Claiming Menace (Ruthless Sinners MC 5)

“I might’ve caught a few minutes of it.”

“Okay, okay, okay,” she rambled off like she was about to pop. “What about the one they did on ancient aliens?”

“Ah, hell. You believe in aliens too?”

Her smile faded and was replaced with a look of embarrassment. “I don’t know. I just think the universe is awfully big for us to be the only ones living in it.”

“I’ve always thought the same thing.”

“Really?”

“Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t think there are little green body snatchers running around out there just waiting to take us over, but hell, ya never really know.”

“No, we don’t.” Parker inhaled a deep breath, then looked over to me with worry in her eyes. “Can I ask you something?”

I nodded, then listened as she asked, “Do you really think Billy can pull this off?”

“We wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”

“I never thought I’d find a way out of this whole mess.” She reached over and placed her hand on mine. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t come along and offered to help me.”

I gave her hand a squeeze. “You’re a smart girl. You would’ve figured something out.”

Parker

“Has Billy said anything else?”

“About what?”

“About me?” I whispered.

Billy wasn’t much of a talker—unless it had something to do with his plan to free me from being discovered by Rossi. I still didn’t know exactly what he intended to do. Neither he nor Menace had let me in on any of the details, but there was one thing I knew for certain—they were both obsessed with making sure they had every detail of my life and my death in order. They were both constantly asking strange questions, like what was my height or my weight, whether or not I had any birthmarks or had ever broken any bones. Menace walked over to the kitchen counter and poured himself a cup of coffee. “Nope.”

“Seriously? What’s taking him so long.”

“These things take time.”

“But we’ve been here for days.” I stepped over to him and eased up on my tiptoes as I whispered in his ear, “Have you been down to the basement yet?”

“No, and I don’t plan on going down there.” His eyes grew intense as he snapped, “He made it clear it’s off-limits.”

“But why is it off-limits?” I’d meant it when I told Menace that I felt like we’d stepped into that old Julia Roberts’ movie. I just kept waiting for Billy to lose his shit over the towels not being just so or from a random speck of dust. Thankfully, that hadn’t happened—mainly because we were doing everything we could to make sure it didn’t. “Do you think he has someone down there? Maybe a woman chained to the wall?”

“Parker,” he scolded.

“Oh, come on, grumpy pants. You know I’m just kidding.”

Before he could respond, Billy came into the room with a piece of paper in his hand and announced, “I found some information that might be of interest to you both.”

“What is it?”

“I know you were worried about not being able to testify, but I think I found something to ease your concern.”

“We’re listening.”

Billy nodded, then looked down at the paper in his hand as he read, “‘California Evidence Code Section 1291 states that former deposition testimony is admissible in the event the party against whom it is offered had the right and opportunity to cross-examine the declarant with an interest and motive similar to that which he has at the hearing.’ So, the district attorney can pull your prior testimony and use it to ensure that Rossi doesn’t get off.”

“That’s great, but do you really think my old testimony is going to be enough?”

“I would imagine so. It’s the law after all,” Billy replied. “But if it would make you feel better, you could always record yourself restating what occurred that night with your mother and sister.”

“Not a bad idea.”

“Good.” I could see the wheels turning in Billy’s head as he looked up at the ceiling and bit at his bottom lip. After several moments, he nodded and said, “Things are coming together.”

Without saying anything more, he turned and headed back into his office, closing the door behind him. A warm look crossed Menace’s face as he stepped over and placed his hand on my hip. Our eyes met as he whispered, “Good news.”

“Yes, very good news.”

I liked the feeling of having his hand on me. I liked it a lot, but even more so, the way he was looking at me. There was hunger in his eyes, a hunger much like my own. I could feel the need radiating from his body as he held my gaze. For a brief moment, I thought he was actually going to kiss me, but then he pulled his hand away from my hip and stepped over to the counter. Disappointment washed over me as I watched him reach for his cup of coffee. He casually brought it up to his lips and took a drink like the thought of kissing me had never even crossed his mind.