It's now or never. Remind me to duck.

Bracing myself for the next impact I confess, “I went to see The Commissioner.”

“What?” My family croaks at me.

“You really do just get dumber and dumber,” Hayli mutters from beside Drew.

Don't agree with her. I've got a good plan! I swear!

“You didn't.” Madden shakes his head. “You wouldn't. You're not that fucking stupid.”

“I'm not,” I stand up for myself. “But I went to see him. I needed him not only to know where Jovi is and the fact that I'm gonna bring her home safely, but his help in getting The Devil's Hot Tottie back.”

“No way he's gonna help. Daughter or not,” Hayli states. “That man lives and breathes the law. He bends for nothing.”

“He breaks for nothing,” I correct. “He'll bend for Jovi.”

Madden grouses, “I told you I would come up with a plan.”

“And you hadn't,” I announce moving past him towards Knox who is already fashioning an ice pack for me.

Best mom like figure ever.

“Besides Madden, I needed to fix this. I need to make this right. I got myself into this shit storm, I need to get myself out.”

He tries again, “But-”

“Shut up and listen.” My demand takes him off guard and I use the opportunity to continue, “After a long talk with The Commissioner, we agreed on some things that will help me grab the car and shut The Devil down, but we need all McCoys on deck for this one. I need you to trust that I can handle this Madden and follow my lead for once.”

Daniel folds his arms across his chest and nods his head at me. “We're in baby bro. Talk.”

“I'm gonna break into the precinct and then the impound lot. I'm gonna deliver his car and we're going to make a prisoner exchange for Jovi. There will be a tracking chip implanted in the car that will give the Commissioner our location when the time arrives. The bottom line of this mission is to get Jovi out of there no matter what.”

“You're our responsibility,” Drew tries to correct.

“No.” I place the cold compress on my bruises. “We're getting Jovi out and then yourselves, because when the cops arrive, they're taking me with them.”

Knox gasps. “You can't possibly be serious right now. They're gonna take you to prison for this.”

“Yeah.” I nod slowly adjusting the ice pack. “That's the plan.”

“No fucking way,” Madden argues. “No fucking way.”

Clearing my sore throat I sigh, “I already confessed everything to The Commissioner.”

“What?” They shout.

“I kept your names out of the loop, but yeah. Ghost is dead and Merrick McCoy is going to prison for a very long time.”

In a shaky voice Madden groans, “How could you do this?”

“It needed to be done,” I answer. “I'm done. I've been done. I need to make this right and wash my hands, Madden.”

“You're not going to fucking jail,” he assures me. “We may do this plan your way, with The Commissioner's off the record blessing, but you're not going to prison and that's the end of it.” I open my mouth when he lifts a hand. “Kill that and tell us what you need from who and when this all goes down.”

My eyes meet my brother's but I don't make further arguments.

It doesn't matter. The deal has been made. My freedom for Jovi's. I know it doesn't matter how many times I say it, he won't listen. He won't believe it until it's done. So I'll let it go, but hear me now. I'm trading my life for hers and there's not a damn thing anyone can say to stop me.

Jovi

Blinking slowly, I try to observe the surroundings across from me in the room.

I haven't been conscious long enough to really grab anything to memory, but I know Merrick's gonna need some clue as to where I am. Something subtle. Something that won't get him killed or me wounded for helping. Because of the damn drugs, I barely even remember talking to him. Somehow I clutch onto those thoughts the hardest and they've been sticking. I know he made some mistakes and that's why I'm here. I know he's coming for me. Right now...that's enough.

There's a window covered by black curtains directly in front of me. My sheets and bedspread are brightly floral colored, which makes me scrunch my face. Casually I look over to see there's no nightstand. No lamps. Nothing that could help in an escape.

Wouldn't try it. He feels like the kind of man to shoot you in the back and torture you after just to keep giggling about something. What was his name again? The Don? No...

In the corner there's a single chair being occupied by the woman with the braid. Her name is on the tip of my tongue, so close to sticking out in my memory I can almost shout it. The woman hasn't noticed I'm awake yet, which is fine. She's got her face buried in a book with a very distant look in her eyes.

“If you just lay there still, it won't register you're up yet,” she whispers, eyes still on her page. “That string on your wrist and ankle are motion bracelets.”

Trying not to panic I glance at my wrist to see a small string around one. In a quiet voice I ask, “Why?”

“The drug is strong enough to keep you passed out and prolong the need for you to pee, but when it starts to wear off, I have to take you to the bathroom, and give you another glass of water with it in it.”

“And you're...?”

“Melody.” Quietly she informs me. “I'm not going to hurt you. I'm here to watch over you.”

Thankful for the refresher, I try to bear down the fear that's creeping up my throat. “I don't...I don't remember waking up. I don't...I don't remember much.” Tears sting my eyes. “How long have I been here?”

She turns the page. “This will be day 4. They took you Tuesday night.”

“Merrick...”

“You have spoken to him more than once,” the reassurance soothes me. “He's the man known as Ghost. And the only thing you've been begging me to remind you of is that he loves you. That this is all about him trying to get out of this way of life to be with you. That everything is forgivable.”

Is it? He's Ghost! That means he's been a career criminal for how long? He didn't tell me that from the beginning either...Yeah, he wants out now, but doesn't change what he's done. It doesn't change the fact he's been hiding this from me. That my life is in danger because of it...but you know what? If he gets me out of this... and swears to never get me in it again, I'm sure we can work through this.

“I'm sorry,” Melody whispers. “I hate that you're here. You don't deserve this.”

“Guess this is what happens when you fall in love with a criminal.”

“When you fall in love period,” Melody counters.

Curious I ask, “Been here before?”

“I didn't end up as a house wench because I didn't feel I was cut out for college.” Her sarcasm makes me snicker a little too hard because the thing around my wrist starts flashing. There's a vibrating sound and I notice she checks her phone. “Well The Devil knows you're up now. Guess I'll grab your breakfast. He'll be in shortly.”

“Thanks,” I sigh and sit up. “Not just for the talk but...ya know, everything?”

“You're welcome,” she coos quietly seconds before the man known as The Devil arrives.

That's right! Don't let me forget. The Devil! He's the one my father's been after! Have to remember everything I can about him. God, I hope my father takes him down.

“Ah. Sleeping Beauty awakens,” he says with a cheesy smirk.

For the record he looks like a bigger douche wearing that pink monstrosity he calls a shirt. Hayli would rip him a new one for it.

“I take it you're resting well.”

“I'm fine. Thank you,” I politely answer tucking my legs beside myself.

“Good,” his remark is followed by him reaching for a remote in his pocket. “Let's make a phone call, shall we?”