Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 61042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
“Veda.” The last thing I needed was for Veda to stab this guy in the throat before Tonio got a hold of him. This whole fucked-up situation was serious to the Miles family. They had to maintain their hold on the criminal underworld of Nashville or the power vacuum would destroy the Music City.
Hawk took a step forward, flipped a phone from his pocket, and dialed. “We’ve got him.”
Marlin started to shake. He pissed himself. The smell was immediate, hot and rank. Veda stepped back, and I moved in front of her. For a minute I thought she might just go for it, but she let the knife hang at her side.
Hawk put a hand on her arm, gentle as he could. “Rein it in, little sister. You’ll get your pound of flesh soon enough.”
Surprisingly, Veda nodded at Hawk, not arguing or looking like she’d shank Hawk in Marlin’s place.
Tonio’s crew took the house in less than two minutes. Four of his men in black, their masks up. They handled Marlin with surgical efficiency, bagged him, wrapped him in a tarp, and carried him out like he was nothing more than a box of wine.
“My father will get the answers we need from Judge Marlin.” Tonio’s gaze cut to me. “Including the whereabouts of Miss Garrison’s sister.”
She looked at him, gaze hollowed out, nothing left but need. “I want to be there when you do it.”
He nodded once. “If that’s your wish. Of course.”
The rest was cleanup. We moved out fast, leaving the house the same way we’d come in, erasing any lingering evidence of our presence. Marlin’s guard never woke up, just snored in his shack. No doubt he’d still taste the GHB tomorrow morning.
The whole drive back, Veda didn’t say a word. I wanted to hold her hand, but didn’t think she’d accept the comfort. Not yet. Besides, she’d need to be hard for what came next because I didn’t think Seth Miles intended to treat the judge with kid gloves.
Thirty minutes later, at the Miles family warehouse, Tonio’s crew unloaded Marlin like so much dead meat -- a perfect simile if ever there was one. Seth waited, this time in person, his eyes even colder than on the screen.
He nodded to Tonio. “Did you get him?”
“Yeah, Dad. We got him. He’s here.”
Seth turned to Veda. “I hope you find your sister. If he knows anything, my men will get it for you. I have to discuss… sensitive matters with the Honorable Judge Marlin. Then, once he’s compliant, I’ll call you. You can be present when we question him about Miss Tessa and Iron.” He gave Veda a slight dip of his head. “You have my word. I just can’t have you here for the first part.”
I could tell Veda didn’t like being denied, but she didn’t protest. Instead, she stepped forward and stuck out her hand to Seth. “Your word, sir.”
At first, I thought Seth might scold her or patronize her, but he didn’t. Seth Miles might be a bastard, but he didn’t harm innocents. In any way. “You have it, Miss Garrison.”
He took her hand immediately and squeezed. The two of them stared at each other for a long moment. Veda finally saw what she needed and nodded at Seth in acknowledgment and dropped his hand.
I walked her back to the cage, holding her upright. Veda was one of the strongest people I’d ever met, but she’d reached her limit. There were more fights ahead. But for tonight, we’d scored a big victory.
Once we reached the SUV, I opened the passenger door for her, then slid in after. Hawk and Knuckles soon followed. Hawk started the engine and we all headed back to the compound. I waited for Veda to look at me, but she stared out the window, lost in disappointment that she couldn’t bring her sister home tonight.
That was OK, because I would move a mountain if it meant Veda got her sister back. This time, I did take her hand. Veda clung like I was her lifeline. I wanted to be her lifeline.
When we finally pulled up to the compound, Veda remained quiet, lost in her thoughts. Without a word, I gently squeezed her hand, offering her a silent gesture of support. She looked at me, tears glistening in her eyes, and for a moment, the pain seemed to lessen.
After Hawk parked, we made our way to the entrance of the compound, where Veda finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. “Thank you,” she said, her words filled with gratitude and a hint of hope. “For letting me go. I know you didn’t want to, but I needed to be there even if I didn’t learn anything.”
“Yet,” I clarified. “You didn’t learn anything yet.”
With a nod, Veda met my gaze, her eyes reflecting a newfound sense of strength. Together, we would face whatever challenges lay ahead, knowing that we had each other to lean on.