AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I don’t know.”
“Well, in light of further evidence or your thought processes, this is how I perceive it to have gone. Once verified, you waited until the early hours of January 18th to transfer the money. If the client had not immediately requested their statement early, which was printed by the Colonel, you would never have been discovered because your intention was to shuffle funds, print a statement, then shuffle funds again to print another statement from another breached account. In fact, according to the accountant, you have stolen millions from your customer accounts for your own use. That isn’t for me to explore, but I can guarantee someone will.”
In the end, the Colonel walked out relieved and happy. Ryker was tired but satisfied, and Ryker’s courtroom tango impressed Levi.
“That was actually entertaining,” said Levi.
The three men walked out of the courtroom and immediately encountered an undetermined number of men pushing in on them and crowding them. Levi, who had to leave his firearms in the car, used his martial arts training and hand-to-hand skills to mow the attackers down. The colonel, who was in his fifties, did a good job of getting a few good licks in.
Ryker was being dragged, nearly unconscious, down the hall when the bailiff, the only one allowed to carry a gun in the corridor, called in reinforcements and held the attackers/attempted kidnappers at gunpoint just long enough for help to arrive. Several other bailiffs appeared with their weapons, and the party was over. The police flooded the floor immediately afterward.
Ryker’s head was pounding, and his vision was blurred. It was difficult to formulate words. Damn, what did he hit his head on?
“Ryker. The police are here, and we are waiting for the ambulance. We have this covered. Just stay awake.”
He couldn’t nod as the blinding pain was taking most thoughts from his mind. A deep, commanding voice spoke.
“You’re on duty, Captain. No sleeping on duty.”
The voice was familiar, but whoever it was, it sounded like someone had peed in his cornflakes. Then the voice changed. The man was speaking to him. Calm, authoritative, sincere.
“This is the Colonel, Ryker. You have been hit by an object as yet undetermined. The ambulance is here and coming down the hallway. It’s going to get a little crazy again, but you don’t have to resist this time. These are the good guys. Just relax and let them do their job. We have called your Oakley and Jacquard Reynaud. Things are all good, son.”
Son. The Colonel.
“Sir, can you give us some space?” asked the paramedic.
Ryker’s first instinct was to fight them, but the Colonel, the man he had just defended, had told him what was going to happen. Oakley knew, and she would be sick with fear for him and you. Damn. Jac knew, and he would kick some butts and raise the protection level for all the women. Oh, his head hurt so fucking bad.
***
OAKLEY’S HEART WOULDN’Tquit pounding. She was fired up and ready to do battle. Audra had gone too far. She’d tried to take the one thing that Oakley loved most in the world, and that would not fly. Audra had done her best to ruin Oakley and to devastate her. Now it was time to end this sick game.
“Jac, I want to go see him.”
Jac and Carter spoke in unison. “No fucking way.”
Oakley was feeling her strength of mind and soul come back online. Anger tended to do that to a person, and it wasn’t just righteous indignation; it was undiluted fury. Her body strength had some way to go, but she was intelligent, and she wanted to expose these lunatics for who they were.
She’d heard the story of events from Jac as told by Levi, who was also staying overnight in the hospital. Evidently, Ryker’s bell had been rung pretty hard, and he was getting medication to slow his functions down to help his head feel better without extra drugs and heal a little faster. She didn’t care. All she knew was some of Audra’s men had gotten to him at the courthouse, and they hurt him. He needed her.
This group of lunatics ruined lives, took lives, and became like gods deciding who would live and die by convincing people they didn’t need the one thing that kept them successful, happy, and fulfilled. Some people didn’t need medication, but for those who did, it was mandatory they be confident that it was a good thing to take.
Jac asked her, “What would Ryker say if he knew you came out of full protection to see him in the hospital? It is very possibly a trap, Oakley.”
“He will be furious, but if you won’t take me, I’ll call an Uber.”
Monroe stepped into the discussion. “Oakley, you are never to use an Uber. We can discuss the whys another time, but the answer to an Uber is always going to be no.”
“You can’t keep me here. I’m going to Ryker.” Tears filled her eyes. “He came to me and gave me what I needed, when I needed it, and I won’t do any less for him.” She turned to Garrett. “Don’t you understand? I have to see him with my own eyes. I need to touch him. Hold him. Be with him.”
The room was full of dominant, bossy women protecting men, likely battling within themselves. She could almost hear them murmuring. Good.
“Ryker will kill us all,” said Monroe.
“Likely,” said Garrett.
Jac laughed mirthlessly. “Oh, no. That’s a damn certainty.”
