CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
DAMON
Time crawled at a painfully slow rate. My body ached in more places than I could count. I’d been given a regular over-the-counter painkiller that did little to help. For the most part, I laid on my bunk, waiting for the hours to pass. Hoping to soon learn my fate.
The door to my cell stood open, allowing anyone freely roaming to stop by. I wasn’t expecting that to actually happen. When I heard the scuff of shoes against the floor in the doorway, I rolled my head to the side and cracked open an eye.
A man I didn’t recognize stood in the threshold leaning against the door frame. Big with tattoos on every inch of exposed skin. Short hair that was almost buzzed. He stared at me for a long time, neither of us saying a word.
Finally, I asked, “Can I help you? In case you didn’t notice, I’ve kind of reached my quota for getting my ass kicked today.”
He stared at me for several more seconds before pushing forward, taking a few steps into my cell. “Just here to talk. Word has it that you do things for the right price.”
I groaned, not in the mood for this conversation. “Does it look like I’m capable of taking a job right now?”
He shrugged. “You’ll probably be out on bail by the end of the day. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to handle my request.”
“And what might that be?” I struggled into a sitting position, a hand going to my head as the room spun.
“I need you to kill the guy that put me in this place,” he said, getting right to the point. “I won’t be getting out. This is just the first stop until I end up in the pen. This is important. I need you to tie up this loose end for me.”
I studied him for a moment, finding him deadly serious. “Why would I do that? What’s in it for me?”
“For starters, you get to keep walking, talking, and breathing. I have people on the outside who will make sure you get the job done. Otherwise, they’ll turn your life upside down.”
“Why not get them to handle your business then?” I shoved a hand through my disheveled hair. I needed so much more than a basic painkiller.
“Because they all have ties to me, and you don’t.
Do the job and my crew will help you out with anything you need in the future.
” He paused for dramatic effect. “However, if you choose not to help me out with this, I’ll have my guys come after you on the outside, along with anyone you care about. Family, friends, women. Are we clear?”
Fuck. This was the last thing I needed. Once I got out of here, I would have the cops breathing down my neck. Watching my every move. How the hell was I supposed to pull off this job and not get caught?
Having this asshole not so subtly threaten Athena and Noah made it hard to say no. I wasn’t sure I would be able to handle another beating today either. He had me backed into a corner, and he knew it.
“Fine,” I relented. “Tell me everything I need to know.”
What I learned was that this guy’s name was Jake.
He was part of some street gang that caused trouble in a few cities in the surrounding area.
Apparently, one of his former gang members had become a rat, feeding information to the authorities.
Information that landed Jake here and soon in a more permanent prison.
Since everyone knew that rats couldn’t be allowed to get away with that shit, the guy had to die.
None of this had anything to do with me, and I honestly didn’t give a damn. Unfortunately, criminals knew how to manipulate a situation in their favor, which was exactly what Jake was doing to me now.
He told me where to find the guy in question. He also made sure I knew that his fellow gang members on the outside would be keeping an eye on me, making sure I did the job. What a load of absolute crap.
Since I would do anything to keep Athena safe, I fully intended to do the damn job.
Once Jake left my cell, I did my best to go back to sleep.
It felt like the best way to pass the time.
Despite my door being open, I had no interest in venturing forth and interacting with fellow inmates further.
I’d created a reputation for myself, and it had followed me here.
A possibility I had accepted when I only had myself to worry about.
Now I had Athena, and I would go to hell and back to keep her safe.
I ignored the call for lunch. Screw it. I didn’t need to eat that badly. It must have been getting close to suppertime when a guard came to my cell.
“Get dressed, Price. You’re leaving.” He flung some street clothes onto my bed next to my head. Sweatpants and a plain T-shirt.
“Leaving?” I repeated. “What about the bail hearing?”
“The guy you shot told police it was an accident. You’re free to go.” The guard exited the room, giving me the illusion of privacy while I changed.
Free to go? Why the hell would the groom tell the cops that it was an accident? We both knew I had been there to steal from him. Although I hadn’t intentionally shot him, I had done my best to get that gun out of his hand.
After changing, I followed the guard who led me through the facility and out to a front desk. Some paperwork was shoved in front of me. Documents detailing my release. It was all a blur.
“Your ride is waiting out front.” The lady working the front desk nodded toward the door.
I exited the building to find Athena standing next to her car. She looked tired, like she hadn’t slept yet. That didn’t stop her from breaking into a run toward me, a smile on her face as she leapt into my arms. I grunted, pushing through the pain.
“This has been the longest, most horrible day of my life. Do not ever leave me like that again.” She pressed an enthusiastic kiss to my lips before pulling back, scrutinizing my bruised face. “Jesus, Damon, what happened in there?”
Hugging her close, I held on for several long minutes, enjoying the way she felt in my arms. Reluctantly, I placed her back on the ground. “Get me out of here, and I’ll tell you everything.”
I’d been informed that my car had been taken to the police impound lot. I would need to pay a fee to get it back within the next thirty days or they would send it to auction. Motherfuckers.
My head fell back against the seat as Athena drove.
A gentle breeze drifted through the open window, ruffling my hair as it filled my nostrils with the aromas of summer.
With my eyes closed, I told her about the guys who kicked my ass.
I held off on telling her about the job I’d been forced to take, not wanting to ruin the moment with that unsavory news.
Upon arriving at the house I shared with Noah and Dominik, I took Athena’s hand and led her inside. The sound of the front door opening alerted both guys who quickly appeared.
“I didn’t think I would be so glad to see your face,” Noah said, cracking a smile. “Even if it does look like you got your ass kicked.”
“That’s because I did. How did you guys get me out? Who threatened the groom?” There was no other way that man would have told the police it was an accident.
Dom grinned. “You can thank Rebel and Casper for that. They paid the bride a little visit during her brief trip home from the hospital. She was all too happy to pass on their message.”
“I’ll bet she was. I will definitely pass along my gratitude to those boys. In the meantime, I need a shower and time with my girl.” Still holding tight to Athena’s hand, I pulled her along down the stairs, past the living room to my basement bedroom.
I flicked on the lights, finally releasing her so I could gather some clean clothes. “Make yourself comfortable. I won’t be long.”
“Better not be,” she called after me. “I need a good cuddle. Think you can handle that, tough guy?”
Laughing hurt like hell. My bruised face and ribs severely protested. Leaving her to get settled in my bedroom, I entered the bathroom down the hall. My reflection in the mirror made me do a double take. It had been some time since I’d looked this rough or felt this shitty.
As I cleansed that shithole from me in the shower, I thought about Athena’s request. I wasn’t sure I’d ever cuddled another living being aside from my cat growing up.
If that’s what she wanted, that’s what she would get. Anything for my girl.