Page 33 of Nines's Time

“Her man?” he scoffs. “Since when? Weren’t you arrested for the rape and assault of a minor? Does she know what you did?”

“I didn’t fuckin’ do that shit, and you know it,” I snarl, taking a step forward. “I’m not the type of man who would lay a hand on a minor. And for the record, Meadow knows and she damn well believes me.”

“Brick,” Meadow calls out, barely more than a whisper.

Turning, I make my way to her side and cup the side of her face. “You okay, Buttercup?”

She looks past me and licks her lips nervously before bringing her gaze back to me and answering, “Yeah. Can we still go out on the bike?”

It shouldn’t surprise me that’s what she asks, but it does. It’s been a long and stressful day for her, and she’s been through hell and back. Yet she still wants to go out on the bike.

“How about we give it a little while to make sure your head’s okay first?” I suggest. “I don’t want you to end up being worse than what you are now.”

“I’m fine.”

“Meadow, you fell on your face, literally collapsed.”

“I’m fine now,” she says. “I just . . . it was, I guess too much at one time.”

“You can say that again,” I grunt.

Meadow’s gaze goes back to the men still in the room. “Are you really him?” she asks, no doubt speaking to Calyx.

“I want to deny it,” Calyx growls, “but after what you said a bit ago, I can’t. However, I’ve got to ask a question that will seem personal. Do you have a birthmark on the back of your head at your hairline?”

“Um, I don’t know.” She frowns and shakes her head.

“Let me see, baby.” I motion for her to sit up on the bed. I brush her hair out of the way, and there it is. The mark Calyx is talking about. “Yeah, it’s there.” Twisting, I look to Calyx. “Why did you want to know?”

“The women in my family always have one there.” He shrugs.

Silence falls over the room, and I can’t help but want to get the hell out of here and take Meadow with me. Unfortunately, Lucky pops in the room, his eyes locked on me.

“We’ve got a problem. Need you and Blow outside.”

“What?” I demand, getting to my feet.

“Detectives who arrested you are here,” he announces. “I’ve already sent a text to Markus.”

“Motherfucker.”

Can I just have a day where there’s no goddamn drama? Just one. That’s all I’m asking for. Fuck, is that too much to ask?

I glance back at Meadow, lean in, and press a kiss to her lips. “I’ll be back. You stay here and relax.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“No, you need to chill in here.”

Meadow stands when I do and shakes her head. “No. You’ve been there for me. I’m going to do the same for you. I told you I believe you, and I know you didn’t do anything to whoever it is that’s claiming you raped and assaulted them.”

Damn, how the fuck did I get lucky enough to find her?

“Thank you.” I wrap my arms around her waist and hold her close. “Let’s get this over with.”

* * *

“This is bullshit,” Blow scoffs. “You have nothing on Nines or anyone else here. So, what the fuck are you here for?”

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