Page 12 of Lawless Deception

“Of course,” Bonner sagely agrees, realising his plan to rile me up enough to break the biggest rule in this place has well and truly backfired.

Mickey points to one of the bouncers who joined us and gestures to Bonner’s man. “Get him the fuck out of here before he stains the wood. Good evening, gentlemen.” He turns to walk away, pausing at my shoulder and whispering, “A word in my office before you leave, Lawler.” And with that he leaves.

“We’re done here,” I say, turning to leave too.

“Watch your back, Maddox,” Bonner warns.

I don’t bother to acknowledge the threat—the most used one in this world—because if you ain’t watching your back already, then you’re probably six feet under.

ChapterSeven

Roxy

Isnatch the phone from the counter as it rings off for the second time, and a missed call message flashes across the screen.

I already know he’s gone as I turn back to where he was standing not two seconds before hand. His scent lingers in the room, taunting me.

I turn and grab the drink I poured but was prevented from drinking by the over-bearing arsehole that broke into my house. Gulping it down in one, I place the glass in the sink and walk to the living room as I hit call.

It rings three times before a male voice answers.

“Roxy, it’s Mitch. Sorry to disturb you, but I thought you’d want to know.”

“What is it?” I ask, unsure I want to know based on Mitch’s grave tone but already having an idea.

“They found the body of a young girl. Obviously, we are awaiting DNA, but it’s going to take some time.”

I can’t respond as all the air rushes from my lungs. You’d think after so many years, I’d be used to this by now but I’m not. Every time feels like the first time.

“Roxy?”

“I’m here, Mitch. You need me to identify the body?” He doesn’t answer straight away.

“Err, not this time, no.” He doesn’t need to elaborate on why not. His comment about DNA taking time and now this makes it crystal clear the body is in a bad way. I tell him to call when he knows more.

Dropping down onto the sofa, I lean back and close my eyes. My head’s a fucking mess. A vortex of unwanted emotions and images. I take some deep breaths, pushing aside how Maddox made me feel. I don’t have time to unpick that knotted mass of confusion.

I must have nodded off and wake to my phone ringing in my hand. Blinking to clear the sleep fuzz from my eyes, I raise the phone to see who it is.

“Hey,” I mumble into the phone.

“Rox, what the hell is going on?” Jess all but yells down the phone.

“Calm down, Jess. It’s not what you think.”

“And what exactly is it I think, Rox, huh? ‘Cause let me tell you what I think. This is bullshit.”

“You’re right, it is bullshit. But it’s part of something bigger that I can’t go into details about. Just know that I know what I’m doing.”

“This is me you’re talking to, Roxy, so don’t spout that police procedure bull crap at me. Tell me why the press are saying you’ve resigned over corruption allegations.”

I let out a deep sigh and prepare to give her the fabricated story. I don’t like lying to her and would normally tell her everything but this—I can’t afford for this to touch her. I can’t afford for this to touch me either, but it’s too late for me.

“Jess—”

“Hold on—this is about them, isn’t it? Oh, hell. What did you do, Rox? Please tell me I’m wrong.” There’s a moment of pause, an awkwardly silent moment where I consider attempting to keep up the charade, but I can’t do it.

“You’re not wrong, Jess.” She lets fly a colourful array of language down the phone and when she finally calms down, I continue, “But you listen to me, you need to stay the hell away from it all. I need you to stay away. To stay safe.”

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