Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 106292 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 531(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106292 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 531(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Harrison stops by my cell and glances at me with a furrowed brow, clearly having no idea who I am. “What’s your name, girl?” he says, shoving the tray of food between the bars, though thankfully, he doesn’t throw it at me.
“Oakley.”
“Why are you here?”
“Good fucking question,” I tell him. “Pretty sure whoever put me here is using Empire’s prison system as a place to hide me in the hopes no one is stupid enough to come down here looking.”
His gaze narrows further, clearly having no idea what’s going on. “Right,” he says with a firm nod. “Sounds like it’s none of my business. I’m Harrison, and these cells are my domain. Don’t fuck with me, and we won’t have any problems. Got it?”
I nod, my heart racing. “Got it.”
Without another word, he continues on his way, stopping by Nikolai’s cell next. “Hey, old man. How’re ya holding up?”
“Not gonna lie. It’s been a rough twenty-four hours,” Nikolai says, taking the tray from Harrison’s hands. “Look, I need you to do something for me.”
“No,” Harrison says, shaking his head. “No, you know I can’t be doing you any favors down here. That’s not how it works.”
“Come on, Harrison. I just need to see my son. We’ve been friends for a long time—”
“Nik, I can’t. The Circle—”
“I am The Circle,” Nikolai says. “I have not been sentenced yet, and until The Circle votes at my trial, I remain an active member. If I request for my son to visit me in these cells, then you are bound by your vows to Empire to oblige my request. However, out of respect for our friendship, I am willing to make it worth your time.”
Harrison scoffs. “You couldn’t pay me enou—”
“How does a hundred grand sound?” Nikolai continues.
Harrison’s eyes widen. “A hundred grand?” he questions. “You want to pay me a hundred grand to get your son down here?”
“Down here and returned safely back to the main floor.”
Harrison rubs a hand through his hair. “I don’t know, Nik. I know you’re good for it, but you’re a dead man, and it’s not as though you can walk out of here and go and get it for me.”
“The cash is in my safe under my office desk. I’ll give you the code once Sawyer is out of here, or if you’d like it directly deposited into your account, Sawyer has full authority to make the transaction. What’s it gonna be? I know those twins of yours are close to starting school, and your wife is putting on the pressure to enroll them in private school. Those fees are going to burn a hole through your pocket. It’s bad enough with one, let alone two. Plus, I know Georgia wanted to start horse riding lessons.”
“I don’t know, Nik. It’s risky. If The Circle finds out—”
“They won’t. Besides, are you forgetting the moment I’m executed, my son will inherit my place in The Circle? If you do this, Sawyer will remember it, and I don’t need to remind you how well it pays to have connections in high places. He’ll protect you.”
“Fuck,” Harrison mutters. “Why do I feel like I’m going to regret this?”
Nikolai grins. “Just keep your mind on the money, and no one has to find out.”
Harrison lets out a heavy breath and shakes his head, clearly torn with his decision. “Alright, old man. You’ve got yourself a deal.” He continues down the line, delivering trays of food to my brand-new neighbors, but all that matters to me is that Sawyer is coming down here. If memory serves, that big bastard owes me a favor.
Chapter 4
CROSS
“Really?” I ask, looking up at Joe’s small home. “This is it?”
Dalton shrugs. “Apparently. This is the address listed on all his files, but I don’t know. After all the years I’ve known him, he’s never once invited me to his place. It doesn’t exactly scream Joe,” he mutters, his brows furrowed as he takes in the property. “What about you guys? Been here before?”
Sawyer shakes his head. “No. Never,” he says, absentmindedly rubbing his split and bruised knuckles from beating the shit out of Zade last night. “He’s usually so put together with his expensive suits and all the cars. This doesn’t feel right. Almost like a trap.”
Zade runs a hand over his beaten face, probably thinking the same thing, and I can’t help but notice the wicked satisfaction burning in Sawyer’s stare, taking in the damage he inflicted on Zade. Despite this place not feeling right, with Oakley still missing and no confirmation of her death, there’s no way in hell we’re about to walk away without checking it first. Our only priority is to find her while she’s still breathing.
“Come on,” he murmurs, starting up the driveway. We fan out, each of us heading to a separate entrance of the property, covering all our bases, and making sure no one inside this house has an opportunity to run.