Reign (Sin City Outlaws #1)(74)

***

Waking up this morning, Zeek was gone. My neck itches and is irritating me. The smell of bleach is still lingering, but not nearly as strong. Kicking the blankets off me, I head into the kitchen, looking at where it all happened. You can’t even tell there was a body in here. That a pool of blood was congealing right next to my fridge. Images of blood-stained hands and Zeek f*cking me wobble into my vision.

I clench my eyes shut, willing it all to go away.

I need to work.

I need to get out of here.

I get dressed and head in.

Walking into the department, I find my father’s office.

I begin to sweat, scared he can see the unlawful things I’ve been a part of over the last few days.

“Deputy Adams, what are you doing in?”

“I need to work. I can’t stay at home, sir,” I respond formally. I’m not telling him exactly why, though.

“No, I said to take the week off. I meant it.”

“I’m better. I need to be back at what I do best.”

He lifts his head, his shoulders rising with a large breath.

“I get it, the restlessness. I’ll tell you what. You can work, but I’m going with you today. I want to make sure you’re fully capable of fulfilling your duties. If I see otherwise, we will return back here, and you will take the week off. Understood?”

“Yes, sir.” I want to roll my eyes, but don’t. It’s better than nothing.

“Good. I’m driving.”

***

As the day goes by, we get an attempted suicide call, a break-in, and a domestic dispute. I got to use my Taser at the domestic dispute, so that was the highlight of my day. Some cracked-out man was getting rough with his wife, and when we interfered he attacked a fellow officer. I reacted accordingly.

“You ready for some dinner?” Lieutenant Oaks asks.

“Yeah, I could eat.”

My phone chimes, catching my attention as we get out of the car at a Chipotle.

You good? - Z

I ignore his text, because I know he doesn’t want me at work. Not because he’s being a controlling *, because he is, but because he’s worried about me.

“All right, old man. If we eat here, you lay off the hot sauce.” I muster a smile.

When Lieutenant Oaks doesn’t respond, I look over at him, finding him frowning at his phone.

“Dad?” His head snaps my way.

“Yeah, sounds good. Let’s eat.”

I tilt my head to the side, concerned. He seems off.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” He masks a smile, but I can tell it’s fake. “After this, let’s head back to the department.”

“Why?” I’ve done awesome today; there’s no reason I can’t work.

“Because I said so!” he yells, and I blanch in response. What the hell? “Look, I just need to get some paperwork done. After this, we’ll head back.”

“Fine,” I respond tight-lipped. This is bullshit.

“What happened to your neck?” he asks casually.

Touching the cut, my cheeks redden.

“Jinx scratched me.”





ZEEK


After taking a shower at the club, then changing into my last clean pair of clothes, I grab my keys to head back to my place. I need more clothes, maybe grab something to eat.

Before I can make it out of my room, the door bursts open and Felix flies in.

“Uncle Frank knows!”

“Knows what?” There could be a dozen things he found out; I keep a lot of shit from him.

“One of the prospects said he ordered your men to kill a deputy. Who else could it be?”

“What!” All the blood in my body floods to my feet.

“That Gentry f*cker must have sent those pictures to him, or called him. Something.”

I rub at the back of my neck, sweat building quickly on my forehead.

“Fuck.”

“He’s going to kill her, then you!”

“He won’t, Cross will. Where’s Cross?” If he’s with Uncle, then I know Jillian is safe.

“Um, with your uncle last time I saw him.”

“I’m going to go pay him a visit. See how much he knows.”

“That would be stupid. You need to run, Zevin!”

“Fuck that, I don’t run.” I slam my fist against my chest. If anyone’s running, it’s Frank. “This is my club, not his, and I’m about to f*cking take it back.”

He scoffs. “You didn’t used to run, before you broke your brotherhood, you mean. You don’t run now, you’re committing suicide.”

“If I run, they’ll kill Jillian.”

“Oh, Jesus Christ. Who cares?”

“I care!” I get in his face, my chest puffing out in anger. I get he doesn’t understand Jillian and me—hell, I don’t understand it. But he better watch his f*cking tone when it concerns her, and real f*cking quick.

Looking down I see my rosary beads sitting in an open drawer. Stepping around Felix, I grab them. If I ever needed answers, needed a higher power, it’s now. If Uncle knows about me and her, we’ll both need a miracle to survive.

Placing them around my neck, they feel cold and foreign against my skin, but calm my racing heart.