Starting to stretch outside the courthouse steps, I say, “In position,” before jogging on the spot.
“In position,” Ty’s voice murmurs.
We all look like normal people—part of the plan—as we wait for Aaron to appear. My gaze is half on the doors and half on everyone else around us.
I half wish Evan would have told me more about what had been happening with Aaron, but I understand wanting to keep part of it between only him and Lexi. I get not wanting the rest of the team to know everything going on.
If they only knew what I was doing when I wasn’t on the compound. I have no doubt not one of them would understand why I was helping an underage girl. I don’t get it either. I could have easily handed her over to the authorities, but just the thought of doing that has my stomach churning and my hands clenching.
Shaking the thoughts from my head, I try to think about this case and what I do know off the top of my head. Darrell has disappeared again, only this time he’s going after Daley. Ty said Kay has gotten a message to him through Corey so he knows what’s going on.
As soon as the doors open a
nd Aaron appears, I say, “Got eyes,” while keeping my focus on the person who orchestrated all of this. Yet another man who thought he could control a young woman and punish her in a way he never should have even entertained.
Evan jumps out the back of the van and toward the steps and I follow him but keep my distance, letting him know I’m here if he needs me but allowing him to take the lead.
“Hey, asshole,” Evan growls.
Aaron startles for a second but quickly covers up his shock and smirks.
“If it isn’t the slut’s boyfriend.” He looks around, and seeing no one else—completely passing over me—he thinks he’s safe. “What do you want, huh? You’re in my territory, I can get you arrested for harassment and put in a hole just like your little girlfriend.”
My own hands clench at his words so I can only imagine how Evan feels right now. I watch as Evan tilts his head to the side. “You can try.” He shrugs. “But you won’t succeed.” Evan steps forward and his gaze catches mine briefly. “I, however, will succeed, because it’ll be your ass in prison rotting away.”
Aaron laughs before shaking his head and storming past Evan. “Good luck with that.”
“Darrell won’t get you out of this one,” Evan sings. “He’s dropped you now that you’ve served your purpose. He’s done what he does best… disappeared.”
He freezes before he turns his head and faces Evan. He tries to cover up the fear in his eyes, but everyone can see it clearly: he’s scared.
“I’m guessing you’ve tried to contact him but have been unsuccessful?”
“I don’t know what—”
Evan takes two steps toward him leaving only a few feet of space between them, his expression changing from calm to angry in the space of a second. “You think it’s acceptable to put a fifteen-year-old girl behind bars? For trying her as an adult when you know you shouldn’t have? She was your family. You should have helped, not made it worse.” He looks him up and down. “You’re a slimy piece of shit who used her situation to get your hands on money to keep up your habit.”
“What are—”
“I know every single thing there is to know about you, Aaron Derek Deacon.” Evan pauses. “Every. Single. Thing.” Aaron pales before his hand wanders to his pocket. “Now, now,” Evan tuts. “You don’t want to be getting rid of that coke that’s sitting in your pocket.” He shakes his head. “That’s an added bonus for when you get arrested.”
Aaron looks around us, most probably searching for officers, and after a beat he stands up straighter. “You don’t have shit on me.” He twirls around. “Tell Alexis I said hi.”
I’m waiting for the signal to bring this motherfucker down—to get another evil man off the streets where he can’t harm another person.
Evan gives me the nod once he’s three steps away and I lunge for him.
Wrapping my hand around his arm, I whisper, “You should fear where you’re about to go. I hear they don’t take kindly to men who hurt little girls.” He pales as I slap cuffs on him and my lips spread into a grin. One down, two to go.
I walk him down to the SUV waiting at the curb to take him away where he belongs.
Slamming the door closed behind him before I step back, I then plant my hands on my hips. Blowing out a deep breath, I search the area and find Dean pacing back and forth with his cell pressed against his ear. He thinks no one is watching him, but what he doesn’t realize is he’s got a device that is recording every single thing he’s saying in his ear.
My lips lift into an even bigger grin when my gaze meets Ty’s, and I tilt my head toward Dean before pointing at my ear to silently tell him what I’m thinking.
His answering grin and nod tell me he’s got what I’m saying. I jog back to my SUV instead of waiting around, and as soon as I start the engine, I pull away from the curb and speed back to the compound. I need to be at the bar as soon as possible.
LILY