Page 78 of Whatever It Takes

I inched closer. “You better be careful, Grant. You’re not in a position to be going up against me.”

The skin on his knuckles was turning white as he squeezed his fist tighter with each passing second. “You paint a pretty bold picture there, Detective. I’m very well aware of how our justice system works. I’ve spent many years on the other side of the courtroom, and I have no doubt my experience will be very helpful when it comes to putting together my defense.”

Anger and annoyance sliced through me. “Do you honestly think your dumb ass isn’t going to prison?” I asked, feeling the cords in my neck tighten. “You left five people for dead and fled because you panicked. And for what? Because you had enough nose candy in the back seat of your car to bring down you and your drug dealing network. You were so fucking afraid of getting caught that you ran to one of the most violent crime bosses in Philly for protection. All because you were a scared little bitch.” I stood up and walked to the corner of the room. I needed to put some distance between us before I did something stupid. “You can’t have blood on your hands and expect to walk out of here with a clean conscience.”

The thought of what those monsters might have done to Charlotte and Emery sent me into a blind rage. Those men had no morals. They didn’t care about women and children. They only cared about protecting their ass.

“Vinny didn’t know I was hiding out in one of his apartments. He never saw me.” My head tilted to the side as my eyes followed his gaze to the red blinking light in the corner. There were cameras everywhere. “He never saw me. I only went there because I knew that apartment was empty.”

I folded my arms and leaned back. “I didn’t know that you and Vinny Valentino were so close.”

“We’re not. I only know him because of Michael.”

I should have known that there was no way he would implicate a mob boss. Not unless he had a death wish.

“Here’s the thing. You’re guilty as fuck. I don’t give a flying shit what happens to you. I just want you out of Charlotte’s life. So think about my offer, and sign the fucking papers.” I threw the pen across the table hoping he would catch it. Of course, the shithead let it land on the floor.

“You don’t call the shots here, Quinn. I’m not doing a damn thing until I talk to my wife.”

The asshole leaned back in his chair like he was in control, even though he wasn’t in a position to bargain. At this point, he was a man with nothing left to lose.

“So, tell me.” I slipped my hands in my front pockets. I needed to do something with them. “Where does that pretty little DA you were screwing play into all this?”

His jaw was set. “She isn’t anyone important. Not that it’s any of your business.”

“Apparently, she was important enough for you to call her that night.”

“I’m not saying anything else regarding the case without my attorney present. But what I can say is that it was a horrible accident. I lost control when I went around the curve. It all happened so fast. I knew it was bad, but I panicked. I couldn’t call Charlotte, so I called the one person I knew would help me.”

“Right, a woman that you knocked up that wasn’t your wife,” I reminded him.

“Again, I’m done discussing this with you.” He stood up to leave.

“Grant, you’ve always been an asshole.” He raised an eyebrow in my direction. “I know what you’re hoping for. If you think you have a shot in hell of somehow keeping Charlotte, you’re not just an asshole. You’re fucking delusional.”

He slammed his fist down on the table. “You’re really starting to piss me off. So, let’s cut the shit. Charlotte is my wife, whether you want to acknowledge that or not. Emery is my daughter, not yours.” He twisted his lips looking seconds away from going nuclear. “They are my fucking family, and if you think I’m going to sign away the only thing I have left in this world, you’re the one who is fucking delusional.”

I never hated anyone as much as I hated Grant Anderson. Why he wanted to drag the people he claimed to love through his bullshit made no sense. I expected him to blow up at me. I knew he wouldn’t sign the papers without a fight. I expected him to challenge my offer. But it was his boldness and conviction to hold on to something he would never have again that spoke the loudest.

I scrubbed my hand over my face; my gaze flickered across the room. I was seconds away from exploding and breaking every bone in his body. “You know, Grant, making sure Charlotte and Emery are free from your bullshit is at the very top of my list. But there is something you don’t seem to understand.”

“No, there is something you don’t seem to understand, Dick-tective. I still have rights.” His glare was murderous. “You think that just because you wear that badge in here that you’re holding all the cards?” He gestured around the room. “Well, I have one more ace up my sleeve, so you might as well end this little ‘tough cop’ show of yours.”

The muscles in my neck strained against my collared shirt. “Don’t fuck with me.”

I took a step back and started toward the door.

“We agree one thing, dickhead. This isn’t over. Far from it.”

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