12. Interrogation
Twelve
Interrogation
Bullet
The next day, I drop Amelia off at school and run back to her house to finish the job that Crush and I started.
Since Amelia is going to be busy into the evening with parents coming to the school for conference night, Crush and I hang out at the club for a while.
With all the Satan’s Pride fathers at the school, I know that Amelia is in good hands, and this gives Crush and me time to go through the financial ledgers.
Crush hates this part of the business, and if it were up to him, he’d step back and let me handle it. That’s not what I want.
We’re a partnership, with the rest of the Pride brothers as investors. As much as Crush would prefer to be the worker bee, I refuse to let that happen. Crush is smart. Really smart. The only person who doesn’t see his potential is him.
The brothers know that Crush is capable of doing so much, yet he shies away from taking on responsibilities until they’re thrust upon him.
He’s been challenged many times over the last few years.
Mainly by Guard giving him projects that push him out of his comfort zone, but it doesn’t stop there.
Ghost has been watching over Crush for the last few months, and he’s caught on to Crush’s way to avoid making decisions. Ghost challenges him every time.
At one time, Crush would have walked away from the club and disappeared. But Guard has made it so that Crush and I are family. There’s nothing more important to Crush than being part of a family, and so here we are, going over the books together while he grumbles.
“Why are you adding the bill for Amelia’s place?” he asks.
“Because the club shouldn’t be out the money. I’ll take it out of my account.”
“Hell, no!” Crush replies. “That’s not right.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Did we charge Ava when we replaced the floor in her studio?”
“No, but—”
“Did we expect money from Risk when the pipe burst in the bakery and Hanna panicked?”
“Well, no.”
“Then why should we charge Amelia?” he asks, throwing out a hand.
“They’re old ladies. I haven’t made it official yet. You know the protocol,” I remind him. “First, we call a meeting, then I say my piece, and everyone votes. Haven’t had time to do that, and I’m not going to expect the club to be out because of it.”
“Then I’ll pay for half,” he insists.
“You don’t have to do that.”
He interrupts me. “Yes, I do. She’s the closest I’m going to have to a sister, and I take care of my family.”
“What the hell are you two talking about?” Blade walks in with his woman, Emryn. “Who’s a sister?”
“Bullet is putting up his own money for Amelia’s roof repairs,” Crush tells him. Blade shakes his head.
“It’s only fair,” I explain.
“She’s your old lady,” Blade says.
“Not officially,” I answer.
“Amelia is wonderful. We all love her. She’s already been inducted into the Lady Pride.” Emryn adds, “That must count for something.” She flits her gaze from Blade to me.
“Look, I’m glad that you all like her because she’s special to me, but the Pride has a system, and with so much going on, calling a meeting to make it official that Amelia is my woman doesn’t hit the top of the pile,” I tell them, glancing at my watch.
“And I’ve got to head over to the school. I’m picking Amelia up.”
“Don’t bother. Izzy and Saint are bringing her by to save you a trip.” This comes from Ava as she walks into the compound with Guard’s arm around her.
“Good, Ava’s here. We can solve this right now,” Emryn says.
“Not the time,” Blade interjects, giving his girl a warning glance.
“Solve what?” Ava asks.
Emryn purses her lips, clearly contemplating whether to forge ahead or not. Then she blurts out, “Bullet wants to pay for Amelia’s roof because it’s not official that she’s his old lady.” She throws her hands up and turns to her man. “I’m sorry, but this is just silly.”
Guard makes his way over and stops right in front of me. His hand clamps on my shoulder. “Is she it for you?” He stares long and hard into my eyes, then answers his own question. “I can see that she is. Rip up the invoice, brother.”
“The guys need to vote,” I tell him.
“Fine.” Guard shrugs. “We’ll vote. Most of the men are on their way here anyway.
The rest we’ll call and get their votes.
” The room starts to fill with Pride brothers and their girlfriends and wives.
“Quick meeting,” Guard announces. “Keep Amelia busy until we’re done.
” He kisses his wife, then goes to the meeting room, calling over his shoulder, “Let’s go, Bullet. ”
There’s nothing left to do but to follow our leader. Guard makes the meeting short and sweet.
“Who’s missing?” Guard asks Ghost.
“Roscoe and Wildcard have left to pick up a skip,” Ghost answers. Roscoe’s main role is to work for the bail bond company the Pride set up, and Wildcard does that too, as well as working with Orion on the security parts of the businesses.
“Saint’s still not here,” Thunder adds.
“Only one thing to discuss. Bullet is making Amelia his old lady. He was going to pay for her roof himself and not bother with this because of the problem at hand. Brothers come first,” Guard states firmly.
“Let’s not draw this out,” Ghost says. “Anyone got a problem with this?”
A round of brothers from around the room chime in to state their approval of Amelia. Many add how they like and respect her.
“Got a text from Roscoe. Both he and Wildcard say hell yeah,” War says with a chuckle.
“Saint hasn’t answered,” Ghost says, frowning down at his phone. He hits the keypad on his phone and puts it on speaker. Saint picks up on the first ring.
“Hands are full. Cops arrived, and they’re trying to cart Amelia off. But I’m a yes,” Saint answers quickly.
I can hear Amelia in the background, “I’m not going anywhere without Bullet or Sofia.”
“I’m on my way, babe!” I shout, then bolt out the door.
“Demon, bring Sofia,” Guard commands as he stomps through the common area to Demon, but I don’t have time to wait. I need to get to my girl.
Bullet
“I’m sorry, Officer. I am happy to answer your questions, but not without legal counsel.
You’ll just have to wait until she gets here before I agree to go to the police station.
” I hear Amelia talking to a cop and rush up the front steps of the school, where I see her standing with two uniformed policemen.
Standing on either side of Amelia are Saint and Izzy.
Izzy has her arm linked with Amelia’s as if someone is going to steal her away.
“You might be freer to speak your mind if you come with us. We’ll protect you, ma’am,” one of the officers says.
“Not cool,” Saint mutters.
I insert myself between Amelia and the officers. “Is there a problem, Officers?”
“Nothing that concerns you,” the younger police officer says, looking around me to Amelia. “Ma’am, this really isn’t a big deal.”
“Taking a woman to a police station when she’s already informed you that she wants to wait for her lawyer is a big deal,” I tell him.
“If Ms. Ralleigh has nothing to hide, then she doesn’t require a lawyer,” the cocky young cop retorts.
Amelia comes from behind me, hands on her hips, ready for battle.
“Did I just hear you right? Did you just insinuate that I have something to hide because I choose to have someone present during questioning? Especially when I’ve asked you more than once what this is about and each time you’ve deflected and refused to answer?
” she says, her face turning to stone, her eyes throwing daggers at the young cop.
But even more lethal is the principal tone she uses next.
“Listen closely. I have absolutely nothing to hide, and I’m disappointed by the idea of a public servant who is supposed to serve and protect making assumptions based on nothing.
What’s worse are your intimidation tactics and assumption that I’m being coerced into silence by these amazing people, when, in fact, you are making me extremely uncomfortable with your behavior. ”
“Ms. Ralleigh, we simply feel that your boyfriend—”
“Do not finish that sentence!” Amelia stops him, raising a hand in front of his face.
“Bullet hasn’t done anything wrong. None of my friends have done anything wrong.
I will defend my man until I breathe my last breath.
” She’s fuming, her body shaking with fury, and I’m doing my best to not haul her into my arms and kiss her with as much passion as she’s shown defending me and the club.
The clicking of heels turns our attention to Sofia climbing the steps as quickly as her stilettos will allow. She calls out, “Amelia, not another word!”
“I haven’t said anything. I’m just defending my man!” Amelia huffs.
Christ! She couldn’t get more beautiful if she tried. I gently wrap my arm around her middle and pull her back against me. “Calm down, my feisty kitten.”
“They were insulting you and Crush…and everybody,” she sputters, then inhales deeply before she slowly lets it go.
“Defending your man, huh?” I tease. She turns her head to look up at me. “For years, it’s only been Crush looking out for me, then the club. It felt good to have them do that. Means a hell of a lot more to know you’re looking out for me too,” I say, then I brush my lips over hers.
Her anger quickly subsides as she leans into me.
“We’ll meet you down at the station,” Sofia tells the officers.
The two officers know when to quit as Sofia stares them down. For a little thing, she packs a wallop. “Fine,” the younger officer replies.