Me:
No, more like an elf. Just make it happen. It’s for Hayley.
Colton:
Fine, but you owe me.
“Don’t say anything when we go in there. If anyone asks you a question, do not answer it,” I instruct Hayley.
“Why?”
“Because we don’t like cops, babe.” I smile. “Just let me handle this for you.”
She nods, but I can see that she’s skeptical. “We don’t even know what he’s done, August.”
“Whatever it is, it’s not going to be that bad.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I’ve met the kid and he doesn’t have it in him.” I laugh. “He was scared shitless sitting in my office.”
“You told him you were going to cut off his fingers. I’d be scared shitless too.” She scowls at me.
“I would never do that to you. I don’t want you to ever fear me, Hayley.”
“I’m not scared of you. I’m scared of myselfaround you,” she says.
“Come on, let’s go get your brother out so I can beat some fucking sense into him.” I sigh.
“How about we get Riley out and there is no beating involved?”
“It’s a figure of speech, babe. I’m not going to touch your brother. Like I said, I would never hurt you.”
I keep Hayley’s hand firmly gripped in mine as we walk into the station. I fucking detest these places. “You got my kid brother—Riley Bell,” I tell the cop at the front desk. He’s new. It’s obvious.
“Your name?”See? Anyone else would know who the fuck I am without having to ask.
“August Wade.”
“Colton get dragged in again?” The familiar voice of Detective Greg calls out to me.
I smile. Fucker’s on my payroll. “Not this time. Riley Bell, where is he?”
“Lock up. He one of yours?” Greg says.
“My brother,” I repeat, and the detective quirks a brow.
“Since when do you have a brother?”
I don’t answer. “Where is he?”
“I’ll get him. Wait here.” Greg looks from me to Hayley, who hasn’t said a word.
A few minutes later, Riley is being escorted out from behind the locked door by the detective. Hayley lets out a gasp at the sight of him. Her brother’s lip is split and his cheek is swollen and bruised.
“What the fuck happened to him?” I turn my anger on Greg.
“Got brought in for fighting. Charges have been dropped,” Greg explains.
