Page 67 of Firefly (Redemption 2)

“Illegal,” he said with a scoff. “I am a federal judge, I would—”

I tossed a small stack of papers across the desk, rolling my eyes beneath my hood.

His face paled and mouth opened, but no excuse left him. “Where did you get this?”

“Does it matter?”

“Where did you get this? It isn’t—that’s not—I don’t know how—”

“Don’t bother telling me that isn’t your signature, I’ve already confirmed that it is. I also have an eye witness to you signing. And what these papers tell me is that you are a dirty son of a bitch who gets off on the thought of kidnapped girls.”

“They’re of legal age,” he stuttered after a chunk of silence.

A shocked breath punched from my lungs.

If I didn’t need you, I’d let Johnny loose on you.

“They’re still stolen and sold against their will,” I reminded him.

“What do you want?” His eyes were wide with panic when he looked back at me. “How much do you want? I’ll give you—”

“Anything?” I asked with a wicked grin hidden beneath my bandana. “Thought you might say that. I’m sure you’re good for it too because you don’t want to lose your job or your reputation . . . now do you?”

He sat there gaping like a fish before he started sobbing like a child.

“Fucking hell,” Johnny mumbled. “Maybe they should kidnap and sell him.”

I smirked. “Here’s what you’re going to do if you want to keep your reputation, job, and life—in that order.” I leaned forward and dropped my voice, making sure he understood every word I said. “You go along like everything’s how it’s supposed to be. You don’t tell Mickey or anyone else about our exchange. And when the time comes, you tell the FBI everything you know about Mickey’s plans for this human trafficking ring. We’ll guarantee there’s someone to confirm you were never a part of this.”

“How foolish are you? I don’t know who you are, but you can’t guarantee anything except for my death if I cross Mick O’Sullivan.” He snatched the papers up and waved them between us. “He already has my signature. He already has payments from me. He’ll have me killed if I back out now, let alone sell him out to the FBI.”

I nodded toward the corner of the room, near the doors, and huffed a laugh. “I can guarantee your death if you don’t.”

The judge turned slowly, his jaw falling slack as he noticed for the first time the fourth man in the room.

A man as silent as the night.

I was rushed by Teagan as soon as I set foot in Brooks Street on Monday morning, nearly knocking us both to the floor.

“Oh my God, I’ve been going out of my mind. I didn’t know if you were alive. Finn said—but I knew. Somehow I knew that if anyone could escape them, it would be you. I knew I needed to be waiting for you this morning. If they’d taken you or if you’d escaped, I had to still be waiting so you would know I hadn’t given up on you,” she rambled as tears streamed down her cheeks.

“I’m fine,” I assured her when she paused long enough to take a breath. “I’m fine. What did Finn say? I’ve been home since Thursday afternoon. The guys were all informed of what happened at the meeting yesterday.”

A cold, hateful look crossed her face at the news. “He came home so mad . . .”

My stare immediately fell to her neck and arms, looking for any signs that he’d hurt her recently.

“Don’t. I’m fine. He just came home cussing and kicking things over before he started drinking. He passed out on the couch sometime last night.” Her head shook, the movement slight as if she couldn’t understand. “He got a call Wednesday night. It was late enough he didn’t even bother leaving the bedroom when he called his dad to talk to him about it because he thought I was still asleep. It was about your house being trashed and you missing. He’s been so quiet since. He hasn’t said a word or had a call with anyone else. I was sure there would’ve been another call with his dad after the meeting yesterday, or Bailey would’ve come over. But there was nothing. When he came home so angry, I thought . . . I thought . . .” Her chin wavered and fresh tears filled her eyes.

“Let’s sit and I’ll tell you what happened.” I rubbed her shoulder in a lame attempt to soothe her, and silently led her back to our normal booth where two coffees already waited.

I’d just helped her into her side when everything she’d said finally clicked.

“Of course Finn’s angry,” I whispered, a disbelieving laugh punching from my chest as I moved to sit on my side. “Of course. Now that you know I’m okay, think about it. He and Bailey have been waiting for that last big thing to happen so they could overthrow Mickey. Me being taken by a Borello would’ve been their perfect opportunity.”

I watched as realization hit, slowly replaced by horror. Teagan’s head shook quickly. “You think he set this up?”

My brows lifted in surprise. “What—no. I didn’t say that, I just meant it would’ve been perfect. The Borellos would’ve handed the opportunity to Bailey and Finn on a silver platter.”

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