Page 7 of Mad Love

He stilled beneath me, even as the guys in the cell across from us jeered, egging me on to bend him over and show him who was boss.

“Benjamin Jones,” I murmured, just for his ears. “Joined the Rippers MC out of high school after your sister was gang raped by a rival club on her way home from middle school. You got the nickname Grinder years later, after you cut off the dicks of the guys who attacked her, put them through a meat grinder, and sent them to their club’s prez. How am I doing so far?”

He barely twisted his head. “You a fuckin’ fed?”

“No, just a guy who does his homework,” I replied.

When we’d found out I was going to the Twin Towers Correctional Facility, Ash had done his thing and managed to finagle his way into their systems and assign me a suitable cellmate. One we could help in exchange for me not waking up with a shiv to the throat or a cock on my lips. In a five-minute phone call before I was brought here, Court had filled me in. Having him as part of my legal team was really fucking helpful.

“But you missed one,” I went on. “Bruno Watts.”

Court had given me Ben’s story. How his mom had scraped by, working three jobs after her deadbeat husband racked up thousands in credit card debt and skipped town. Ben had busted his ass in school, playing soccer and earning a scholarship to UCLA.

But that all changed the day his little sister, Carissa, was jumped by four guys from the Crenshaw Point Devils while she was walking home from school. Court hadn’t gone into details, but he’d told me enough to know that having their dicks cut off was the least that could’ve been done to those animals.

Ben dropped out of school and joined the Rippers to protect his mom and sister. He’d made it his mission to kill the men who’d hurt Carissa. The only one he’d missed was the CPD’s vice president, Bruno Watts. He’d snuck away and was hiding out in a northern chapter of the Devils.

Fuck, even if Grinder didn’t cooperate with me, Watts was still a dead man. No one got away with doing shit like that to a woman, let alone a child.

Grinder hissed. “You know—”

“I know where he is,” I interrupted. “And I can tell you exactly where the little weasel is hiding.”

“And whatcha want for it?”

“A little breathing room,” I admitted. “I’ll be gone on Monday, and I’d rather not spend the next two days worried about you coming for me.” I relaxed my hold on him and stepped back.

He stood and whirled on me, pale gray eyes blazing like a demon. “Where is he?”

I held up a finger. “I’ll tell you when I leave. Hell, I’ll even draw you a fucking map.”

His chest heaved as he watched me for a beat and then spat on the ground. “You get the top bunk.” He took a menacing step toward me. “If you fuck me—”

“You’re not my type,” I assured him. “But as a peace offering, how about if I tell you I’ve already handled the debt your dad left your mom in?”

He stilled, his jaw going slack. “You did what?”

“Your mom and sister are good,” I assured him, keeping my tone soft. “And I will tell you where Watts is.”

“I don’t need charity,” he snarled.

“Then consider it payment for watching my ass the next two days,” I replied, climbing onto the top bunk and lying down.

“Why?”

I turned my head to see him standing near me, genuine curiosity in his eyes. “Because I’m not your enemy, and those fucks deserve a lot more for hurting an innocent kid.”

“Whatever you say, Robin,” he muttered, dropping onto the bunk under me.

“Ryan,” I corrected.

He barked out a laugh. “Nah, I’m going with Robin. As in Hood. Fuck me. A rich kid with a hero complex. So, what’re you in for? Illegally parked your car to help an old lady cross the street?”

I stared at the ceiling for a beat. “I killed the guy who assaulted my wife.”

Grinder went quiet. “For real?”

A slow smile spread across my lips. “I mean, allegedly.”

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