Page 15 of The Innocent

Jekyll gave a curt nod, turning toward the brother. “Yeah.”

He started toward the side of the house.

“Jek. Need a minute.”

Jekyll stopped, eyeing the brother who glanced around the empty yard. He’d been close with all the members, but some tended to be tighter than others. Years ago, that hadn’t been the case for him and Cypher. It had changed when they’d rescued Cleo, brought her back to the clubhouse, and were sworn to secrecy with Knox. It bonded the men in a way outside of the club.

“Didn’t want to bring this up at the house since you asked to keep it between us.” Cypher dragged his hand down his mouth. “Been watching your librarian like you asked.” His lips twitched. “Imogene.”

Jekyll always had a physical reaction when he heard her name. When he balled his fists, the cuts on his knuckles burned, but he steeled his reaction. He trained his mind to not think of her. But every once in a while she crept in.

He lifted his chin for Cypher to go on.

“You know I got that associate in the prison making sure to keep tabs on her.”

His back straightened, and he gave a curt nod. He’d already established protection for her on the inside. But he’d privately asked for Cypher to reach out to a guard on their payroll. It was an extra layer of security for her. But Jekyll gave Cypher strict instructions. He didn’t want any updates unless something happened. He clenched his jaw, stepping closer to his brother.

“Something happen?”

“She left.” Cypher stared back at him.

What? He furrowed his brows.

“Figured you’d want to know, if by chance you were paying for her protection on the inside.” He arched his brow. “The guard assumed you did ’cause he said no one’s messed with her.”

Jekyll steeled his features. He hadn’t paid anyone to keep her safe while she’d remained at the prison. He didn’t have to. One simple threat spread far and wide. If you come for mine, I’m going to come for yours. It was enough to strike fear in most inmates. It was all about personal survival behind the metal bars. But everyone had someone on the outside. Vulnerable and unprotected. With Jekyll’s reputation, very few would dare to take a chance. And for those that did, they were made an example of.

But Jekyll had taken an extra measure and made a deal with one of the most dangerous inmates, Morty. In exchange for shielding Imogene on the inside, he’d watch over the inmate’s mother if she needed something. So far she’d only called twice. Once to threaten her landscaper for not edging the property and charging her. And the other to have a talk with a neighbor who wasn’t abiding by the noise ordinance. Both problems had been resolved instantly.

Cypher moved closer, lowering his voice.

“She’s not volunteering anymore as of a couple months ago.”

Good. The last place she needed to be was surrounded by dangerous criminals. But her sudden departure had him on edge.

“He know why?”

Cypher shook his head. “No. He didn’t have much direct contact with her. Just said she finished out the class and never came back. He asked around, but all he got was that she quit. He hadn’t heard of any incidents involving her.”

“Alright.” He stepped back but halted when Cypher lifted his hand.

“Did some digging when I got the info. You follow her dad’s case? His retrial?”

Jekyll shook his head. He’d tried to put distance between himself and the thought of her. He’d trusted Cypher to bring anything of concern to him. On one or two occasions, he asked without being prompted. This woman had managed to do the impossible. She’d gotten under his skin. But Jekyll had clear boundaries for himself when it came to Imogene.

Once he’d gotten back from prison, he’d been debriefed on everything they’d found on her. Personally, there wasn’t much except for her father. He’d been convicted of murder and sentenced to life without parole. Then he’d been granted a new trial.

“He’s dead. Got stabbed to death while in lockup.”

It wasn’t unheard of. In fact, it was more common than most people realized.

“When?”

“About four months ago.”

Jekyll may not have followed the case, but he had looked into it once he was released. Cypher had done the majority of the research. A lot of court paperwork and files. Anything they could get their hands on. While there were a few discrepancies, his guilt was laid out in detail.

“When did she leave?”