Tank grunts. "Walking into a biker clubhouse alone. Either stupid or desperate."
"Both," I admit.
That gets a surprised laugh from Tank. "Honest, too."
King doesn't smile. "You understand that if Rookie gives a statement, it puts a target on his back? On all of us? Cops don't like it when bikers get involved in their business."
"I understand." I swallow hard. "But Officer Hayes is a predator. He'll do this again if he's not stopped. And the only way to stop him is with a witness who saw what he did."
"Why should we care?" King leans back in his chair. "Your partner, your problem."
"Because Rookie already made it your problem when he punched Hayes." I lift my chin. "I could file charges against him. Press for his arrest. Make this much bigger than it needs to be."
The temperature in the room drops. Tank straightens, Shadow shifts near the door, and King's eyes go ice cold.
"Are you threatening us?" King's voice is deadly quiet.
My heart hammers, but I hold his gaze. "I'm stating facts. I don't want to cause trouble for your club. I just want the truth to be on record. Rookie gives a statement, I keep my job, everyone moves on."
"And if his statement doesn't help you?"
"Then at least I tried." My voice wavers slightly. "Look, I know you don't trust cops. But I'm trying to do my job. And right now, I need someone to help me do it."
King stares at me for a long moment, then glances at Tank. Some silent communication passes between them.
"She's got more spine than most cops I've met," Tank says.
"Doesn't mean we should help her." But King's tone has softened slightly. He looks at Rookie. "You sure about this?"
"Yeah." Rookie's voice is firm. "Hayes was going to assault her. I stopped it. She deserves someone to back up her story."
King drums his fingers on the desk, considering.
"Alright," King finally says. "Rookie will give a statement. But on our terms. He goes to the station tomorrow morning, tells the truth about what he saw, then leaves. No follow-up questions. No additional statements. One and done."
Relief floods through me so intensely my knees nearly buckle. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet." King's eyes are hard. "If this blows back on us, if it brings heat to the club, you're going to owe us. Big time."
"I understand."
"Do you?" King stands, coming around the desk. "Because owing the Savage Riders isn't like owing the cops. We collect our debts. All of them."
A shiver runs down my spine. "What kind of debt?"
"We'll figure that out if it comes to it." King turns to Rookie. "Tomorrow morning. Nine AM. You go in, give your statement, get out. Clear?"
"Clear." Rookie's eyes find mine. "I'll be there, officer."
The way he says officer makes my pussy clench. Like it's dirty. Like I'm dirty for wanting him.
"Thank you," I say again, looking between King and Rookie. "Really. Thank you."
"Thank Rookie." King gestures toward the door. "He's the one sticking his neck out for you. Make sure you're worth it."
Tank and Shadow file out first. I follow, with Rookie behind me. When we reach the main room, the others disappear down different hallways, leaving us alone.
"You should go," Rookie says quietly. "Before I do something we'll both regret."
