Page 56 of Condemned Soul

“I guess I should thank you,” I speak first, staring through the windshield as the rain continues to pour. “I don’t know what I’d do if Grimm got taken away from me.” I feel pathetic and vulnerable for admitting that out loud, especially to a complete stranger.

“I wish things were different. I don’t know Jimmer as well as you do but I know he’s a good man, and that he’s doing a good thing.”

“And there’s nothin’ else we can do?” I check, holding on to just a little hope.

“I’m sorry, the Souls have been on my department's radar for over a decade. I’ve been working the case for three of those years, myself. Up till now, they’ve been clever. What Cliff did screwed it all up, every club member would be going down if Jimmer hadn’t given himself up.” She seems sad, but I don’t know if I buy it.

“Jimmer helped you take down the Lambroni brothers, that's a huge deal, surely that has to stand for something,” I argue.

“It does, it got him the privileges he’s got now, and it strengthened your club’s bond with Burlusconi when it should have been severed. Jimmer Carson’s a very clever man.”

“The cleverest you’ll ever meet.” I smile fondly when I think of the impact he’s had on everyone’s lives.

“Look, I really do wish there was another way. I’m sorry. I know how much this is gonna hurt everyone who cares about him.”

“No, you don’t.” I look over to her and shake my head sadly, getting out the car and crossing the street to go home.

* * *

“Where the fuck have you been?” Grimm looks wired when I step through our cabin door, and all the rage instantly drops from his face when he sees how upset I am.

“What’s happened?” He rushes toward me and grips my throat in his hand, peering into my eyes like he’s trying to read my thoughts.

“I went and saw Prez,” I admit, leaving out the part where I nearly slit Consuela’s throat. Minor details aren’t necessary.

“So ya heard?” He sounds every bit as deflated as I am as I nod my head. “Jessie came home and told us. It’s weird around here, Rogue. No one's talkin’ to each other.”

“Come here.” I slide my hand under his ear and draw him closer. He’s soaked too, which I’m guessing means he’s been out looking for me.

“I hated not knowin’ where you were,” he tells me, and I swallow the lump in my throat when I think about all Jimmer is giving up, not just for us but for everyone.

“I’m sorry. I was hurtin’ and I’m… I’m scared,” I confess, knowing that with Grimm I never have to hide how vulnerable I can be. I couldn’t even if I wanted to. “But we’re gonna be okay. We’re all gonna be okay. Our Prez is making sure of it,” I tell him as his hand cradles my head and he holds me against his chest.

“Why didn’t you wake me?” I rush through to the living room and into the kitchen when I realize what time it is.

“Ell, you were up all night, I figured you’d need a few hours.”

“No, Nyx, what I need is my dad back here where he belongs.” I start searching around for my car keys.

“What ya doin’?” Nyx stands up from the table where he’s sitting and forces me to stop.

“I’m going to Monica’s office so I can find out what she’s planning to do about this.”

“Darlin’.” Nyx takes a breath, closing his eyes as if he’s already given up. “You heard what Jessie said last night. Your dad is workin’ some kinda deal. He’s waivered the right to representation and Monica can’t force him. No one can. He’s doin’ this for the club.”

“Screw the club, and screw you.” I force myself out of his arms and head for the door. I’ll take someone else's car if I have to, no one’s precious about things like that around here.

“Ella, wait!” He chases after me and stops me before I can get outside. “Ya ain’t in no fit state to drive, you’re tired, you’re hurtin’ and you’re mad. Let’s talk this out.”

“Okay.” I straighten myself up and stare at him. “Let's talk. Let’s talk about how my dad is making a huge mistake. Let’s talk about the fact that once he gets his ass thrown in a proper fucking jail he’ll become a walking target. Men inside want him dead. Who's he got in there to protect him, Nyx?”

“He’s got plenty of people, trust me, Ella. He’s Jimmer Carson, we got Souls doin’ time, we have friends of the club in jail. He’s gonna be okay.” He tries to reassure me but I can tell from the look on his face that he’s trying to convince himself, as much as he is me.

“It’s not the same. How many of those men are gonna put his life before their own? Inside jail doesn’t work the way things do out here.” I let him know that he can’t lie to me. I know exactly how much danger my father’s in.

“Ella, I know how difficult this must be for ya.”

“I have two parents in jail, Nyx. I spent my entire childhood wishing for a dad like the one I secretly had, and now I’m gonna lose him. The kids are gonna lose him. I just can’t sit back and do nothing. Let me speak to him. Take me to that place, wherever it is that they’re keeping him, and let me see him. I can change his mind. We’ll find another way to deal with the ATF problem.” It’s getting harder for me to breathe, I can’t think about anything other than him, alone in whatever kind of cell they’re keeping him in.

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