Page 28 of Sweet Sin

They don’t let you do that in prison, though. I’ve known about prison long before I became a parole officer. I understand the unwritten rules. You’re either strong or weak inside, and you’d best decide at the outset.

“Tell you what,” Falcon says. “We’ll go to the pharmacy and get some decent bandages and antibacterial ointment. But if that shows any bit of infection in the next day or two—or if you feel like you’re going into shock again—we’re getting your pretty ass to a doctor, you got it?”

I nod.

“When do you want to call your folks?”

“I need to do it now, while everything’s fresh in my mind. They’re going to want to know the police are involved.”

What I don’t tell Falcon is that my folks—or at least my grandfather—most likely already know.

And they’re either plotting their revenge…

Or they’re in on it.

9

FALCON

Nine p.m.

Savannah and I were supposed to have dinner. I’m sure neither of us could stomach food now, but we have to eat at some point. Sustenance is necessary for strength. I forced the shitty prison food down my gullet, taking seconds when I could, just so I had the fuel I needed to keep myself—body and mind—strong.

I leave the bedroom to give Savannah some privacy to talk to her parents. I head straight to the basement, which is still unfinished since I wasn’t here to supervise anything. Against the wall, though, is my metal gun safe. A few of these pieces are going to the pool house. When Savannah’s feeling up to it, I want to take her to the safe house as well, just to check it out.

We may need to use it.

And now…what I’ve been putting off.

A call to Leif Ramsey.

But only if he has the same number he’s always had. Who knows? He’s been overseas, had several tours of duty. He may be a completely different person.

He probably is.

Then again, so am I.

I grab my phone when it buzzes in my hand.

It’s Lance from the tattoo place.

“Hey, Lance,” I say into the phone. “What are you calling at this hour for?”

“Falcon, I got some more information.”

“Let me guess. Savannah Gallo is related to the Bianchi crime family.”

Silence for a moment. Then, “You’re still going to pay me, right?”

I let out a scoff. “I ordered the information. It’s not your fault I got it before you did.”

“Isn’t it? What sources do you have?”

“Savannah herself. But I want everything you found anyway. Send it to me in an encrypted file.”

“You got it. It’s on its way.”

“In the meantime, give me the basics.”

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