58. Pretty Boy
pretty boy
. . .
Davian
The cops arrived six minutes later than Vince and I had estimated they would.
Good thing we hadn’t counted on their help.
An ambulance followed the convoy of squad cars, and my father’s Bentley pulled in behind them. That wasn’t surprising. He had a habit of showing up as soon as the action died down.
“Lord above.” Gladys gave a low whistle as the squad cars all swerved into the cul-de-sac and parked haphazardly. “That’s a lot of coppers.”
Sadie slowly lifted her arms into the air and started to lower herself to the ground.
I grabbed her waist to stop her. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Surrendering,” she answered while trying to wiggle out of my grasp, but I wasn’t letting her go anywhere.
… Surrendering?
“For what?” I asked, genuinely confused. “You were the one taken captive.”
“Today, sure. But what about yesterday? I stole a gun and took you hostage,” she whispered urgently, glancing at the cops jumping out of their cars and heading toward us. Her arms trembled. “I don’t think I’ll do well in jail, Dav. They use cigarettes as currency in the movies, and my school had a police officer come talk to us about how bad drugs are. He made all the fifth-graders sign little cards promising we’d never even touch them. Plus, I’ve never made a shiv before. I don’t know how. Although, I once made a spatula out of recycled?—”
“Sadie.” Rambling was a surefire sign she was deep into freaking-out mode. “Put your arms down. They’re not here for you.”
As I spoke, the boys in blue jogged toward us with their weapons drawn.
Sadie tensed and leaned closer to me, but the men rushed right past us—heading for the house. When not a single one stopped or acknowledged us, Sadie lowered her hands as a crease formed in her brow.
“What are we—invisible?” she whispered. Several more cops ran past, not even sparing us a glance. Bear watched them with his head cocked to the side, both ears standing tall.
“They won’t bother us,” I explained, fighting a smile. “One of the reasons my family runs this city is because we have an understanding with these guys.”
“Well, isn’t that convenient,” Gladys drawled, and the look she sent me wasn’t at all friendly. But my attention was on the chief of police as he got out of his car.
“Gladys and Ryan, it’ll be better if you and Bear aren’t here for this part,” I said, keeping an arm around Sadie’s waist. “Take the van around the block and keep quiet.”
Gladys opened her mouth—most likely to protest—but Ryan nudged her with his hip and almost sent her flying. He nodded. “You got it. Should Sadie come with us?”
I tucked her into my side. “She’s good right here.”
I wasn’t letting her out of my sight.
“ She can speak for herself,” Sadie muttered, but she was smiling.
“Come on, then, Bear.” Gladys got the leash from Sadie, but Bear refused to move from Sadie’s side. No matter how hard Gladys tugged on the leash or how many kissy sounds she made at him, Bear stayed put. Sadie even tried to tempt him with promises of treats, but he stayed glued to her side.
“I guess he can stay with us if he’s going to be stubborn. I don’t really want to leave him either,” Sadie finally said, reaching for the leash back. “Be safe, guys. We’ll meet up with you soon.”
“You better, or we’ll come back to get you,” Gladys warned. She and Ryan took off for the Dog-Mobile, just in time for Chief Peterson to walk over.
“Reed.” He stopped in front of us, lips twisting into more of a grimace than a smile. “Why am I not surprised to see you here?”
I shook his offered hand. “You sure took your time, Peterson.”
Sadie choked.
Amusement danced in his dark eyes. “Had to rally the troops after numerous calls about gunshots. You didn’t happen to have anything to do with that, did you? Or is it a coincidence you’re this far north at the scene of a crime?”
I glanced back at the house and all the men milling about the yard. “Zain Ali was keeping an innocent woman captive in this house. I couldn’t ignore that.”
Peterson’s gaze drifted to Sadie, measuring her up. “Was he now? Sounds like that’s something you should’ve called us for.”
“Already had it handled,” I said.
He hummed, cocking a brow at Sadie. “That must make you the innocent woman, then?”
Sadie cleared her throat.
“ Innocent? ” She chuckled nervously and glanced at his badge before looking at me. “I mean, yes, I was the one abducted. If that’s what you’re asking. But I wouldn’t say I’m completely innocent.”
My brows rose at her nerves, but Peterson laughed like she’d told a joke.
“Any fatalities this time, Reed?” he asked me, and I kept my mouth shut. His sigh carried extra weight. “I see. You never do make it easy for us.”
I shrugged. “One could argue I practically gift wrapped and hand-delivered the perps to you.”
He snorted. “Tell that to the mountain of paperwork that’ll be waiting on my desk tonight.” He pointed at Sadie. “Speaking of paperwork. Do me a favor and stop by the medical tent so they can clear you, all right?”
“Oh. I’m fine, your honor.” She glanced up at me again, then seemed to steel herself. “Actually, before you go, there’s something you should know. I need to confess to a crime?—”
I clamped a hand over her mouth. “That’s enough of that.”
Sadie glared at me, making muffled protests against my palm, but Peterson was already distracted by something over my shoulder. “Ah, here comes Ali now.”
Sadie tensed against me, and I let go of her mouth to rub my hand down her side comfortingly. Luckily, she kept her confession to herself as Shane marched Zain across the lawn, both hands tied behind the younger man’s back.
My rage heated at the sight of him, but I couldn’t take care of business yet. Not in front of Sadie.
“Any idea how long you plan to hold him for?” I asked the chief.
“There’s no chance he’ll be allowed to post bail, so it’ll be a few weeks before a hearing.”
“A week would be better,” I said.
He crossed his arms, frowning. “The boy’s a flight risk. Three weeks minimum, or it’ll be too obvious we’re handing him back to you on a silver platter.”
Three weeks was still too long. “Then I’d like a minute with him before you take him away.”
“We can spare a minute,” Peterson said before turning his back. “But no more than that.”
“Dav?” Sadie frowned at me. “What are you planning? Why do you need to talk to him?”
“I just want to follow up on our call.” I squeezed her hip. “Wait here.”
Her gaze narrowed, but she stayed put and scratched between Bear’s ears when I stepped away.
I stopped Zain when Shane went to walk him past us, taking ahold of his jaw and holding tight when he tried to jump back.
“Relax, Ali. I won’t hurt you today,” I murmured. “You’ve got three weeks to think about what I’ll do to you before you’ll be mine.”
I didn’t imagine the way his jaw trembled in my grip.
Zain wet his lips, gaze flitting around us. “I didn’t touch her, man. If she said I did, she’s lying?—”
“Not the argument I’d go with, if I were you,” I warned. “Try again.”
A scowl twisted his mouth. “You’re a real shit, Reed. You know, maybe I’ll think about your sweet little Sadie over there for the next three weeks. She’ll make the time fly by.”
Instinct wanted me to snap his neck. Pure force of will allowed me to release his jaw and step back instead.
“Untie him,” I ordered Shane.
Shane stepped forward and cut the zip tie, letting Zain pull his arms free from behind his back and massage his wrists.
I curled two fingers at him. “Go ahead. Hit me.”
His dark brows pulled together, feet staying planted. “Huh?”
“Hit me,” I repeated. “I know you want to. You acted like a big shot on that call—now’s your chance to prove it before they lock you up.”
He still hesitated.
“I’m not an idiot.” Zain glanced at the cops milling around. “I know what you’re doing.”
“Giving you a shot? The opportunity to back up your talk so you don’t look like even more of a pussy when news of today spreads?” I asked. “Yeah, I am. What are you waiting for?”
He thought about it for another second, then took a swing, and I easily brushed his fist aside before landing a blow to his jaw.
Sadie gasped behind me as Zain reeled back with a curse, but the cops did nothing.
“Good. Now, let’s try this again.” I pulled a switchblade from my pocket, flipped the blade open, and handed it to him. “Go on.”
Zain rubbed his jaw and blinked down at the blade.
“Davian,” Sadie whispered behind me. “Maybe we should draw a line at playing with knives. Want to go get ice cream or something? My treat.”
But Zain was already lunging for me again, and I knocked the hand with the blade aside.
It felt good to let off a little steam.
And even better than the rush of adrenaline was the painful crunch of Zain’s nose when I grabbed the back of his neck and slammed his face against the SUV.
The second round with Zain turned bloody quickly. I easily dodged his blind swipe with the knife, then twisted his wrist to disarm him. Another smash of his face into the back of the SUV sent more blood gushing from his nose. Zain cursed through the blood and tears, shouting expletives at me and throwing wild punches, which missed by a mile.
“Davian, stop!” Sadie cried at the sight of blood. “Malcolm! Where the heck did you put my broom?”
Bear’s loud barks joined her yelling.
I leaned to the side to avoid Zain’s sluggish punch, then grabbed his shirt and went to swing at his jaw again.
Sadie grabbed my arm, hugging it tight and killing my momentum. “Dav, please . He’s had enough.”
Zain moaned in pain, and I shoved him away. He staggered back, cupping his nose, which was still streaming blood.
Chief Peterson walked up to my other side with a sigh, his gaze steeped in quiet reproach. “You said you wanted to talk to him.”
“Did you miss the knife he pulled on me?” I pointed at the fallen blade. “That was textbook self-defense on my part.”
His flat stare spoke volumes.
“Stop giving me more paperwork.” He waved one of his men over, pointing at Zain. “Get him to a medic.”
Peterson left without another word, leaving me alone with Bear and Sadie—who stared at me with a dropped jaw as she let go of my arm. “Okay. You want to explain what that was?”
“ That was a lot nicer than what I planned on doing to him when I saw you tied to that chair.”
She huffed, and her throat worked as she swallowed. “I know it probably looked bad on the call, but he really didn’t hurt me. Nothing worthy of a broken nose.”
I flexed my stinging knuckles before wrapping an arm around her waist. “He took you. That was enough.”
She relaxed against me at that—even wrapping her arms around my waist as she slowly shook her head. “You know, I think you would really benefit from one of Ryan’s lessons on pacifism and seeking peaceful resolutions. He hosts a weekly group discussion that meets at the shelter. Want me to give you his number?”
I couldn’t think of a single thing less appealing than that.
“Sadie? Is that you?” a deep voice called from the street, saving me from answering. One of the officers jogged over, wearing a puzzled smile. “I thought I recognized you. What are you doing here?”
“Oh. Hello, Officer Murdock.” Sadie stayed leaned against my side, offering a tired smile. “It’s a really long story.”
My brow rose, and I lowered my voice. “You know this guy?”
She nodded. “The shelter is part of Officer Murdock’s patrols. He comes by to help sometimes, like when Bear was taken.”
I took a longer look at the man. Maybe a couple years younger than me, he was clean cut with short brown hair and an athletic build. He stood tall, with his shoulders pulled back like he thought very highly of himself. His police badge was extra shiny and prominently displayed on the front of his uniform.
“Not much help, was he?” I asked, not bothering to lower my voice this time.
Sadie’s elbow found my side with a swift jab, and I grunted. Her smile froze. “Ignore him, Officer.”
“Come on now, Sadie,” Murdock said with a smooth, pretty-boy smile that made me want to deck him. “How many times have I told you to call me Jake?”
What an asshole.
Sadie was polite enough to laugh. “Oh, that wouldn’t be appropriate.”
I agreed. Highly inappropriate. She shouldn’t be calling him at all.
The asshole had the nerve to step closer, and a low growl rumbled from Bear’s chest as he inched forward in warning.
“ Bear, ” Sadie scolded, shortening the leash before he could pounce. Pity. “None of that. You remember Officer Murdock.”
“He’s fine, he’s fine.” The piece of shit’s smile only widened. “I’m just glad to see you’re both all right.”
How sweet of him.
Unable to help myself, I moved my hand up to the base of Sadie’s neck and let it rest there, rubbing my thumb along the top of her spine. “Jake, is it? Why don’t you run along now. Sadie and I are a little busy.”
She tensed against my side, gaping up at me.
The pretty-boy smile froze on his face, and he glanced between us. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but the chief sent me over here to ask the victim a few questions while everything is still fresh. I didn’t realize it was you, Sadie, but this’ll be quick. If you’re up for it?”
I opened my mouth, but Sadie spoke first. “I’m happy to answer anything. Ask away.”
Sparing a glance at me, he cleared his throat. “Ah, it’s policy to separate any witnesses and victims before questioning them.”
“That won’t be necessary,” I said.
Sadie’s grip tightened on my waist.
“ Davian, ” she hissed softly before smiling at the shitbag. “Of course. Anything to help.”
‘Anything’ seemed like a bit of a stretch.
I grumbled under my breath as Sadie tugged me down closer to her height so she could place a sweet kiss on my cheek.
“Bear and I will be right back,” she whispered.
I grabbed her hand when she went to pull away, and she looked up in question.
“You missed,” I murmured in a soft challenge, and it only took a second before Sadie’s smile widened.
She rose up on tiptoes to press her lips to mine in a tease of a kiss, and it took everything inside me not to deepen it because Murdock was watching. I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of thinking he’d gotten to me.
Even if he had.
Sadie squeezed my hand and gave me a quick extra peck before drawing back.
“ Good boy ,” she mouthed to me, making it difficult for me not to laugh as I shook my head at her.
When Sadie stepped forward with Bear heeling at her side, Murdock lurched back with his hands raised.
“ Whoa . Ah, would you mind leaving him here?” he asked, earning a frown from Sadie. “I’m allergic to dogs.”
“Oh.” Sadie exchanged a look with Bear, before slowly facing me. Her smile turned sheepish. “Is it okay if Bear stays with you for a minute?”
Like I could say no.
“Just hurry back.” I held my hand out for his leash, and she handed it over.
Bear also got a kiss goodbye from Sadie—making me feel a certain way about the one she’d given me—and he tried to follow her when she left.
“Hey.” I tugged on the leash to stop him. “You can’t go with her right now. Stay.”
Bear whined in answer, and I silently agreed. It wasn’t fun watching her walk off with that tool. “She’ll be right back. Take a seat.”
Bear answered with a sharp bark, and I shook my head at myself.
…Was I really talking to a dog?
But I was impressed when he actually listened and plopped down in front of me. His alert gaze glued to Sadie and the asshole, both ears swiveled toward where they’d stopped next to a makeshift black tent. An officer inside the tent handed Sadie a cup of water.
Since Bear was doing it, I saw no problem in keeping an eye on them, too.
A minute later, Vince joined us. “If you glare any harder, you’ll burn a hole through his head.”
Guess we hadn’t been very subtle.
“If only,” I muttered dryly, turning to him. The gravity of his face looked out of place after a successful job. “What happened?”
He pressed his lips together and looked at Bear, who’d perked up at Vince’s arrival—his tail wagging furiously against the pavement.
“I just got off the phone with Enzo.” Vince’s shoulders rose with a deep breath. “Lorenzo’s dead.”
I went still. “How?”
“That’s the interesting part, and you can thank Dante for updating the system or we would’ve missed it. The feeds went down as soon as we left, but the backups kicked in right away.” He hesitated. “It caught Seb going to the shed.”
What the hell.
I almost asked him to repeat himself. “…My old man offed Lorenzo? You’re kidding.”
“Enzo sent me a clip of the footage. I saw it myself.” He shook his head. “Seb didn’t know about the backup cameras. He just counted on sneaking in and out during the chaos.”
I looked over to where my father was talking to Peterson, my mind reeling. I wasn’t sure what to think. Seb had no reason to kill Lorenzo. Unless…
It clicked. The goddamn piece of the puzzle I’d been missing earlier.
Lorenzo wouldn’t have gone sniffing around Zain on his own, and he knew something my father thought was worth silencing him over.
And Zain had found Sadie way too quickly to not have been tipped off by someone on the inside.
My father was working them both.
I watched Chief Peterson and my father laugh over something together, like old friends.
I’d spent years cleaning up his messes. Handling his dirty work. Setting up the deals and running the games, while he raked in the winnings. Just how long had the old bastard been playing me?
But one question drowned out the rest.
Why?
Vince cleared his throat. “What will you do?”
Tearing my gaze from the man in question, I checked on Sadie. Aside from Pretty Boy blinding her with his pearly white smile, she seemed fine—no thanks to my old man. If it were up to him, today would’ve gone very differently for her.
The voice that left my throat didn’t sound like my own. “I’ll handle it.”