Page 25 of Hap

Becky scoffs. “He is so into you,” she states.

“I’m having his kid.” I point out.

“Oh no, it’s more than that. I can see it in his gaze. He wants you, like, sexually.” She smirks.

“Jesus, can we just focus on the job at hand? I don’t need thoughts in my head of Hap. Well, you know...” I trail off as we approach the entrance. We walk up the steps, and security opens the door for us. As we enter, I give them a nod of thanks before I immediately school my face to one void of emotions as I approach the front desk. “Good evening, I am Alina Bennet, the acting lawyer of Luca Smith aka Spider, Anders Williams aka Beast, Elijah Cole aka Rage, and Ford Harrison Jones aka Ghost,” I state firmly. Becky hands me the file, and I merely pretend to open it and read. “Apparently, they have been arrested and brought here under charges unknown, and the evidence is also unknown. They will not be conducting any interviews until I have personally seen them, and they will not be doing any interviews without my presence. I also believe they have been under arrest now for approximately three hours, and yet they have not been given their phone calls, which by law they are entitled to. Now, could you please escort me to a private room where I can consult with my clients?” I demand, looking at the guy behind the desk with a stern look. He looks like his dick has just shrivelled up inside himself. When he doesn’t move, I slap my hand down on the counter. “Chop, chop. Come on, I haven’t got all day to waste.” The guy jumps from his seat and runs off to inform the Feds of my arrival.

“I love it when they shit themselves,” Becky whispers next to me.

A guy looking severely annoyed by my presence strides around the corner, his eyes sweeping over my body, not even trying to be subtle. Fucking scum. He holds out his hand.

“Mrs. Bennet,” he introduces. Why do they always just assume a woman should be married?

“It’s Ms.,” I correct him firmly.

“Apologies. I’m not sure why you are here, as the accused have already been provided with lawyers from the state,” he says, speaking down to me. I’ve dealt with men like this my entire working life. They see the dress and heels and make assumptions. It’s why I continue to wear it, because it makes it all the more satisfying when I tear them apart.

“And you know they are well within their rights to refuse your help, and I am here now. So, please show me to a suitable room where I can consult with my clients in preparation for helping them with your enquiries. As I believe...” I pause, looking at my watch. “You only have a maximum of 69 hours left to detain my clients to prove whatever it is you are trying to prove,” I state, staring him down coldly.

“Oh, there is proof.” He smirks.

“Well, I will be the judge of that. Now, if you please,” I sigh impatiently. He holds out his hand, gesturing me to walk on. I give Becky a look for her to follow me.

He shows us to a small room with a table and a couple of chairs. “My assistant and I would love a coffee, and I would like to see Ford first, please. Unless you are going to make my life easier and allow me to see them all together?” I ask, knowing full well they won’t allow that.

“I will bring him down,” the guy says as he begins to walk away.

“Oh, excuse me, I’m sorry. I didn’t catch your name?” I ask, knowing full well why he didn’t give me his name.

“Agent Pryor,” he answers.

I grab a pen and write it down, knowing exactly how uneasy it makes them feel. Well, if they aren’t doing anything wrong and sticking to the law, then they’re usually fine. I give him a taut grin as he walks off, pausing to close the door behind him.

Becky holds out her palm for me to slap, and I do. It feels good to be back working, especially doing criminal law. It’s exciting playing with these assholes. I don’t have long to wait until the door opens and in walks Ghost. His lip is split and bleeding, his cheek is swollen, and there is a cut above his eye.

I walk towards him. “Becky,” I say her name firmly. I don’t need to tell her what to do. She holds up her phone and takes pictures of Ghost’s face. “Sorry, do you mind?” I ask Ghost. He gives me a subtle chin lift, and I lift his black T-shirt up to reveal several boot marks along his ribs. My furious gaze snaps to Agent Pryor. “I want to see all bodycam footage,” I demand.

He smirks. “Sure, although I think there was a technical malfunction, so I’m not sure if they were working properly.” He shrugs.

“That’s fine. I have someone who can look at them,” I assert. “Becky, please follow Agent Pryor to obtain the body cameras. Be sure to record everything,” I warn her. She gives me a curt nod. It wouldn’t be the first time that they have tried to intimidate us. She pulls out our own body camera that she clips on to her blazer, then she grabs an evidence bag, pen, and folder.

Agent Pryor practically snarls at me, and I have to fight the urge to grin.

Once they have left, I look around the room and spot the cameras. Ghost follows my gaze, and I gesture for him to take a seat. I grab my pad and pen and start writing. “So, Mr. Harrison Jones, can you tell me everything that happened when they arrived to arrest you and your colleagues?” I ask him as I turn the pad around to face him. I tap the pad with my pen, signalling him to read it.

Say nothing about the club. They’re listening.

Ghost sighs. “They crashed through the door—the door that was unlocked—and they attacked Spider first, before they attacked the rest of us,” he states coldly.

I nod and pretend to take notes. “And did any of the agents present show you a warrant? Explain what you were being arrested for?” I ask, still writing on the pad.

“No. We are just motorbike enthusiasts,” he states firmly.

“And did they uncover any evidence at the property?” I ask, still writing on the pad.

“There isn’t anything illegal at the club,” he affirms. My lips fight a smile. Clearly this isn’t his first run-in with the police.

“I can inform you that they apparently have evidence of you kidnapping and an attempted murder. I will be requesting to see the evidence myself, and when they conduct their interviews, I will be sitting with you,” I state, looking at him. I turn the pad around. “Could you read through my notes and make sure I’ve got everything right?” I ask.

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