Page 30 of Ruin

I jumped into a sprint and made for the front door, praying now that there wasn’t anyone here in some darkened car or something. I would have killed to get inside, breathe the familiar air, and get a change of clothes, but there was no time for that. Instead, I streaked for the front door, slapped the paper onto the front, and dashed back toward where my friends were covering me, praying the tape I’d put on the note would stick.

And praying that if any of my guys happened by, they’d understand that B meant Brock, and that it told them exactly how to find me.

WE’D BEEN AT BROCK’S for two days before Adams finally got back to me about my request.

“You want me to deliver a phone?” he asked doubtfully.

“Please. You know we can’t go down there ourselves.”

“Well, that’s true. The place is crawling with cops who are basically itching to arrest you.”

I would have laughed at how ridiculous it was, but I’d gone to jail on trumped-up charges before. I knew the cops could arrest and even try us on faked evidence if they decided to.

And I just didn’t have time to go to jail right now.

“Any idea what charges they’re using?” I asked. “Or how to get around them?”

“Disorderly in public,” he responded immediately. “It’s what they’ve got the other guys on. We’ll get around it, but it’s not quick. I’m filing paperwork with a friendly judge in the next town to force them to release everyone. I’d do the same for you if they got you.”

He might. But not before Devil’s friends on the inside took me out. I was far, far safer here in Brock’s house than I’d be in jail. People thought you were safe if you were behind bars because you were officially under the police department’s supervision.

People were wrong. Jail was just as lawless as the streets—more, actually—and there weren’t any cops in there to try to control the chaos. Just guards who didn’t know what they were doing and didn’t get paid enough to learn.

“I don’t plan on getting arrested anytime soon, so I hope you won’t have to deal with that,” I told Adams. “Though I appreciate the sentiment.”

He chuckled. “That’s what you pay me to do, man. Now tell me what you need for Gemini.”

“Frank is going to bring you a phone, and you’re going to take it to him,” I replied. “Tell the cops around his room you’re meeting with him to discuss his legal defense or something equally lawyer-y. Get them out of the room so we can talk to Gem without them overhearing anything.”

He was silent for a moment. “I’ll do my best. But I’m not sure they’re going to give him any privacy. They’ve been all over him since he came in.”

My fingers clenched at the thought. Gem was there alone, at the cops’ mercy, and they probably didn’t give a fuck that it was Devil’s guys who had done that to him. Hell, maybe they’d even helped.

The thought sent rage rushing through my body, but I fought to keep it under control. I needed my mind right now, not my fists.

“They shouldn’t be talking to him at all,” I said gruffly. “Not without you present.”

“I can’t be there all the time, Knight, and they have him under arrest already. Gem’s smart. He knows not to say anything stupid.”

“He’s also got the worst temper of anyone I’ve ever met. I don’t trust him to keep his mouth shut. He’ll get himself into trouble whispering under his breath about how stupid the cops are.”

Another chuckle from Adams. “You’ve got a point. I’ll remind him to keep his mouth shut when I see him.”

“Good. Frank’ll drop the phone off at your place in ten minutes. Tell Gemini to call me as soon as he’s alone.”

“THEY GOT HER?” GEM asked, his voice wavering.

For a big man, he was already awfully close to crying. They must have him on some really strong pain medication. It was the only possible answer for a reaction like that. Gem was moody, but his mood swings went between furious and cold, not sad.

“They didn’t get her,” I explained again. “She’s in lockup, but they don’t have anything on her. Just more trumped-up charges from the cops on Devil’s payroll.”

“Bastards,” he breathed. “I’ll kill them.”

“You and me both, brother, but we have to get you out of the situation you’re currently in before we can do that.”

“Right.” His voice turned serious, and I could almost see him straightening up, looking around like he suspected someone of listening in. Gem had always had trouble trusting other people. He always thought someone was spying on him.

It had made me laugh in the past. These days, I was starting to think it might be true.