Page 19 of Dirty Deeds

I look at Finley as she thanks the judge, and the clerk sets a date for the next hearing. When all that’s done and it appears that the arraignment is over, Finley leans into me and whispers, “You can go with the officers. They’ll have the paperwork. Your dad will have you bonded out quickly. Call me tomorrow.”

Seems simple enough so I nod and offer her my thanks. Two courtroom officers approach our table and bring me back to my holding cell. My bail is posted an hour later and when I step out of the precinct I find my brother’s girlfriend, Carrie, waiting for me.

I fold the papers the officer gave me and make my way toward her.

“Carrie, baby, I’m so glad to see you.”

“I’d say the same about you, but your mug is all over the news.”

I throw my arm around her shoulder and kiss the top of her head.

“Is it a good picture at least?”

“Not your best.”

“Damn.”

She looks up at me.

“All joking aside, are you okay?”

“I’d be better if I got to see my niece.”

“Yeah, well, I thought taking her to daycare was more appropriate than taking her to a courthouse to see her favorite uncle get arraigned.”

I flinch slightly.

“Good call.”

“We can go pick her up if you want.”

A grin stretches across my face. There’s nothing that can turn a bad day around better than a dose of Anna Banana.

“I’d love that, but first I need a favor.”

She pulls out of my embrace and fixes me with a stern look.

“Don’t even try it. I have strict orders from Maria not to make any pitstops at any salumeria or pizzeria. She’s been cooking since you got arrested. I think I gained five pounds because I keep picking at everything.”

I chuckle and shake my head.

“No, it’s not that. I was hoping we could make a pitstop before we pick up Anna.”

“I don’t know Enzo, Wolf was really specific with his instructions. He told me to post bail and take you straight home. We’re already breaking the rules by picking up Anna.”

“Rules were meant to be broken, Carrie.”

“Says the man who just got out of jail.” She cocks her head to the side. “Where are we going?”

I bite the inside of my cheek and lower my gaze to the papers in my hand. The conditions of my bail are pretty black and white. I’m not to have any contact with Danica. Convicted felons are a no too and yet I’m still going to park my ass at my father’s kitchen table and eat everything Maria has been busy cooking. Like I said, rules are meant to be broken.

CHAPTEREIGHT

DANICA MATTHEWS

“I swearto God if you don’t turn that phone off, I’m going to throw it out the fucking window,” Ro snaps, her fingers tightening around the steering wheel. She clenches her jaw and throws me some side-eye. “Which of Captain Cunt’s minions is it this time?”

I glance at my phone, cringing inwardly at the number on the screen.

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