Page 70 of Come Back To Me

The lights in the cell flick on, and I blink my eyes open. Putting the picture of Mads away in my mind, I sit up with a yawn, using my good hand to rub my face. Then I remember to check if my cellmate is awake. He’s not there.

Fuck. He and I haven’t exchanged proper words yet, but having him here would have been a damn sight better.

Here we go.

When the door opens, an officer—presumably starting his day shift—walks in with an envelope. He bends, placing it on the floor about a foot into the cell. He then turns and leaves.

I look down at it, then slowly move off my bed, my arm still hanging heavy by my side. Picking it up with my good hand, I go to stand, only for the door to fly open, and a foot to catch me off guard in the ribs.

The envelope skims across the cell floor as I roll to my back.

“Rise and shine. Solicitor will be here soon.” The prick winks at me then shuts the door behind him.

I get up, grab the envelope, then sit back on my bed. On the front there’s a stamp saying ‘approved items’. Slowly opening it, I find the picture from my wallet. That’s all there is.

My heart starts drumming. Rather than feel emotional, seeing it fills me with an unexpected influx of determination and confidence. A confidence that, no matter what they try to throwat me, I won’t let them beat me.

After breakfast, I wait in a separate room for Mollie, my head in overdrive. When the door opens, seeing her instantly makes me think of Mads. I swallow the lump as I stand to greet her.

“Don’t get up,” she says, immediately dropping the papers in her hand to the table.

I pause mid-stand, then sit back down, cradling my arm.

She notices, taking a seat opposite me, fixing her suit jacket.

When she sighs—the noise a symphony of pain, I hate that I don’t dwell on it more other than asking, “You good?”

I’m a fucking idiot. Of course she isn’t.

“Dean.” Her voice is bordered with doom as she looks at my arm. “What happened?”

“Nothing. I’m peachy,” I reply. Darkened eyes assess me, but not once does she look me in the eye. “Mollie?” I say after I see her rub at her wrist subconsciously. She doesn’t say anything. Her eyes move down slowly, and I see her go back tothatplace. “Don’t,” I whisper, trying to keep her here with me.

After a beat, I watch as she switches off her emotions. That uncanny ability to shut it all down in order to survive. She stops rubbing her wrist, covers it, and the next time she looks up, the woman I need is here with me. Mollie opens the folder in front of her and begins talking. “The bullet I warned you about.”

I take the picture in my hand.

The next one she passes is of Travis’ van. It’s no longer distorted. Even I can make myself out. “They think they have enough evidence to charge you, Dean.” Her voice is sombre. “This is real now.”

I nod, knowing.

“What else is going on?” she adds, catching me a little off guard.

I look up raising a brow at how she can still know me after so much time away. I half smile. “Need to find someone inside,” I tellher truthfully.

Her eyes pin on mine. “And if you do?”

Beat him. Cut him. Whatever it takes. “I need to ask him why he’s threatening Sodom Saviours.” I can see Mollie thinking, her lips pulling tight across her face. “Anyway, tell me what’s happening with the case,” I say.

She nods a little hesitantly, getting back to why she’s here. “They know six men are missing, and they have that bullet.” Our eyes meet again. “Conditional bail looks unlikely. You need to tell me everything, so I can try to find a way out.”

I instinctively look up at the camera knowing they can’t legally record this. “It fell apart the minute we got there. I did things my way and fucked it all up.”

“Doesn’t surprise me.”

I smile with a sigh. There’s a glass of water on the table. I take a sip. “Travis got me out. Another brother was there, but it was Travis who laid most of them down to save me.” My eyes look up. Mollie frowns, and I shake my head, seeing the memories of that night and the days that followed like a carousel of pictures in my mind.

“How’d he do it?” she asks.

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