"I know, and I think it's from inside our organization," I growl out. It pisses me off more that this was an inside job. I'm not here by my own doing. Someone set me up, and they will have hell to pay when I get out…if I get out.
"Have you remembered anything else?" E-Z asks, looking hopeful for a split second. I try to keep him updated on anything that comes to the surface of my memories, but sadly, there hasn’t been much.
"I'm not sure. It's all so hazy. It's all there, but I can't seem to put it together. I'm pretty sure that Orla's nephews were there with Donovan and Bones." E-Z lets out a long whistle.
"Are you sure?" E-Z asks, looking at me like he just won the jackpot. Without any leads, any information is better than nothing. "That would mean Orla is in on it too."
"Yeah." I look at him, and we share the same deadpan expression. If Orla is actually involved, it's going to take moving mountains to convince Ryan of it.
"Have you told your old man that yet?" He raises his eyebrows in question.
“I’d rather deal with this between the two of us. You know I’ve never relied on Ryan O’Leary in that way, E-Z.”
"Maybe it's time you do. Right now, Ryan is the only one that has your back. Get your head out of your ass and use that connection."
“You’re right, but I can’t exactly implicate his wife without some kind of proof, E-Z.”
"I've been worried about that, too. And if I can’t find Bones or Donovan, I'm not sure what I can do to help stop this, man."
"Are you keeping an eye on Donovan's daughter, Belle?"
"Yeah. I'm wondering how someone like Donovan had a child, much less one like Belle. She seems like the type that should teach Sunday school, not have a scumbag of a father like him."
"Has Donovan been in touch with her?" I ask, hoping he's made a mistake.
"No, but we are keeping her under surveillance."
"Stay on it. I know Belle knows something. She came to tell me something when she saw…what she saw at the office." I pause mid-sentence because these phones are monitored, and I'm not admitting to shit.
"I'll work on it. It might be time to just talk to her."
I frown. I don’t like it, but the truth is, I’m running out of time.
“Times up," the guard announces.
"Stay strong. We're doing what we can," E-Z assures me.
"Don't give up," I insist. I need him. He’s my only hope. The doubt that's been creeping in for every day I've had to sit here keeps getting larger and larger, though. I keep wondering if I’m ever going to get out of here. Without E-Z, I don’t think I will.
"Never," E-Z assures me as he hangs up. I watch him walk away before I'm led out—wishing I was with him.
The guard leads me back to my cell. The court date is looming over me. My attorneys warned me that the prosecution is angling for the death penalty. There’s no way a jury would feel sympathy for me—someone they view as a cold-blooded killer. Hell, one of the security guards had three kids and one on the way. They wouldn’t believe that I’m mad over that, too. In my business, I deal with men who are not good men. They deserve the punishment I dole out. Killing an innocent security guard is not me. It’s not who I am.
I stand up a little taller as I vow that if I get out of this, I'll not only get revenge for myself but for that guard. I just hope I get that chance…
CHAPTER 17
BELLE
There's a knock at the door, and my heart kicks up into my throat. I go completely still hoping whoever it is leaves. Another round of hard knocks begins.
"I'm not home," I yell out in panic. Then, realizing what I’ve done, I hold my head down in shame. Shit! I'm an idiot.
I hear a deep chuckle as I tiptoe to the door. "You're safe, Belle. I just want to ask you a few questions."
I keep the door closed and lean my ear on it like maybe he will go away. He doesn’t.
"You need to leave," I respond, my heart racing. I hope he listens, whoever he is. I look through the peephole to see a tatted mountain of man with gorgeous hair. Shit… that was the guy with Killian, right? I’m not completely sure because I’ve tried to forget that night ever existed, and I mostly kept my attention on Killian. Still, I’m pretty sure it is. Either that or I’m letting my panic take over.
"No can do. My friend Killian's life depends on you."
Me? Why me? I frown as I think it over. Nothing directly comes to mind that I could help with.