Page 50 of Savage in the Streets
“We barely know each other.”
“And yet the more I find out about you, the more beguiled I become. We’re two rebels, me in a three-piece, you with crazy hair and tattoos. Our families are shit, but we have each other.”
“Okay, then tell me what my brother has on you.”
Ashton’s eyes widen slightly. He shouldn’t be surprised. It’s been the elephant in every conversation we’ve had.
“It’s complicated.”
“You want me to trust you, expecting me to follow you around the world, even though I’m hanging on by a thread. Yet you won’t tell me how you know my brother or why you owe him a favor.”
“You make it sound so easy,” he says back. “But I promise you—it’s not.”
“Then enlighten me.” I move away from him, letting him know that this isn’t negotiable. If he wants me to plan my life around him, he’s going to have to come clean about his connection to my family.
His phone rings, and he answers it without hesitation, clearly hoping I’ll forget about our conversation.
He shakes his head, his long fingers running through his hair.
“Increase the bail. I’ll pay it,” he barks into the phone.
My brow knits together, and I wonder if he’s discussing one of his corporate cases.
“No—I don’t want to wait until the discovery hearing.”
Ashton’s eyes dart over to mine, then they look away. It’s then that I know that he is indeed discussing my case.
And that it appears to have gone sideways.
“Of course, I’ll comply with the court’s orders. I just don’t see why bringing her in right now accomplishes anything. She’s not a flight risk.”
My gut coils with dread. The threat has always been there, breathing down my neck. The worry that I’ll forever be imprisoned for a crime I didn’t commit.
“Fine, but mark my word, if I find out any of this case has been mishandled, you’re gonna have one heck of a shit show to contend with.”
He sets down his phone, returning his gaze to mine. “Bailey—”
“I already know.”
He closes the distance between us to wrap me in a hug, but I back away, narrowing my gaze at him.
“I’m gonna do everything I can to get you out again.”
“Including telling me about your relationship with my brother?”
“In time.”
“Why am I being brought in? Why now?”
“They won’t tell me. I’ll find out during the discovery hearing.”
I wrap my arms around my body, trying to calm the storm raging within me.
“They’re already here,” he says, “and I need to let them in.”
“Then go!”
“Bailey, I need you to know that I love you.”
