Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 144435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 722(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
“Ames, you might as well get my goddamn workers comp shit started,” Kincaid says with a resigned sigh. “I’m probably getting shot again today.”
“If I have to do more fucking paperwork, I’m shooting you myself, Kincaid.” He looks at me again, his expression firm but not unkind. He’s a hard-ass, but he goes to bat for the people who deserve it. If he’s here now, it’s because he’s decided I deserve it. I don’t know why. I’m not looking that gift horse in the mouth. I’ll take whatever help I can get right now. “Don’t fucking die in there or I’m going to be pissed.”
“Don’t plan on it,” I growl.
I give my statement on the way, laying it all out for Ames. I don’t ask what he thinks, and he doesn’t tell me. Right now, it doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is Raven. If I go down, I go down. It is what it is. So long as she’s safe, I’ll live with it.
Seattle PD has the street cordoned off a block from Brant’s. It’s a fucking jungle of cop cars and SWAT vans. The DEA and FBI are both here. It’s Seattle’s case, but no one gainsays Ames when he takes command of the scene. When you’re the biggest fish in the pond, you call the shots.
Kincaid fills everyone in on the scope of the situation. A murmur of unease goes through the crowd when he informs them that we’re going in solo. No one likes that much.
“Why are we sending in the man who helped cover up the crime?” a blond DEA agent mutters.
“You mean the man who solved the goddamn crime?” Ames asks, his hard gaze cracking through the crowd. “Without him, Marnie Calloway would be in prison for murder, Brant Calloway would have taken the fall for the money laundering, and the FBI wouldn’t have a RICO case against Jack Hale and Marcellus Moretti right now. Moretti would have a multi-billionaire dollar company in his control, and every other man standing here would have allowed it to happen.”
The DEA agent who spoke up shifts uncomfortably. No one else says anything.
“Being a cop isn’t about doing the easy thing,” Ames says. “It’s about doing the right thing, even when it’s the difficult thing. Flannery risked everything to protect the people who deserved to be protected. That’s the oath we take. That’s the line we hold. He upheld his at great personal cost to himself. In case you’ve forgotten, Brant Calloway was his friend. And the woman he loves is inside that house now. We’re given discretion for a reason. He used his to achieve the best possible outcome. You don’t have to like his methods. You don’t have to agree with them. But I expect you to stow your shit and get on board or get off my goddamn scene.”
For a full five count, no one says anything. No one leaves either.
“It was just a question,” the DEA agent mutters then.
“It was a stupid fucking question,” Kincaid retorts.
“House is always asking stupid fucking questions,” Tito Alvarez, an old friend from Seattle PD says, earning chuckles from a few other officers.
I glance at Tito, who lifts his chin in a nod. At least everyone here isn’t out for my blood.
“I’m surprised you can hear my questions over the sound of your girl screaming my name,” House says, flipping Tito off. He pitches his voice high, mimicking the sound of a woman’s voice. “Ricky. Ricky. Oh, Ricky! You’re so much bigger than Tito.”
“Alright, settle down,” Ames barks, rolling his eyes when everyone laughs. “We don’t have time for this bullshit.”
He’s right. We don’t. I’m ready to go get my girl.
I’m coming, songbird. I swear, I’m coming for you. Just hang on.
Chapter Eleven
RAVEN
“Jack, put the damn gun down!” Marnie cries, stomping her foot. “She’s not going anywhere. Look at her.” She flings a hand in my direction. “You have her tied to a chair for Christ’s sake.”
Jack flicks his gaze in my direction from his seat at the poker table and then takes another sip of brandy. He ignores Marnie’s demand…just like he’s been doing for the last hour and a half. I gave up pleading an hour ago, but she keeps on. It’s obvious he isn’t going to listen. I’m not even sure why she’s trying.
Out of the two of them, she’s the one who hates me. If anyone should be pointing a gun at me, it should be her. Funny how I don’t even know who the real enemy is in my life. Everyone I trusted has been lying to me, manipulating me, using me. Marnie wants me gone. Jack wants my dad’s company. And Rhys…I don’t know what Rhys wants. I don’t care what he wants.
Liar, liar pants on fire, a little voice whispers.
I push it down, refusing to listen to it.