Page 28 of Riding Through Life

“I don’t have the authority.” Daniels stands tall, not wavering.

“I do. Now release these two or I’ll have your badge too,” Capone threatens.

“I’d do what he says,” I whisper to Daniels.

Capone, Torch, Blayze and my dad glance at me. My dad looks tired and ready to throw in the flag. “Lil’ Kay, are you OK?”

“I’m fine, Dad. Officer Daniels did his best to keep us comfortable.” I answer.

Capone nods his head once before looking back to Daniels. “Are you going to let them out or am I going to have to do it for you?” The menace in his voice is unmistakable.

Officer Daniels peers around the four men before speaking. He keeps his voice low, “Where’s the Sheriff?” The fear in his voice is unmistakable.

“Sheriff Long is currently being occupied by the FBI. He’s been taken in for questioning about missing women and girls recently,” my dad answers.

The stress on Officer Daniels' shoulders lifts and he nods his head, “It’s about fucking time.” He pulls his keys out of the pocket of his pants and unlocks our cell without saying another word.

Aftermath steps out before me, holding my hand and pulling me with him. “Thank you, Prez. How did you manage this?”

“Let’s just say the wrong Sheriff arrested two of my own.” I open my mouth to question Capone but my dad’s gaze catches my attention and he shakes his head.

Snapping my mouth shut, I turn to Officer Daniels. “Thank you for not being a giant prick last night. It’s appreciated the way you handled yourself and treated us and we won’t forget it.”

“I wish it never came to this with the two of you and I wish you the best of luck,” Daniels responds. There is something he isn’t saying and I really want to interrogate him about it but one look from Capone has me keeping my mouth shut. His black eyes bore into me, telling me to stay quiet. So, with all the power I can muster, I keep my mouth shut.

Aftermath leads me out of the holding cells, and we walk through the metal door into a long corridor. The slapping of our shoes and boots is the only noise echoing through the hallway. We reach another door and Capone pulls it open. We enter the front lobby of the precinct and there is so much chaos surrounding us thatmy ears hurt. FBI Agents are scattered through the entire area, pulling boxes and boxes of files. Officers are handcuffed to the benches andstripped of their weapons.

I spot Lynn handcuffed next to an officer and I can’t help laughing my ass off. Her left cheek and right eye are black and blue, and her make-up is smearing down her face like she’s been crying. When she spots Aftermath and me, she starts rattling the handcuffs, trying to get out, making a spectacle of herself. Three FBI Agents restrain her again and a twisted part of me wishes they’d tase her skanky ass.

So many questions whirl around in my brain, and I do everything I can to keep them to myself, but once we’re out of here and I’m married to Aftermath, I will demand these questions to be answered.

The desk Sergeant looks baffled and directs the FBI where to put things or to find them.

Everyone stops what they’re doing when the door slams shut behind us. It’s so quiet you can hear a pin drop. One man I recognize as the guy who hit me and kidnapped me and my dad walks up to us and holds his hand out, offering to shake my dad’s hand.

“What in the fuck are you doing?” I hiss and knock his offered hand away. “After what you did, do you think we’d shake your hand?”

“Ms. Donovan, I understand your hostility,” the asshole starts but I interrupt him.

“My hostility?” I step forward and he steps back until his back is against the wall. “My hostility?” I poke my finger in his chest. “You kidnapped my dad and me and gave me a concussion and you think you understandmy hostility?!”

“Tiger.” One word from Aftermath pulls me back from the rage clouding my vision.

“Aftermath, this is the man who knocked me out, gave me a concussion and kidnapped me and my dad. So don’tTigerme.” I’m pissed and want my revenge on the man who caused me pain.

Aftermath steps forward and rests his big hands on my shoulders. He squeezes gently, trying to calm me down. Leaning forward, Aftermath’s lips brush my ear while his heat hits my back. “I understand your frustration, but you need to let us handle this. He will get what he deserves for putting his hands on you, but punching an FBI Agent in a police station will only get you arrested again and we have a wedding to get to. Now, put those loveable claws away and come with me.”

“Do you promise?” I ask, turning my head so I can stare into Aftermath’s eyes.

“I promise, Tiger. He will not get away with putting his hands on my woman.” The glare he sends to the agent makes me smile. Leave it to Aftermath to rein me back in.

“Now that that’s settled let's get the fuck out of here before we all get arrested.” Torch chuckles. “If I don’t come home, my Ol’ Lady will burn this shithole to the ground.”

“With you in it,” Blayze quips.

“You got that right,” Torch confirms.

The six of us leave the precinct without incident and head to the Clubhouse. I’m on the back of Aftermath’s bike holding onto him tight. Capone and Blayze are in front of us and Torch is next to us. My dad is driving his pick-up behind us. Once we clear thecounty line limits, Trigger, Derange, Bones and Tiny meet us.

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