Judge (Blackwings MC - Devil Springs Book 2)

by Teagan Brooks

  Oliver’s head shot up and he let out a high-pitched groan.

  “Welcome back,” I taunted. “Do you have anything you’d like to say?”

  Oliver’s eyes widened and he started trying to backpedal. “I’m sorry! I’ll talk! Just don’t—ahhh!” he screamed when I tapped the screen and sent another jolt to the electrode stuck to his taint.

  “Tell me why you fucked with the security system at our rental property.”

  “That wasn’t me!”

  The room was filled with another scream when I increased the intensity and zapped his balls. “We already know it was you. Answer the question,” I ordered and poised my finger over the screen.

  “I don’t know!”

  Zap.

  “Please, stop. I really don’t know. Brett told me to do it. He didn’t tell me why,” he cried.

  Zap.

  “You’re lying. So help me, I will keep going until your balls are completely fried if I have to.”

  “Maybe he needs a little more incentive,” Batta suggested. I increased the intensity and simultaneously sent currents to both electrodes attached to him.

  Oliver promptly screamed, then puked all over himself. He was panting and gasping through the tears and snot running down his face. “Okay, okay,” he sobbed. “My dad’s girlfriend paid me to do it.”

  I knew what he was going to say, but I had to ask. “Who’s your dad’s girlfriend?”

  “Spring Lawson,” he cried as he shifted and scooted around in the chair like he could somehow escape the electrodes.

  “Why was Brett in the house?”

  Oliver swallowed audibly and hung his head. “He was supposed to hide drugs in the house.”

  “Why?” I barked.

  “It was a shit-ton of smack. Spring didn’t want it to get stolen or to get caught with it,” he spewed.

  “So, she paid you to tamper with the security system so Brett could enter the house undetected and stash your junk. How the hell were y’all planning on getting it back?” I asked.

  “Spring knew who lived there and knew her work schedule. She said she’d tell us when it was time to go get it.”

  I studied him for several minutes as I thought about what to ask next. Finally, I decided one question was more important to me than any others. “Did you know who lived there?”

  “N-no. I asked once, but Spring wouldn’t tell us,” he said.

  “Are the drugs still there?” Bronze asked.

  Oliver grimaced and shook his head. “No. My dad made me go get it after Brett died.”

  “Bullshit! I redid the alarm after the police left. There’s no way you got into that house,” I roared and zapped him again.

  “Ahhhh! No! No! Please!” he begged and squeezed his eyes closed as he braced for more pain. “I ran in right after the officers left. I’d been watching the house and waiting for a chance to go in.”

  “How’d you even know about Brett?”

  “He was supposed to go get a baggie or two from the stash. When he didn’t come back or answer his phone, I went over to see what was going on. I saw them bringing someone out in a body bag and knew it was Brett. He never could wait to get his fix.”

  Batta took my place and wrapped his hand around Oliver’s throat. “You’re answering the questions; I’ll give you that. But you’re not telling us everything. Start fucking talking or I’m gonna put that shit on full blast.”

  Oliver sucked in a shaky breath and visibly shuddered. “My dad was Spring’s dealer, until she became his girlfriend so she could get her shit for free. A few weeks ago, my stepmother went out of town and Spring thought my dad was with her. Spring was pissed when she found out and stole some of his product. She said she didn’t do it, but it couldn’t have been anyone else besides her. Dad told her not to come back without the product or the cash to replace it. She replaced it and told us to hide the rest. I don’t know where it came from. I swear I don’t know!” he blubbered.

  “Where’s the product now?” I asked.

  Sheer terror washed over Oliver and he started frantically shaking his head. Batta raised the device and wiggled it in front of Oliver’s face. “My ass! It’s in my ass!” he screamed.

  Batta tossed the device to me and stepped away with his hands held up in surrender. “No fucking way, Prez. I love this club, but I am not getting that out of his asshole.”

  Copper covered his mouth with his hand as he tried to stifle a laugh. Bronze, however, didn’t even try to mask his amusement which resulted in the entire room erupting in laughter. “Relax, Batta, no need to open the vault,” Copper said and doubled over with laughter.

  Any other time, I would’ve been laughing right along with them, but my girl was in trouble and we were clearly missing something. I rubbed the back of my neck. It seemed like most of the pieces were there, I just couldn’t put them together. I paced the room, well aware of all the eyes on me.

  “What are the drugs in?” Splint asked. When Oliver looked at him clearly confused, he added, “Before you, uh, put them in your body, what did you put them in?”

  “A condom,” Oliver said quietly.

  “Thought so. Uh, Prez, we need to get him to the hospital. If that condom breaks, and we all know how easily that can happen, we’ll have a body to deal with.”

  “Fucking hell,” Copper cursed. “Someone was trying to steal your drugs. You hid them in your ass. They attacked you when they couldn’t find them. You gonna stick to that story or do I need to send you to the hospital without a tongue?”

  “I’ll stick to that story,” Oliver promised.

  “If you don’t, what happened here today will be like a trip to the spa compared to what I’ll do to you,” Copper said in a low and menacing tone.

  “Have Coal and Savior drop him at the ER. If anyone sees them, they can say they found him stumbling around on the side of the road and stopped to help,” Copper announced.

  The brothers started to clear out while Coal and Savior started untying Oliver. They were about to help him to his feet when a thought suddenly occurred to me. I fixed my eyes on Oliver and said, “Didi Warren.”

  His head turned to me and it was clear he knew the name. “What about her?”

  “Who is she to you?” I asked, choosing my words carefully.

  “She was my cousin’s best friend.”

  “And who’s your cousin?” I asked.

  His head dropped and his shoulders slumped. “Her name was Paisley, but she’s dead, just like everybody else,” he said sadly. For a moment, a very brief moment, I almost felt sorry for him.

  “Spazz,” I called out.

  “Already on it,” he said as his fingers pecked away at his phone. Seconds later, he had the information I wanted. “Paisley Ellison died from a drug overdose twelve weeks ago. She was twenty years old. According to another article, she died the day before she was supposed to enter a rehab facility. Apparently, her mother is on the county council and has made numerous statements criticizing ‘the lack of actions being taken to address the county’s rapidly growing opioid crisis,’ her words, not mine.”

  “I didn’t realize we had an opioid crisis in Devil Springs. I mean sure, there’s always been some drugs floating around here, but I don’t recall there ever being many overdoses in this area.”

  Spazz nodded in agreement but continued to study his phone. “I’m going to go see what else I can find. Hopefully, something that will help River,” he said.

  “Thanks, brother,” I said and clapped him on the shoulder.

  Once he left, I realized I was alone for the first time that day and I didn’t know what to do with myself. Every unoccupied second was filled with worry for River. Was she okay? Was she in a cell by herself? Was she hurt? Was she scared?

  I felt completely helpless. She was my woman. I was supposed to protect her, take care of her, comfort her, love her, and I couldn’t do any of those things. “Fuck!” I roared as I sent the empty storage rack crashing into the opposite wall.
>
  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Judge

  The morning of River’s bail hearing we packed the courtroom. Mom and I were in the front row with Dash, Kennedy, and Batta. The rows behind us were filled with the Devil Springs Blackwings and the majority of the Croftridge Blackwings.

  We sat quietly while we waited for the proceedings to begin. Tina entered the courtroom and walked to her designated seat without so much as a glance to anyone else in the room.

  A middle-aged, balding man in a suit entered shortly after Tina and took a seat at the prosecutor’s table. Unlike Tina, he surveyed the room on the way to his seat and then turned around to take another look once he was seated.

  A door on the far side of the room opened and River was led into the room. She looked awful. Her skin was pale and she had dark circles under her eyes. The orange jumpsuit she was wearing hung on her body like a sack. She kept her eyes on her feet as the bailiff escorted her to the chair beside Tina.

  I hoped she would look up once she got closer, but she didn’t. I desperately needed her to look at me, so I cleared my throat loudly. Her head shot up and she gasped when she saw the room filled with the Blackwings. Her eyes moved to her brother for a brief moment before they came to me. And my heart broke when she started to cry.

  It was out before I could stop it. “Don’t cry, baby; everything’s going to be okay.”

  She nodded once and straightened her spine before she turned to face the front of the room and take her seat beside Tina.

  Moments later, Judge Hinkley entered the courtroom and wasted no time calling the court into session. I fully intended to pay attention to every single word that was uttered, but I couldn’t stay focused. My mind was consumed with what ifs and possible outcomes.

  Mom elbowed me in the ribs and whisper-yelled, “Pay attention, son.”

  “Your Honor, my client has no previous criminal charges, she’s not a flight risk, and she’s not a danger to the community. She’s cooperated every step of the way and will continue to do so. She has no intention of leaving Devil Springs as evidenced by her signed rental agreement and her employment contract. She also has family nearby and a fiancé in Devil Springs,” Tina stated.

  Judge Hinkley nodded and shuffled through the papers in front of him. He removed his glasses and peered at River before redirecting his gaze to the room. “I would like to remind everyone that we are not here today to prove innocence or guilt. We are here to determine if bail is appropriate. And while a lot of points are in your favor, Ms. Lawson, you are being charged with one count of second-degree murder. But, I do believe there are many various factors to be considered in this case. Are you willing to surrender your passport, wear an ankle monitor, adhere to a curfew, and refrain from working in an environment where you would have access to controlled substances until these charges have been settled?”

  “My client does not have a passport, Your Honor, but agrees to the other conditions,” Tina quickly answered.

  Judge Hinkley nodded. “In that case, along with the previously mentioned conditions, bail is set at one million dollars. This court is adjourned,” he said and banged his gavel.

  River turned around with wide, tear-filled eyes. “Jonah,” she croaked. “I don’t have that kind of money.”

  “It’s okay, baby. I’ll get it, and we’ll have you home in no time,” I reassured her.

  She nodded and gave me a weak smile, but I could tell she didn’t believe me. As the bailiff led her away, I kept my eyes on her until I could no longer see her. Once she was out of sight, I faced my brothers. “If the club can front me the money, I’ll sell my house to replace the funds.”

  Before Copper could respond, Phoenix stepped forward with Dash by his side. “No, you won’t. I’ll take care of it.”

  “I appreciate it, Phoenix, but I can’t let you do that,” I insisted.

  “You can and you will. That’s a direct order,” Phoenix said and clapped me on the shoulder. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to figure out who I need to speak with so we can get your girl home.”

  With that, he walked away while I stared at his back in disbelief. “Why do you look so shocked?” Copper asked. “This is exactly what the club is all about—having each other’s backs.”

  “The club’s going to lose one hundred thousand dollars, Prez. I don’t feel right about it and River won’t either.”

  Copper snorted. “The club’s not losing any money. He’s bailing her out, not bonding her out. She’s innocent and as soon as the charges are dropped or she’s found not guilty, the money will be returned. And don’t forget, you haven’t officially claimed her yet, so while you feel like this is on you, he’s actually doing it for Dash, technically speaking.”

  “You kinda suck at pep talks, Prez,” I grumbled.

  Copper shrugged. “I tell it like it is and that won’t ever change.”

  ***

  The entire process took hours. I didn’t expect it to be immediate, but it felt like everything was working against us. The powers that be wouldn’t even start working on the paperwork until the bail was paid. And, it’s not as simple as writing a check for one million dollars. Once the money was paid, they started on the paperwork, but then stopped for lunch. After lunch, they finished the forms, but then it was one thing after another, and I was barely hanging on to the last bit of patience I had.

  Finally, fucking finally, the door to the right of the reception desk opened and River stepped out. “Jonah,” she cried and ran right into my waiting arms. With her arms circled around my shoulders and her legs wrapped around my waist, she buried her face in my neck and broke.

  I was already on edge, and her state did not help settle me in any way. After several minutes, I had to know. “Did someone hurt you or do something to you?”

  I felt her head move, and she whispered, “N-no. Nothing like that happened. I just…I might never let go of you again.”

  Although I was relieved by her answer, I remained tensed and ready to strike at anyone or anything that may pose a threat to her.

  “Son, maybe it would help if we got her out of here,” my mother softly suggested.

  “Yeah,” I croaked and carried my girl out of her nightmare and into the light of day.

  Dash led the way to one of the club’s SUVs and opened the back door for us. I didn’t even attempt to put her down; I just climbed inside with her still wrapped around me.

  “Do you want to go home or to the clubhouse?”

  She sniffed and rubbed her nose on my shirt. “Home, then clubhouse,” she whispered.

  “Did you just wipe your snot on me?” I teased.

  “No,” she said a little louder before she did it again.

  “Ewww! Gross! Stop wiping your snot on me!” I shouted and started tickling her.

  She squealed and slapped at my hands. “Stop! Stop! Please!”

  “Are you going to wipe your nose slime on my shirt again?”

  “Nooo! I promise. Please, stop! I’m going to peeeee!” she shrieked through her laughter.

  “What did I ever do to deserve this?” I asked in mock surprise.

  She sat back and wiped the tears from her face. “Thank you,” she said softly. “I needed that.”

  “I know,” I said and placed a soft kiss on her lips. “But, really, are you okay?”

  She sighed. “Physically, yes, I’m fine. Emotionally? Mentally? No, I’m not okay.”

  “Talk to me.”

  “I don’t even know what to say, Jonah,” she said and shook her head. “Even though I’m innocent, this is going to ruin my life. I’ll never be able to pay back the money the club used to get me out. Especially since I won’t be able to work as a nurse until the charges are cleared. Then, I’ll have to go before the nursing board to get my license reinstated. On top of all that, I’ll have to pay a huge fine for breaking my contract with the agency.”

  “You don’t have to pay back any money. The club will get it back when the charges are cleared. As f
or your license, it might be a pain in the ass, but you’ll get that straightened out, too. Have Tina look over your contract with the agency and see if there’s a clause or maybe even a loophole that can be used to help you. It’s going to take some time, but I will not let this bullshit ruin your life.”

  “You’re a good man, Jonah Jackson. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you weren’t here to help me through this.”

  I grinned. “Lucky for you, you’ll never have to find out.”

  Dash cleared his throat in a loud and obnoxious manner. “Are you ready to acknowledge the rest of the world, sister dearest?”

  She turned in my lap and took in the other occupants of the SUV. With a loud gasp, she covered her mouth with her hands. “I’m so sorry!” Then, she turned back to me and slapped my chest. “Why didn’t you tell me they were all in here?”

  I reached out and cupped her jaw as I smoothed my thumb over her cheek. “Because the only thing that mattered was having you in my arms.” She leaned into my hand and closed her eyes. When she opened them, I told her what I had been wanting to tell her for a while. “You know I love you,” I said softly.

  Her eyes closed again while her lips curved up in a soft smile. I felt some of the tension leave her body before she opened her eyes and said, “I do. And I love you, too.”

  Leaning forward, my hand slid from her jaw to the nape of her neck as my lips took hers. I wanted to devour every inch of her, and would have if her brother and my mother weren’t there, which I was reminded of when Dash grumbled, “Will y’all save that shit for when I’m not around to witness it?”

  “Sorry, brother,” I replied, even though I wasn’t the least bit sorry.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  River

  Jonah and I were dropped off at his house so I could shower and change clothes before we went to the clubhouse. As much as I wanted to take my time and enjoy the hot water washing the jail filth from my skin, I took a quick shower, pulled my wet hair into a messy bun, and pulled on my favorite jeans and the first clean shirt I found since my time was limited thanks to my court-ordered curfew. While it was inconvenient—and mildly humiliating—I wasn’t going to complain because having to be home by nine o’clock at night was much better than being in jail.