Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74749 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74749 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
“The only woman I—” I snap my mouth closed before I finish the confession. I don’t know if there will ever be a right time to tell anyone that the only woman I’ve been with in the last week seems hell-bent on sending me to prison for the rest of my life.
“She was found in a field on the edge of town.”
“Near the clubhouse?” I ask, wondering how in the fuck Lennox thinks I’m at all involved with her. The clubhouse is right outside the city limits on the edge of town. Is that how she linked us? Is it retaliation? Is she honestly mad that I didn’t reach out after our night together?
He shrugs. “I’ll find out as much as I can, but the police don’t have to hand shit over until the district attorney accepts the case.”
I blink at him. “That could take days.”
“Weeks,” he corrects. “Sometimes months.”
“And what?” I growl, my anger spilling over. “I fucking stay in jail until then?”
My attorney swallows, and I can tell he’s trying to formulate an answer that would appease me, but there isn’t one if it means I end up in a cell today.
“I can see if they’ll rush your bond hearing.”
“But you’re telling me—”
The door to the room slowly opens, and my eyes lock on Lennox as she takes a step to the side, revealing both Colton and Kincaid.
They both must’ve headed right back to Farmington after Lennox shoved me in the back of her car.
She clears her throat repeatedly before speaking, each time looking more and more pissed.
“I’d like to apologize, Mr. Maddox,” she begins, her eyes locked just over my head. “I, alone, acted hastily and without having the proper evidence to charge you. It’s my sincere hope that you don’t hold the Farmington Police Department liable for the actions of one individual.”
Her voice cracks at the end, and it’s obvious that she’s not the least bit pleased to be doing this.
Her jaw works back and forth twice before she continues, “I’m a new homicide detective, and this is my first time taking the lead in a case. I was too excited and didn’t wait for the evidence before jumping the gun. Your booking information was not entered into the computer. It means there’s no formal charge, no arrest. Nothing will show on your record. You’re free to go.”
I stand as another uniformed officer walks into the room and motions for my hands. I keep my eyes on her the entire time he’s working the cuffs off my wrists.
Silva slaps me on the back as if he just worked his ass off to win a case as I step past him toward the door. I stop in front of her, but she still refuses to look at me. She seems humiliated, on the verge of tears, and I should be seriously fucking pissed. I mean, she carted me through the front fucking door of the police department like I was just arrested for shooting the goddamned president between the eyes and she wanted all the recognition for it.
“We all make mistakes when we’re new to a job,” I tell her, hating the way her cheek twitches as if she believes I’m being condescending. “I truly hope you catch who hurt that woman.”
I don’t say a word as Kincaid hands me the bag with my personal belongings in it. I simply nod at Chief Monahan when he nods in my direction. I don’t say anything that can be used in a lawsuit later on down the line.
Colton follows me out of the building and I know what it means. He’s showing his fellow officers that he fully believes I wasn’t involved. It takes Kincaid a few minutes longer to get to the SUV, but still, I remain quiet.
I’m embarrassed, that’s a given, but I’m also left confused and needing answers.
What was it about me that made her think I’d hurt someone?
“They have video of you leaving the bar with her,” Kincaid says, making me realize that not only did I say that out loud, but I’m so lost in my head, we’re already driving down the center of town.
“No,” I say. “I’ve never seen that woman before.”
“The guys confirmed it. You walked out of the bar with that woman the night Bishop, Stormy, and Legacy got to town.”
I shake my head, but there’s no reason for any of them to lie.
“They found you drunk outside, sitting on the ground near the SUV. They literally had to carry you to your room once they got you back to the clubhouse.”
I recall them telling me about that the next day, but don’t remember it myself. I didn’t think I drank that much, but the proof is in the fact they had to carry me inside.
“Where are we going?” I ask when he turns left instead of right.