Page 47 of Red Queen (Red Thorns Crew 3)

He narrowed his eyes. “You’re here because I brought you here, and that’s all anyone needs to know.”

Wonderful. “Off the books, huh?”

“Not necessarily.”

I didn’t know what the hell this guy was playing at, but I knew it wasn’t good. I already knew he was bad news. In my father’s fucking pocket. I’d still be back in that holding cell waiting for my time to be up if he wasn’t being fed by my father. I wondered how much Ashton was paying him. Five grand a month? Seven? I’d known my father to pay someone as much as ten grand a month to do his bidding whenever he called.

I wondered what kind of deal this cop had with him.

“If you’re going to interrogate me, I need my lawyer present,” I said.

The man stopped pacing. “You see this uniform?”

“From a mile away.”

His eye twitched. “This uniform should tell you I’m well-versed in what the law says.”

And your countenance tells me you’re well-versed in what my father says.

I nodded. “Right.”

“Good. Glad we’re on the same page. Don’t feel the need to run me down on the law. You’ll need your energy for other things.”

I nodded. “Other things. Got it. Sounds totally legit.”

The man slammed his hands down onto the table. “You want to mock me, Ryddle?”

“No, sir.”

“You want to try to intimidate me? Threaten me? Make me play your little game?”

I shook my head. “No, sir.”

He narrowed his eyes. “What kind of game are you playing right now?”

“There’s no game. Just sitting here, waiting for my lawyer to be present before I start answering any questions you might have.”

He chuckled. “Playing it safe, tough guy? I can appreciate that. But we need to know what happened at the estate. And time is of the essence.”

I shrugged. “Get my lawyer here, and we can talk all you want.”

“See, that’s the thing. We’re trying to call her, but she’s not picking up. I’m sure she’s swamped with better things to do than hover around your ass. So just tell me what really happened.”

You aren’t pinning anything on me, you piece of shit. “My lawyer has all those answers.”

His eyes flared. “What the hell happened at your father’s estate?”

I lifted my chin as the cop came barreling toward me.

“Talk, or I’ll find someone to make you talk.”

I felt my anger rising up the back of my throat, and I knew this man was trying to get me to lash out. Which meant I couldn't give in. I couldn't let him get the best of me.

God, please keep Dani safe for as long as possible.

The cop growled. “Answer me now, you piece of shit. Or I’ll keep you in that holding cell until you rot.”

God, I know you don’t give a shit about me. But please, make sure Dani gets out of this alive.

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