Page 105 of Hades

I am about to start a scene when I see a fancy Jaguar pull up. I tense, expecting the mayor, but instead Atticus steps out. He looks all sleek and smooth in his suit. Like he lives in it rather than having been woken up in the middle of the night.

He walks over to Evelyn, saying something. After several words are exchanged, he leads Evelyn to his car, helping her in the passenger seat. Once she’s closed inside, I feel myself relax a little bit. She’s safe. He will protect her.

Now we just need to figure out what the fuck is going on.

I’ve been in this holding cell for hours. I swear time stands still once you’ve been locked up. There’s nothing to do but stare at the wall.

Usually, you would be with a few other jailbirds. I expected to at least be with my brothers, but no. They decided to keep us all separate.

I continue to count the ceiling tiles, wondering how long it will take Atticus to get us out.

I hear footsteps, but I don’t move. The officers have been doing this often. They come and ask me to talk. I say the word “lawyer.” They get angry and leave.

You’d think they would get tired of it.

Guess not.

“Big bad Jonah Hale. You have a rap sheet all over the country. Bar fights. Illegal gambling. My personal favorite is theft of a goat.”

My lips fight to smirk at that one.

When I was in Alabama, I found out a local farm was going to slaughter a family goat as a sacrifice. They were in some sort of cult. I didn’t like it, so I kidnapped the goat and delivered it to the Saint’s Outlaws MC in Pensacola. I asked them if they could find it a good home since transporting a goat on a bike was hard as hell. They agreed.

I hear Bernie is doing great in his new home.

“I know you want your lawyer, and I’m going to go ahead and tell you he is here getting all the rest of your brothers out. I’m sure he will get you out too once he is done. So how about you listen? You aren’t from here. You came passing through at the wrong time and got roped into a war that isn’t yours. You’ll be free soon, so I am going to give you some advice.”

I snort, unable to help myself. Is this guy for real?

He must be because he keeps talking.

“You should get on your bike and ride back off into the sunset. If you do, then maybe all of this goes away. You disappear off the radar and never have an issue again. If not, well, you already saw what we can do to you. It will only get worse. Your brothers will be pursued relentlessly. Your girl? She’s going to be ruined. Everything you love will be taken and turned to ash. So think it over and then make your decision. We will know what you decided when we see the taillights as you leave town. You have until Friday to make your decision.”

Another officer walks up then, the keys clanging as he opens the cell.

“You’ve been bailed out.”

I sit up, brushing my pants off as I walk their way. They give me a wide berth as I duck to get out of the cell. I walk all the way to the door, waiting for them to buzz me through. Once they do, I step inside and turn to the woman running the desk.

It takes several minutes to get my things back and sign the paperwork. Once I have my hair tie back, I put my hair up in a bun and wink at the woman.

Her cheeks heat as she giggles.

Then I leave her behind, stepping out into my freedom.

I almost smile until I see the look on Evelyn’s face.

“What the fuck happened now?”

Evelyn

My house is damaged. Not gone, but damaged.

The fire chief called to let me know that there is no way to tell what started the fire. I then got a lecture on fire safety, which made me want to choke him. Still, I listened politely as I thought about what I was going to do about my house.

This was all while sitting in this cold-ass waiting room at the jail waiting on Atticus to get everyone released.

I’m thankful only Reaper, Colt, Bullet, and Lemon were with him when he came. It’s obvious now that the police knew they would be there. This is all a farce.