Page 39 of Music City Diaries

“You can both be my favorite. Whatcha working on?” I leaned against her desk as she settled back on the floor next to a coloring book. Becca was twenty and had Down Syndrome. She’d been at a school for most of the year, letting her have some space from the club. I didn’t respect my father, but he’d at least given her a chance to have an everyday life. Though, his reasons were to make her more attractive to a suitor and hope to keep her pure if she wasn’t around feral men all the time.

I hadn’t cared too much about his reasons, as long as it kept her safer. But now that she’d graduated, he was moving up his plans to send her off. I couldn’t let that happen. I’d been working with the Mavericks to get her into hiding if necessary. But ultimately, I was working on setting up a different meet where my father thought she was sold, but it was to someone safe. I knew if he didn’t get something from the exchange, he wouldn’t stop looking for her. Meeting with Tom, I hoped to finally have a viable option. It was needed now more than ever.

“I’m making a picture to take to my new home.”

“Your new home?” I asked, fear filling me.

“Yeah, Daddy said I was going to meet my husband.”

Becca’s innocence was too pure for someone to tarnish.

“Oh, how are you feeling about that?”

She shrugged. “If he buys me a puppy, I’ll be happy.”

I smiled, knowing how much she’d wanted a pet her whole life. “Hmm, is that so? Well, I just wanted to come and give my best girl a hug. I have some things to do, but I’ll see you later. Do not leave until you say bye, okay?”

“Okay.” She stood, giving me another hug.

“Love you, Bubbie.”

“Love you too, Squirt.”

When the time to meet Tom rolled around, I snuck out, hoping my father wouldn’t come and check on me. Except, it seemed like he’d had an ace up his sleeve and had been testing me.

“Hands up where we can see them!” the officer yelled as he and his colleagues stormed the place I’d been waiting. Dread filled me, knowing I’d been set up, and it was time to pull my emergency card.

“Maddox King, you’re under arrest for drug trafficking. You have the right to remain silent…”

“I’d like to make my one phone call.”

“You can do that at the station.”

“No, I need to do it now.Songbird.”

The police officer's eyes widened, but he nodded, un-cuffed me, and handed me his cell phone.

I dialed the number, the phone ringing a few times before someone answered. I didn’t waste time, knowing every second from here counted.

“I’d like to call in my favor.”

“It’s done.”

“Thank you.”

“You know what this means, though, right, Maddox?”

“Yes. I’m aware. I have to, though. Becca needs you more.”

“It will be done within the hour. Good luck on the inside.”

“Thanks. Don’t tell Darcie.”

“She’ll hate you for this.”

“It’s better this way,” I said.

He sighed, and I knew he was weighing his words. “I wish it could be different. I have the information you sent. I’ll try to get you out quickly.”

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