,” he says, a wry smile twisting his lips. “Fuck, I should've put it together sooner.”
I cup his cheek, my thumb tracing his jawline. “Hey, you couldn't have known. But now we do, and we can do something about it.”
Legend leans into my touch, his eyes closing briefly. When he opens them again, there's a vulnerability there I rarely see. “I'm sorry I dragged you into all this, Brae. You and Ryder... you deserve better than all this bullshit.”
My heart clenches at his words. “Don't you dare apologize,” I say firmly. “We're a family, Nico. Your problems are my problems.”
He pulls me close, burying his face in my hair. “I don't deserve you,” he murmurs.
I wrap my arms around him, holding him tight. “You deserve me as much as I deserve you, babe.”
We stay wrapped up in each other’s arms for a long moment, drawing strength from each other. When we finally pull apart, there's a new determination in Legend's eyes.
“Tomorrow,” he says, “we start gathering evidence. We'll need Dex’s help. But we're going to take Turner down.”
I stifle a yawn, the events of the day finally catching up with me. Legend notices, his eyes softening as he watches me.
“You look beat, babe. Ready to call it a night?” he asks, gently tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
“Yeah, I think so. It's been a long day.”
Legend smiles, wrapping an arm around my waist. “Come on, baby.”
After a quick shower, I slip into one of Legend's old T-shirts, the soft fabric draping over my curves. The scent of him lingers on it.
When Legend emerges from the shower, a towel slung low on his hips, droplets of water still clinging to his muscled chest, my mouth starts to water. He catches me staring and grins, a playful glint in his eye.
Going back to brushing my teeth, Legend comes up behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist. He nuzzles into my neck, his beard tickling my skin.
Our eyes meet in the mirror, and I'm struck by the intensity of the man staring back at me.
“What?” I ask, rinsing my mouth.
He turns me to face him, his hands coming up to cup my face. “I love you,” he says, his voice low and serious. “I know I don't say it enough, but I do. You and Ryder... you're everything to me.”
Tears prick at my eyes as I lean into him. “I love you too,” I whisper. “So much.”
His lips meet mine in a kiss that starts soft but quickly deepens, filled with all the emotions we can't quite put into words. When we finally break apart, we're both breathless.
“Come to bed,” Legend says, his voice husky.
I let him lead me to the bedroom, my body humming with anticipation.
“What are you thinking about?” Legend asks, his fingers running through my hair.
I prop myself up on an elbow, meeting his gaze. “The future,” I admit. “What happens after we deal with Turner? What do you want?”
Legend is quiet for a moment, his hand stilling in my hair. “Honestly? I want this. You, me, Ryder. A life together. Maybe... more kids someday, if that's something you want.”
My heart swells at his words. “I want that too,” I say softly. “But what about the club? Your work?”
He sighs, his arm tightening around me. “The club is family, but you and Ryder are my priority now. As for work... I've been thinking about opening a security business. It's something I'd been thinking about before I got locked up. I could use my skills for something that won't land me back in prison.”
I can't hide my surprise. “Really? What kind of security?”
“Consulting, maybe,” he says. “Or private investigation. Something that lets me use what I know without crossing any lines.”
I lean in, kissing him softly. “I think that sounds perfect.”
He smiles against my lips. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” I confirm. “I want you around for a long time, Nico. No more prison, no more dangerous jobs.”
He rolls us so he's hovering over me, his eyes intense. “I promise you, Brae. No more risks. From now on, everything I do is for you and Ryder.”