Page 90 of Illicit

Teagan grips my shirt, and her expression looks like a question mark. I shrug and look over her head at the abandoned building behind her that looks like it’s from another era. “Did someone die?”

“Not exactly,” Brax says. “In fact, it’s more like the opposite.”

“You know, I am dealing with a lot of shit at the moment. I don’t appreciate the riddle.”

“Sorry, man. Maybe I should’ve had Landyn call you. I’m not great with this stuff.” He pulls in a deep breath. “It’s your father.”

I step away from Teagan, turn to the side, and freeze. “What about him?”

“I’ve kept tabs on him. I have ever since we were in with the Marinos. Later, I did it for you. I wanted to make sure he never touched your life again, especially when you were younger.”

I drop my head and stare at the weeds growing up through the cracks of the parking lot. Useless weeds, thriving in a shithole environment. Not unlike me before Brax and Landyn dragged me out of the shithole I was barely surviving in.

“Roc, I don’t know what to say, other than I’m sorry. I haven’t looked into the details yet, but it sucks to tell you your father has been released. Not even on probation. He’s out. Free and clear.”

I drag a hand through my hair and grip the back of my neck. “Fuck.”

I feel hands on me. Her touch isn’t familiar at this point. That’s how new it is. How new we are. She wraps me up from behind and presses her cheek to my spine. She doesn’t even know what’s going on, but she knows it’s bad.

“How the hell did he get out early? And when did it happen?”

“Like I said, I just found out. I’ll reach out to my contacts in California and find out what I can. But it was the week before last. I’ve checked on his status about once a month since the beginning. I feel like shit I didn’t know sooner.”

I grab Teagan’s hand and pull her to my front as I speak. “Why should you feel like shit? I didn’t even know you were keeping tabs on him. I’ve looked him up once or twice over the years, but really, it’s all I could do to forget about him.”

“I get that.” Brax says as Teagan looks up at me with worried eyes. “Let me find out what I can. I’ll get back with you. When will you and Teagan roll into town?”

“Late tomorrow afternoon. How’s Landyn?”

“She’s nesting, which means I’m cleaning shit nonstop. The sooner you get back the better. She can focus on you for a change.”

I don’t tell him that I refuse to clean anything, because he knows I’ll do it. I’ve never said no to Landyn. “See you soon. Teagan and I made a stop. We need to get back on the road or we’ll never get there.”

“Take care of her. I’ll let you know when I find out anything on your father.”

Oh, I’ll definitely take care of her. “Will do.”

I disconnect the call and pull Teagan tighter to my chest. “Change of plans. Fuck Miami and fuck our jobs. We’re moving to Canada.”

She rolls her eyes. “What happened?”

I lean down and press my lips to hers. “The un-fucking-believable. If I get into it now, we’ll never leave. I’ll call you.”

“Two years to catch up on, huh?”

“And more, baby. So much more.”

20

YOU’LL PAY

Rocco

Fifteen years ago

“Rocco Monroe, do you solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony you’re about to give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?”

I look from the book in the guy’s hand to the judge.

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