Page 60 of Next Level
“Ah, here we go. I have a statement from the Port Angeles police for George Casso. He stated he is Garrett’s biological father and was supposed to meet the boy at the cabin. He’d been in touch with Garrett since being released from prison. I guess Garrett told his father he found Jared, and they were to meet him in Washington, but he never showed up.” The agent pauses, pulling out another piece of paper.
“And Mr. Jones’s story aligns with this, so we didn’t think anything about it. Should we pull Mr. Casso in for more questioning? We do know that Mr. Casso is here locally because he’s checked in with his parole officer. He told him he was going out of state for two days to meet his boys to bring them back home. He was back in time, so no flags there either.”
“No, that’s fine,” I snap.
“Are you sure?” she asked Samantha, not me. “You seem worried. I can flag this and look into it a bit more.”
Sam doesn’t say a word. She just fidgets with her fingernails.
I want that motherfucker. I can’t have the police snatching him before I do.
So I answer for her, “She’ll be fine. I’ll make sure of it. Are we done?
The agent keeps her eyes on Sam for a few more seconds, then lets out a big sigh.
“Okay, it seems we have everything we need. I’ll keep you informed of the proceedings and what comes next. Contact me if you have any questions.”
Thirty minutes later, we’re all back in my truck. Brooke hasn’t said a word this whole time. Once I’m backing out of the parking spot, Sam loses her shit.
Panicking, she rants, “Dad, they had a plan. George was planning something. He was going to use me to do it. I know it.”
“I know, Punkin. I’m working on it,” I say calmly, watching her through the rearview mirror.
Brooke finally speaks. “Ray, you better protect our daughter at all costs. I don’t care what the fuck you have to do, but these men need to be gone.”
I turn to Brooke, sitting next to me.
“Already working on it. I promise you,” I declare with a stone-cold face. She knows what I’m capable of doing. She’s been around me long enough to know you don’t fuck with what is mine.
HALF BROTHER
I’m so nervous. Ray doesn’t know I’m here a day early. Sunshine gave me the address, and here I am at the compound gate, unannounced, trying to get in.
I hit the buzzer.
“Hello, beautiful. How can I help you?” A male voice booms from the little speaker.
“Hello. Is R—” I correct myself and use his club name, “Level around?” I ask, beaming at the camera.
The door opens, and I hear a different male voice come through the speaker. “Hey, Cherry. Come on up to the clubhouse. I’ll meet you there.”
Recognizing Dawg’s voice, I put my car into drive and head up the hill. As soon as the clubhouse is in view, I see Dawg standing outside the door with a massive grin on his face.
Sunshine sent me a photo of the two of them, so I knew what he looked like.
When I put the car in park, Dawg opens my door for me.
“Cherry, I thought you were coming tomorrow?” Dawg asks, holding the door for me.
As I grab all my shit, I answer him, “Yeah, I came a day early. I need to talk to Ra…I mean Level. Is he here?”
Dawg is one tall motherfucker. I have to tilt my head way back to look up at him.
He lights up a joint. “Nah, he should be here any time now. Come on in and meet the guys while you wait. Does he know you’re here?”
Shutting my door, I shake my head. “No, it was last minute. I didn’t want to tell him over the phone.
Dawg’s eyebrows shoot up. “Oh some secret sexy shit, huh?”
