Page 2 of Diamond in the Rough

The officer lifted his chin. “Police Sergeant Dover.”

“Let’s hope your first name isn’t Ben…”

“Sergeant Liam Dover. Remember that name.”

Maddox glared. “Why?”

Liam’s lips opened and closed, but no words came out.

Maddox smirked. “Well, that’s a good reason.”

“We’ll make sure we see the end of you.”

“Who’s ‘we’?”

Liam took a step back. “The police. Who else?”

Maddox shot Liam a searching look and fixated on the bob of his Adam’s apple. A car screeched to a stop in front of them and pulled Maddox from his intimidating glare. He didn’t smile at Tom and Amber inside, and they didn’t smile back at him, but he could tell they were relieved by their wide eyes and their subtle nodding.

“Looks like my ride’s here, Liam.”

“Sergeant Dover.”

“Is it a legal requirement to call you sergeant?”

Liam rolled his shoulders. “Well, no, not technically—”

“Then we’ll stick to Liam.”

“All we need is one piece of evidence.”

“Well, call me up when you get it.”

Liam smirked. “Oh, I will. Enjoy your freedom, Maddox. It’s not going to last.”

Maddox smiled toothily as he slipped into the back seat of the car. “Neither is yours.”

He slammed the door shut, then froze at the sound of the latch clicking. For three days, doors had been slammed shut in his face, trapping him inside a space that barely fit him.

“Boss?”

He blinked and looked at Tom in the mirror. His relieved expression had morphed into one of worry, and Maddox waved his attention away.

He stared through the blacked-out window at the wonky-nosed officer, who looked back as if he could see through the glass. When his mouth lifted into a smile, Maddox curled his fingers into the leather of the seat.

“Drive, Tom, before I jump out the car and smash his head into the pavement.”

“Yes, Boss.”

Tom pulled away from the curb, leaving Liam to watch them go. The car felt uncomfortably small, and Maddox spread his legs wide, only to dig his knees into Tom’s seat. He subtly reached across to the opposite door and grimaced when he could touch both at the same time, just like he’d been able to touch the walls in his cell when he stretched out his arms.

Maddox flung the thought from his head, then looked at Tom and Amber.

Tom, suited and clipped, moustache styled, and Amber with her hair and make-up perfected. Maddox itched in his own skin. Three days he’d been wearing the same leftover clothes. Three days he hadn’t been able to wash or brush his teeth with anything but water. They’d robbed him of sleep, of cleanliness, of his clothes, and his possessions. Even away from the cage, Maddox still felt trapped and wound up too tight.

“Here,” Amber said, tossing a rucksack into the back.

Maddox opened it, then flashed a grateful look at Amber.

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