Page 120 of Forever Golden

Roby walks closer and I get a better look at him. He’s middle-aged, brown-skinned, with bits of gray at his temples and in his beard. There’s a look set in his eyes that says he’s seen more than most, understands more about this city than most.

He passes a reassuring look toward me first, and then to Ricky. “I’ll take things from here.”

After that, he does something unexpected when he shoots Ricky an inconspicuous look, nodding as he mouths the words, “You need to go.”

Southside told me these two have history, but it’s different seeing it in action, I guess. He obviously wants Ricky to be in the clear before anyone else sees him. Someone who’d want to question his involvement, or maybe someone who’d want him dead—considering the consequences he could face if he’s found out. Still, knowing all of this, he came through in the clutch tonight.

All because of his love for Southside.

With that, Ricky shoots me a look, tucks the gun into the back of his jeans, then takes off faster than I’ve seen anyone run who wasn’t hustling a ball down the field. Roby, flanked by the other officers, moves toward Vin’s desk, removing a set of cuffs while kicking aside the gun that’s still lying on the floor.

“My name’s detective Roby,” he announces. “Gonna need to see both your hands on the desk, Mr. Golden.”

Vin peers up with defiance in his eyes, but after taking note of the officers’ hands on their guns, he complies. Roby reads him his rights as I stare—only half believing what’s happening before my eyes. Cypress Pointe’s most powerful man, mostdangerousman, has just been brought to his knees.

“Let’s go. It’s gonna be a long night,” Roby sighs, before glancing toward me. “And we’ll need to get a statement from you, too, son. More of my guys are on their way up to clean this place out, see what interesting things we can find,” he adds, definitely enjoying that part.

Vin doesn’t respond as he’s led toward the door, but I don’t miss how he glares. A narcissist can never see their wrongs, so I’m sure in his mind, this is my fault.

Lucky for me, I don’t give a fuck.

While the detective isn’t looking, I flip Vin off and smile, hoping he knows that whatever comes next for me will besomuch better.

Because he’s gone.

Fucking finally.

Chapter 46

BLUE

My nerves are shot to hell. Pacing in the police station lobby, all I can think about is how badly I need to lay eyes on him, see for myself that he’s in one piece.

It was one thing getting the report from Ricky, but it’ll be different getting to hold West for myself.

Dane, Sterling, and Joss have been here just as long, and they’re anxious, too. The scene we saw during the live stream was terrifying, forcing us all to consider what it would do to us if Vin had taken West’s life. I’ve known fear, but what I felt while watching that footage was something far worse. Something that reached deeper into the soul than fear ever could.

The double-doors squeal and I spin on my heels, only to be disappointed when I see a woman walk past with her nose buried in a file. This wait is killing me.

“What the fuck?” Dane groans, clearly frustrated by the lack of updates.

All we know is that West is in back with Detective Roby, like he has been for hours now. The sun will be up soon and the only thing that’s kept me from going crazy is walking from one end of the room to the other.

The door whines on its hinges again and, this time, when I turn a gasp leaves me.

“Ma’am, you can’t run in here,” a voice calls out from behind the front desk, but I ignore it completely, because all I can see or think about is West.

My body slams into his and he lifts both my feet off the ground, sweeping me up into an embrace.

“I was so scared,” I breathe against his neck. “Don’t ever do that to me again.”

It’s irrational to blame anything that’s happened tonight on him, but I’m out of my head right now.

He laughs quietly into my ear, sounding every bit as exhausted as I expected him to, but still, he pacifies me with a response.

“Promise. You have my word on that.”

My feet are on the tile again, and when Dane approaches, I’m not sure what I thought would happen next, but I wasn’t expecting him to grab West as tight as he does. It’s a hug, yes, but it’s the kind you give someone you weren’t so sure you’d ever see again.

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