Page 14 of Creed's Vengeance

I looked into his cold eyes and I felt every bit of stupid as I should be for reaching out.

“This was a bad idea,” I mumbled and reached for my purse. He hadn’t said a word since he sat down. I was sort of surprised he even agreed to come.

Slater titled his head, “You look sick.” He then leans forward on the table. “You hear on behalf of the club? Thinking our childhood friendship will somewhat save the upcoming reckoning? Or is it because I kidnapped our son?”

“Your son.” I blinked. It shocked me he said it out loud. But then I should have expected him to think I was here for the club. “No,” I didn’t know the finer details of what was unfolding within the club though. “I’m here because my psychiatrist made me create a list of things that made me happy, and I could only list one thing.” I paused. “Talking to you.”

I had a feeling Slater didn’t get shocked much. But when I said that. It shocked him. I saw it on his face. Moments passed.

“I shouldn’t have contacted you. It was stupid. I’m sorry for wasting your time.” I wrapped my hand around my purse.

His hand went over mine. “Psychiatrist,” he repeated the one word. “What’s been happening Ivy? There was no mention in any of the reports you were unwell. Is this because I took Connor? You know I’d never hurt him or my niece.”

Reports? I stared at him blankly. I shook away the fact he was admitting to being connected to our family.

“In fact, there is has been hardly any mention of you.” He added.

My throat went dry. “I haven’t been well,” I felt the tears brim. “I’ve been fighting with myself to keep breathing. And while I am still breathing. It feels like I’m not.” My words broke. “My family. My club. Connor. They’re all reasons to live, yet my mind is poisoning my body against me. Everything that happened with dad and Kobra. Just made me realize life is short and that. . . I’m going to lose a family member to this.”

Slater continued to stare at me. “Explain what happened the other night? When Hades returned Connor. You were caught on the highway after three in the morning, you could have been arrested. What happened?”

How did he know that? I frowned. I had taken to the highway speeding. Wanting to feel something. Because Connor was back and I felt. . . nothing.

“I wanted to see if I could feel something again.” I swallowed sharply. “I realized that night, I needed help. Even my son returning. I didn’t feel anything. I actually thought that he would be better off with you. But Dad pushed me to get help. After the highway. Naturally he heard of it. So I got it, and . . .” I paused, slightly shaking my head. “Somehow I thought a conversation with you would help things.”

Slater pushed himself back away from me slightly, taking his hand off mine. “You knew me as a boy. A boy that had no idea what sort of life was ahead of him.” He looked around the café before looking back at me. “You can’t be seen with me. For both our sakes. My family wants to rip your club apart. If your club sees you talking to me. That would question your loyalty. If anyone found out about Connor,” He paused. “If I’m seen with you, it will be a bullet in the head.”

It only now occurred to me that Slater had picked the café, on a side of town that wasn’t common for the club to travel.

“I suggest you find someone else to have a conversation with, because a conversation with me, won’t bring happiness to neither of us. Just our son being an orphan.”

With those words said, he pushed himself away from the table, just when two officers paused at our sides.

“Slater Winston?” One questioned.

I watched Slater’s jaw tighten. Slater had a bad reputation with the law, and the police. While they owned a lot of police force—they were still a side of the blue and black that wanted to bring him down.

“We both know you know who I am Logan,” Slater looked the detective straight in the eyes.

“Perhaps you would like to share your whereabouts with us two nights ago?” Logan fired his question straight at Slater.

I saw Slater’s expression drop for a moment.

“He was with me,” I spoke up and both detectives looked at me. “I’m willing to give a statement, if that helps.”

“Slater only fucks hookers,” Logan pointed out a fact that was known about Slater. Though they weren’t hookers. They were high class escorts that were trained not to develop feelings. I knew because of Opal. One of her friends in the escort business was a regular for Slater. “So why would you two be together today?”

“I left my purse in the back of his SUV,” I answered and got up, showing my purse. “If you need a statement let me know.” I added, and saw the detectives ability to fight Slater’s location disappear. “And I’m not a hooker, just an old friend.” I made that clear, so then knew my report wasn’t frauded.

I looked at Slater seeing his shock. He knew that if a police report was created with my name and his name attached—it would bring hell to my life. But I felt like I owed him. Because I did. When I was twelve, he saved me from myself, and now this was me repaying him back seventeen years later.

“Do you want my details?” I asked the detectives before leaving.

They shared a look. Before shaking their head. They most likely didn’t want to do the paperwork, nor did they want to waste their time on a dead charge.

“Bye Slater,” I didn’t look at him. I just walked away. Pushing the café door open. I clenched my purse tightly as I walked up the street. I doubted I would ever see Slater again. Nor have a conversation with him.

I felt the wave of sadness that smothered me so often, overcome me once more. I had a son. I had to keep breathing. But I was fighting an invisible battle against myself. And I was losing. I had reached the top of the block when I paused at the traffic lights. The street was busy, cars flying past. That’s when I saw a bus coming.

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