Sarcastically he says, “You just came by to drop off the world's worst fucking news?”

“I came to tell you, I'm gonna get Jovi back and-”

“How?” Nadie questions.

“I have an idea-”

“No,” her father denies me. “I don't want any help from you. You got her into this mess. It's your fault she's taken! It's your fault she's not here!”

“I know that sir,” I reply. “And that's why I'm going to get her back.”

“I'm not doing anything illegal-”

Quickly I inform him, “I'm not going to ask you to.”

He opens his mouth, but I cut him off.

“I'm asking you to wait to arrest me until I've brought her home safe,” my pleading seems to take him off guard by the way he stumbles backwards. “Once she's back in your arms, fine. Take me to jail. Throw me in prison. I'm not gonna fight. I'm not gonna run. I'll tell you everything you need to know about me and what I've done. I'm willing to sell out The Devil and his law enforcement associates.”

Nadie whispers, “How?” I glance her direction. “How are you gonna bring Jovi home?”

I shrug. “I have an idea, but no one wants to hear me out.”

“Talk.” The commissioner says surprising the shit out of me.

Here's the shot I was hoping he would give me. Here's to hoping I don't fucking blow it.

“Tell me what you plan to do.”

“I plan to break into the impound and take the car.”

I didn't say it was the best plan...

“That's it?” He looks unimpressed. “That's all you got?”

“Well-”

“That's incredibly stupid. Do you have any idea how long it would take you to get caught?”

In a low mumble I confess, “If I could use the cops on The Devil's payroll it would go a lot smoother...”

“You've mentioned that more than once about his reach. I know he has it. I know not all of my men are clean, but how many?” The question lifts my fallen face. “How many cops are on his pay roll?”

Unsure of how to answer without being completely honest I shrug. “A lot.”

“Do you know them by name?”

“Some. Most of the dirtier ones.”

Madden associates with them. He thinks I don't hear, but I do. I've kept an ear to the ground. I've retained more information than I probably should've, but what's done is done. Maybe something good can come from it? Reduced sentence maybe? Don't laugh. I need the least amount of time away from Jovi possible.

“I can't go to them for help on breaking in because The Devil specifically said no cops.”

“Yet you're here,” he points out matter of factly. “Do you ever listen?”

“When it matters,” I snap back.

The attitude causes him to glare.

Right. Future father in law and the man who can haul me away to prison. Mind my tongue. Yup...

“You're the last person he would expect me to contact. Which to me makes you perfect. I didn't come here just looking for help, but won't leave without asking for it.”

He wets his lips. “I'm listening.”

“I wanna break into the precinct without breaking in.”

“Like an undercover op?”

“Right, except no back up from your end. At least where anyone can see. It all has to look real. If we raise any suspicions that this is phony, The Devil will hear about it and I can't promise Jovi home safely.”

“And that's what we want,” Nadie pipes in. “Jo' home safely.”

“I want the man who took her.” He adds coldly. “If I let the police handle this-”

“You'll never find him.” Fiddling with my thumbs I continue. “You think it's a coincidence, they have nothing to report? You think it's chance that they aren't beating down your door with leads? That there's no trail or sign?” His body clenches again this time swallowing hard. “No. You know nothing because the men you trust are being paid to keep their mouths closed and look the wrong way.”

In a whisper he says, “You're telling me I can't trust my own men, but have to trust you?”

“If you wanna help me bring Jovi home, yes sir, that's exactly what I'm telling you.”

The Commissioner unexpectedly sits down beside me.

Don't worry I know how to bob and weave, though I don't know how well that's gonna work out for me. You saw how quick he was earlier.

“Okay,” he sighs deeply. “What do you need from me?”

“Whatever was taken from the vehicle, put back.”

“We didn't remove anything,” he assures me. “It's being transported to be stripped and searched thoroughly. I didn't trust my men to do it for this very reason. Called in a favor. It's leaving Saturday.”

“Perfect. I just need a few well-placed opportunities and your word that you won't arrest me until this whole thing is over.”

Slowly he nods before he looks at Nadie who is on his other side. “Can you make us some coffee? I have a feeling the night is about to get a little longer.”

“Sure,” she softly replies.

Once it's just the two of us he scoots closer and lowers his voice to a threatening level, “You are going to do everything it takes to bring my daughter home or I will not hesitate to shoot you and then arrest myself for it. Are we clear?”

“Crystal...”

Terrifyingly, crystal clear.

“Good,” he whispers again. “I don't like you McCoy. I don't like your family. I don't like what you represent. I don't like what the fuck you've done to my city, but most importantly I don't like what you've done to my daughter. So, I'm gonna give you one fucking shot to make this right. All of it. But that's all you get. Just one.”

“One is all I need Commissioner.”

Believe me. I promise to keep my fucking word on that. I'm bringing Jovi home or I'll die trying. Have some faith in me. It might help him have a little more.

Merrick

Strolling through the front door I'm immediately assaulted by Madden who wraps his hand tightly around my already bruised neck.

Fuck. I was hoping for a gut punch. Hell, even one to the eye. At this rate I'll have suffered brain damage from lack of oxygen before this plan gets under way.

The second my head hits the back of the door, he barks, “Are you fucking kidding me! I told you to stay home!”

While I wish I could answer, I can't. His grip around my vocal chords isn't working in my favor.

“Where the fuck have you been?! How the fuck could you leave your phone at home!” I watch as the emotions cycle through his eyes.

I hate seeing him like this. I do. I really do, but you saw him. He wasn't trying to hear me out. None of them were.

“Maybe if you let him breathe he can answer,” Daniel calls from somewhere in the background.

“Shut the fuck up,” he bites over his shoulder.  “You're in so much shit! You were supposed to watch him!”

Daniel tries, “I-”

“As far as I'm concerned everyone is responsible for him leaving!”

Drew attempts to object, “But I-”

“No!” He shouts and lets the grip on my neck go.

After a short pause he pulls back his fist and punches the door with enough force to create a very distinct crater next to my face.

Fuck that was close.

“Feel better?” Knox mocks from the kitchen counter top where she's sitting. “Now we have a door to repair.”

“Keep laughing,” he snaps at her. “It wouldn't be a joking matter if this was your family.”

“This is my family!” Knox shouts. “How fucking dare you Madden! These are my brothers just as much as they're yours! I cook for them! I clean! I help make sure they've taken their shots! Go to the fucking dentist! I'm a part of this family just as much as you are, so the next time you fucking try to pull that card make sure shove it back up your ass instead.”

Whoa...

Madden clenches his fist yet doesn't respond. Quickly he looks back at me, “Where the fuck have you been?”

“I...I...” the words seem to stick in my throat.