Page 5 of Justice's Reward
Adley thought through what her sister had said. She agreed with her. There wasn’t anyone that Adley could think of that would need to abduct her.
“I’m thinking that I’m not going to hide here forever,” Adley said.
“Yeah, but it’s Friday, and you don’t have anything on your calendar. Let’s hang with Mom for the weekend. She’s been wanting help painting her guest room,” Macy said.
“I also have tomatoes and pickles to can this weekend. I would love your help,” her mom said.
Even if Adley didn’t think it was a good idea to hide out this weekend, she’d be here. She loved helping her mom can and also having all the yummy items to eat.
“I’m in. I have enough clothes here that I’m good. What’s first, Mom?” Adley asked.
“Let’s paint today, then we’ll can all weekend. My onions and peppers didn’t do as well, so I have an order from one of the farms who will be at the farmers market tomorrow morning,” she said.
“Let’s get to painting as soon as I have my second cup of coffee,” Adley replied.
A weekend with her mom and sister would be perfect. Adley could focus on tasks and keep her mind off how sweet Justice looked singing to his son yesterday. She should probably swear off Pit’s KC Barbecue too, or otherwise, continuing to be exposed to Justice might have her giving in.
She couldn’t do that. Her body might say let’s jump the man and climb him like a tree, but her brain was saying she couldn’t trust a man in a one-percenter motorcycle club.If only her instincts were shrieking at her that she could trust him. Stupid instincts. Maybe his hotness was clouding their judgment.
Chapter Four
Justice carried Ian in his arms, swaying a little near the bar. He’d fed him and was now trying to get him to go to sleep. Almost all the guys were here on a Friday night, along with the women.
Ariel, Pit’s wife, had been craving some strange food. They’d had takeout delivered from four different establishments for the surprise baby shower they’d had. Although some of the brothers had ribbed Pit, Justice kept his mouth shut. If he had a woman like Ariel carrying his child, he’d do anything in his power to make her life wonderful. Heck, if his woman was within weeks ofgiving him a baby, he’d rub her feet, carry her around, and generally do anything to make her life easier. But Justice didn’t have that, though he had Ian and loved his little man.
Ariel had just taken a break from opening presents to go to the bathroom. Ariel and Pit’s little boy would have just as much leather as Ian did. His brothers had come through for him, and now they had come through for his President. The boys would only be months apart. Justice hoped they would be as close as he and Pit had been growing up.
Banging on the door had someone turning down the music and Pit walking toward the door. Justice stayed back by the bar, just in case whoever knocked wasn’t friendly. He wasn’t having Ian near it. The prospect on duty would have had to let whoever itwas in, but Justice would never take chances with his son.
“Pit, I was on duty and offered to come to keep things calm. The detectives have a warrant to take Justice in for questioning regarding a murder. I told them he’d come calmly,” Tack, Justice’s younger brother and the club’s Sergeant at Arms, who was on the SWAT team, said. Tack was standing in the door, blocking anyone else from walking in. Tack had said he’d be a little late to the party because of a call they had to debrief from.
Justice appreciated that Tack was a part of this. Maybe they’d have a chance of this staying calm. Tack was the Sergeant at Arms because he was tough but clear-headed. He had fantastic tactical skills while they’d served, hence his road name.
Justice turned to see his mom making her way toward him.
“Sure, he’s holding his son, so let the ladies get the baby out of the room, and then he’ll come with you,” Pit said, loud enough for everyone to hear.
Justice clocked Ariel walking out of the bathroom. One of his brothers, Crux, stepped in front of her to keep her away from possible gunfire. Justice trusted some of the officers, but he couldn’t relax until his son and Ariel were safe. Once he was outside the clubhouse, they’d have no reason to come in.
His aunt Charlie took Ian, and then his mom reached around to hug him. While she hugged him, she pulled his wallet out of his pocket, removing his driver’s license, phone, and the gun he kept on him all the time. She slid them across the bar thatJustice’s body was blocking the view of. One of the Sirens on bar duty tonight took the items and slid them into the hidden compartment. His mom had dealt with this over the years and would always work to keep her family safe.
“Take care of my son,” he whispered to his mom, dropped a kiss on her cheek, and walked to the door. He wasn’t sure what this was but knew he needed more help.
Pit touched his arm as he walked by. Justice leaned close to Pit. “Call Adley Pearson to see if she’ll represent me and meet me at the station.”
Pit nodded and patted Justice’s shoulder as Justice passed through the door. Tack had stepped to the side, but Justice knew his brother was just waiting to step in if things didn’t go well. A quick glance around the area and Justice was wondering what thehell was going on. Tack’s SWAT team, including his commander, was there along with three police cars. An officer roughly yanked Justice’s arms behind his back and cuffed him tighter than was warranted since Justice had been cooperating.
“Zane Lawson, you’re under arrest for suspicion of the murder of Gina Brown. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to have a lawyer and have him present with you while you are being questioned. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, one will be appointed to represent you before questioning, if you wish. You can decide at any time to exercise these rights and not answer any questions or make any statements. Do you understand these rights as I have explained them to you?” the detective asked.
“Yes,” Justice replied. Of course, it was Detective Stanza, who freaking hated Justice, and Justice hated him. Besides spouting off his mouth about how horrible the Saint’s Outlaws were, Detective Stanza just annoyed Justice. Something was off about the guy, and Justice didn’t like the man.
“Knowing these rights, do you wish to speak with us now?” he asked.
“No, I want my lawyer,” Justice replied.
Hmm, his reply must have ticked off the detective, though Justice couldn’t imagine the man actually thought Justice would talk without a lawyer. Maybe they’d expected something to happen with the men at the clubhouse, but the Saint’s Outlaws MC members weren’t stupid. Justice had grilled them all on expected protocols and how to keep themselves and each other safe. Noneof the men would do anything to endanger Ariel, her baby, or Ian.
The detective shoved Justice into the backseat of a waiting cruiser. Justice narrowly avoided having his face hit the door. Before the detective closed the back door, Tack was there.
