Page 52 of Fighting Conviction
“I still think you Neanderthals are making a colossal mistake not allowing Ellie to make this decision.” Nora tapped her long nails on the table and raised a black brow in Devil and Jaybird’s direction.
Devil clenched his fist as he spoke. “Naomi will have to do until you absolutely need Ellie.” Jaybird nodded his assent.
Hawk steepled his fingers in front of his chin and tapped his lips with the side of both pointer fingers before shaking his head. “It is what it is. But if shit hits the fan and something she knows could’ve prevented it, whatever happens is on you two.” He narrowed his eyes at Devil and Jaybird, emphasizing his point before continuing. “In the meantime, when you two bastards want to let a grown ass woman make her own goddamn decisions, let us all know so we can help save those who aren’t as lucky as she was to have a team of ex-soldiers dedicated to looking for her.”
Devil’s lips tightened and he could tell Jaybird was equally offended at the truth of their situation. But it didn’t change anything. It might be the wrong choice, but if he could protect his angel in any fucking way, he damn well would. If that meant making sure she never had to see the face of one of her perpetrator’s ever again, even if it helped someone else, that was a decision Devil was willing to go down for. He would carry that burden to make sure she never had to carry one ever again.
Phoenix’s words had clicked something in his mind and he realized what he had to do. There was no just getting Ellie “out of his system”. If nothing else had taught him that, his limp dick at a strip club sure as hell made him learn that lesson. He’d been afraid of damning his angel, but maybe giving in to temptation was what they both needed after all.
Jaybird looked at the table before speaking in a low voice. “It’s nonnegotiable at this point.”
“So be it,” Snake replied. “But for the record, you’re making a mistake.”
Resolve settled over Devil’s soul, finally at peace with the choices he was making regarding Ellie. He narrowed his eyes at Snake, challenging him—hell, the whole goddamn world—to fight his determination to keep her safe.
“So fucking be it.”
Chapter Nineteen
The euphoria jolted through Neal’s body like a wave of cool saltwater over paper cuts. He was still getting used to the new stuff. The first time he’d used, he’d bled like a gunshot wound. Since then, he’d perfected his methods. It was a different, shorter high than he was used to, but at least it kept him functional between hits. He liked the peace and quiet, too.
Going to the park two days ago had been a bad call he’d regretted every hour since. He’d never wanted to take his addiction this far, but fuck did the ice flowing in his bloodstream make the guilt burn a little less.
He pulled out his cigarette lighter and alternated between flicking it and twirling it in his fingers as he sifted through the files in front of him on his kitchen table.
What he had could damn the entire city. So many people would be ruined with the black-and-white words in front of him and he felt the weight of his responsibilities even with the drugs coursing through his veins.
That brat blonde in the tree was another worry. The look on her face of pure confusion and fear had convinced him she didn’t know who he was, but the uncertainty of having another person out there who knew his business ate at him like the ulcer in his stomach.
“Dammit, Cici. What am I supposed to do with all this.”
“Do the best you can, baby. I believe in you.”
The words sounded odd in his head. He hadn’t heard them in so long they’d become a foreign language.
“I’m tryin’ Cees. I’m tryin’.”
He rubbed his chest, trying to make the pain go away. It wouldn’t. He knew that. The doctors could say it was his bad diet, vices, and poor health. But he knew the score. His heart was ripped in two when Cici left him. Despite his best efforts, misery tore at the peace he’d tried to sew into himself. The needle on his side table wasn’t doing the job anymore.
Time passed, but he wasn’t sure how much. He only knew that it did from the shifting shadows on the green carpet. He’d forgotten to close the blinds all the way again. That shit was gonna get him in trouble with a nosy neighbor someday. Not that anyone in the old neighborhood bothered him. He was given an extra stipend to help control crime and everyone knew he was a cop so they left him alone.
A harsh shrill of a phone grated against his nerves. He dug into his holster, only to realize his cell was already in his hand. He lifted it up to his ear with disjointed movements, as if someone else was controlling his arm.
“Burgess.”
“Do not ‘Burgess’ me. You fucking called me,durak. What is wrong with you?”
Neal bristled at the accusation and sat up in his threadbare chair. He’d had it since the day he and Cici had moved into the house. “I’m fine. I don’t know what the fuck you’re talkin’ about but get to the point.”
“Calm down, Neal. You need him. Make sure he feels like he needs you too.”
Neal inhaled Cici’s words deeply only to exhale on a cough. After his fit, he realized the phone was nearly silent on the other line.
“Hello?” he asked, half expecting to have to call back.
“Speak to me like that again Burgess, and you are fucking done. Do you hear me?”
Neal shivered at the panic shooting down his spine and he gulped on impulse. “Y-yes, sir.” The manufactured respect soaking his words made him want to vomit. But Cici was right. Neal had to make sure the boss felt like he needed him.
