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“That’s unfortunate for you,” Bickle replied. “If I lose my son to prison, I’m not going to be a happy man. And like Judge Thompson, I’ve earned my reputation. But mine is for retribution—something you will have earned if you don’t figure out a way to come through for my boy. Nobody crosses me without paying a steep price.”
“There isn’t much I can do while I’m suspended except give back your money.”
“The cash isn’t what’s important, my son is. Returning my cash isn’t good enough when I can’t turn around and use it to bribe the other judge. So you better figure something else out, or else your daughter is going to pay the price for your incompetence,” Bickle warned.
“My daughter?”
“Your little princess, Kiara.” I shuddered at the malevolence in Bickle’s tone as he said my name. “She should be home from college for winter break any day now, isn’t that right?”
“I…uh…” my dad stuttered.
“I’m not a fool,” Bickle growled. “Don’t try to take me for one.”
“I’m not. I swear, I’ll figure something out. Just don’t hurt my daughter.”
“Unfortunately for you, your promises no longer mean anything to me. Which means I need to make sure I’ve made my point, loud and clear. And experience has proven to me the quickest way to do that is through pain.” There was a loud thud, followed by my dad screaming. “Be sure to tell the doctors that you injured yourself while doing some home repairs. A hammer falling on your hand will explain away the injury.”
“Yes, a hammer fell,” my dad gasped in an agonized tone.
“Try to be more convincing when you’re at the emergency room,” Bickle chided. “Your daughter’s safety depends on your ability to keep the cops out of this, after all.”
My dad cleared his throat, his voice steadier as he said, “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep Kiara out of this.”
“Good, then we’re on the same page. Two fathers looking out for their children.”
I strained to listen as their footsteps headed away. Time moved slowly while I waited for my dad to come back and tell me it was safe to come out. He was a wreck when he opened the door, his skin pale and his hair messy. “Hurry, Kiara. We have to get you out of here.”
“I don’t understand. Who was that guy? Where am I supposed to go?” I asked as I crawled out of the closet and got to my feet.
“All you need to know is that Bickle is someone who will not hesitate to hurt you.” My dad heaved a deep sigh. “Very few people can keep you safe from him, and as much as it pains me to admit, the Silver Saints are your best bet right now.”
My eyes widened. “The Silver Saints?”
“Yes, go back to their compound and ask them for protection.”
“What about you?” I glanced down at the hand he was cradling against his chest. “I’m pretty sure he broke your hand.”
“It’s no less than I deserve for striking a bargain with the bastard in the first place, but not you, which is why you need to go to the Silver Saints. If Bickle can’t get to you, then he can’t hurt you. I can’t protect you from him, but they can. Even though I almost sent one of their men to prison, from what I’ve heard about them, they won’t turn away an innocent. Especially not a girl who needs protection from a monster like Bickle…”
His head jerked toward the window as he trailed off. “Wait, you can’t leave yet. I didn’t hear his truck. He might still be out there.”
“Oh no.” I moved toward the wall next to the window as my dad peered through the blinds again.
“Dammit, he must be waiting to see what I do or if you show up,” he muttered. “Did the Silver Saints give you a way to get in touch?”
“Yes.” I nodded. “I have the number for one of the guys.”
“Call him. Now.”
As I pulled my phone out of my pocket, I asked, “Why did you do it?”
“That’s a long story best saved for another day, after I’ve come up with a way out of the mess that I’ve created so I can be certain you’re safe.”
His desire to protect me was what I expected from the loving father I’d grown up with, but everything else that had happened today made me feel as though I had stumbled across an alternate universe. Including the fact that I was actually looking forward to talking to Knight again…and hoping that the sexy biker would come to my rescue.
4
Knight
