Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 82381 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82381 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Ice got off his cot, following the guard downstairs. He was in the very cell Yo-Yo had been trapped in during the riot. He saw Jackal staring at him through the small window as he passed his cell. Max and Fade were at the other end.
He went through the hallways and door until he reached the small room he would be allowed to talk privately in with his lawyer.
Creed stood up as he entered the room. “Ice, you look like shit.” Creed shot the corrections officer behind him a disgusted look before resuming his seat.
“Anything new?”
“All good. I found the informant who gave the police the information to get their warrant. He admitted he lied. I gave the judge yours and the others’ appeal. No warrant, no evidence. He’s signing the papers as we speak. Your case is being suspended until more evidence can be found.”
“How pissed was Slater?”
“I heard he overturned his desk.” Creed smiled.
“I wish I could have seen it.”
“Don’t antagonize him for a while, Ice. He’s angry enough that he could cause some trouble. You would have already been out of here, but he’s doing his best to see if any charges can be filed on you for the escape attempt.”
“He won’t find any.”
Creed raised a brow. “You took a college teacher and two guards hostage.”
“I saved their lives. I heard Church had the riot planned with her as the target, and he was going to kill the guards.”
“He’s denying it, said you masterminded the whole thing.”
“Doesn’t matter what they say, only what they can prove.”
“Isn’t that the truth, brother?” Creed laughed, standing up. “I’ll see what I can do about getting you out of here faster. It’ll be tomorrow at the latest.” Creed turned to the door, about to motion for the guard.
“What about Grace? Is she saying anything?”
Creed turned back. “Nothing I’ve heard. Her family has her surrounded by security.” Creed gave a low whistle. “Could you have picked a worse hostage?”
“I didn’t know. The information didn’t come in time.”
“From our source at the police department, she’s said very little. She described how you and your men took her and the guards hostage and led them downstairs to the common room. She said you kept her and the guards from being hurt. Other than that, she hasn’t told anyone what happened inside.” Creed turned more fully toward Ice. “Anything I need to be worried she could say?”
“No.” Ice shuttered his expression. “Have you heard how she is?”
“The family gave a statement that she is fine and recovering at her home. Ice, you’re not…”
Ice stood up, not wanting to talk about Grace to Creed. He had lowered his guard briefly to find out what he could about Grace, but it wasn’t smart to let his interest in her be known by anyone. “Just curious.”
“Curiosity killed the cat. Her family isn’t messing around. I watched the television report showing her home surrounded by those reporters. Those aren’t just any security guards holding them back. It’s Gamble Security.”
“Gamble with your money, not your life,” Ice repeated the motto the company was famous for.
“Those fuckers aren’t a joke,” Creed warned.
Ice shrugged. “Makes no difference to me.”
“Keep it that way.” Creed motioned to the guard to let him out.
Ice followed the guard back to the cellblock.
“I heard you might be getting out.”
Ice didn’t respond, going inside his cell. The guard didn’t immediately leave; instead, he leaned against the doorway.
“Did you know Jackson has a brother-in-law who works on the police force?”
“No, I didn’t, and I don’t give a fuck.” Ice faced the guard with his feet braced apart.
“You should.” Jackson came to stand in the doorway. “You should always know everything about someone you piss off, Ice. Slater signed for our first home. My paycheck wasn’t enough for us to get the mortgage. I owe him a favor for helping out his sister.”
“Is your wife as ugly as her brother?”
“You can decide for yourself. She works at the hospital in the ER.” Both guards raised their clubs, coming toward him. “Slater wants us to see how far we can shove this up your ass.”
Ice didn’t lose his cool as he prepared himself. His only goal was to survive.
For the next twenty agonizing minutes, he discovered two reasons to live: one was Grace, and the other was to kill Slater.
Chapter 13
“Maman, it’s time you went home.” Exasperated, Grace stared aghast at the huge meal her mother had cooked while she was at work. Christmas had passed two weeks ago, and her father had left last week to help Dax on his movie. Now she just had to get rid of her mother’s smothering presence to get back to a normal life.
“I will in a few more weeks, darling. I thought you would be happy with what I cooked.”
“It’s not the food. I’ve gained ten pounds. My foot has healed, the reporters have left, and I went back to work last week. Go home, Maman. I know Pére is missing you.”