Johnny arched an eyebrow. “More like high places, I’d say,” he retorted. “Care to explain how you made them?”
I shook my head. “I can’t,” I said and his eyes narrowed. “It’s not that I don’t want to, but really I can’t tell you because I don’t know. I don’t know who had the power to get me released or why they bothered.” The last bit was a lie, but my stubborn ass pride wasn’t going to let me talk about her in front of them.
“You owe anyone any favors?” Johnny questioned and I shook my head slowly. It was more like the other way around, even if the warden had declared us square with my release. He sighed, his hand thumping against the table. “You’re not really making a case for yourself here, Clutch.”
“I’m not a damn snitch, Johnny. You know that,” I growled, about to push myself up, but my brothers’ hands on my shoulders kept me firmly in my seat. “You know that. I don’t have an explanation. I just –” I cut myself off before I said anything more and Johnny rolled his tongue across his teeth.
“You just?” He prompted and I looked down at the old wooden table. “I expected you back yesterday,” he said when it became clear I wasn’t going to answer. “Where were you?”
I raised my shoulders slightly. “Getting laid.”
Johnny let out a snort as a few chuckles filled the room. “That fiery little redhead?”
I dipped my head. “I figured she owed me.”
He nodded in acknowledgement. “The Aces have been generous with their terms since you took the fall for her. It’s benefited us greatly.”
I licked my lips, glad something good had come from the situation. “Good, they should be licking our boots,” I suggested and Johnny grinned wickedly.
“Or sucking our cocks,” he added with a knowing laugh. “At least you got something out of the deal.”
A phone started to ring and Creed quickly silenced it, mouthing, “Sloan,” and Johnny shook his head, but didn’t comment. A few seconds later though, Creed’s phone started to ring again and concern flashed across Creed’s face. “I have to get this,” he muttered, grabbing the phone as Sloan’s face lit the screen. “Two calls in a row means an emergency.”
Johnny grumbled, “Probably a party emergency. I swear that’s all they’ve been talking about for two months.”
“So long as we don’t run out of booze, it’ll be the best party ever,” Cord commented and I nodded in agreement.
“Hey, babe,” Creed said as he answered the phone, but he was cut off by a frantic Sloan. I straightened when I heard her through the phone, babbling and crying, and Creed stood up. “Hey, hey, I can’t understand you. Where are you? I’ll come to you,” he crooned soothingly. There was silence and then a hiccup as Sloan composed herself and I stood, leaning closer to Creed as I unabashedly eavesdropped on the conversation.
“It’s Ronnie. She’s dead.”
Chapter Six
Diane
Six Weeks Earlier
“He saved my life,” I protested and Uncle Tom pointed his finger at me.
“And we gave him a get out of jail for free card. I’d say that’s more than enough repayment.”
“A life for a life,” I reminded him and he shook his head. “You don’t get to change the rules when it suits you,” I yelled in exasperation.
“Oh, yes, I damn well can,” he shouted back. “In this instance, you’re going to have to trust me, Diane. Letting him out early is damn near the same as saving his life. I’m not going to let you decide any different.”
“I just,” I didn’t get to finish as he interrupted me.
“No, leave it be, Diane. I mean it. Consider it a favor for your old uncle?”
I bit back an instinctive protest, wondering what it was about this particular instance that made Uncle Tom so reluctant. “Fine.” I raised my hands in defeat and he visibly relaxed. “You win.” I gave him a sour glare. “Can I at least tell the man thank you?”
“No,” Uncle Tom replied and I blinked in surprise. I thought he’d at least give me that much. “I mean it, Diane. Just leave it alone.” He turned to go behind his desk, missing my narrowed eyes. “I’ve got work to do. You sure you don’t want to go back to the hospital?” I shook my head automatically, having heard the same refrain from my mom often enough that I would literally do anything before going back to the hospital and begging the board to reinstate me.
“I like the prison hospital,” I answered and he let out a tired sigh. “You meet all the interesting people here.”
“Pride cometh before a fall,” he quoted and I snorted. “It wouldn’t kill you to make amends, maybe not burn any bridges,” he offered, slipping his reading glasses on.
“Too late. I burned the bridge and the whole damn town when I left,” I retorted, crossing my arms. Only the fact that my mother was a federal judge, and my two older brothers happened to be litigation attorneys had prevented the hospital from bringing a lawsuit against me. It hadn’t stopped my fiancé from dumping me though. “You know there’s no going back for me.”
“Yes, well, your mother would never forgive me if anything happened to you on my watch,” he reminded me, the leather chair creaking in protest as he leaned back. “So do me a favor and forget about this Clutch fellow.”
“Kinda hard to do when he saved my life,” I replied, spinning on my heel and marching out of his office, satisfied to have the last word for once. I’d never developed the gilded tongue the rest of my family seemed to have, probably the reason I’d chosen medicine instead of law to the eternal disappointment of my mother. My phone buzzed in my pocket and I didn’t bother to hide my sigh when I saw who was calling.
“Hello, brother,” I answered, my voice flat. “Mom bribe you to call me?”
“Why would I go through the effort of bribing him when I can just borrow his phone?” Mom replied and I had to check the screen again to make sure it was actually Michael’s name on the screen. “Yes, it’s your brother’s phone,” she continued, making me glance over my shoulder nervously. I’d worked in the prison for over a year now, but this was the first time I’d felt the need to check my surroundings. Knowing Mom, she’d somehow managed to access the prison’s security cameras and was watching me at this very moment. “And no, I don’t have access to the prison’s live feed.” She gave a sniff of irritation even as my shoulders relaxed. “Thomas was very adamant about that.”
I didn’t bother to ask if that meant she could watch prior footage, already aware of the answer. Mom had lost it when she found out someone had attempted to attack me when I was working in the prison clinic. She’d demanded the footage of the attack and then tried to use it to force me to quit. Unfortunately for my mother, I was very much her daughter and quitting wasn’t in my nature.
“What can I do for you, Mom?” I asked wearily, involuntarily rubbing my forehead as I mouthed her automatic reply.
“You can quit working in that Godforsaken place,” she said sharply. “And you can answer my calls so I’m not forced to use subterfuge to talk to you.”
“Religion is actually a big thing in the prison system,” I mentioned and heard her exhale. Mom would never deign herself enough to sigh. “If you ever bothered to come see where I work,” I wheedled, not needing to see her to know she carried an exasperated expression.
“I sentence people to prison, I don’t visit them,” she retorted. “A fact you should be cognizant of since you,” she paused, her tone distasteful as she finished, “Work there,” and I could feel her pain at having to admit to that fact.
“I like my job,” I replied mildly, well acquainted with disappointing her. “Some might say I’m saving lives,” I continued, knowing my tongue in cheek comment would sail right past her.
“Criminals.”
“Why are you calling?” I asked again, not bothering to mention once again that one of those criminals had saved my life. “I’m at work.”
“I spoke with the board,” she answered crisply and my head dropped back as I stifled a
groan. “I reminded them of your qualifications –”
“I’m going to stop you right there, Mom. I’m not going back,” I said finality. Silence met my words, long enough I thought she hung up on me, but I didn’t say a word.
“Why must you be so stubborn? Your brothers never gave me this much trouble,” she remarked and I suppressed a chuckle. My brothers were just better at hiding their little rebellions. “You are going to get yourself killed.” Her angry tone didn’t quite hide a note of fear, and I slowed my march down the hall.
“What’s really going on, Mom?”
“Nothing.” I made a noncommittal sound, not believing her for a second. “Every job carries its risks, some more than others. You, out of anyone, should know that.” I flinched at the intended jab, quickly burying the memories it evoked. “I don’t want you to pay for the risks I took.” She paused, inhaling sharply. “I do love you.”
“I never doubted that,” I replied contritely, starting to feel a little guilty.
“Good, you have a meeting with the hospital board at 9AM sharp tomorrow. Apologize and they’ll give you your old job back.” She hung up before I could get a word out and I glared down at the phone impotently.
“Damn you, Mother,” I muttered between clenched teeth, my knuckles white around the phone. She knew she had me. If I didn’t go, it would reflect badly on her and even as angry as I was, I knew I wouldn’t tarnish her reputation. She would have had to pull a million strings to even get me a meeting, much less my job back, and that was after she’d pushed through Clutch’s release.
I hit my contact for Taylor, the phone barely ringing once before he answered, not bothering to hide his surprise. “Sis, didn’t expect to hear from you.”
“Mom has Michael’s phone.”
“Oh shit.”
I heard a beep and then he exhaled loudly. “It’s Michael trying to call me,” he stated, his voice distorted as he put the phone back to his ear. “I owe you one, Sis.”
“Good, because Mom set me up. I have a meeting with the Lakeland hospital board tomorrow morning at 9AM. I could use your…support.” I rolled my eyes, knowing he’d understand.
He chuckled. “You mean my charm to get you out of whatever Mother got you into.”
“Basically.”
“Eh, I’ll be there.” He waited a beat. “And I still owe you one,” he added before hanging up.
I slid the phone back into my pocket as I stopped in front of a familiar door. I had come here dozens of times over the past few days, but never managed to make it inside the room. Today was different though, since he was going to be transferred the next day. If I didn’t do it today, then I was going to lose my chance.
I toyed with the surgical mask in my pocket, trying to drum up the courage to face him without it’s protective anonymity as I pushed the hospital room door open. His eyes were closed, his expression relaxed in sleep, and I hurriedly yanked the mask from my pocket as the door swung shut behind me. I tucked the elastic around my ear right as his eyes drifted open.
“How is our patient today?” I asked breezily, picking up the chart at the end of the bed and pretending to glance over it. “Ready to be out of here?”
“Doc,” he rasped, his low voice almost painful to hear and I glided over to the tray table and poured him a cup of water. He accepted it gratefully as I tried to avoid his piercing stare. “You’re the reason I’m getting out of here,” he stated, tracking me as I went around the bed.
“Your recovery will be smoother in a different facility,” I deflected, tucking the sheet back as I prepared to check his wound – the one he’d received saving me.
“Not what I meant, Doc,” he replied, his voice smoother now, less gravelly, but his stare was no less intent. “You’re Diane.” My gaze flicked to his and he gave me a wry grin. “The warden paid me a visit.” I lowered my eyes at his revelation, busying myself with the neatly bandaged cut. “I put two and two together. You’re the reason they’re releasing me early.”
“Not me,” I demurred, inspecting the deep wound that had cost him his spleen and almost his life. “My uncle has his own idea of repayment.”
“Uncle,” he repeated, a question in his voice and I smiled, even though he couldn’t see it through the mask.
“Nepotism runs strong in my family.”
“Explains why he was so adamant about repaying favors,” Clutch replied, trailing off with a groan as I prodded the tender area around the neatly stitched wound. “I think you enjoy inflicting pain,” he muttered, his stomach sucking in with a hiss, and highlighting already well defined abdominal muscles.
“It is a perk,” I murmured absently and he made a choking sound. “Everything looks good."
“Glad to hear it,” he mumbled as I straightened, my fingers still laying lightly across the stiches. “You know, I didn’t do it to get out of jail.”
“Save me?” I verified and he gave a short nod. “I know. You reacted out of instinct. It’s why my uncle feels that letting you out is sufficient repayment. I disagree.” I delicately traced the puckered skin stitched together. “This is going to leave a scar.”
“Chicks dig scars,” he commented, one side of his mouth lifting in a lopsided grin.
My eyes rose to meet his as his stomach rose and fell with each breath. “A life for a life,” I mused and felt his breath catch. “I owe you my life.” An instinctive denial rose to his lips and I shook my head. “No. You don’t get to make that decision.” I shoved my hand in my pocket, fishing out the scrap of torn paper I’d written my address on. My heart beat faster as I tucked the note in his hand. His fingers curled around it automatically and I drew my hand away reluctantly. Uncle Tom would be livid if he knew I’d just given a convicted felon my home address and Mom would probably have me committed if she ever found out, but I had to follow my instincts. “If you ever need anything, I’ll help you,” I promised, ignoring him as he started to shake his head.
“No,” he grunted, his hand fumbling as he tried to give me back the paper. “No, damn it. Take this.” He thrust the scrap at my face and I pressed my thumb against his wound. “Shit,” he gasped, his hand falling down as his face whitened. I eased the pressure as he caught his breath, his gaze wary now. He swallowed, his nostrils flaring as he inhaled. “You win.” He made a fist around the now crumpled paper. “I’ll keep it.” His eyes narrowed. “But you can’t make me use it.”
I smiled, lowering my eyelashes, as I hummed noncommittally.
“You’re the dangerous kind of crazy,” he muttered under his breath as I replaced the bandage. “Stubborn ass woman.”
“Bold words for a man at my mercy,” I replied, my hand hovering against his side threateningly and he narrowed his eyes.
“You wouldn’t.”
I smirked, pressing lightly until his eyes widened, then dropped my hand. “Try not to wind up here again,” I admonished.
“The hospital,” he answered.
“Prison,” I corrected. I reached up to tuck my hair back, forgetting for a second about the mask, and the elastic slipped off my ear. I caught the mask before it fell, quickly fixing it, as my heart strummed frantically at the near miss. His sharp gaze didn’t miss anything as I backed toward the door. I reached for the handle, twisting it, when I remembered the other reason I’d come here. “Thank you,” I said in a rush, “For saving my life.”
I was almost out the door when he said, “Diane.” I paused, glancing over my shoulder in time to see him lean forward, trying to sit up. His expression was pained, but his gaze was intense, locking me into place. “I’m glad I was there.” I nodded, stumbling out the door and away from the power of that stare, catching my breath once I was in the relative safety of the corridor. I glanced back at the door, feeling the pull of his presence, before rushing down the hall and away from the only man who had ever made my heart race.
Chapter Seven
Clutch
It felt like I’d stepped into a vacuum as everything stopped,
her words echoing in my head loud enough to block every other sound. Ronnie’s dead. The words seemed impossible, but as Creed reached for my shoulder, the world exploded back into motion.
“Kara,” I mouthed, my voice lost somewhere in the revelation. Creed cocked his head and I tried again, clearing my throat. “Kara.”
His expression cleared as he heard me that time, but now the rest of the room had fallen silent, our expressions cluing them in that something was seriously wrong. “Babe, where are you?” Creed asked again, and seeing my tense expression, he cut his eyes toward Hank, who was watching us intently. I nodded in understanding, taking a step back, and Creed’s hand fell as he mouthed, “Ronnie’s place,” to me. I was headed for the door with him on my heels as the room erupted behind us.
“What’s going on?” Johnny demanded, the command in his voice bringing us to a stop.
“Ronnie,” I answered tersely, since Creed was still on the phone with Sloan. I glanced at him questioningly but all I got in reply was a tight shake of his head. I sucked in a sharp breath, urgency driving me forward. “We need to ride.”
Footsteps thundered behind us as we cleared the room, the other guys joining us at Johnny’s order. Micah came around the bar as we flooded the room. “Everything okay?”
“No,” I answered bluntly. “Nothing is okay.”
“Call Mary,” Johnny ordered. “Get her here. Elaine too.” I’d forgotten about Elaine. Ronnie’s older sister was Trick’s old lady. The sisters hadn’t had the best relationship if I remembered correctly, but Mary would need the support. “Hank –” Johnny stopped himself, changing whatever he’d been about to say. “Ride with Cord,” he said instead and Cord nodded, grasping Hank’s arm in a tight grip.
“Someone call Noah,” Johnny shouted and Crew replied, “On it.” Johnny shook his head. “I don’t want the damn Chief coming in and screwing us,” he muttered under his breath and I tensed involuntarily at the mention of the Chief. I shook off the uncomfortable sensation his name always evoked, more concerned about Kara and what had happened to Ronnie.
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