Chapter 16
Danica
M y heart was pounding so hard against my ribs I thought I might pass out. Seek had called me to let me know that the guys had been arrested. I’d just finished dropping Keely off at the airport and had made my way here as quickly as I could.
The shock when Seek had hurriedly told me that the DA had it out for our guys was overwhelming.
She’d already told me that they’d been arrested for kicking Eli’s ass.
I sort of wished I’d been there to see it.
He’d made my life hell for so long, a vicious little piece of me had wanted to watch him take a few hits.
Seek had buddies on the force and they’d let us back here just in time to hear DA Fremont ask who their lawyer was going to be.
His eyes latched onto me and his lip curled up. “Danica Bradford. I haven’t seen you in quite some time.”
Tipping my chin up, I walked toward him.
Thanks to my mom, I’d practically grown up in the courts.
I’d known this man since I was a kid. He’d started out as a criminal defense lawyer, then had switched sides and worked as a prosecutor.
Knowing his sleazy methods in court, I’d been shocked when he’d been promoted to District Attorney.
Or maybe I wasn’t surprised. A lot of people liked to turn their noses up at criminal defense attorneys because they help what the public sees as the ‘bad guys’.
What they didn’t realize is that the prosecutors weren’t saints either.
Prostituting Attorneys. That’s what my mother always called them.
The only thing prosecutors often cared about was their own winning record and the battle of wills that played out in the courtroom.
They didn’t care if the people they prosecuted were actually guilty, only that they got a conviction.
Or at least Fremont didn’t. I knew that for a fact.
He was a snake who liked to dress up as a good guy.
I had no idea what the MC was tangled up in, but if he was involved this wasn’t good.
Smokehouse had hinted that there were issues they were dealing with.
“Cynthia has forty-eight hours to get here,” Fremont sneered when I didn’t return his greeting.
It was as fake as he was. “After that, they’ll be given a public defender.
” He moved past us in the hallway, eyes narrowing on Seek as he went.
He left without another word, and it was like all the air rushed back into the hallway as soon as he stepped out of the door.
A slow smile began to form on Static’s face. “Your mother is C.L. Bradford?”
I grinned at him. “She is. And she’ll be assisted by K.M.
Bradford.” I was already regretting not allowing Keely to go after Eli in court like she’d wanted to.
Everything had been moving so fast and I’d been trying to keep things civil.
Now Eli was getting what he deserved, but the guys were in trouble because of me.
It made me almost as guilty as Eli for allowing it.
“Holy shit,” Static said with a shake of his head.
When everyone else just stared at him with a blank look he laughed.
He arched a brow in my direction while talking to Smokehouse.
“Your old lady’s mom was the number one defense attorney in the state while she was practicing.
And her sister? Number three. Not too fucking shabby for the likes of you. ”
I met Smoke’s gaze and gave him an apologetic look. “We hadn’t really gotten around to discussing our families yet.”
“That’s true enough,” he said. “Will they help us?”
“Yes, but I do need to call them.”
“I’ll go with you,” Lockout said. “I don’t want anyone wandering around by themselves with Fremont here.”
I nodded and squeezed Seek’s hand before turning to head back out of the police station. The last thing I wanted was to make this phone call here. They recorded in most parts of the building and I didn’t want anything that could be used against the guys in court.
Lockout leaned against the building, watching me as I pulled out my cell phone. It hadn’t rang more than once before Mom picked up.
“Sweetie! I’m so happy you called.”
Guilt gnawed at me as I remembered how long I’d gone between phone calls with her and Dad because of Eli. “I wish I had time to catch up, Mom, but…I need your help.”
“What’s going on?” The soft mothering voice disappeared in an instant and was replaced by her lawyer voice. It made me smile, despite the circumstances. I’d sat through so many trials listening to that clipped tone that often tore apart witnesses and other attorneys alike.
Giving Lockout a considering look, I sighed when I realized he wasn’t going to give me privacy for this. He was about to hear all my secrets. “I don’t have a lot of time, Mom, but… I’m divorcing Eli.”
“Thank God.” The relief in her tone made my stomach knot up.
“That’s not all. Just…let me get this out. I promise I’ll tell you and Dad everything later.”
“Okay, Sweetheart.”
“I’m pregnant.” The silence on the other end was deafening. “It’s not Eli’s baby. It’s another man’s. He went to get Eli to sign the divorce papers because Eli is being a jerk about it.”
“Of course he is.” I could hear the repressed question in her tone, she must be about to explode with grandma energy.
“A fight happened and now Smoke, um, the father, and his friends are in jail and awaiting a preliminary trial.”
“For a fight?” I could hear the frown in her voice.
“Fremont has something to do with it, though I’m not sure what at this point.” I gave Lockout a quick peek. His face had a grim look on it. “Um…The guys are in a motorcycle club, and somehow tangled up with Fremont.”
Mom sighed, a sound that crushed my soul because I never wanted to disappoint her. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Mom. I just don’t want these guys in trouble because they tried to help me. I…I haven’t told you and Dad what it’s been like…living with Eli all these years.”
“Your sister told us it was pretty bad, though she wouldn’t give us specifics. She kept saying it was your story to tell.”
“She’s right.” I was grateful to Keely for that. “And I promise I’ll tell you everything, but please, we don’t have a lot of time before things get worse.”
“We’ll be getting on the next plane for Tucson, my sweet.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I whispered, trying not to choke on the emotion rising within me. That was one great thing about Mom. She knew when things were serious, and how to control what must be overwhelming urges to pepper me with questions. I’d pay that bill soon enough.
“I’ll call Keely and have her turn around at her next layover. You don’t worry about a thing. We’re on our way.”
“I love you, Mom.”
“I love you, too, Dani.”
Hanging up, I took a deep breath and looked over at Lockout. “They’re on their way.”
He studied me for a few moments, before nodding. “What was it like?”
I blinked, frowning at him. “Huh?”
“Living with this guy?”
Swallowing, I dropped my gaze down to his boots. Despite barely knowing him, there was no holding back. I needed to answer Lockout's question. “Like a nightmare I was caught in and couldn’t find my way out of.”
“Are we going to have to worry about him?”
“I don’t think so. He’s a hedge fund manager. And a cheater, but I don’t think he’s capable of giving you guys trouble.”
“He already stabbed Smokehouse.”
My eyes widened and shot up to his. “What? Oh my God, is he okay?”
Lockout pushed off the wall and grabbed my wrist before I could dart back into the police station.
“He’s fine, all stitched up. We like to keep our business to ourselves, typically.
Considering you’re going out of your way to help us, I’ll make sure Smoke brings you up to speed on what’s going on.
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you calling in reinforcements for us. ”
I gave him a wry smile. “I appreciate that you guys have taken me in. I’m not sure what Eli would have done if he’d had unfettered access to me.”
Lockout’s lips twitched. “Smoke mentioned you were a teacher. Unfettered. It’s going to be fun watching you confuse Butcher with adult words.” He chuckled and dropped my arm. “Let’s get back in there and see what we can do about getting these guys out on bail.”
“If Fremont has anything to do with this, he’s going to make that an expensive endeavor,” I pointed out.
“I’m sure he will.” Lockout pulled out his own cell and waited until it was answered. He held the door open for me. “Hey, Rip. Get down to the police station on Grant and second.” He listened for a moment. “Bring your checkbook.” He chuckled at whatever the other man said. “Fine then, bring cash.”
I hesitated, then sighed. “I’m sorry I didn’t get this taken care of before Smokehouse got involved.
I’ve been trying to get Eli to sign the papers.
Keely offered to send him threatening letters and take it to court if we needed to, but I was trying to keep her out of it.
And keep things calm. I really thought he’d give in. ”
“None of this is your fault, Dani. Eli sounds like a douche and Fremont was a problem before you came along.” He rested his hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze before letting go.
His reassurances made me feel a little better.
We made our way into the back once more, and I hurried over to the cell where Smokehouse was being kept.
“I can’t believe Eli stabbed you,” I told him, looking him over for more injuries.
They were all in their own clothes and I could see where the knife had sliced through his t-shirt.
Nausea swelled up, but I did my best to swallow it back.
I had no problem with blood, but knowing that Smoke had been injured made me want to throw up.
“The fuckin’ coward waited until our backs were turned,” Hush spat out. “Lucky for Smoke that the weasel has noodle arms. The knife barely went in an inch.”
That didn’t surprise me. Eli wasn’t the kind to face a threat head on. At least not from men like this. They were bigger and stronger than he was. I was shocked he’d attacked them at all.
“I’m so sorry,” I said, reaching through the bars. When Smoke tangled his fingers with mine, I gave him a watery smile.
“It’s not your fault, Wildcat.” He looked over at Lockout and sighed. “Sorry for fucking things up.”
“It was only a matter of time before one of us did,” Lockout said with a shrug of his shoulders. “Fremont’s been waiting for us to step a toe out of line. At least you were doing something…productive.”
“The fact that he came down here this quickly is proof enough of that,” Static said. “He had to have had people watching to have gotten word about your arrests this fast.”
“Why is he watching you?” I asked, looking around in confusion.
“Bring her up to speed,” Lockout ordered. “She’s a part of this now.”
The other men’s brows shot up, but no one said anything about his choice. Seek smiled at me. “Welcome to the shit show,” she told me.
I laughed and shook my head. “Well, this ought to be good.”
The guys all looked around, making sure none of the officers were hanging out where they could overhear us. Smoke pointed up into the corner where a camera was sitting. “Just keep it down.”
My smile fled quickly as Ricochet started speaking and he told me about what happened to his sister and Jordan.
Gasping, I looked around at all their faces for confirmation. “That’s why they had those bruises?”
Nods all around along with grim looks were my answer.
“I hope he’s in jail,” I snarled under my breath, trying to remember to keep quiet so the cameras didn’t pick up anything.
I was angry for my new friends that Gwen’s ex, Trent, had done such a thing.
It also hit a bit close to home since it might have been possible that Eli would have eventually retaliated against me in such a way.
“He went to jail,” Ricochet said. “We dropped him off in Fremont’s office and made sure of it. Only he didn’t stay there very long.”
“They released him?” I asked, horrified. “After what he did?” I may not have become a lawyer the way my mother and sister had, but I knew the law damn well. Between growing up around my mom, and helping Keely study over the years, I was well-versed on it.
“No. We’re pretty sure Fremont had him killed,” Smokehouse told me. They were all watching me closely to see my reaction.
I sat with that information for a few moments, my face a neutral mask as I absorbed their words. “Trent was Fremont’s assistant. He must have known something that Fremont didn’t want getting around.”
“You seem to know him well,” Static said, giving Lockout a look.
“Unfortunately,” I admitted, “but only because he and Mom battled it out in court so many times. It’s not like our families were friends. The guy’s awful. Mom always suspected he was dirty. It’s just that no one was ever able to dig up anything on him. Once he made DA, everyone stopped trying.”
They were all nodding along with my assessment. “So why is he after you guys?”
“We brought Trent to his attention. Put ourselves on his radar,” Hellfire replied.
“Likely he’s just making sure we’re not going to dig into whatever Trent knew,” Static continued.
“I think that’s giving him too much credit,” Lockout said with a sigh. “Something is telling me he’s about to start a war against us. Man like him takes things personally when you interrupt his schemes.”
“That’s what I would guess,” I told them. They all focused on me. Seek was frowning, rubbing a hand over her protruding belly. “He’s not going to want anyone around who knows the lengths he went to, to silence Trent. He’s going to systematically try to destroy your club.”
They all tensed at that. It was what they’d already suspected, I could see the truth on their faces, but hearing it said out loud was something else completely.