Page 19 of Diamond in the Rough

“You bastard,” Maddox growled.

“Can I help you?”

The voice was softer, muffled but unmistakably Jake’s. He sounded fed-up like the words were forced, and Maddox could picture his bored expression, his slumped stance, and then he imagined Jake turning to him and straightening, his face brightening as he looked at Maddox the way he had in the cooler. The unmasked hope and adoration. The look that threw Maddox off his stride and left him speechless.

“Okay, I’ll do it. Get the fuck out of that shop.”

“You sure?” the voice asked.

“I’m certain. Get out of there and give me your word you’ll never go back.”

Maddox heard the beep of the door, the rustling of movement, then the open and close of what he suspected was a car door. “You’ve got my word. Now give me your word that you’re done, all operations cease, and you go down for life.”

“You have my word.”

“It was nice talking to you again.”

“What do you mean again?”

“The old Boss making way for the new one. I’m glad we could come to such a clean agreement. Enjoy your life behind bars, Maddox.”

The call disconnected, and Maddox hurled the device at the wall. It shattered, but James didn’t spare it a glance. He took a hesitant step closer.

“Madd—”

“I’m changing my plea.”

James shook his head. “It’s two life sentences.”

“I know,” Maddox snapped. “But my hands are tied.”

Chapter 4

The news bulletin ran on repeat. The same picture of Lewis that had been taken from his social media file, and an ancient picture of Richie Black.

The shock didn’t wear off, and when they flashed up Maddox’s mug shot, it felt like a blow to the chest. Jake didn’t notice someone was at the door until Carl was sprawled out on the floor having shoulder-charged it.

“Damn it, Jake, I’ve been knocking for ages.” Carl got to his feet and rubbed his sore shoulder. “I owe you a lock.”

“Who cares about the lock.”

He gestured to the news: Maddox Henley charged with two counts of murder.

“They let him go a few days ago. How could this happen?”

“I don’t know, some new evidence I guess.”

“Like what?”

Carl shrugged, then looked around the flat. “Let’s get some light in here, huh?”

“I don’t want light in here.”

Carl ignored him and yanked open the curtains. Jake ducked away from the beams of sunshine and hissed.

“What are you, a flaming vampire?” Carl mumbled.

“Well, I’m obviously not a flaming one, am I.”

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