Chapter 56
LET HIM GO
J.D. Stevens
Mother Nature didn’t know whether she wanted us to burn in hell or give us relief from the hellish heat of the South. Today, the air hung heavy with humidity, making it difficult to breathe. The air was sticky, making everything feel damp and uncomfortable.
The weather in North Carolina never seemed to make up its mind, constantly shifting between different seasons. One minute we were sweltering in the high eight-degree heat, and the next week brought a sudden drop to the chilly low sixties. Today it was somewhere in between and humid as fuck. The best weather to be on the back of my bike but not today. Today we rode in a cage because Rebel wasn’t fully healed no matter how much she tried to convince me that she was fine. She still winced, her face contorting with pain, whenever she thought I wasn’t looking. As we walked up to the black door of the two-story brick house in one of the nicest neighborhoods outside of Charlotte, she couldn’t hide the discomfort she felt.
In this neighborhood, you could find professional athletes and some of the wealthiest individuals in the country. Special Agent in Charge, Donald Williams was living a good life. I was certain that he couldn’t afford this house in this neighborhood with his salary.
“Nice place.”
I look around at the manicured lawns, perfectly landscaped shrubs, and flowers.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Rebel said with a disapproving look on her face.
“And what am I thinking?” I asked with my brow arched.
“You want to know how he can afford this house in this neighborhood.”
“It crossed my mind.”
“His wife comes from money. Don’t judge him before you talk to him.”
I said nothing because I’d already spoken with him. Rebel had a high opinion of her godfather, but as someone who dealt with law enforcement my entire life, none of these motherfuckers were squeaky clean, especially not a Special Agent in Charge in one of the largest FBI field offices in the country. So, yes, I was already judging him and my opinion of him wouldn’t change. My decision on what to do would be based solely on whether he was involved in Dani and Luca’s murder. Not whether he was crooked because all of them were.
As we reached the front door of his home, I could feel her body trembling against the palm of my hand on the small of her back. While I understood being nervous, it was something I couldn’t do anything about. My wife and son deserved justice no matter who it came from.
She took in a deep breath then released it before ringing the doorbell. I pulled her close to me, feeling the warmth of her body against mine, and gently pressed a kiss to her forehead, hoping to offer her solace. Maybe it would help. Perhaps it wouldn’t help at all. But it was all I could do.
The door swung open, revealing a tall, stunning woman with a dark complexion and a chic, short hairstyle. Her radiant smile was absolutely breathtaking. Her dark red lipstick stood out against her dark skin, complementing her yellow skirt that touched the floor.
“Rebel!” She pulled Rebel into her arms causing her to wince. “Honey, Donald didn’t tell me, you were stopping by.”
She squeezed her tightly, swaying with her before she pulled away.
“Hey, Auntie,” Rebel said with pain in her voice. “It’s about business, I’m sure that’s why he didn’t say anything.”
“Well come on in sweetheart.” She pushed the door open wider. “I’m so glad to see you’re doing better. We were all going out of our minds after you were shot.”
As we stepped in, she closed the door behind us.
“I’m fine, Auntie. I’m on the mend. This is my boyfriend, J.D. Stevens.”
Rebel intertwined our hands. Her eyes shifted from our intertwined hands to meet my gaze. As I looked into her eyes, I sensed the disapproval radiating from them. But it was fine because no one’s approval of me mattered.
“Nice to meet you,” she said even though she didn’t mean it.
“You too,” was my simple response.
“Well, Donald is in his office,” she said when her focus landed back on Rebel. “You know where it’s at. Would you like anything to drink?”
“No, Auntie. We’re good.”
“Alright, then. Let me know.”
She leaned over and planted a kiss on Rebel’s cheek, then turned and walked away, shooting me a menacing glare.
“She’s cheerful,” I said when she was out of sight.
Rebel nudged me in the side. “Stop being mean,” she said as we started walking down the hallway located off to the right of the foyer.
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. “I wasn’t being mean. It just seemed a little over the top.”
She looked over her shoulder, rolling her eyes. We stopped in front of a huge oak door with intricate designs etched into the wood, showcasing the artisan’s attention to detail. Beautiful craftsmanship and definitely looked hand carved, not something that had been massed produced.
Rebel knocked on the door, but didn’t wait for a response before she walked in. At a large, dark-colored wood desk, Donald Williams sat, surrounded by stacks of papers and a vintage lamp. Just as I closed the door behind us, he glanced up from the papers he was shuffling through.
“Have a seat.”
He stacked the papers on top of each other, then tossed the ink pen on top of the papers before leaning back in his chair. He steepled his fingers as he watched me, and Rebel sit in the chairs positioned in front of his desk.
“Mr. Stevens...” he started, but I threw up my hand to stop him.
“I won’t beat around the bush about this bullshit Williams. What do you know about the murder of my wife and child?”
Frowning slightly, his brows furrowed as he tried to understand the question. “I don’t understand. According to reports your wife was killed in an accident.”
“She wasn’t,” I said. “What do you know about Revels connection to my wife?”
“From my understanding of Agent Revels notes, your wife was willing to turn States’ evidence against you if we could make sure she was able to enter witness protection.”
I couldn’t help the laughter that I released. “There was no fucking way my wife would ever turn on me Agent. Your agent is dirty.”
I had to remember to refer to Revels in the present tense. Williams was not stupid and was very observant, so I definitely had to make sure I stayed on my toes with what I said.
“Are you sure?” he asked, and I refused to answer that stupid ass question. Dani was loyal to a fucking fault. Her loyalty was something I would never question.
“Where’s my agent, Stevens?”
I leaned back in the chair, feeling the soft cushion against my back. “I don’t know. Probably skipped town since Rebel has proof that he’s crooked as hell. Proof that he targeted my wife and had her killed. Then shot Rebel to get rid of the evidence.”
He looked at Rebel. “Do you have evidence?”
“Of course I do,” she said. “I warned you to watch your back when it came to him.”
He ran his hand down his face, trying to wipe away the exhaustion etched into his features. “What do you want?”
“The truth,” I said. “I want to know what your involvement was in my wife’s death. And trust me, Williams, if you lie to me, I will crush you. First starting with that beautiful wife of yours.”
He jumped up out of his seat, planting his palms on the top of his desk. “Don’t you dare threaten my family!”
“Sit down, Agent,” I said as calmly as I could glaring at him. “I said, sit the fuck down!” I shouted when he didn’t move.
“J.D...” Rebel called out my name, and I threw up my hand stopping her. This conversation was bound to happen, whether or not they liked it.
As he slowly settled into his chair, his intense glare remained fixed on me.
“I don’t give one fuck about you or your fucking family, Williams. My wife and son were killed because of one of your agents!”
He started shaking his head, and before he could open his fucking mouth, I was out of my seat. My hand was wrapped securely around his throat. My fingers dug into the flesh of his neck as his eyes widened in fear and anger while he gripped my arms, struggling to get out of my hold.
“Did you know?” I asked, and he shook his head as he tried to speak. “Did you know he had my wife and son killed?”
“J.D., let him go,” Rebel said, with her hand on my forearm. I looked at her and I could see the fear in her eyes. “Let him go for me.”
I briefly closed my eyes, then when I opened them, I focused back on Williams. “You didn’t stop him from doing the shit he was doing. You let him go rogue.” He tried to shake his head, but I tightened my grip. “You did. However, Rebel’s the only reason you’ll remain breathing. You let him do what the fuck he wanted as long as he took me down. I’ll get what’s owed to me.”
As I released him, he collapsed into his chair, his body wracked with coughing.
“I didn’t know,” he said as he tried to talk through the coughs.
“Maybe you didn’t but you don’t get to come out of this without paying the consequences, Williams. But if I find out you had something to do with it, I will fucking kill you and piss on your fucking grave. And Rebel won’t be able to save you. No one will. I’ll be in touch.”
With Rebel’s hand in mine, I led the way towards the door. I paused for a moment to take one last look at Agent Williams, then I opened the door and walked out with my woman by my side. I’d use him until he was no longer useful.