Page 92 of The Law of Deceit

“Chief of police.”

“Go on.”

“He said that the two officers were ambushed. Biker gang.”

I snap my head. “Those motherfuckers.”

“Hiroshi said you and Sloane had a run-in with them?”

“Run-in? Dad, they blew up my fucking bike.”

His eyes widen. “And you’re just now telling me this?”

“I didn’t exactly leave on good terms.”

“Like I give a shit about that, Dempsey. If you have problems, you come to me. I will solve them. You know I’d do anything for you kids.”

It’s relieving to hear this. Deep down, I know it, but it’s easy to forget when they’re always on my ass.

“The first run-in was when I won the bike in the first place,” I admit with a huff. “That was an actual run-in that turned nasty.”

He listens with rapt attention as I replay that night. When I mention Gemma’s involvement, his features turn murderous.

“I won that shit fair and square.”

“So this is all over a bike?”

“Hardly.” I scrub my palm over my face. “Sloane’s nephew, Trevor, is mixed up with them. She’s been investigating and trying to find him. Her sister’s boyfriend was wearing a leather cut with their club patch on it. I think those motherfuckers felt like she was meddling in their business and wanted to teach her a lesson.” I pin Dad with a pleading look. “Can you do something about them? They need to rot in prison.”

“I’ll have Jude pick apart their entire organization and do what I can. In the meantime, you and Sloane need to stay away from them. The two of you should come back to the house to stay where it’s safe.”

At this, I scoff. “Right. So Mom can smother us in our sleep?”

Dad frowns, disappointment etching his features. “You know good and damn well your mother lives and breathes for you and Gemma. That would hurt her deeply if she thought you felt that way.”

Do I think Mom will literally kill us? No.

Do I think she could make my life a living hell by constantly throwing our “betrayal” in our faces? Yes.

“You know,” I mutter. “I wasn’t trying to be outrageous or reckless or whatever it is you guys are thinking. I didn’t seek out Sloane just to piss you off or hurt Mom. I love her, Dad. I fucking love her.”

Dad’s eyes soften as he regards me. “You didn’t give us an opportunity to understand.”

“Mom didn’t give me an opportunity to get my point across.” I blow out a harsh breath. “Sloane’s it for me. I want to be with her. If that means having to choose, I’m going to choose her, Dad. I’ll choose her over everything.”

Dad nods in understanding. “I can respect that and I can see how serious you are. Your mother, well, she’ll need a little more time to come around to this idea. Just don’t shut us out. Please.”

Before I can say anything else, Sloane whimpers from the bed. I bolt out of my chair and over to her. Her blue eyes peek out from her cracked eyelids.

“Dempsey?”

“I’m here, babe. I’ll always be right here.”

A ghost of a smile dances over her lips. I dip down and press a soft kiss to her mouth.

“Wait… Where’s…?” She scrunches her eyes shut as if to clear away a fog. “Aisha.”

The other cop.

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