Page 7 of The Fall Guy

“And spoil the fun?” I let out a wicked laugh. “Just make sure it’s you that comes. Not him.”

She thinks for a few more seconds. “Fine. I’m on my way.”

CHAPTER 3

KADEN

Sonia staresat the picture of her husband for the longest time. It’s grainy, but there’s no doubt Kai is behind the wheel. We both know that’s not me in her car, and they have the registration blown up on one of the photos. The mystery is why I’m sitting here instead of him.

“What have you told them?” she asks as tears fill her eyes. She had to tell a few white lies about her job to let us have privacy. I guess my brother isn’t the only one with wavering morals.

“Nothing yet.”

Watching her face fill with sadness isn’t as fun as I thought it would be. The pleasure I was hoping to feel from seeing a kink in Kai’s halo doesn’t come. Knowing my brother isn’t perfect is one thing but sending him to jail is entirely different. Dread sits heavy in my stomach. If only there was someone else that looks like us to take the fall.

“Jacob is going to grow up not knowing his father,” she says, before bursting into a full-on ugly cry. She wipes snot on the back of her hand, which is the most unattractive thing I’ve ever seen her do.

“They’ll let you visit,” I say, making her wail louder.

“He’ll be absent from all the milestones and important moments in his life. I’ll have to make all the hard decisions about what he can and can’t do. I’m going to be a single mum, and it’s not even because my baby daddy doesn’t want us. What am I going to do?” She puts her hands up to her face while her gaze clouds over. Her face glows red as the blood rushes close to the surface.

“My mum and I can help,” I say. I’m unsure what family she has, but Mum’s always there for her.

“You? You can’t even look after yourself,” she says, blinking back the water in her eyes.

“No need to be harsh. Without my brother, you might need more from me. You know, to comfort you, spend my money, and pick your kid up from school,” I say, although the words taste weird in my mouth.

I’m laying it on thick as I don’t do nurturing. I’m the one you usually don’t rely on. The last resort, if you want to put a tagline on it.

“The best thing you can do for your family is to tell the police they have the right man.” She dries her tears so she can look deep into my eyes. Her emotions are too raw for me to read perfectly. She’s desperate to save her husband at any cost.

“You can’t be serious.” I stare back in disbelief.

He’s the one who’s supposed to bail me out, not the other way around. Even if he said he wouldn’t, he’d always pay for my lawyer or pick me up from a bad situation. I’m notthisguy.

“Kai’s not made for prison.” She really is going there. It’s strange how everyone has a vice that will make them forget their morals. It would be funny if it wasn’t so dreadful.

“What and I am?”

Nobody chooses to go inside a jail cell. It’s not a cheap hotel with food and a good gym. The guys I know who have gone downhave had to navigate a whole new playground of trouble. I don’t want to watch my back every minute of the day.

“You’d survive it, whereas Kai will never be the same again.” She leans forward, giving me a great view down her top. My gaze moves down from her face before returning back up to meet her eyes.

“Did he tell you what he did?” I ask. That’s the million-dollar question. How much does he tell his wife, and what will she really do to support him? Do wedding vows actually mean until death do us part?

She pushes the hair out of her face like she’s trying to comfort herself. “He’s probably just scared.”

“That’s a no then. Maybe he’s more resilient than you think.” She didn’t say he was terrified. She said he’s probably scared, making me think they still haven’t had the hard conversation.

She chews on her lip, eventually breaking the skin and drawing blood. Her cupid’s bow reddens as the blood leaks from her skin. It’s tempting to lean in and touch the pretty mess she’s made, but I resist.

“Please, Kaden. I’m begging you. Don’t break my family apart. I need Kai. He’s everything to me, and I can’t raise our son without him.” She clasps her hands together in a plea.

“You have no choice.” I stretch my arms over my head while letting my legs go wide under the interrogation table. Sonia will seek out weakness. I want to give the impression I don’t have any.

“Please. I’ll do anything.” My attention snaps back to her face so I can see the emotion. Desperate is a good look on her. It’s sexy, and maybe I’m sick in the head for thinking about it. Deflecting the guilt which is deep in my gut I stay strong. Enjoying her raw intensity is my coping mechanism.

“What could you possibly offer me?” I shake my head, breaking our stare.

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