lawyer worked it out. Iâm outta here as soon as these dumb-ass turnkeys figure out the paperwork.â
âThatâs right,â Tia said in a tone she knew lacked conviction. âYour case is settled, so we can talk. Now, I said, sit your ass down.â
Kane looked down from his towering vantage point and took her all in. Tia was pretty sure that included her heart slamming against her sternum. Her knees went weak as Kane licked his lips. He grabbed at the leash and tugged to get some slack, then moved over to the wooden chair on his side of the table, pulling his guard along. He flipped the chair around backward, threw a leg over, and lowered himself onto the seat, never taking his eyes off Tia. The cracking sound of the wood as it took his weight echoed off the close walls, but somehow the chair remained in one piece. Kane leaned forward so the chair back covered his chest like a breastplate, his arms and cuffed hands hanging over the top.
It had been dark during their first encounter and she hadnât seen the details of his prison ink. The shamrock of the Aryan Brotherhood stood out on one fully tattooed forearm, and the words âTrust No Bitchâ were stenciled in green on the other. Once again he flashed that shit-eating grin.
âFine. Iâll sit here with ya. Donât mind me if I gawk a bit. Still got a couple more lonely nights to get through before I walk outta here.â He made it obvious he was running his eyes over her body. âThis is gonna help.â
Tia dropped into her chair and returned his stare. Somehow she managed to calm her nerves enough to hold his gaze and speak in a steady voice. âI got a deal for you, Kane. It might even be better than the one you mustâve made with the prosecutor.â
âIs that right?â Kane leaned in close, his face less than two feet from hers, his breath smelling of jail food and pruno. A thousand beads of sweat glistened off his enormous head, where Tia could also see the red stubble of four daysâ growth. âWell, the part of me that ainât dreaming about ass fuckinâ you right now is all ears. So let me hear it.â
âThe girl. Tell me where I can find her. Iâll go pick her up. Then, you walk out of here in a few days and never have to deal with me again.â
Kane stared ahead, the grin still plastered on his face. With just the slightest movement of his head, he turned his eyes to the corner of the ceiling. âIâve already been over that with the lawyers. I donât know what girl youâre talking about.â
âForget the camera. Just listen. You make it happen and I leave you alone. Otherwise, Iâll be in your shit from now until the time I lock you away. And thatâll be for a lot more than ten days.â
He looked at the tabletop and laughed under his breath for several seconds.
âYouâre Suarez, right?â Kane sat back, shifted his manacled hands into his lap, and gave his crotch a long rub. âThatâs bold talk for a split-tail cop. Especially one whoâs been through as much bullshit as you have.â
Tia stuck to her guns. âLike I said, Kane. Produce the girl and you walk away. Otherwise, weâre just getting started.â
âFine by me. Like I said, we got unfinished business. I oughta be out in two days. You be sure to come find me.â
Fear gave way to anger and Tia let it fuel her. âIt wonât go like that, Kane. First thing Iâm going to do is plant a few seeds of doubt out there in Aryan Nation. Get your ass-bag associates to wondering just how it is you cut yourself such a good deal.â
For the first time a look of uncertainty crossed Kaneâs face and his smile faltered. Tia let it sink in.
âFact is, Iâve been wondering that myself. You attack a cop, you got a pretty good rap sheet with a prison prior, and you walk with a misdemeanor? Makes me wonder what you gave up for
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