Page 44 of Damon

“Start talking,” barked the other guy, Officer West. He was taller than Jennings, his build thinner, his eyes angrier.

Not at all intimidated by either of them, I rolled my eyes. “I’ve been talking this entire time. The problem is that you’re not listening. I told you how it happened. I went looking for a washroom. I mistakenly entered a bedroom. The groom burst in behind me waving a gun around, shouting at me about robbing him. I thought he was going to shoot me so I went for the gun, hoping to disarm him. The gun went off. He fell. I panicked and I ran. I know I shouldn’t have done that.”

“And you were alone?” Jennings narrowed his eyes.

“Yes. I never meant for anyone to get hurt. I was simply trying to defend myself. Pretty sure the guy was drunk and not thinking straight.” This was the story I’d been telling them for at least two hours, possibly longer. I didn’t want them to know about Athena. If they knew she’d been present, they would drag her in for questioning.

West leaned forward in his seat, propping both elbows on the table. “The man you shot is currently in surgery. You better damn well hope he pulls through. We need the other side of the story here.”

If that motherfucker survived, he would definitely tell them Athena had been with me. There was no way of proving anything. It was my word against his.

“The gun belonged to him,” I reminded them.

“We’re aware of that. That’s why we’re doing an investigation. While it may have very well been an unfortunate mistake that got out of hand, it’s our job to figure out exactly what happened. Unless there’s anything else you would like to share, we’ll be moving you to the remand center while we wait for him to come out of surgery and wake up.”

The fucking remand center? That was the last place I wanted to go. Not quite a jail nor a prison, it was a holding facility for those awaiting trial or transfer. The place had a reputation for being dangerous as hell. Inmates had no problem turning on one another and causing all kinds of chaos.

“Is that really necessary? Why can’t I post bail?” I looked from one cop to the other, knowing I wouldn’t get the response I wanted.

“You’ll have a bail hearing,” Jennings said. “If the groom wakes up after surgery and corroborates your story, you won’t be there long. Maybe you’ll even get out before the bail hearing. If I were you, I would cross my fingers and pray he tells the same story as you.”

He most definitely would not tell the same story as me. My leg bounced beneath the table, my entire body vibrating with barely restrained rage. All I wanted was to get the hell out of here and get back to Athena. To make sure she was all right. Apparently, that wasn’t going to happen any time soon.

When it became clear to them that I wasn’t going to change my story or sell myself out, they put me back in handcuffs and drove my ass to the remand center. Time seemed to crawl as they got me situated in the facility. By the time I was taken to a cell it was nearing sunrise.

The cells were laid out in rows that wound about in a large circle. Three different levels all overlooking a common area filled with tables. At this time of night the common area was empty. Everyone locked up in their tiny rooms.

After being issued a set of standard orange prison scrubs to wear along with plain slip on shoes, I was escorted into a white room with single sized bunk beds, a toilet, and a tiny sink. A thin strip of window next to each bunk made a pathetic effort at making the space feel better.

I glanced around the pitiful space. “Not even a TV, huh?”

The guard escorting me barely grunted a response before closing and locking the door. Well, at least I didn’t have a roommate. Yet.

Flopping down on the bottom bunk, I frowned in response to the thin mattress. I hated not being able to reach out to Athena or Noah. Most bail hearings took place within twenty-four hours of an arrest. Hopefully, I wouldn’t be here too long.

At some point, I began to doze off. It had been a long night. I was startled awake when a guard slammed open my door.

“Breakfast is being served in the common area.” The guard spoke as if he would have rather been anywhere else in the world. “Take it or leave it.”

My stomach rumbled at the thought of food. It had been quite some time since I’d eaten. Rolling off my bunk, I took a piss and washed my hands before heading out through the open door. A hygiene kit sat next to the sink. I would brush my teeth after I dealt with my angry stomach.

Several other cell doors stood open while many remained closed. Not everyone was free to wander around here. I’d heard from guys who had been in this place that treatment was often based on what kind of security risk they thought you were. I guess being allowed to eat breakfast in the common area meant I wasn’t seen as a threat. Their mistake.

I descended the stairs from the second floor where my cell was located to the common area below. Several inmates were already gathered at tables stuffing their faces. I joined a few others waiting in line for a tray. We were given oatmeal, toast, and eggs along with the option of milk, juice, or coffee. I needed the coffee.

Finding an empty table, I chose to sit by myself. I wasn’t here to make friends. My focus was on passing the time until my bail hearing when I could get the fuck out of here. Maybe I should’ve been afraid. Maybe I should have been asking myself if it was time to make a change with my lifestyle.

However, I wasn’t afraid. I enjoyed my lifestyle. There was some fun to be had in the risks I took. I wasn’t sure what that said about me still having that mindset while I sat here in lock up waiting to learn my fate.

I was halfway through my breakfast when a heavy hand fell upon my shoulder. “Well, if it isn’t Damon Price. Funny seeing you here.”

I turned around to find two guys standing behind me, one of which I vaguely recognized. Racking my brain, I did my best to place him. Where the hell did I know him from?

Oh right. Last year I’d taken a job from a woman who wanted me to rough up her ex who just happened to be this guy’s brother. River and I had kidnapped the guy off the street. Beat the shit out of him before leaving him blindfolded, gagged, and bound on the side of the road outside town.

It wasn’t as if we killed him. Although the nasty expression his brother wore told me that I might as well have.

“Do I know you?” I asked, bracing myself for the confrontation I felt coming.