Perhaps the daughter in me prefers to believe the blackmail avenue because it’s easier than accepting my father as a man who would break the law, rather than simply manipulating it within its legal liability.
But it doesn’t matter who’s behind Logan trying to get me “under control.”
I will not allow Waters, a man connected to murder, drugs, weapons trafficking, rape, as well as sex slaves, to walk free. There is no way I’ll let the witnesses who have died trying to make it to Waters’ trial, die for nothing.
I’d said as much to Logan. I’d refused to drop the case.
Again.
And with that refusal, I’d left Logan at the table, but I’d spied a suspicious man at the front door. A man I knew from a video Walker Security had shown me. This man had visited my father, perhaps blackmailed him, I can’t be sure. Whatever the case, he was someone I knew to fear. But Adam had been there, in disguise, one of Walker’s men, protecting me. He’d headed for the man. I’d gone in the other direction.
I’d hurried to the bathroom, giving Walker security a chance to clear my path. I’d thought I was being smart. Until Logan had entered the single-stall bathroom behind me, locked the door, and now we’re in that moment.
Chapter Three
PRI
It’s as if time is standing still.
Logan charges toward me, rage in his face. The small single-user bathroom shrinks even smaller and I try to back-up, to put space between me and him, but I’m already against the wall. Adrenaline surges through me, and it’s not my friend either. It’s acid burning through logical thought and creating unsteadiness in the hand that now grips my gun inside my purse. I don’t want to pull my weapon. I know my training. You never pull unless you intend to shoot.
I don’t want to shoot.
But as an Assistant DA fighting crime in my own way, and the daughter of a father who defends criminals, I have trained and prepared myself for it, if I have to.
“Stop!” I shout at Logan, holding out my free hand for emphasis. “Stop now.”
It’s too late. He’s in front of me, grabbing my hair, yanking me to him. I gasp, shocked by the bite of his hand and the bite of his action. I shouldn’t be. He’s never been gentle. In fact, he’s been far from gentle, a truth that was one of the many reasons we broke up.
“You fool,” he growls, his face so close that I can feel his hot breath on my cheek. “You don’t fuck with Waters. You’re going to get us all killed. Where is Adrian Mack?”
“Let go of me, Logan,” I order, my voice strong, forceful even. I’m afraid, yes. I am. But I’m also the woman willing to look the King Devil in the eye and tell him I want him to rot in jail. I will not cower. “Let go now.”
He yanks harder on my hair and I slap his face hard and fast. He grabs my wrist, and in that moment, I’m thankful I have never let go of my weapon. But still, I don’t pull it. I resist, but just barely. “Where the fuck is Adrian Mack?” he demands.
“I don’t know,” I snap.
“Bullshit. You know. You’re fucking him, which is insanity. He’s the reason you’re going to get your parents killed.”
“I do believe that honor is yours, Logan,” I snap. “You’re the one involved with Waters.”
“You’re the one trying to put him in jail.”
“He is in jail,” I remind him. “Where I’m starting to believe you belong.”
His eyes burn with anger anew, his energy knifing me with its intensity. “If you want your parents to live,” he replies, his voice low, lethal now, “tell me where he is.”
“Is that a threat?” I challenge, and with that challenge, I’m buying time, praying someone comes for me. They will. Walker will come. I just don’t know if they can get inside the bathroom. And Lord, please do not let Adrian come rushing after me, not when Waters is behind the warrant for his arrest. Waters wants him to be arrested, in jail, where he can have him murdered.
“It’s not a threat,” Logan snaps. “It’s the cold, hard reality of playing in the wrong playground, sweetheart. I tried to get you out before it came to this, but you just wouldn’t listen.”
A new rush of adrenaline hits me with a strong dose of fear and not for myself. “Where are my parents?” I demand.
“Waiting for me to call and put their minds at ease. Drop the case. Hand over Adrian Mack.”
I force myself to be logical again, to remember that Walker Security is watching over my parents even if they don’t know it. Walker will protect them. “Adrian Mack trusts no one, which seems to be a smart decision,” I say. “I don’t know where Adrian is and even if I dropped the case, the DA is ready to proceed without me. Now let go of me.”