“I didn’t fucking rape her. My record is clean. They can take all the DNA they want from me. I’m innocent,” I growl, and he looks at me, shaking his head.
“Stop talking. You know they are listening,” he says, opening a folder and showing me pictures of Mila. Beaten.
“I—”
“What did I say? Stop fucking talking and look at these pictures,” he grunts, and I stare at them. Multiple lacerations along her skin. Ripped clothing and bruises. What the fuck?
“What makes matters worse is her sister, your ex-girlfriend, is missing and you are their prime suspect,” he says, and I slam my fist against the metal table.
“This is a set up! I don’t know where Amber is! I’ve already spoken to the detectives numerous times,” I growl, and he raises a brow. I know I need to get my shit together. My anger is rising, and it’s only going to hurt me in the end.
“Settle down. They are fucking watching, Harley,” he whispers, and I take a deep breath.
“So, what am I looking at here? How much is bail?” I ask, and he shakes his head.
“There is no bail. You have to go in front of a judge, and being who you are, I got a hunch that it’s going to be a pretty penny or jail time. Do you have an alibi? Something we can work with? Walk me through the last twenty four hours,” he tells me, and I huff.
“On the record or off? You know what I’m involved in,” I whisper, and he nods.
“You’re a smart man. Protect yourself,” he replies, and I sit back in my chair.
“I was at the Dungeon doing paperwork. Gave one of my workers a raise and a new position then locked up and left. Wentto the shop, spoke with my brothers, and did more paperwork. I drank two beers and woke up at the shop ” I say, and he raises a brow.
“Was anyone else at the shop?” he asks, and I nod.
“Yes, my brothers were letting off steam from the news about Axel and had a few friends there to play poker,” I answer.
“Was Mila there?”
“Yes, she came into my office to give me a picture of Amber and I from her mother and handed me my second beer,” I tell him, and that’s when it hits me. She fucking drugged me. My eyes widen and I look at Gerald who raises a brow. “She drugged me. After she left the office along with my brothers, I finished that beer and I can’t remember shit after that!” I say, and he nods.
“That it?” he asks, like I didn’t just drop a bomb on him.
“Yeah, that’s it. The little bitch drugged me and staged this entire thing!” I whisper-shout, and he takes a deep breath.
“So she drugged you, then what? Forced herself on you and had someone beat her? For what? It doesn’t make sense, Harley,” he says, and I growl.Nothing makes fucking sense, dipshit.The door opens again and two detectives walk in, along with a forensic lady.
“Hi, I’m Emily. I just need to swab your mouth and under your finger nails. Detective Jenkins will take you to pee in this cup for me,” she says and I look at Gerald. He nods, letting me know that I can give them what they need.
I go through the motions of doing everything they ask. I just want to go home. I don’t belong here. I didn’t touch that girl, nor would I ever hurt a woman. My brothers have to be going out of their minds. Walking back to the room they are holding me in, I sit back down in the chair and look at Gerald.
“I’m assuming one of my brothers called you?” I ask, and he nods.
“Maverick called. I will update him once I know what they decide. I’m pushing for a hearing today. The goal is to get you out on bail. Hopefully, Judge Fitzgerald will wait until the drug results are in before making his decision. So now, all we can do is wait,” he says, and I bow my head in defeat. That judge is in bed with the Radleys. He is one of the founding families and the most ruthless judge in New York. He put Hayden away for a crime he didn’t commit, so I don’t stand a fucking chance. The door opens and the same two detectives come back in. One stands in the corner with his arms folded and the other stands opposite me.
“We have a few questions before you see the judge. You say you have no recollection of the night? What about your brothers, specifically Maverick. When we spoke with him, his knuckles were all bruised up. Did you both double team that poor girl?” he accuses, and I shake my head. “Your brother has a rap sheet for fighting and having been in therapy for anger issues. Did Mila say no and he held her down while you raped her!” he yells.
“No, absolutely not. Did you do your job and ask him why his knuckles were like that, or did you just fucking assume?” I spit.
“Watch your tone with me, son. I’m not the one on trial here. Just funny how it all looks, and I’m doing my job now, asking the questions,” he says, and I scoff.
“Yeah, right. If you were actually looking into the truth, you would know that he was at The Dungeon last night fighting. Ya know, the legal fights we have in this town. The ones you’ve attended piss drunk and placed bets on,” I taunt, and he slams his fists down on the table, and I smirk.Oops did I hit a nerve. Fucking pig!His phone rings and he takes it out of his pocket to answer. I look over at Gerald and he nods at me. Again, letting me know I’m not out of line with my answers. His upper lip curls a bit, and I grin. We both know they have nothing other than hearsay. It’s her word over mine, but still, I don’t have theconfidence to think I’m getting out of here. Especially with that mother fucking judge holding my fate in his hands. One call to Radley Senior and I’m toast. It’s just that simple.
“Well, looks like the judge made his decision.” The detective smirks. Great. I’m fucked! “Let’s go. He’s waiting for us,” he tells me as the other detective comes over to me and lifts me by my bicep and we leave the holding room. We walk down the hallway through a few doors to the police house court room where Fitzgerald is waiting for us. Walking down the aisle, the bailiff takes me from the detective and walks me to the table and stands close by as Gerald stands next to me, waiting for the judge to speak.
“Mr. Cyprus. Looking over the case, we will go to trial once I gather all the evidence and see to it that justice is served. For now, I hereby sentence you to Whitestone Penitentiary until further notice. Bond and bail are denied. Bailiff, take our prisoner to his holding cell for transport,” he states, and I swallow thickly. My heart drops in my chest and my hands begin to sweat. I look over at Gerald who starts arguing with the Judge but he dismisses him and leaves the room.
“I’ll work on getting you out. In the meantime, hang in there and don’t do anything stupid,” he tells me, and I narrow my eyes. Fucking waste. Best of the best my ass.
