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"No. That's a friend telling you that there are always more people involved than just me or Killian when it comes to matters of the family." I nod like I understand, but I don’t really. I have a feeling that I don’t want to either.
"Is Killian okay?"
"He's about to be sent up for something that he didn't do. If the prosecution gets their way, he will be looking at the death penalty."
"Oh, God,” I gasp, unable to wrap my head around that. “I don't want that. I tried to warn him so this wouldn't happen,” I rush out, hoping he doesn’t think that I’m like my father.
“I believe you,” E-Z says, but it doesn’t make me feel any better.
"Now, there's nothing I can do."
"I'm not so sure about that. I need to know everything you know, Belle."
He leans forward anticipating anything that might come of this conversation because, so far, all I've given him is what he already knows.
"I don't know much." I shrug, pulling my knees up to press against my front and wrapping my arms around them. My heart is racing, but it’s not because of E-Z's presence this time. It's because Killian will be prosecuted for my father's crime. "I just heard my father talking on the phone. He was discussing framing Killian."
"Do you remember exactly what he said?"
"Um…He just kept telling someone named Bones that this was it,’" I respond, trying to think about all the details.
"That's not really going to help me unless you can tell me where to find your father."
"I have no idea."
"I don't believe you. Covering for your father won't save him, Belle. It will only get an innocent man convicted." His face takes on a hard edge. I get a glimpse of why he's good at whatever it is he does. It's intimidating. He's handsome, but there’s an edge about him that’s terrifying.
"He's hardly innocent of murder," I can’t help but respond, frowning. The night I snuck into his office speaks for itself. E-Z's eyebrows knit together like he can't see why I would think that.
"Killing scum who sign up for this life and decide to steal is not like ending the lives of two innocent security men. One of them had a family and a baby on the way—your father did that, Belle. It sure as hell wasn’t Killian, and yet, he’s the one set to go down for it."
My heart clenches. I wring my hands as I realize my father's actions took those babies’ dad away. A husband away, and for what?
"You may not believe me, but if I knew where he was, I would tell you. He hasn't really been home since."
"Shit," E-Z says. That must mean he believes me. He doesn't keep pushing it. "You haven't heard from him at all?"
"He's called twice. He called to order me to pay the bills—not that he left me any money to do it with. Then, he called to tell me he's gone on vacation with his new girlfriend. I didn't even know he had a girlfriend. I suppose I wasn't important enough to be introduced."
"I need you to check your phone and see where the calls came from," he says.
"You can do that?" I ask, clearly not skilled when it comes to technology.
"Yes." He looks at me strangely for a second before he stands, ready to go. "Do you happen to know who the girlfriend is?"
"Dad call her Orla," I mutter—wishing I didn’t have to divulge that.
"Fuck!" he growls, making me jump. I knew that information wasn’t good.
As in, really not good.
CHAPTER 18
KILLIAN
The guard takes me to meet with my attorney. We've had meetings to go over details regarding the case. It's a relief to get out of the tiny cell, but at the same time, the details of the case are bleak. There’s just no light at the end of the tunnel.
The guard opens a heavy steel door. I stand in shock when I see Ryan O’Leary—my father—and E-Z instead of my attorneys. I want to ask what the fuck is going on, but I clench my jaw as the guard takes off my handcuffs. Being seen as a murderer, the only place I don't have to wear them is the cafeteria. I don’t question why they take them off me now. Since Ryan O’Leary is who he is and he’s visiting on a day that’s not scheduled for visitations, I figure that’s explanation enough.
"I'd say it's fucking nice to see your ugly mugs, but the looks on your faces tell me this isn't going to be good," I murmur, sitting in the metal chair across the table from them and trying to mentally prepare myself for anything.
"Why didn't you tell me that you thought you were being set up, Killian?" Ryan asks. I look up around the room at the cameras, and he notices. "They're off while I’m in here."
