Page 64 of The Verdict

Her gaze shot up, glaring at me. “What are you doing?”

“With you? Nothing until you’re healed,” I said and released her hand, letting it fall, tethered, to the bed. She went from protected to prisoner, and I owed her nothing, but somehow that didn’t shake the hold she had on me. “And until that happens, I’m going to make sure you can’t do anything harmful—like pulling out your stitches—or reckless—like disappearing again.”

“You can’t?—”

The band around my chest tightened, and I forced a cold laugh right through it. “Can’t what? Protect you from the police who want you for murder? From the thieves who want to murder you?” I swore and shook my head. “Christ, Merritt, just take the damn pill and rest.”

Her chin dipped, resignation making her cheeks flush.

“I wanted to protect you,” she said quietly when I reached the door. “From them. From me.”

My head ducked, and my knuckles turned white on the handle.

“I’ve lost everyone I let myself care about?—”

“Goddammit.” I forced myself to walk out before she finished.

I couldn’t believe her. Shouldn’t believe her.But I was afraid I already did.

“He emerges,” Dare taunted as I walked into the rec room. Ty presided over the bar, pouring him a glass of whiskey as the fire groused in the hearth. “Proof of life, so she must be awake.”

“Yeah.” I rubbed my wrist and approached them.

“How is she?”

I took the freshly filled glass from Ty’s hand, downing its contents before Dare had a chance.

“That good?” Dare muttered.

“I changed her bandage. Gave her some meds. Stitches look fine.”Meanwhile, I was coming apart at the seams.

“You want one of us with her now?”

“No.” It was more a growl than a word as I poured myself a second glass. “She’s tied to the bed.”

“Well, that was information I didn’t need to know.” Dare found a new glass behind the bar since I’d commandeered his.

“You zip-tied her? I have ankle monitors in my office?—”

“She needs to rest. If I don’t tie her to the bed, she won’t stay there.”

Ty lifted a brow but didn’t reply.

“So, what did she say?” Dare drummed his fingers on the counter. “Were we right? Was she one of them?”

I gritted my teeth. “Yeah.” I took only a sip of the whiskey this time and then stepped through the information she’d given me. Facts. People. Connections.Criminals.I layered it in, the pieces fitting perfectly together. Yet, it still felt like I was missing something. But maybe it was only my pride for missing her lies.

Dare sat forward. “Interesting, the reports gave the police credit for the kill.”

“She said she saw Ramos. After the police arrived, she watched Ramos shoot the younger Morte,” I said. “And I don’t think she’s lying.” I paused. “About that.”

“But why would the police lie?” Ty frowned.

“Because they were in on it.”

We both looked at Dare; his untrusting nature knew no bounds. Even if Daria hadn’t planted the seed when she’d recalled information about the Cosmos Gang, distrust was his first inclination.

“Think about it. Merritt said the police got there quick—too quick. And when they do get there, they’ve minimally got Ramos and Morte in custody. Even if the others escaped, it would be a huge win for the case. Two of the members of the Cosmos Gang. Instead, one member is killed. Leaving two police to one Ramos, and he still escapes? With the diamond?” Dare shook his head. “I don’t buy it.”

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