AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Forcing myself to look away, my jaw ticked as I turned my attention to the narrow doorway at the back of the warehouse. Standing ajar, it allowed the morning sunlight to filter into the space, along with a welcome breeze off the lake that carried with it scents much less assaulting than the ones currently cloying up my nose.
The shuffle of boots over wood outside and I knew that he was already here. Had likely been waiting a while. Why else venture out into the open unless it was to get away from this stink?
Just in case, I moved with quick, careful steps to the raised stage and snagged a broken bottle, careful not to let the glass ring against the wood. I couldn’t bring myself to take the gun I’d stolen from one of Diesel’s men back in Nomansland. If I were being honest, I hardly knew how to use one, anyway. I’d left it in the Rover, wiped clean of my prints.
It was a small miracle I hadn’t accidentally shot Corvus when I was aiming for the pavement near his feet to show him I meant business.
My throat went dry, and I methodically tried to force a burning swallow, nearly coughing.
“Ava Jade?”
Officer Vick’s distinct tone filtered into the warehouse, and I managed to somehow both relax and stiffen anew at the sound of it.
My fist clenched around the bottle neck as I made my way to the back exit and out onto the narrow deck surrounding the pier. I lifted my free hand to shield my eyes from the sun as it washed me in warm bright light. Officer Vick stood against the railing, next to a hold in the rotting decking that I had on good authority was made by Bitchface Brianna’s fat ass feet.
It was easier to focus on that than look Vick in the eye.
“You won’t be needing that,” Vick said, his index finger indicating the broken bottle clenched in my fist.
My nostrils flared as I forced my clenched fist to relax, dropping the bottle near the door, close enough that it would still be within reach if I needed it.
“Glad you came,” Vick continued unprompted, turning to rest his forearms on the edge of the railing overlooking the morning lake. A foolish move if you asked me. It looked about five seconds from giving under his weight.
If he fell and smashed his thick head on one of those rocks down below at least I wouldn’t have to tell him jack squat. The thought burned through my mind, and I had a sudden intense urge to push him. To force those weather-weakened boards to crack under his weight and send him toppling over to the treacherous and rocky waters below.
As though he could feel my intent, Officer Vick shifted, turning back to face me while taking a step away from the railing.
“You look like shit.”
I shook my head, remembering all at once why I was here.
The sting of their betrayal hit me all over again, just as crushing as it had been when it was fresh, barely five hours ago.
Had it really only been five hours?
It felt like more…
And less…
I grimaced, grinding my teeth as I lifted my chin to meet the officer’s stare.
He lifted a brow, and for a beat, I had to wonder how truly terrible I must look. Barefoot. Clothing torn and bloodied. Hair a rat’s nest sans rats on my head. Saying I looked like shit was probably a compliment.
“So,” Vick began again. “What do you have for me?”
I opened my mouth to reply, but a stopper in my throat made it damn near impossible to speak. I swallowed hard, wondering where exactly I should start.
I had my phone tucked into my panties. Did Officer Vick and the other shitforbrains cops down at Thorn Valley PD have the tech to recover the videos Grey deleted off my phone?
They might.
Or would my intel be enough?
Diesel had been clear that the Deadwood was full of bodies. Several he’d put there himself. They were bound to contain some of his DNA. Or at least some slugs that might match his gun.
I could come clean about the diner incident. He’d promised me immunity. I could feel Rook’s phantom hands on me, holding me tight. Holding me close. Pressing the barrel of a gun to my temple as I helped him rob the joint.
No.
