Lethal Temptations (Tempted #5)(96)

I wish I didn’t throw everything up into the toilet, I’d love to f*cking bless this prick and his smug face.

“What the f*ck do you want?”

“You’ve got a visitor,” he said, twirling his key ring around his finger.

I peered at him, running my fingers through my hair, pushing it out of my eyes and away from my face.

“Let’s go,” he said, leading me out of my cell and down the cell block.

Jack and Wolf showed up at my arraignment but I didn’t pay my brother’s any mind. I wasn’t ready to talk to Jack about business or more importantly what had happened that landed my ass in this mess. I didn’t trust myself with him.

The last couple months I’ve been lying through my f*cking teeth to him.

And to myself.

I walked into the visitor’s room and spotted Jack instantly, the patch we worshipped stitched proudly into the back of his cut. I should’ve turned around and denied the visit but I’m a glutton for punishment and man, did I deserve my punishment.

I walked to the table, dropping into the chair in front of my president and slowly lifted my eyes to his.

Get your game face on Blackie.

“Christ, you look like shit,” he growled as his eyes raked me over.

“Good to see you too,” I retorted, dropping my head into my hands because it felt like it weighed more than my neck could hold.

“Are they f*cking with you in here?” He asked as he glanced over his shoulders at the correction officers guarding the room.

I spread my fingers across my face and pierced him with my dark eyes.

“Why are you here?” I questioned, wanting the visit to be over before it even began.

“I’m here because you’re my f*cking brother. You saved my daughter from getting raped,” he hissed, meeting my gaze as I dropped my hands and leaned back in the chair. “If you hadn’t been there…well, I don’t think I have to tell you, we both know what would have happened.”

Fuck.

Don’t thank me. Don’t f*cking thank me.

I didn’t do it for you.

I did it for me.

“She okay?” I asked, tearing my eyes away from him.

It’s been driving me crazy that I left her to deal with the repercussions of that night by herself. She’s all I think about and I’m going mad thinking that prick hurt her before I managed to get to her.

“She’s a f*cking mess,” he hissed. “She blames herself for you being in here.”

“That’s f*cking ridiculous,” I snapped, turning my eyes back to him. “Make her cut that shit out,” I demanded. “She didn’t ask for that cocksucker to take advantage of her.”

He stared at me for a moment and I held his gaze, watching as the wheels in his head turned round and round.

“Anyone would’ve done it. She was crying, begging for help, anyone with a f*cking conscience would’ve done what I did,” I ground out.

Lies.

The truth was, no one would’ve went to the extreme I did, another man, would’ve made sure she was safe and left well enough alone. Maybe he would’ve roughed the son of a bitch up but he wouldn’t have crushed his skull against the ground. Only one other man would’ve done the same as me and I was looking at him.

She was his before she was mine.

“Something came to light,” Jack said finally, scratching the scruff lining his jaw.

I knew the facial expression he was sporting, and I knew it well. He was contemplating his words, choosing wisely and feeding off my expression to see which way he goes.

Don’t let the mental shit fool you.

Jack Parrish knows how to play you.

He’s smart and calculates his every move, backing you into a corner when he’s got something over you.

“Yeah, what’s that?”

Let’s play.

I’ve got nothing left to lose.

“The lawyer says if he lives the sentence will be five years max with your record but with Lacey’s testimony he can probably get you three. So, I sent Riggs down to the hospital to check on the status of the prick,” he stared, rolling his neck from side to side.

“Lacey’s testimony? Get the f*ck out of here, leave her alone,” I clipped.

He narrowed his eyes as he cupped the back of his neck and peered at me.

“I need to get you the f*ck out of here. I got my hands full and don’t need you sitting here on a f*cking vacation. Wu is going to make a move any day now. She’s got no f*cking problem testifying and if it helps your case then what the f*ck is the problem?” he sneered.

“I don’t know, Jack, she’s your daughter. You want her reliving that night? I don’t,” I growled.

Careful, man, you look like you give a f*ck.

“Look, I don’t want her involved in this shit or anyone else for that matter. Let it be, man,’ I ordered. “Whatever I get, I get, whatever happens…I’m good,” I added.

“Sounds like you’re giving up,” he said, his jaw clenching with every word he spoke.

“Maybe I am,” I said. “Maybe it’s f*cking time. How long am I going to do this shit for? I can’t keep cheating my fate,” I admitted. The truth was I didn’t care about doing the time. It put space between me and Lace, gave her a chance to go on and live her life the way she was meant to. By the time I was finished with my sentence she’d move on, maybe get married, or even start a family. If I’m out that’s not going to happen.