Page 88 of Hart of Redemption
Denim was talking about Fallyn, but I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer.
33
DUKE
Kelton Maxwell, in his expensive Armani suit, smoothed a hand down his light-blue tie as we stood outside the ATF field office. “Today is just about questioning. If they’re going to charge you with anything, then they’ll have to take your case to the DA before they get a warrant.” His blue eyes glinted in the daylight. “Are you prepared to discuss Agent Jason Williams if asked?”
I fidgeted with my cufflinks, nodding.
A week had passed since shit went down at the junkyard, and during that time I’d met with Kelton and bared my damn soul about my role as Rosario Mendoza’s front man. On top of that, I shared what I knew about Williams’s death. I’d brought up the topic only because I knew there was a chance that the Feds would ask since Fallyn was still on the hunt for answers about her brother.
I had to inform Brian McCauley that I might have to answer questions about Jason Williams. He would be cool with it if the Feds brought him in for questioning. After all, he wasn’t guilty of Jason’s death.
“Also, Christmas is in three days.” Kelton looked around as people came in and out of the government building. “If the Feds end up arresting you, it probably won’t happen until after the holiday, although they might jump through hoops to bring you in ASAP. But Detective Hughes has put his job on the line to assure them that you’re not a flight risk. If it comes down to it, though, I can call in some favors.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I felt compelled to say for the fifth time. Yet I understood how Feds operated, wanting that big win to fuck with the BPD because of territorial lines or whatever the government types fought over.
Kelton checked his watch. “We have twenty minutes. I need to make a quick phone call. There’s a coffee shop on the second floor. Why don’t we head that way?”
I had no desire to eat or drink anything. In fact, I’d hardly touched food since I’d woken up in the hospital.
As we entered the building, I rubbed my sore arm. Aside from the tiredness, I was slowly on the mend and could actually move my shoulder around.
“I’ll wait in the lobby for you,” I said.
I wanted to call Vince. He and I had met during the past week to go over scenarios of what could happen to him. He would definitely be questioned. He also had gotten Kelton to defend him, as had Brian. The immediate issue was closing down the Monarch for the time being and making sure my employees were compensated, at least during the holidays.
As Kelton darted off with his phone to his ear, I reared back when I spotted Dillon, Denim, and Grace seemingly admiring some artwork.
Grace ran up to me with that smile that always warmed my heart. “We’re here to support you. We don’t want you to go through this alone.”
I’d never been so fucking happy that Grace had survived her kidnapping ordeal without injury. I’d actually shed tears when I finally saw her with my own eyes. Even now, my emotions were bleeding through my steel exterior.
Denim and Dillon came over to us, both wearing concerned expressions.
As brothers, we’d talked for hours about the what-ifs of me in prison. I laid out a plan and instructed them to take care of my personal belongings, which weren’t many. The big one was the Monarch. Originally, I had wanted to hand the club over to Vince, but considering our predicament, Kelton suggested that I put the club in one of my brothers’ names. Denim volunteered since Dillon had the shelter and was busy moving it to a larger space.
“We’ll be here waiting for you,” Dillon said. “Oh, and Maggie wanted me to tell you that Fallyn won’t be in the room during your questioning.”
Fallyn had been pouring over Maggie’s notes and the news story she’d done on Jason Williams.
“I’m still angry with her.” Grace wrapped her arm around my waist on my good side. “She doesn’t deserve you, Duke.” Betrayal weaved through her tone.
I was severely conflicted with a mix of emotions—humiliation, hurt, deception, and anger. I’d opened up to Fallyn. I’d even begged her, about to spill my soul as to how I felt about her, something I hadn’t done with any woman. For hours on end, I couldn’t resolve the battle between my heart and my mind. The crazy thing was if I saw her today, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from pulling her into my arms and kissing the fuck out of her.
“As I told Denim, Fallyn was only doing her job. I do need to thank her for saving your life.” I squeezed Grace.
I also should probably thank her for busting up the meeting with Mateo. Like Ted had said, if she hadn’t, there was a very high probability that the outcome could’ve been a lot worse.
Grace nudged me out of my haze. “She’shere.”
I followed my sister’s line of sight to the elevators, as did Dillon and Denim.
Fallyn was with an older man who I would guess was her father since the resemblance was uncanny. The former FBI director glared in our direction, but the second my gaze landed on Fallyn, the damn butterflies in my stomach decided to come alive. Even more when she smiled, albeit sadly.
Suddenly, I was transported back to the gala, mental images of her in that sexy dress and of us on the dance floor assaulting me. The way she felt in my arms was perfect in every way. The way she made me feel calm and content, despite the chaos in my life, was something I hadn’t known I needed yet craved to feel again. Even if I tried to forget her, to push her out of my mind, I couldn’t. I saw her, and my resolve crumbled.
I took a deep breath and gathered my composure. This wasn’t the time to air our differences—or for me to take her into a nearby room and have my way with her.
