Page 113 of A Little Naughty

The county jailis a beige stucco building with a pointed entrance and a black sign that readsHonor and Integrity. I’m not sure if that’s meant to inspire the police officers or remind the inmates, but I don’t get the feeling it’s working either way.

I leave my phone, wallet, keys, everything in a tray with the guard, who doesn’t smile or even make eye contact. He hits a button and tells me I’ve got fifteen minutes.

When I requested this visit, I’m not sure what I expected to happen. I don’t feel entirely responsible for my brother being here, but I am in with the Stones now. If I can help him get a reduced sentence, I’d like to try.

The guard directs me to sit at a small table, and when Bull enters the room and sees me, his upper lip curls in disgust. Exhaling deeply, I know at once it was a wasted trip. Still, I’ve got to try.

“What are you doing here?” he spits out, sitting across from me. “Come to gloat?”

“I wanted to talk to you.” I lean forward, placing my hands on the table.

“I don’t have nothing to say to you. You’re a double-crossing asshole.”

“They treating you okay in here?”

“It’s fucking jail, Raif. They’re treating me like a criminal.” He takes out a cigarette, and I watch him light it.

There’s never been any love lost between us. We’ve had moments of near-friendship, but usually it’s built on him wanting something from me or needing my help.

Maybe this time I can help him in a real way—at least I can try.

“I’ve been talking to Aiden?—”

“Oh, you’ve been talking to Aiden?” His head wobbles side to side as he mocks me. “Your best friend, the sheriff?”

Ignoring that. “He said it’s possible we could try and get you a reduced sentence if you say you didn’t know what was going down that night.”

“Why would I do that?”

My jaw tightens, and I meet his eyes. “Because I don’t believe you’d be involved in something like that.”

I already had no respect for people who take advantage of desperate people. The more time I spend with Nikki, the more I want to help Aiden find them all and put them in prison.

He pulls on the cigarette, blowing smoke in my face. “Those people know what they’re doing when they come here. If they didn’t want us to help them, they could’ve stayed home.”

“You’re not helping them. You’re making money off them.”

“Fuck that. Everybody’s got problems.”

“You knew the whole time what was going to happen that night and you never told me?”

“I don’t ever say yes to a job without knowing what it is. I’m not stupid like you.”

Bitterness is in my throat, and I’m done here. “Well, guess who just got wise?” Standing, I push the chair back, leveling my eyes on his. “I’m done here.”

“Good.”

I leave him sitting there like the dumb fuck he is. I started with this visit, because I’d hoped to bring some good news to my dad when I see him next.

As it is, my chest is heavy when I pull into the yard of our old trailer. It looks older than when I left, although somebody has at least picked up the trash and tried to straighten the yard.

The beds I made are all empty, but they’re not full of weeds. The porch light is fixed, and the floor appears to be swept.

“Dad?” I bang on the door before walking in. “You around?”

I stick my head inside, and it smells a bit musty. Reaching up, I prop the screen door open and walk into the kitchen to open the window behind the sink.

“Hey, Dad?” I shout a little louder, walking down the short hall to his bedroom.

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