Chapter 47
Brody
“I told you, I need out of here, now!” I snapped at Ronan, who was sitting far too calmly for my liking. I was covered in blood from beating Preston, disheveled from attempting to rip my hair out, and I couldn’t sit still. I needed to get out and find Selena. I needed to go now.
“Your job is to get me out of here, and instead you’ve got me here playing nice with the pigs.”
“Well, for that to be true, first of all, you’d have to stop hurling insults and threats at them and actually play nice. Do you want out of here or not?”
I took a long breath. “What do I have to do to get out of here?”
“Well, we could admit to beating the cop unprovoked and then we could post bail and you’re out.
It could have consequences for your future, however.
Alternatively, we get the investigation into Preston rolling and say you were acting in self-defense.
It’s slower, but that way nothing will stick to you.
Your reputation will be intact, and your record will stay clean. ”
I nodded, making my mind up in a moment, and turned toward the two-way glass in the interrogation room. I banged hard on it.
“Come back in. I confess, I did it. Unprovoked attack, or whatever. I’m guilty. Charge me and let me go.”
“Brody!” Ronan snapped at me from across the room. “What are you doing?”
“The woman I love is out there somewhere, abducted, and it has something to do with all of this. I can’t sit here one more second, while she needs me,” I insisted.
Ronan considered my words and then blew out a harsh sigh. “Fucking love, who’d bother? It just fucks everything up. Fine. We’ll do it your way. I just hope this doesn’t come back to haunt you. A reputation once lost is lost forever, remember.”
“Well, that’s what I have you for. I’m sure you can fix all of it, after. Right now, I can’t be here.”
Ronan watched me and then rolled his eyes. “Fine. Your dad’s not going to like this, though.”
“I don’t give a fuck.”
A few hours later, I burst out of the police station and took my phone from the little baggie all my stuff had been put in.
I called Cal. “What’s the news?”
“I got the security footage from the diner. It was Nick. The waitress recognized him. Don’t forget, he’s the fucking cop’s little brother.”
Bloody hell. “I did forget. I didn’t figure that Officer Sleazebag would be involving his family in blackmail and coercion. I guess I was wrong.”
“Yeah, me neither. Anyway, I called around trying to find out where he might have taken her. His dorm room, the cop’s house, and their childhood house are a no. Right now, I’m waiting for Marcus to get back to me. His brother knows everyone’s business, apparently.”
“Call me as soon as you know.” I hung up and looked at Ronan.
He watched me with a knowing look.
“What?”
“Nothing, just… I’ve seen this look before. It either ends in a happily ever after or a fucking car crash. Can I ask who the lucky woman is?”
“Yeah, sure. You’ve probably heard of her, since I’m sure you handled my father’s prenup.”
Ronan arched a brow.
“It’s not your new stepmom, is it?” he asked.
“Nope, but close,” I told him, stepping out onto the street to hail a cab. I needed to get my car from near the diner. “She’s my stepsister and future wife. You can start figuring out the paperwork on that one, if you’re so inclined.”
I got into the cab, and it quickly pulled away, leaving a bemused Ronan Black standing on the sidewalk.