Page 98 of Rhet

Looking down at the cold distressed cement, I think about how right my father is. I may have to put them down. Heavy slow steps break into my thoughts. “Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in.”

“Look what the dog threw up. Why are you here?” I wasn’t in the mood for Joe and his shenanigans.

“You’re making a lot of people mad with these bids, Rhet.”

I watch him as he puts his forearms through the bars. “The Senator wants to you to consider his deal.”

“The Senator did this?” I think to take Joe’s arms and break them through the bars.

“We needed to get your attention.” He shrugs.

“Since when did you become a lapdog?” Joe’s belly presses into the bars as he talks.

“I’m the dog, but you’re the one in the cage?”

“Touché?” I reply. I wonder where the hell was Zeeta?

Joe’s face reddens. “He wants to meet you at the Blue Lagoon Hotel.”

Hell no, I’m not walking into that. However, I do know the Senator’s weakness.

“Tell him 9:30 at The Sparkle. It’s my strip joint. You should come too, drinks, food, and strippers will be on the house.”

Joe smiles and he taps the bars, then begins to walk away. “You won’t regret this, Rhet.”

I nod, knowing exactly what I’m about to do when I get out. My father was right. I need to put them both down.

Or maybe, I can have control over them. They want my attention. They have it now. I hear the door reopen again and two sets of footsteps come down the hallway. I drop my head, focusing on the ground.

“Banner, you’re free to go,” the officer shouts.

“You look stressed.” I know the second voice. I smile, it’s Julian.

“What do want to me to say? It all started when I was born into my family.” I stand, grabbing my jacket from the bench.

Keys jiggle as a police officer who clearly has a close relationship to the donut shop, unlocks the cell. The gates bang open, and I step out of the cell with a new perspective. I will not be doing that again.

In fact, I think I am ready to play my hand now. As my gate opens, I step out a free man.

Julian, shakes his head at me. “I leave you alone, just for one minute and you end up behind bars.”

I flip him the bird. “I hope your child is keeping you up at night crying.”

“I should have left you in the cell,” he mumbles.

“Where is Zeeta?” I ask.

“We have to wait for a second.” Another gate opens, Zeeta walks out, touching her wrist.

“You got arrested? I didn’t see you get arrested.” I’m surprised and pissed. The officers behind the glass partition motions to her.

“Shut up.” She signs for her stuff at the counter, then she walks past us and goes outside.

Julian chuckles. “After you got arrested, she gave an officer a black eye.”

I feel my eyebrows touch my hairline. I feel proud of my mini-Mike Tyson.

“Apparently he touched her inappropriately?”

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