“Gerald, you can clearly see that my clients are being targeted. The detective is trying to railroad them into a charge. Everything they have been charged with is bullshit, and you know it,” our lawyer, Mr. Smith, reminds him.
“I know, Mr. Smith, but I can only do so much. My hands are tied at the moment. We have internal investigations launching afull investigation into the gang unit and each of its members as we speak.”
I almost feel bad for the guy. He looks exhausted.
“That detective should lose his badge. We both know it,” Mr. Smith presses.
“We do, but honestly? The only proof you have brought me is that he did an illegal stop and search. He mentioned doing a search on a female without a female officer. Those are infractions on his record, but not enough to arrest or fire. If I’m lucky, we get six months’ probation out of him. Now, because he said he would ‘get you’ or whatever, I can grant a restraining order for Mr. and Mrs. Harris. He didn’t make the same threat to the other two or the club, so that’s where my power stops.”
Mr. Smith looks at Ridge and me. I nod, but he waits for whatever Ridge is going to do.
Ridge lets the man sweat it out for a minute before he speaks, “I want a formal apology to the public as well. I’m fine with what you can do, but with the way the media is talking about this, I deserve that much.”
“Done. I will have something written up and sent over to you for approval, and I will personally make sure he reads it on camera. I am very sorry that he did this to you. Know that not all cops are like him. Many of them are good people. Please don’t let this make you jaded.”
Ridge snorts. “I’ve been jaded since I was a kid. Don’t worry about us. You do what you promised, and we are square. You won’t have any more issues from us.”
He nods, standing to shake our hands. We each do before exiting his office. We don’t speak again until we are in the parking lot.
“I know it’s not much, but keep up what you guys are doing. Any footage we can legally use, send my way. We will take this shit all the way to the top if we have to. We will go national andget the damn president involved. We will nail this fucker to the wall,” Mr. Smith promises us.
“You’ve done a great job. We really appreciate all you have done,” I tell him.
“We aren’t done yet, Mrs. Harris. This restraining order is big. It’s a piece of paper, sure, but it means he personally cannot come after either of you. He can’t be within so many feet of you. You keep a copy of it on you at all times. I will send it over as soon as I have it. I know the club has people within the department, so you have one of them on speed dial for when he walks right through it and tries again.” Mr. Smith looks to Ridge as he says the last part.
“Done. I’m sure we will be in touch soon. You travel home safe. Let us know if you need anything from us.” Ridge shakes his hand.
He waves before getting into his car. Once he is gone, Ridge turns to me, pulling me into his arms.
“I know it’s not the perfect outcome, but do you feel safer now at least?” he asks.
I smile up at him. “Ridge, I have always felt safe in your arms. Even when I thought I hated you, I always knew that if I needed something, you would be there for me. Back then, I assumed it was because of my dad, but now I see the truth. It’s because you are a good person, no matter what some asshole cop has to say.”
He leans down, pressing a kiss to my lips. “You’re wrong.”
I frown. “About?”
“I don’t keep you safe because I’m a good person.”
“No?” I ask. “Why then?”
He cups both of my cheeks, staring directly into my eyes. “I do it because I am so head over heels in love with you that I cannot breathe when you are away from me. The idea that you might even break a nail puts me on edge. Your safety is my reason for living.”
I suck in a breath, my heart beating in my chest.
“You’ve already gotten into my pants, Adam. You don’t need to try so hard.”
He bursts out laughing, his head falling back, giving me a view of that perfect neck of his. The same one that has a fresh tattoo on it.
“What is that?” I demand.
He looks a little sheepish. “Remember last week when I had you mark me again?”
I nod, eyes narrowing. I do remember. The next day, he said he’d hurt himself at work and kept a bandage on his neck all week. Come to think of it, today is the first time he has had it off. I was so focused on the meeting, I didn’t even notice.
“Well, Viper, you are on my skin permanently now. No one will ever question who I belong to.”
Then he angles his neck, showing me my bite mark with a viper coiled around it, ready to strike.
