Order (Tattoos and Ties 2)

“I’m going to do what it takes to keep you out of prison…”

“No!” Key pounded the now empty bottle down on the counter, the dark expression back on his face. Key vigorously shook his head. “While I was sittin’ in that cell, I thought about it. There’s shit I don’t know goin’ on. There was no reason for him to spring free from jail like he did or act like he did to me. He was a cocky motherfucker and nobody acts like that unless they think they’re above the law. That means I’m goin’ to jail, for fuckin’ sure.” There was pain on his brilliantly reasonable man’s face. How had he nailed it so completely?

“Key—” Alec said and stopped short. Again, much like he’d done several times throughout the day, Alec laid the blame squarely on his own shoulders. Had he not kept this information quiet, had he warned Key of the possibility, they wouldn’t be in this situation today. Alec had stayed in the district attorney’s office to protect Key, and when it came down to it, he had failed the only man he’d ever loved. It physically hurt him to think of letting Key down so monumentally.

“No, Alec, listen to me. I thought about breakin’ it off with you, actin’ like this time didn’t truly matter, but it just does, and I can’t fuckin’ hurt you. It’s like I physically can’t cause you pain, so I’m not gonna pretend differently. You work your angles and do whatever you think’s best. You pay that attorney whatever you pay, but in the end, when I’m sittin’ in the pen, you gotta get over it and move on. Don’t wait for me—one day’s too long. You take care of Nash and you go find someone like that attorney today. You two look right together.” Again, pain crossed Key’s handsome face, his fingers curled into fists, and Alec swore he saw a well of tears forming in this generous man’s eyes. He could see Key willing himself to be okay with everything he’d just insisted on. The battle was real and didn’t seem to be working as raw anguish radiated off Key and he started to rise off the stool.

“Stop. Stay here. You’re right on everything…” Alec felt just as out of control as Key, and his anxiety spiked as he pushed the files closer to Key. “You’re right about it all, except how this is going to end between us.”

Key needed to know this information, and no matter what, Alec would fight for them. Determination straightened his spine. He’d make the justice system work in his and Key’s favor. He’d throw every single dime he had at keeping Key from being locked away. His gaze lifted to catch Key’s as he reached over, opening Donald Cummings’s file.

“So there is more, isn’t there?” Key asked, his arms tightening against his chest, his big biceps bulging as he settled back in his seat.

“Yes,” Alec answered with a single confirming nod. “You now know I’ve worked the case against Donald Cummings. I’ve told you bits and pieces, but not everything, not by a long shot. Those files hold the rest of the information.”

“Tell me what it says. Hit the highlights,” Key said, nodding toward the paperwork.

Alec took a deep breath to organize his thoughts then stared Key straight in the eyes as he spoke. “I’ve never lied to you about my knowledge of the DA’s intent against your club. I didn’t know why or what she’s doing, but I found Donald Cummings when I entered CPS. At the time, all I knew were the problems between him and his daughter. For some reason, Donald’s daughter reminded me of you.”

“I didn’t fuckin’ know the guy.”

Alec lifted a hand, silencing Key. “I would have resigned from the DA’s office in July had I not been given this police report.” He rifled through the pages until he found that initial report and handed it to Key. While he read, Alec spread the rest of its contents out, including pictures of Donald, his wife, and Key’s father.

“Yeah, I know. I remembered seein’ him with my old man. That’s why I went,” Key said, pushing the page to the side of the others.

“At the time, this police report hadn’t been found by Twiford. Janice, my friend, stumbled upon it by accident on the day I drove past your shop, the day I won my argument to keep him behind bars after his probation violation. I had planned to quit that day, but this report stopped me, and it stopped me because of you.” Alec crossed his arms over his chest, mimicking Key’s stance, watching the confusion cross Key’s brow.

“Why me?”

“Because when that information was found, Cummings would become the DA’s missing link. She’s been working to end your club. If she found a way to grant immunity to a member or a prospect of the Disciples of Havoc, she could finally have her break inside the impenetrable walls you guys surround yourselves with.” Alec’s nervous energy came back to the surface as understanding replaced the confusion in Key’s gaze. Key dropped his arms to the edge of the counter and leaned forward, staring straight at Alec.