Page 60 of Savage in the Streets
“I know,” I reply, “but it adds a layer to the case that wasn’t there before. Caleb and Jim are either at odds, each trying to curry favor with Bruce, or they are working together and possibly angling to take Bruce down by making it look like he’s in league with my client.”
“Why would Bruce Riker agree to marry Bailey?” Alvarez asks. “Didn’t he take over her family’s gang?”
“He’s having a hard time holding onto the Blood Angels. Bailey could gain him loyalty.”
Alvarez nods his head. “Interesting.”
“Now, if you’d like to continue going after my innocent client, I’ll gladly get my father to represent her. Or…you can actually try to go after the bad guys.”
“There is a lot of evidence piling up against Ms. Savage, and there’s nothing pointing toward her father or brother.”
“Give me a couple weeks, and I’ll hand you a case against Big Jim Savage on a silver platter,” I offer. “He’s the one you want to go for.”
“What are you going to do now that you couldn’t do then?” he asks.
“Pull in Bruce. I have a feeling he has some information.”
“Thugs don’t talk unless they want to be dubbed snitches,” Alvarez counters. “He’d lose his men.”
“Work with me, Alvie. All I’m asking for is time. Recommend to Judge Fischer that Bailey gets released into my custody, and I promise to spend every resource I have helping your case against Jim.”
“Those pamphlets Bailey had prove she’s—”
“She’s not a flight risk,” I say firmly. “I promise you.”
An uneasy look crosses Alvarez’s face.
“You have nothing to lose. If Bailey skips town, that will be on me.”
“You guys really shacking up?” Alvarez smirks.
Bailey’s mouth forms a perfect circle of contempt.
“What can I say?” I bring a hand to hers, giving it a squeeze. “She is my Savage Queen.”
Chapter 17
Bailey
Being backat Ashton’s apartment, I can’t help but feel like a foreigner.
I don’t belong here. I never did. I can’t believe I ever thought otherwise.
“Bailey, I’m so sorry about what happened,” Ashton says with apologetic eyes.
“I don’t want to hear sorries. I’ve heard a lot of them in my life, and they never led to changed behaviors.”
“What can I do to gain your trust, then?”
“You can start by telling me why you inserted yourself into my life.”
He nods his head slowly, then gestures for me to take a seat.
I sink into his couch, tucking my legs underneath me.
Ashton sits on the coffee table, giving me his undivided attention. “It’s times like this I’d have a drink, but I think that’s behind me. Now that I have something to look forward to each day, I don’t want to numb my emotions. Even if they’re painful.”
I give him a reassuring smile, knowing how hard this is for him.
